Leinster Team Talk Thread (Love you Furlong time)

letsbefair · 27-05-2026 11:18AM

Leinster loose full first team for autumn internationals and six nations. This makes it much more difficult for them than any other team in Europe. They need back ups when they're gone. They had to throw the first 2 matches of the URC due to Lions. It is not easy to win in Europe or the URC and posters saying they should win every year are not being realistic. In how many sports does one team dominate over 10 years. None. For a small country in playing numbers it is always going to be a huge challenge to compete with the all conquering French.

TRC10 · 27-05-2026 11:21AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124503077#Comment_124503077

Leinster Rugby: A True Underdog Story

phog · 27-05-2026 11:24AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124503077#Comment_124503077

That argument doesn't really hold water, as Leinster normally make the knockout games in both competitions, the international players are well back for duty by then are are outside any IRFU rest periods.

sydthebeat · 27-05-2026 11:24AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124503019#Comment_124503019

1 URC win in 5 (4) years, preceded by 4 league wins in a row…..

Since the introduction of the SA teams (who have appeared in every URC final) its as if its become very difficult to fight on 2 fronts, seeing as leinster have been in the Champions Cup final in 4 of the last 5 years.

Leinster, last season, are the ONLY team to have been able to reach a URC final whilst also achieving Champions Cup semi finals or better.

None of stormers, bulls, munster or glasgow (the other URC finalists) have been able to even reach a CC semi final in that time.

In fact only 6 times in those 5 years has a URC team thats not leinster reached even the last 8 of the Champion Cup. (munster twice, sharks, stormers, bulls and warriors). Leinster have been the sole URC representative in the semi finals of the Champions Cup for the last 5 years.

If you want to talk about "laggards and badly underachieving" some of those URC teams need to take a long hard look at themselves.

Eric the half bee · 27-05-2026 11:49AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124503105#Comment_124503105

Not to worry! the IRFU's imaginative re-jigging of provincial funding is bound to solve that problem. 😂

awec · 27-05-2026 12:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124503105#Comment_124503105

Aside from Munster I suspect a big part of the problem regarding the other 4 is they just don't care so much about the Champions Cup.

aloooof · 27-05-2026 12:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124503105#Comment_124503105

To be fair, Syd, the level of underachievement is directly proportional to the resources at their respective disposal.

The problem for Leinster (and Cullen in particular) is that they obviously make up the bulk of a pretty successsful Ireland team over the same period. But the results have been pretty contrasting.

Heroditas · 27-05-2026 12:19PM

There's been a wide range of analysis done on last Saturday. I haven't listened to the Indo podcast yet (can't bring myself to listen to it) but two other bits I've seen/heard were Victor Matfield who said that we just don't have the physicality for the SA players to mince the opposition in the tackle and stop the player's momentum dead. The Saffas are complete beasts.

Andy Dunne also offered another good snippet insofar as the blitz defence has players "shuttling" for a lot of the match - forward 10m and then back 10m. That might be manageable in not al weather conditions but not somewhere like Bilbao. It just says the energy which then means you can't manage the actual blitz tackling effectively enough. How many times did the Bordeaux players power through the tackles or continue to make ground on Saturday?

With a drift defence you're not using half as much energy.

Food for thought...

sydthebeat · 27-05-2026 12:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124503247#Comment_124503247

and ill be first in the line to give Cullen the kick in the arse out the door. A change is badly needed.

im not saying Leinster shouldn't be doing better (most teams should!), but i am saying that its become incredibly difficult to fight on both fronts at the business end of the season, and that is reflected in performance.

Its a really sad place to be as a leinster fan when our league wins are counted as meaningless and we are measured from our european final defeats. Its very, very difficult to find joy as a fan the more this extremism is pushed as to where leinster should be.

letsbefair · 27-05-2026 12:35PM

The point is it is very difficult for players to peak for autumn internationals, six nations, European finals, URC finals and summer tours. It's a physical impossibility no matter how fit you are. This effects Leinster more than most given the level of representation.

johnh6767 · 27-05-2026 12:42PM

Personally speaking I was gutted with the style of the loss more than the loss itself. We didn’t alter our style of play for the weather which can’t be underestimated but is it possible to change so fluidly without compromising the impact? Probably not. I made the trek over for the day and the only place I found solace was in the aircon on the bus. At the match it was uncomfortably hot so I can’t imagine what it was like to be in the direct sunlight playing at such bruising pace. I’m just getting over the disappointment. If we lost by a point or 2 i would have enjoyed it immensely more despite the narrative that it would have provoked. I agree it’s time for management change but I don’t blame Leo/Jacques et al for losing, we were outclassed by a better team. Lots of ifs & buts. We’ll get over it, and very much looking forward to the URC final stages which I think has become a great competition. Pointless comparing to Pro14, we get to play them in the European cup and we will have great days again for sure. Sport can be very tough at times, like now, raises all the emotions, but I’m moving onto URC final stages and determined to enjoy it. Still the highlight of the weekends til we hit summer. Transition a good thing too, future stars will be new names & faces which is exciting in itself, every time I hear of the demise of Leinster, Irelend or otherwise I smirk and reflect on the countless times that has not come to pass

TRC10 · 27-05-2026 12:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124503284#Comment_124503284

Its a really sad place to be as a leinster fan when our league wins are counted as meaningless and we are measured from our european final defeats. Its very, very difficult to find joy as a fan the more this extremism is pushed as to where leinster should be.

Leinster themselves have been pushing this more than anyone.

Also, you talk about fighting on two fronts, as if Leinster are the only club who compete in both Europe and a domestic league. And Leinster haven’t even been competing on two fronts, as they’ve been fielding second teams in URC knockout games in order to focus completely on Europe. This obviously is different now that the URC playoffs start after the CC final.

Former Former Former · 27-05-2026 01:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124503345#Comment_124503345

as they’ve been fielding second teams in URC knockout games in order to focus completely on Europe

That happened once. "they've been fielding" would mean that happened multiple times. it didn't.

AbusesToilets · 27-05-2026 01:12PM

Watching the first half back, we spent probably the guts of 25 mins or more defending in our half because of unforced errors. Just like in the La Rochelle finals, we put ourselves under immense pressure. The frustrating part is our attack did well punching through their line, when we got our short passing going. We just had so few opportunities to put them under pressure, and squandered the ones we got.

JGP was glacial at the back of rucks, both in passing and setting up for kicks. It meant we were always facing a set defense, and our kicks were well covered. Byrne didn't take charge of organizing the attack in the 22. You could throw a blanket over us, we were so tight. Bordeaux played an extremely aggressive outside rush. They read our passing patterns easily, and were in our line to nail the guy catching a pass. They had no concern for a threat from our centres. Moefana in contrast, was a constant danger, and dominated on both sides of the game.

awec · 27-05-2026 01:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124503284#Comment_124503284

The whole "we only care about the Champions Cup, that's what we measure ourselves on" schtick is something Leinster pushed themselves. Remember Andrew Porter and the "no URC stars on the jersey" interview.

I get why Leinster did it, to try set very high standards that they're only satisfied if they're winning what they deem to be the only elite trophy in the club game, but it has become harmful now.

The problem is when you set these standards for yourself and consistently fail to meet them it's hard to retrospectively turn around and find solace in anything else you did achieve. The pressure only increases over time.

Clegg · 27-05-2026 01:34PM

There's actually a fairly important game this Saturday. The Champions Cup post mortem can be conducted once this season is actually over.

Think we'll need to go pretty strong for this one. The Lions have spent the best part of a month in Europe now and are well prepared for this game. We also need to give the squad a chance to redeem themselves after last week. Having another knock out game is a good way to focus their minds.

A decision needs to be made at 10. Byrne unfortunately had a howler last weekend, following up on what was a poor semi final showing against Toulon. Think you have to go with Frawley or Prendergast to start. Maybe even both in the squad and jettison Harry entirely. Frawley isn't a particularly good 10 and is probably the worst passer of all options available, but seems to be the only one playing with any confidence at the minute.

Although this might all be a rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic sort of thing. Leinster in general just don't move the ball through midfield fast enough. The best attacking rugby we've played since Nienaber's arrival was with Sam at 10 and Jordie at 12. That was a dual playmaking pivot that could fix midfield defenders before playing it to teammates outside in space. For all of Henshaw's qualities, he isn't a great playmaker. Maybe Osborne could bring a bit of extra passing quality, but it would require the coaches to jettison Robbie, which they don't seem to want to do. Osborne needs work on his game and isn't a complete centre yet, but he has the tools to be, I think. It requires Leinster to actually play towards a longer term plan, whereas we seem to have gone more short term in the last few seasons, trying to win that Champions Cup.

The Iron Giant · 27-05-2026 01:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124503392#Comment_124503392

Also worth noting that the one time they arguably fielded a 'second team' (assuming that its Munster that is being spoken about), it had players like Jimmy O'Brien, Tommy O'Brien, Robbie Henshaw, Dave Kearney, Luke McGrath, Max Deegan, Jack Conan, Ryan Baird, Michael Ala-alatoa and others starting, with players like Cian Healy and VDF on the bench. It's referred to almost apocryphally like they started a bunch of kids.

Heroditas · 27-05-2026 01:52PM

Who would have been the driving force and responsible for the appointment of Nienaber? Cullen or Shane Nolan? Would it have been a joint appraisal and appointment?

The Iron Giant · 27-05-2026 01:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124503419#Comment_124503419

The 'no URC stars on the jersey' comment was blown ridiculously out of proportion. It was said to highlight that the Champions Cup was the more important and prestigious goal than the URC…. Something I don't think anyone would disagree with.

AbusesToilets · 27-05-2026 01:55PM

Frawley's performance has been wildly overstated imo. He wasn't involved in any of the tries, with his contribution amounting to making a few strong carries and regathering one nice chip in their 22. Suggesting we start him is silly, nothing has changed with respect to his competencies.

sydthebeat · 27-05-2026 01:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124503419#Comment_124503419

dont let context get in the way of a good narrative anyway.

Porters was interviewed after losing the URC semi final with the Champions Cup final the following weekend. Did you really expect him to catastrophize the URC semi final loss a few days before a european final??

we've consistently found ourselves wanting over the last 8 years when it comes to the being the best team in europe. we havent been the best, its that simple. We have no divine right to win any trophy never mind the most elite one. Theres a poster above who claims that leinster should win a URC every 2 years and Champion cup every 3 years. That though process is simply deluded. Our players do better with Ireland because ireland has better coaches. Pure and Simple.

If leinster win the URC again this year, being the first team to do it back to back…. we will STILL have fans from other provinces from across the league claim that thats a meaningless win because "resources".

The Iron Giant · 27-05-2026 01:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124503559#Comment_124503559

Widley credited by nearly all outlets as one of, if not the best Leinster players on the pitch last weekend. Your opinion is just as valid but you're in a tiny minority.

JeanRasczak · 27-05-2026 02:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124503550#Comment_124503550

I heard that it was Nolan, not from any source but just a general discussion with a fan. Nolan came in and was playing hard ball with Lancaster on his renewal. Lancaster then jumped ship and Nolan was left needing to bring in a big name. He thought taking in Nienaber would be a huge positive and see a big return with trophies.

This was said to me just after the Nienaber appointment and the person at that stage didn't know how it would turn out but that was the version they had. It wasn't just general pub talk either

sydthebeat · 27-05-2026 02:02PM

I dont have faith that our coaches know how to get the best performances out of our players anymore. They are slaves to a system which has been found out, which needs a different profile of player to succeed with, and one which is turgid dross to watch.

JeanRasczak · 27-05-2026 02:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124503580#Comment_124503580

Frawley has had multiple chances over the years with multiple excellent coachs in Leinster. I am just not sure why people think he is the answer when none of those coachs have.

Lancaster was the one who moved him to 12, even after Lancaster left Leinster tried him at 10 and he wasn't fantastic, got injured and then came back with zero form and was playing terrible.

His best performance for Leinster have always come at 12/15.

He came onto a game which was more or less over at half time, not sure why people are rating him so highly other than using him as a stick to bash leinster with

Podge_irl · 27-05-2026 02:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124503487#Comment_124503487

I'd start 10. Prendergast 12. Frawley personally, but don't particularly expect to see it. I think it would have been our best combo all season to be honest, though to a degree it was a case of needs must putting CF to 15.

RichieRich_89 · 27-05-2026 02:11PM

It's a pity Tector and Cooney aren't available to come in this weekend. They're two centres who can play a bit - rather than just being battering rams like Henshaw and Ringrose.

I guess they'll go with Osborne plus one of Henshaw and Ringrose to start this weekend. Osborne can play 12 or 13.

One thing I've been thinking is a few of these backs who lack acceleration and footspeed - the Osborne bros and Harry Byrne especially, but maybe Prendergast too - could benefit from training block starts for sprinting - if that's not something they've done much of. Not just three-point starts without blocks.

I think I'd go with something like the following, although I'm not sure about the centres:

Andrew Porter
Ronan Kelleher
Tadhg Furlong
Joe McCarthy
James Ryan
Diarmuid Mangan
Scott Penny
Caelan Doris
Jamison Gibson-Park
Harry Byrne
Tommy O'Brien
Jamie Osborne
Jimmy O'Brien
Joshua Kenny
Hugo Keenan
Dan Sheehan
Jerry Cahir
Thomas Clarkson
Brian Deeny
Jack Conan
Luke McGrath
Ciarán Frawley
James Lowe

I'd like to see Mangan and Penny as the flankers. Conan doesn't completely convince as a blindside, and van der Flier's powers have waned to some degree, while Penny has been performing well.

AbusesToilets · 27-05-2026 02:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124503580#Comment_124503580

By all means, elucidate on his actual actions to give credence to that claim. Game is up online to rewatch, feel free to back up that claim.

Knowall1 · 27-05-2026 02:21PM

I have heard various commentators say this week that Nienabar is a good coach and blaming the players for their individual mistakes. But where is the evidence. Did he make Munster a winning machine. And putting 15 giant South Africans in a defensive line is not a very clever tactic. They have won 2 World cups with the help of refereeing decisions and a lot of luck. SA look better since he left and so will Leinster.

The Iron Giant · 27-05-2026 02:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124503605#Comment_124503605

You think that media outlets (Independent, Rugby Pass, Planet Rugby, Ruck, Irish Times, Examiner and others) are rating him highly... just to bash Leinster? 😂

Well, we're truly through the looking glass now.

Leinster Team Talk Thread (Love you Furlong time)

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