Leinster Team Talk Thread (Love you Furlong time)

Off the Ball ( I know, I know) are once again pushing the narrative that Gus McCarthy should go to Connacht in order to keep his prospects of playing in the World Cup alive.

I can' t imagine if Will Connors, Ciaran Frawley and potentially Jordan Larmour and Gus McCarthy all went to Connacht that not only Leinster would be pissed off but Ulster and Munster fans will be shouting from the rooftops as to why Connacht have been able to nab four Irish internationals.

Will Connors leaving made sense, especially with how high Leinster seem to be on Josh Neill. Ciaran Frawley makes sense because he wants to play fly half. Jordan Larmour makes way less sense (if he actually goes), Mack Hansen, Shayne Bolton and Sam Gilbert are starting ahead of him, he would be trading coming off the bench and playing decent minutes with Leinster to doing the same with Connacht.

For Gus, I can see the alure of playing for Connacht under Lancaster, it does put him in the shop window for the Ireland squad and with young lads like Billy Bohan and Fiachna Barrett as well as Finlay Bealham, Jack Aungier and the new Loosehead Francois van Wyk, he has a good group of props left and right of him but I can see John McKee or Lee Fitzpatrick at Connacht quicker than I can see Leinster letting Gus go.

hope Todd Lawlor gets a shot soon, hes a far higher ceiling then Osbourne imo

Kind of a tough one for McCarthy, he is one injury away from every match day squad but also behind two quality players 27 & 28 years of age. Tough choice, if he was able to get 1st choice at C,M or U then it might be worth a move. IMO he should stick for 1 year and see what develops.

Reports from France that McGrath has signed with Perpignan for next season. Really leaves us short at 9 and another important player gone while the internationals are away.

A signing at 9 must be a priority now.

Not quite the profile I was thinking of to be honest. Think an NIQ spot will be needed. Gunne isn't there yet and presume Gibson Park will be protected as much as possible with IRFU in a world cup year. Massively leadership gone aswell for when the internationals are away.

No idea who would be available but Perpignan were in for McGrath or Faf De Klerk apparently. Leinster may make a move for him if he is available with Perpignan going with McGrath. No idea how he has been playing out in Japan though and will be 35 next season.

Glad to see Synman on the bench. Will be a big impact coming on in the second half. Haven't seen too much of Spicer personally so looking forward to seeing him from the start. Good pace with Ioane and the wings.

Spicer in for his first start. Delighted for him.

Hopefully he goes well

He must be. Leinster are always so smoke and mirrors with him and his injury status (more so than usual)

Afaik his foot issue is quite chronic though so perhaps it's less a case of needing an official update and just something they manage with him.

Mcgrath looks to be off to France, his leadership over the last few years has been a key component to Leinster continually being top of the URC table

Lowe is out for the next while with a groin injury. Hopefully he's back before too long. Was brilliant against Italy. We'll need him for the league and Champions Cup run in.

Good team and well predicted by some on Boards well done. Sad to see Luke leaving as he has been a real star for Leinster. Well deserved for him and his family to take the French spoils, he has given so much as leader player and mentor to the younger generation. Great opportunity for Gunne to get more time and grow into the role over coming months as we’re really talking about Sept for new season.