Leinster Team Talk Thread (Love you Furlong time)

ersatz · 13-05-2026 10:35PM

The only thing about Lowe at 12 is defence, it took him a while on the wing. He has zero experience there and is an old dog. Otherewise he has great skills for 12 including a a great left boot, his midfield play is already a real attribute when he comes in.

sydthebeat · 13-05-2026 11:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124466062#Comment_124466062

Paidi farrell is a winger

SlowMan2027 · 14-05-2026 08:40AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124466062#Comment_124466062

Mangan is a centre.

McErlean and Farrell are expected to leave.

Andrew Osborne(22), JJ Kenny(22), Ruben Moloney(22), Hugo McLaughlin(21), Todd Lawlor(20), Charlie Molony(20), Derry Moloney(20), Noah Byrne(20), Johnny O'Sullivan(19) are all young wings in and around the senior and A squads.

Clegg · 14-05-2026 08:48AM

Can't imagine we'll see many players pencilled in for the Champions Cup final take part in this weekends game. Still questions surrounding three or four positions though. If Paddy McCarthy is in any way ready we should give him some minutes in preparation for Bilbao. Would be unfair on Jerry Cahir, but we'll need the extra punch McCarthy brings around the pitch.

Think we also need to give Mangan, Penny, Soroka and Deegan starts as 2 of those 4 probably make the bench for the final. Penny is probably a distant fourth too, which again is unfair considering how well he has played, but the other three are all better lineout options.

Kelleher and Furlong have barely played recently either. Both are proven test quality players who you'd expect to pitch up at the right level regardless of lack of game time. But I'd still rather they get 40 or 50 minutes this weekend in preparation.

El_Duderino 09 · 14-05-2026 08:57AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124466795#Comment_124466795

From what I've heard, Mccarthy was deregistered from the CC squad. So he's not eligible to play in Bilbao.

He'll be very useful in the rest of the URC so I'd expect them to give him minutes this week if he's ready.

Clegg · 14-05-2026 09:00AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124466812#Comment_124466812

Ruaidhri O'Connor has written that McCarthy is actually eligible to play in the final. So who knows really.

El_Duderino 09 · 14-05-2026 09:30AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124466824#Comment_124466824

Fair enough. There's conflicting information on his eligibility. We'll just have to wait and see.

In either case, they'll be keen to get some minutes into him this week if he's ready.

Podge_irl · 14-05-2026 09:56AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124466795#Comment_124466795

I expect the opposite. I think the SF showed they learned a lesson from the last few years and I expect l, as then, for basically everyone to get a game before the final which means a strong squad this weekend.

sydthebeat · 14-05-2026 10:44AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124466948#Comment_124466948

kind of perfect opposition to play against as well. saturday early evening at home.

ospreys players minds should be on their sandy beach holidays.

go strong as use it to brush off the cobwebs of some of the planned partnerships for the CC final

bingobango12 · 14-05-2026 10:53AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124466795#Comment_124466795

No idea how they will pick a team this week but would hope to see Kelleher, Furlong, Deeny, Soroka, Conan, Byrne, Henshaw, Ringrose, Lowe, JOB all involved. Some due to not playing last week, some to try force themselves into the 23 for next week. Hope neither prop in Porter & Clarkson, second row in Ryan & Joe, Doris & JGP are involved but after that, would like if they they go strong.

SlowMan2027 · 14-05-2026 11:09AM

Deeny is injured afaik

wouldnt have Ringrose near the side, same for Conan.

FtD v2 · 14-05-2026 12:20PM

John McKee's move to Scarlets confirmed.

I've said it multiple times, but kind of baffled by this.

Very strange there was no role for him in Irish rugby next season in my view. He's just turned 26, has almost 50 caps for Leinster, including caps in Europe etc.

I absolutely get why he's leaving Leinster at this point, but I'm 100% convinced there are worse players than him in provincial squads for next season.

realhorrorshow · 14-05-2026 12:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124467354#Comment_124467354

He'd likely make the first choice 23 for the other 3 provinces (toss up with Herring at Ulster) and has strong connections with two of the three; he's from Ulster and has worked with, and played his best rugby under, Lancaster. There must be some reason those moves haven't materialised but it's hard to understand from the outside. Great pickup for Scarlets.

sydthebeat · 14-05-2026 12:29PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124467354#Comment_124467354

just look at the two hookers connacht have named for this weekend.

i dont think theres any argument that if mckee went to connacht hes not immediately at least 2nd choice, possibly 1st choice as Heffernan hits his twilight years

TRC10 · 14-05-2026 12:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124467354#Comment_124467354

Munster have signed the South African lad from the Scarlets, and there’s not much between McKee and the two Barrons. So they don’t really need him. Ulster have Stewart, Herring and a good youngster in McCormick. Maybe Connacht could have taken him but he’s not a massive upgrade on what they already have.

arsebiscuits1 · 14-05-2026 01:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124467354#Comment_124467354

From his POV I kind of get it.

He's good enough to be a starter at Scarlets. Ryan Elias is his only realistic competition whose a decent player but I think McKee will overtake him with consistent game time.

McKee hasn't played more than 500 minutes in a season in his professional rugby career (even in the 22 season where he had 19 appearances but didn't get off the bench in 3 and got less than 5 minutes in another 3)

There's an argument that he could start at Connacht perhaps. There's always the possibility that Lancaster wasn't interested. Maybe he doesn't see him as a starter.

I can see the logic in him wanting to go somewhere to get consistent starts and minutes, cut his cloth, show his worth and have the provinces fighting over him in 2 years time

bingobango12 · 14-05-2026 01:31PM

Ntlabakanye who played against Leinster last week has been given an 18 month ban for doping.

He tested positive for Anastrozole but also self declared taking DHEA in 2025, which is prohibited . A bit mad he was allowed continue playing when he admitted taking a banned steroid.

https://www.planetrugby.com/news/springboks-and-lions-prop-asenathi-ntlabakanye-banned-for-18-months

AbusesToilets · 14-05-2026 01:58PM

SA rugby never beating the allegations

Quin_Dub · 14-05-2026 02:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124467577#Comment_124467577

And half the Georgian squad got massive bans as well this week

The biggest anti-doping investigation in World Rugby’s history has resulted in six of Georgia’s men’s team and a medical official being handed lengthy bans, with their former captain Merab Sharikadze suspended for 11 years. Working alongside the World Anti-Doping Agency, World Rugby uncovered evidence of urine swapping and advance warning of drug tests being given to players.

FtD v2 · 14-05-2026 02:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124467403#Comment_124467403

Herring is 36 years old and James McCormick is 24 years old - he's only 2 years younger than McKee. McKee has shown a lot more than McCormick at this point in their respective careers.

At Connacht - their best hooker is Dave Heffernan, who is 35 years old. For me, I'd rate McKee more highly than Dylan Tierney Martin and definitely better than Eoin de Buitlear.

pickarooney · 14-05-2026 03:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124466775#Comment_124466775

There seems to be a permanent production line of Moloneys coming through at Leinster, none of whom, since Ross, have made any impact.

johnh6767 · 14-05-2026 05:33PM

Very disappointed to hear McErlean is leaving I rate him exceptionally highly he just seems to have been hammered with injuries. I’m sure he will feature elsewhere and will be a loss to Leinster in the medium term

SlowMan2027 · 14-05-2026 06:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124468339#Comment_124468339

He is being released because he can't stay fit.

If he can't stay healthy he won't feature anywhere.

Clegg · 15-05-2026 12:02PM

Very strong side named for tomorrow. Looks like we're going for one more game to tune up for the Champions Cup final. Mangan starting with McCarthy in the second row suggests he's being looked at to bench next weekend. No sign of Paddy McCarthy which is unfortunate. Hopefully he's back soon though. Great to see Lowe and Larmour fit again also.

15. Jimmy O’Brien (117)

14. Tommy O’Brien (60)

13. Garry Ringrose (147)

12. Robbie Henshaw (119)

11. Jordan Larmour (117)

10. Harry Byrne (89)

9. Jamison Gibson-Park (169)

1. Jerry Cahir (14)

2. Gus McCarthy (28)

3. Rabah Slimani (35)

4. Joe McCarthy (61)

5. Diarmuid Mangan (26)

6. Jack Conan (176) CAPTAIN

7. Josh van der Flier (171)

8. James Culhane (26)

Replacements:

16. Rónan Kelleher (91)

17. Alex Usanov (6)

18. Tadhg Furlong (164)

19. Max Deegan (156)

20. Caelan Doris (104)

21. Fintan Gunne (32)

22. Ciarán Frawley (121)

23. James Lowe (98)

johnh6767 · 15-05-2026 12:07PM

great 23! Happy with that

bingobango12 · 15-05-2026 12:13PM

Very happy with that. Excellent backline.

AbusesToilets · 15-05-2026 12:16PM

Great to see Lowe back, and Larmour. Real forgotten season for him. Wonder if Culhane starting suggests he's in pole position for the 23 ahead of Deegan and Soroka?