Leinster Team Talk Thread (Love you Furlong time)

HanShotFirst · 24-05-2026 02:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124495396#Comment_124495396

What? How do you know he went for Performance Director?

The Iron Giant · 24-05-2026 02:49PM

I expected that Ioane would not be at the same level as Barrett but the size of the step down is a bit shocking.

I'm sure he gave it his all and did his best, and hindsight is of course 20-20 but it's hard not to think that someone who's been at, or will be at the team for a longer period, should have been given his spot throughout the year. He was fairly anonymous again yesterday.

50HX · 24-05-2026 03:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124495492#Comment_124495492

Tbf there is only one Jordie Barrett.

Ioane with 88 NZ caps, played 7's at 17 years of age isn't exactly a bad player either.

Granted he didnt get off to a good start but I think that was more to Leinster style of play didnt use his skillset fully.

He played v well in the last number of weeks & was coming into real form

P.Walnuts · 24-05-2026 03:43PM

Paddy Mc on crutches and in a moonboot

pickarooney · 24-05-2026 04:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124495407#Comment_124495407

back on the flogged dead horse of a different colour after it's bolted.

Heroditas · 24-05-2026 05:07PM

Looking at Ticketmaster and there's an awful lot of seats available in the North, South and each end of the East Stand for next weekend. To be expected...

A-Train · 24-05-2026 06:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124495987#Comment_124495987

once again the darts are off on the bank holiday weekend. This time they aren’t running from Connolly station to the southside. Coming from the northside or southside for a 8pm ko is a nightmare so this will have an impact.

ironingbored · 24-05-2026 06:29PM

In fairness to the players, they never stopped trying despite being on the end of a hiding. You can't fault their effort, it's just so disapponting they were sent out with the wrong gameplan and/or lack of coaching.

Former Former Former · 24-05-2026 06:55PM

Whatever about sacking the coaches, suggesting Pat Lam as a replacement is utterly mental.

TRC10 · 24-05-2026 07:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124496385#Comment_124496385

Not saying Pat Lam is the guy but what he achieved with Connacht dwarfs anything Leo has ever done as a coach

Former Former Former · 24-05-2026 07:15PM

arguing to sack a coach and replace him with someone because of something that he did ten years ago is even more bizarre.

Maybe we could call Clive Woodward or Declan Kidney in for an interview

darkened_scrum · 24-05-2026 07:24PM

Declan Kidney has already coached Leinster thank you.

exiledawaynothere · 24-05-2026 08:05PM

Why would Leo Cullen be sacked? Top two in Europe and losing to a top team in sweltering conditions that favored them. 21 points lost to avoidable errors and showed a lot of heart in the second half. Also well placed to win the URC again. Give him a mandate to rebuild next year and reverting back to attractive rugby.

TRC10 · 24-05-2026 08:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124496572#Comment_124496572

No point in showing heart when the game is over.

clsmooth · 24-05-2026 08:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124496610#Comment_124496610

Really? You’d feel indifferent if they threw the towel in and conceded 70 points?

HanShotFirst · 24-05-2026 08:42PM

Whatever about sacking the coaches…..

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124496417#Comment_124496417

Dont listen to the Leinster PR guys

We all know that Leinster absolutely need to sack the coaches

It’s gotten so bad almost anyone with a pedigree of coaching for 10 years plus would be an improvement at this stage.

Complete and total charlatan as “Senior Coach”….Sorry “I’m just the defensive coach”

And then there is Leo!

TRC10 · 24-05-2026 08:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124496653#Comment_124496653

I’d feel different if they showed some heart in the first half, and looked like a team who were actually ready to play a final. But as is always the case with Leinster, they shat the bed.

No doubt the responses to this will be “there’s no shame in losing to this Bordeaux team” which ignores the fact that this Leinster side is stacked to the brims with players who we’re constantly told are the best in the world or “generational”. Leinster fans want to have their cake and eat it.

Jump_In_Jack · 24-05-2026 09:59PM

Leinster started well, don’t forget that fact.

Were leading 7-0, and looking hungry.

There were a few horror moments, bounce of the ball, interception, and then it settled back into a contest.

My main worry for Leinster is sticking with Henshaw and Ringrose for a decade, and believing they’ll do something they did a decade ago, while they are way past their prime now and offer nothing special going forward.

I also hope the dabbling with NZ imports for 6-month pension top-ups is finished with. Sign a younger “hotter” prospect, a scorching wing, not a wing who’s slowed down so much they play him as a centre.

I think Leinster could have won that match with a bit more “knockout rugby” tactics.

By that I mean getting the defence right, taking every kick at the posts on offer, no loose passes giving away 7 points against the run of play, kick the bloody ball out instead of trying to run it from your own 22. LBB is the best running threat in the world, he had to be man-marked and locked down, if he made a run off the ball somebody HAS TO track him and not let him get into open country in behind.

I had posted before the match that Leinster had to kick more and play the territory strategy from the start, and only pick and go and use one out runners when attacking in or around their 22.

It was absolutely wasted effort crashing repeatedly into their defensive line in that heat.

Now I must add, I turned the TV off when UBB went 4 tries up, so most of this was from the first half and maybe ten minutes of the start of the second half, but to be fair the match was over by then in reality.

What interests me now about Leinster is how quickly the young blood can be brought through and the players that couldn’t get the job done are thanked and clapped off stage. There has to be a change in personnel for next season. Both centres must be moved on from, and need to start backing pace in the back three. Could Leinster offer a contract to Aaron Sexton for a season and see if they could get his skills up to scratch?

Anyway, sorry to the loyal fan base of Leinster, ye deserved better than what ye have gotten with this team and the coaching strategy. Onwards and upwards, the URC is there to be won, though it won’t be easy, nor should it be.

50HX · 24-05-2026 10:10PM

@Jump_In_Jack you will be disappointed to hear that both centres are on central contracts until the end of 27/28 season so they wont be going anywhere.

There maybe changes at 12 with Tector deserving more game time & Cooney also getting more minutes but ultimately when its business end I expect Ringrose to be a starter, Henshaw is not as certain imo

AbusesToilets · 24-05-2026 10:16PM

The centre issues were called out at the start of the season and nothing was done to really address it. When crunch time game, Cullen reverted to his old stalwarts. Frawley, Osborne, Tector, Cooney, even JOB. One of them could've been starting every match in the centre, injuries and rest permitting. A wasted season in that regard.

Cullen has done amazing work developing the forwards, our stocks of props are enviable, just bizarre that he's been so adverse to addressing other positions. Gunne, who hasn't been great tbf, also should've been prioritized for gametime. McGrath is gone, and JGP is on the back end of his career.

Jump_In_Jack · 24-05-2026 10:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124497051#Comment_124497051

Honestly, I would go with Frawley 12 and Ioane at 13 if I were allowed to pick the team.

Jimmy O’Brien on the left wing.

I’d be tempted to start Osborne at fullback, just think he is a great player and I don’t think Keenan is showing anything at the moment that would keep his starting place.

I would keep Harry Byrne at 10 though, I’d make him play a different style though, kick it to the corners and then look to release Ioane into space at every opportunity.

50HX · 24-05-2026 10:39PM

Osbourne is a great option to have to cover FB but in no planet does he replace Keenan.

Keenan v v rarely plays badly...i struggle to remember the last time he had a stinker of a game.

This is it · 24-05-2026 10:53PM

Generally with Keenan in the side our attack looks far more threatening, to leave out a fit Keenan would be madness.

johnh6767 · 24-05-2026 11:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124497065#Comment_124497065

He has done amazing I agree and it’s a stalwart of Leinster. Frawley has been the enigma, I’ve always rated him but he has lacked consistency, Osborne & JOB will get lots of game time now as the transition plays out. So too for Gunne & Cooney both of whom have performed admirably when given the chance although average minutes per game is low enough. Tector I like as a workhorse

AbusesToilets · 24-05-2026 11:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124497127#Comment_124497127

Wouldn't say he had a stinker, but he was definitely off his best yesterday. Fell off a few tackles, and the backfield as a whole had poor positioning too frequently.

FtD v2 · 25-05-2026 07:12AM

It’s impossible to imagine how you get this group of players to keep going again and again and again.

Try to imagine pre-season starting again in July (prob August for our internationals).

The loss this time wasn’t like the narrow defeats to La Rochelle or Toulouse, where you could tell yourself it was fine margins and some huge decisions that went against you. On the day and throughout the tournament, Bordeaux look a level above where Leinster are.

On top of that - the squad is losing lots of quality and experience. All of Luke McGrath, Rieko Ioane, Rabah Slimani, Will Connors, Ciarán Frawley and probably James Lowe will be gone, and I don’t think there’s anyone coming in to replace them apart from maybe an injured Joey Carbery and Peter Dooley.

Where’s the thinking that this same group of coaches will be able to convince this group of players to keep going to the well? At what point is it recognised and accepted that it’s gotten stale and needs a refresh?

The thing is too - the obvious guy to do it is right out there and without a job.

Scott Robertson is one of the most successful club coaches in the history of the game. He won two NPCs in 3 years, won a World Cup at U20s and then led the Crusaders to 7 Super Rugby titles, winning 7/7 finals.

He knows Leinster - the Crusaders and Leinster collaborated and self-scouted each other during COVID. He knows these players from his stint as All Blacks coach largely.

He is perceived to be tainted somewhat from an unsuccessful stint as All Blacks head coach, but that’s exactly what was said about Stuart Lancaster when he joined Leinster.

He’s not going to get another international gig before the RWC, and we’re one of the biggest club jobs in world rugby. He would command the instant respect of every player in the dressing room, and would create exactly the scenario where guys are fresh and challenged again; something that I think would be great for Irish rugby too.

This won’t happen, because the IRFU are super conservative, especially on fiscal matters, so they aren’t going to serve the coaching ticket with 6 month notices and pay them off, but for me, it’s exactly what should happen.

pjdarcy · 25-05-2026 08:08AM

We probably need to look for a new attack coach too. The attack was so blunt and devoid of ideas. First receiver taking it into contact over and over again while struggling to get over the gain line. Incredibly frustrating to watch.

pickarooney · 25-05-2026 08:22AM

For me all the issues in attack come from losing the collisions. When Leinster dominate contact they have something of a game plan to keep the ball moving and carry straight up the pitch. It worked very well against weaker sides this year.

But getting knocked behind the gain line repeatedly nullifies this, slows everything down, lets the defence line up and there's nothing the attack can actually do other than run into context and try again. And it's very easy to keep rebuffing a static attack like that.

El_Duderino 09 · 25-05-2026 08:30AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124497392#Comment_124497392

I don't think it will be unimaginably hard to motivate the players. A few reasons include: it's their job, it's a world cup year and players want to make the Ireland squad, lots of players in the last year od their career, they are only the second best team in Europe (boo-hoo).

How does a scarlets team possibly carry on each year as they haven't been in a final in a decade?

FtD v2 · 25-05-2026 08:40AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124497467#Comment_124497467

"It's their job" - is true of literally every pro rugby player out there.

I would strongly disagree with the notion they're the second best team in Europe right now.

How does a scarlets team possibly carry on each year as they haven't been in a final in a decade?

You're literally making my point for me here - that isn't remotely close to the level any Irish team measures itself against.

I have no doubt whatsoever they can go through all the motions and talk the same platitudes that they are very well versed in speaking, but their belief and confidence has to be fundamentally shaken with this defeat (especially when viewed in the context of our last two 6Ns performances against France too).

Instead we've a squad where a lot of talent and experience is leaving, not a lot coming back in, not really much coming back from injury, and the same old coaches preaching the same old messages.

Leinster Team Talk Thread (Love you Furlong time)

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