Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread XI (The Finals Countdown)

Exclamation Marc · 03-05-2020 4:40pm

O'Driscoll and Hartley looking back at Leinster v Northampton final on BT Sport 3. Really enjoyable so far.

I still maintain that for the @rsehole he is on the pitch, Hartley is a really enjoyable guy to watch and listen to off it.

Sheep Shagger · 03-05-2020 5:05pm

Exclamation Marc wrote: »

I really hope he gets one more game with a home crowd. He deserves a good send off and not just to end off his terms.

Highly unlikely - if Leinster play in the RDS in 2020 it will be behind closed doors. Very sad given how much he's given (RK likely to be in the same boat).

salmocab · 03-05-2020 5:13pm

Wondering aloud here but what could be the implications for squads if the European cup is played next season, will new signings be able to play presumably so as obviously players who have left won’t be eligible. It means guys who weren’t even with a club in 19/20 could get a medal for that year.

Scottmactom · 03-05-2020 5:30pm

Leinster aren't signing anyone, so wont be an issue for us.

AbusesToilets · 03-05-2020 5:56pm

Exclamation Marc wrote: »

O'Driscoll and Hartley looking back at Leinster v Northampton final on BT Sport 3. Really enjoyable so far.

I still maintain that for the @rsehole he is on the pitch, Hartley is a really enjoyable guy to watch and listen to off it.

He came off really well, I was very pleasantly surprised.

Sheep Shagger · 03-05-2020 6:36pm

Scottmactom wrote: »

Leinster aren't signing anyone, so wont be an issue for us.

Yep has previously been confirmed.

The covid mess and affect on finances means it won't change either. With a cancelled Horse Show the RDS development looks even further into the sunset too.

clsmooth · 03-05-2020 6:41pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I feel like Tomane never really got a chance to show what he could do.

Part of that was down to poorly timed injury and it took him a while to adjust to Leinster but his form this season suggests that he had a part to play in the business end.

I also feel that part of the Leinster fan base summarily rejected him. Worse again I felt at the time that there was a slight racial element within that rejection and I don't think he got the Leinster welcome he deserved.

I hope Dragon's goes well for him but I don't really rate them as a club. Is Kirchner still there?

That’s a big statement there. Wouldn’t quite agree with that. Think he was poor enough when he first came and probably never really recovered from that although this year he was much improved but still not good enough to get in the 23. Isa and Auva'a were recent fan favourites so not sure where you’re coming from with the racial element.

Exclamation Marc · 03-05-2020 8:02pm

clsmooth wrote: »

That’s a big statement there. Wouldn’t quite agree with that. Think he was poor enough when he first came and probably never really recovered from that although this year he was much improved but still not good enough to get in the 23. Isa and Auva'a were recent fan favourites so not sure where you’re coming from with the racial element.

There were posters even here who had Tomane as sixth or seventh choice center behind players who had played once or twice if at all for the senior team. It was bizarre and suggested a very real 'No foreigners policy'. Obviously it sounds daft when they would have chosen Isa or Lowe over anyone, but there was definitely something odd about his near instant rejection from some parts.

Richie_Rich89 · 04-05-2020 2:52am

Tomane was a quality winger who turned into a solid 12 after a year's worth of investment. Still a ridiculous signing by Cullen, though. If his vision had come to pass Leinster would be in a pretty poor state at inside centre going into next season. Cullen got lucky with COB able to develop significantly while Tomane was injured for months on end in his first year here. O'Brien is actually in a reasonable position to kick on in 2020/'21 despite Cullen's best efforts at short-termism that would have made Munster proud.

It's good JT was able to get a club. I was thinking they should offer him an extension to tide him over if he didn't get any offers as a result of clubs being short of money because of Covid-19. But he's got himself a gig now, so that's good. Hopefully things go well for him.

Shefwedfan · 04-05-2020 8:15am

clsmooth wrote: »

That’s a big statement there. Wouldn’t quite agree with that. Think he was poor enough when he first came and probably never really recovered from that although this year he was much improved but still not good enough to get in the 23. Isa and Auva'a were recent fan favourites so not sure where you’re coming from with the racial element.

I don’t think it is, Tomane played one game and the place was awash with hatred, same as here who equally had an issue with T’eo.

The abuse Tomane got was massively over the top, especially for someone who had his first season in Pro 14....this season he had more of a chance but the certain few didn’t give up....same rubbish....

He was a good player, once the virus hit he was never going to be resigned but it does put a huge question mark over Leinster ability to bring in NIQ, would player want to move if they know this is what to expect.....not really the image Leinster wants

Especially when you consider the warm welcome Fardy and Lowe got. Both T’eo and Tomane have been picked out for no reason from what I can see to get abuse.....they are hardly going to write a glowing review

Podge_irl · 04-05-2020 9:35am

Shefwedfan wrote: »

He was a good player, once the virus hit he was never going to be resigned but it does put a huge question mark over Leinster ability to bring in NIQ, would player want to move if they know this is what to expect.....not really the image Leinster wants

Especially when you consider the warm welcome Fardy and Lowe got. Both T’eo and Tomane have been picked out for no reason from what I can see to get abuse.....they are hardly going to write a glowing review

I think you are massively over-egging it here. One poster with a well known shtick aside, I don't recall him getting any particular abuse. Tomane, ultimately, just wasn't quite the calibre of player some wanted to see brought in. There is nothing particularly wrong with that opinion.

Leinster are not going to have any trouble attracting NIQs. Ultimately Fardy and Lowe were/are also much better on the pitch than Tomane and Te'o.

Shefwedfan · 04-05-2020 9:47am

Podge_irl wrote: »

I think you are massively over-egging it here. One poster with a well known shtick aside, I don't recall him getting any particular abuse. Tomane, ultimately, just wasn't quite the calibre of player some wanted to see brought in. There is nothing particularly wrong with that opinion.

Leinster are not going to have any trouble attracting NIQs. Ultimately Fardy and Lowe were/are also much better on the pitch than Tomane and Te'o.

Tomane has shown at every other club he was the quality of player, even with Montpellier when they got a hammered in RDS he stood out.

Some people made a judgement on him before he even arrived, one poster here of course was most vocal but Check load of other Leinster supporter forums and loads....just not with the same opinion about COB

Podge_irl · 04-05-2020 10:14am

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Tomane has shown at every other club he was the quality of player, even with Montpellier when they got a hammered in RDS he stood out.

Some people made a judgement on him before he even arrived, one poster here of course was most vocal but Check load of other Leinster supporter forums and loads....just not with the same opinion about COB

What he showed at other clubs is not really as relevant as what he showed at Leinster. And at Leinster he was grand, but that was about it. There is a reason he is heading to the Dragons next season and not somewhere better.

irishbucsfan · 04-05-2020 10:17am

Tomane wasn't amazing but he never got a chance to get going. Plenty of our greatest imports had poor starts at Leinster (Nacewa, Wright). His start was disrupted, he could have gone on to reach his potential but he never got a chance.

thomond2006 · 04-05-2020 10:51am

Tomane was summarily rejected by a certain pundit, it even became a running joke on here. He was no more than solid and his next club being the Dragons suggests there wasn't a big market for him. See Zane Kirchner.

prawnsambo · 04-05-2020 11:03am

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Tomane wasn't amazing but he never got a chance to get going. Plenty of our greatest imports had poor starts at Leinster (Nacewa, Wright). His start was disrupted, he could have gone on to reach his potential but he never got a chance.

You mean "Lord help us, Isa Nacewa".

Rigor Mortis · 04-05-2020 12:39pm

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Especially when you consider the warm welcome Fardy and Lowe got. Both T’eo and Tomane have been picked out for no reason from what I can see to get abuse.....they are hardly going to write a glowing review

You can add Kane Douglas to that list. Unless a foreign player hits the straps immediately they are given a rougher time by a section of support.

clsmooth · 04-05-2020 12:51pm

If a big money NIQ doesn't perform better than a locally developed player, he's going to struggle to win the affection of the home crowd. Happens in every sport. Everyone wants to see the local lad do well. To suggest an element of racism is a unfair. I think you could make an argument of xenophobia with Gopperth, but that was more likely frustration of having lost Sexton, our regression under MOC, and Madigan being kept out of the team although Gopperth was consistently out performing him. He unfairly became the fall guy. I don't remember any issue when Healy and VDM were alternating, or when Fardy was picked ahead of Rudduck/Moloney at any stage.

Maybe the feeling is more pronounced in Leinster with some of the home grown talent available as opposed to the other provinces who don't have the same conveyor belt. Fans take a certain pride in the fact that Leinster have accomplished what they have with a team (of mainly) home grown players. To suggest that players won't want to come from abroad is ridculous too. Contepomi and Isa are seen as Leinster legends. Lowes getting there if not already in that bracket. Rocky Elsom would struggle to buy himself a drink at the RDS. Plenty of others in that bracket too. Bottom line, its like any professional environment, come in, work hard, perform well and you'll have the full support of the crowd. Even if you're from Munster

salmocab · 04-05-2020 12:51pm

Rigor Mortis wrote: »

You can add Kane Douglas to that list. Unless a foreign player hits the straps immediately they are given a rougher time by a section of support.

I thought Douglas looked okay and Te’o was one of our better back 5 players during MOCs reign. He was probably unlucky to be at Leinster for the worst periods recently.

04-05-2020 1:16pm

Rigor Mortis wrote: »

You can add Kane Douglas to that list. Unless a foreign player hits the straps immediately they are given a rougher time by a section of support.

I think the way Douglas was received is important to note in this context, Gopperth too - we have a lot of high quality home grown talent here in Leinster and so we expect our precious few NIQ spots to be filled by players of a very high quality ala Contepomi, Elsom, Thorn, Hines, Nacewa etc etc.

This puts an additional layer of pressure on incoming NIQ recruits to perform to a similar high standard that we have come to expect.
This is borne out in examples such as Douglas, T’eo and Gopperth (those these did come good eventually) and more recently Tomane - if they don’t hit the ground running they’re not going to be given the same level of slack as a local guy, and to a degree I think that is understandable.

Ascribing a racial element to this reaction is a bit much I feel - bar one poster here I don’t recall any such disparagements on that basis. They were very much criticisms to do with Tomane’s gameplay - people were expecting the dangerous player they’d seen playing for the Brumbies and Australia and that wasn’t what they got (initially at least). I think there was also probably a degree of the grass is always greener, people looking at the likes of Lowe and thinking “This is the level of player we should be bringing in”. It was unfair on Joe but this is the standard we have come to accept.

Shefwedfan · 04-05-2020 1:44pm

Podge_irl wrote: »

What he showed at other clubs is not really as relevant as what he showed at Leinster. And at Leinster he was grand, but that was about it. There is a reason he is heading to the Dragons next season and not somewhere better.

The French and English clubs are nearly bankrupt.....the SH clubs are worse. He was always going to be limited to clubs who are backed by a Union and potentially still have money. Dragons are probably one of the few teams in the World with a budget at the moment because of the WRU backing.....

I think that has to be taken into consideration. Not who wanted him but who could actually afford him

Shefwedfan · 04-05-2020 1:48pm

It's a pity to see Ferg bow out like this if he doesn't get a chance again to play. He really was a true Leinster player. Great servant and always a good guy for a bit of niggle.

I remember the season he was taking the kicks for Madigan, 2011 I think, he was at the highest percentage success rate and then had a nightmare one night in RDS and dropped back. I always had him down as the replacement for Darcy but it never happened really. Injuries hit him at the wrong time. Like he was flying in 2019 and then that tackle when scoring and he missed the Aus tour when he would have got time on for Ireland.....

Great player, met him once and was really nice as well. One of those Leinster squad player that you miss when he is gone. Not too bad a medla haul either at club and international level

El_Duderino 09 · 04-05-2020 2:09pm

On Tomane I think he was not as good as expected when he arrived first. I think he improved a lot but I think his first impression stuck in people's minds.

I remember seeing him as a grand Pro14 player but I worried when I saw him in champions cup teams. But actually he was good this year and well worth his place in the team. He wouldn't have got there ahead of Henshaw or Ringrose, but he wasn't a weak link either.

I think at the moment the academy lads are not as solid as him but they have great potential so I'm fine with investing in them.

I'd wish him well at Dragons. He'll be a big addition to them.

sydthebeat · 04-05-2020 2:13pm

every one forgets about poor Hayden Triggs

Now theres a guy who came with no reputation and proved to be a solid squad player.

Podge_irl · 04-05-2020 2:14pm

Shefwedfan wrote: »

The French and English clubs are nearly bankrupt.....the SH clubs are worse. He was always going to be limited to clubs who are backed by a Union and potentially still have money. Dragons are probably one of the few teams in the World with a budget at the moment because of the WRU backing.....

I think that has to be taken into consideration. Not who wanted him but who could actually afford him

This is just fanciful stuff. Tomane is not going to the Dragons because they are the only team who can afford him. He was always unlikely to be staying at Leinster no matter what - if there was any interest in him he would have been signed for a good club before the latest problems hit. Ultimately for the last two years he has been middling to pretty decent as a player. The disruptions obviously haven't helped and we'll never know what might have been, but I do not expect us to be looking wistfully at the Dragons next season.

salmocab · 04-05-2020 2:46pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

every one forgets about poor Hayden Triggs

Now theres a guy who came with no reputation and proved to be a solid squad player.

I mentioned him recently when we were discussing best overseas signings. I really rated him.

04-05-2020 2:49pm

salmocab wrote: »

I mentioned him recently when we were discussing best overseas signings. I really rated him.

He was really great his final season despite suffering personal tragedy.

Fardy kinda stole the show when he came on board though. Such a quality signing and a big impact straight away.

I don't care in what capacity it happens but I really want to see Fardy stay with Leinster. Have heard so much positive feedback about his attitude on and off the field.

salmocab · 04-05-2020 2:53pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

He was really great his final season despite suffering personal tragedy.

Fardy kinda stole the show when he came on board though. Such a quality signing and a big impact straight away.

I don't care in what capacity it happens but I really want to see Fardy stay with Leinster. Have heard so much positive feedback about his attitude on and off the field.

Yeah Fardy has been a brilliant signing no doubt, with the amount that Leinster lose to Ireland camps players like him and Isa are really important as I’d say even if they aren’t playing a particular game it’s having old hands like them around that helps keep standards up.
Again though Triggs was an excellent signing and I remember when he was leaving someone suggested on I think the Connacht page that he’d be a good signing and quite a few people mocked it.

irishbucsfan · 04-05-2020 2:55pm

Triggs is another player who came good after being given time to settle. He was a liability at times early on for both penalties and crucial errors in open play. JGP as well.

Richie_Rich89 · 04-05-2020 3:27pm

It's unsurprising that Tomane struggled initially at inside centre considering he'd played all his international rugby and Super Rugby on the wing. It'd be like asking Dave Kearney (simliar number of international caps) to go down to play 12 in Australia for one of the SR franchises after standing at centre for a few games of Top Quatorze arm-wrestle rugby.

He was actually very good this season - much better than Te'o was at 12. Te'o had no understanding of running lines or how to time passes as an inside centre. I suppose the improved coaching played a role in that too.

sydthebeat · 04-05-2020 3:39pm

Richie_Rich89 wrote: »

. Te'o had no understanding of running lines or how to time passes as an inside centre.

strange that a year after Te'o left leinster he was a starting Lion at 12

must be a quick learner to go from not being able to time a pass or run a line, to starting for the lions.

prawnsambo · 04-05-2020 3:44pm

Shefwedfan wrote: »

It's a pity to see Ferg bow out like this if he doesn't get a chance again to play. He really was a true Leinster player. Great servant and always a good guy for a bit of niggle.

I remember the season he was taking the kicks for Madigan, 2011 I think, he was at the highest percentage success rate and then had a nightmare one night in RDS and dropped back. I always had him down as the replacement for Darcy but it never happened really. Injuries hit him at the wrong time. Like he was flying in 2019 and then that tackle when scoring and he missed the Aus tour when he would have got time on for Ireland.....

Great player, met him once and was really nice as well. One of those Leinster squad player that you miss when he is gone. Not too bad a medla haul either at club and international level

If anyone watched the replay of the 2011 final against Northampton on BT3 yesterday (it's on catch-up btw), BOD and Dylan Hartley are watching the game and talking about it and the players involved (very entertaining). When McFadden came on, BOD spent some time talking about him and what a good player he is. Very complimentary of him.

stephen_n · 04-05-2020 5:41pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

every one forgets about poor Hayden Triggs

Now theres a guy who came with no reputation and proved to be a solid squad player.

Another slow burner too, his first season was fairly underwhelming. Really came good in his second season though.

Richie_Rich89 · 04-05-2020 7:11pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

strange that a year after Te'o left leinster he was a starting Lion at 12

must be a quick learner to go from not being able to time a pass or run a line, to starting for the lions.

That's probably because Gatland picked him in spite of his limitations because he was looking for Jamie Roberts 2.0.

Let's be honest, the Leinster coaching probably wasn't the best with rookies Leo Cullen and Girvan Dempsey in situ so he probably improved somewhat under the coaching of Eddie Jones with England. Even at that he got dumped after the first Lions Test because his limitations were an issue. There was that time he checked back inside instead of passing when it might have been on wide right.

I wanted to see Te'o at 12 as much as anybody in '15/'16 to clear a path for Ringrose at 13 but the issues with that quickly became clear. He didn't get that he had to run square to preserve the space for those outside him. And it was always run it up and then look for the offload out of contact instead of sometimes giving it early.

I think Te'o in the centre only really worked if it was him at 13 and an outhalf-style 12 inside him to tee him up and get him running wider out and crashing over the gainline to generate go-forward (and maybe offload), i.e. what MOC signed him for. He would have needed a lot of individual skills and technical coaching - like he'd maybe get at a NZ SR franchises to bring him up to speed on how to play 12.

Shefwedfan · 04-05-2020 7:50pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

strange that a year after Te'o left leinster he was a starting Lion at 12

must be a quick learner to go from not being able to time a pass or run a line, to starting for the lions.

Te’o walked out of Leinster and straight into the England squad for the Australia tour which they won, not sure how much he played in that end of season but for someone so awful it was amazing how quick he jumped nearly every Centre in England to walk into the squad :-)

molloyjh · 05-05-2020 7:41am

clsmooth wrote: »

If a big money NIQ doesn't perform better than a locally developed player, he's going to struggle to win the affection of the home crowd. Happens in every sport. Everyone wants to see the local lad do well. To suggest an element of racism is a unfair. I think you could make an argument of xenophobia with Gopperth, but that was more likely frustration of having lost Sexton, our regression under MOC, and Madigan being kept out of the team although Gopperth was consistently out performing him. He unfairly became the fall guy. I don't remember any issue when Healy and VDM were alternating, or when Fardy was picked ahead of Rudduck/Moloney at any stage.

Maybe the feeling is more pronounced in Leinster with some of the home grown talent available as opposed to the other provinces who don't have the same conveyor belt. Fans take a certain pride in the fact that Leinster have accomplished what they have with a team (of mainly) home grown players. To suggest that players won't want to come from abroad is ridculous too. Contepomi and Isa are seen as Leinster legends. Lowes getting there if not already in that bracket. Rocky Elsom would struggle to buy himself a drink at the RDS. Plenty of others in that bracket too. Bottom line, its like any professional environment, come in, work hard, perform well and you'll have the full support of the crowd. Even if you're from Munster.

Just to note, thomond didnt mention anything about any of those points you made. He simply referenced Luke's attitude to Tomane. He didnt mention racism, xenophobia or foreign born players not being interested in Leinster. Even though he is from Munster.

Venjur on the other hand did raise the racism element. Even though he is from Leinster.

Buer · 05-05-2020 8:08am

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

On Tomane I think he was not as good as expected when he arrived first. I think he improved a lot but I think his first impression stuck in people's minds.

I think this is definitely part of the problem. People make up their minds very quickly and it's hard for them to shake that. In some cases, they've talked sh*te and are too arrogant/proud to admit they're wrong and double down or won't give credit when it's due after berating the player previously.

Tomane got some over the top criticism from some fans and Fitzgerald (he was embarrassing) over errors that multiple players were making. His showings this season have been very solid and I'd say around 7/10 for the season. I'd have been hoping for more from a test player but I'm not disappointed with him overall. He took time to click and when he did, he started to show his value.

In some cases, people make up their minds about guys before they arrive though. Gopperth was never going to be a fan favourite. Looking back at posts here, there was a widely held belief that he was signed as a back up (which I don't think was ever the intention of Leinster). The Tomane signing was getting whinges from some before he arrived as he would be harming the development of others. Ironically, his time here coincided with a rapid development of backline talent suddenly appearing in our match day squads in the likes of Keenan, JOB, COB and TOB.

Scottmactom · 05-05-2020 8:18am

So possible wing options for next season?

Senior
Dave Kearney(31)
James Lowe(28)
Barry Daly(28)
Rory O'Loughlin(26)
Adam Byrne(26)
Cian Kelleher(26)
Hugo Keenan(24)
Jordan Larmour(23)
Tommy O'Brien(22)

DK was having an excellent season, with 12 tries, after struggling with injury in recent seasons, Lowe is clearly 1st choice for Leinster, how much he will be away with Ireland going forward? We will have to wait and see. Daly hasn't played for leinster this season due to injury, is out of contract this summer afaik. ROL has focused on centre since his breakthrough season, but could be an option on the wing. Byrne has rarely played for Leinster this season, only 5 appearances, and is also out of contract this summer, some rumours around him leaving but that remains unclear given covid situation. Kelleher had 4 tries in 7 appearances, and looked like he was adapting well on his return to the province. Keenan has played 15 exclusively this season, but can cover wing. Larmour played 15 mostly this season also but obviously another option on the wing. O'Brien is capable of playing centre and wing, interesting to watch to see where he focuses on next season.

Academy
Michael Silvester(22)
Liam Turner(21)
Aaron O'Sullivan(20)
Andrew Smith(20)

Silvester has played 15 mostly but could appear on the wing. Turner has played 13 mostly but could also play on the wing. O'Sullivan and Smith are pure wingers.

clsmooth · 05-05-2020 9:02am

molloyjh wrote: »

Just to note, thomond didnt mention anything about any of those points you made. He simply referenced Luke's attitude to Tomane. He didnt mention racism, xenophobia or foreign born players not being interested in Leinster. Even though he is from Munster.

Venjur on the other hand did raise the racism element. Even though he is from Leinster.

Didn’t even look at the username when I quoted that post and was only referencing the fact that I agreed with his assessment of Tomane and Kirchner! Suddenly my little joke about even Munster born players being accepted looks like I was a having a go: apologies thomond, that was definitely not the case

Shefwedfan · 05-05-2020 9:23am

Talked to a couple of Dragons fans, they are over joyed to have him and expect to be competitive with him included next year so will be interesting

In terms of wing

Senior
Dave Kearney(31) - Would expect to be in first team, especially for international weeks
James Lowe(28) - Will be with Ireland all the time so will only really play in Europe
Barry Daly(28) - Unknown really
Rory O'Loughlin(26) - Pro 14 really
Adam Byrne(26) - I would expect to leave to Connacht
Cian Kelleher(26) - Could be season for him to break into European side
Hugo Keenan(24) - Will be looking to break into European side
Jordan Larmour(23) - Fullback
Tommy O'Brien(22) - DOnt know enough about him

That's my breakdown at the moment. Larmour is clearly marked for the 15 jersey so really will only play wing if injury crisis. Expect Rob to leave so who would play 15 instead of Larmour?

Clegg · 05-05-2020 9:59am

Buer wrote: »

I think this is definitely part of the problem. People make up their minds very quickly and it's hard for them to shake that. In some cases, they've talked sh*te and are too arrogant/proud to admit they're wrong and double down or won't give credit when it's due after berating the player previously.

Tomane got some over the top criticism from some fans and Fitzgerald (he was embarrassing) over errors that multiple players were making. His showings this season have been very solid and I'd say around 7/10 for the season. I'd have been hoping for more from a test player but I'm not disappointed with him overall. He took time to click and when he did, he started to show his value.

In some cases, people make up their minds about guys before they arrive though. Gopperth was never going to be a fan favourite. Looking back at posts here, there was a widely held belief that he was signed as a back up (which I don't think was ever the intention of Leinster). The Tomane signing was getting whinges from some before he arrived as he would be harming the development of others. Ironically, his time here coincided with a rapid development of backline talent suddenly appearing in our match day squads in the likes of Keenan, JOB, COB and TOB.

This is what annoyed me the most. There was a game when the opposition were camped a few metres from Leinster's line, one of our backrows failed to make his hit and the oppo ball carrier was inches from the line. Tomane tried to stop him, but he was bowled over by the bigger man. In the match thread the posts were all about Tomane failing to stop the try. Nothing about our backrow being the actual culprit. Once the line was broken Tomane was never stopping the grounding.

Buer · 05-05-2020 10:33am

Clegg wrote: »

This is what annoyed me the most. There was a game when the opposition were camped a few metres from Leinster's line, one of our backrows failed to make his hit and the oppo ball carrier was inches from the line. Tomane tried to stop him, but he was bowled over by the bigger man. In the match thread the posts were all about Tomane failing to stop the try. Nothing about our backrow being the actual culprit. Once the line was broken Tomane was never stopping the grounding.

I recall the try. That was in no small part thanks to people parroting Fitzgerald who was looking for any vehicle to kick Tomane. Fitzgerald never really came across brilliantly in his punditry but he has tried to carve out a niche for himself as an outspoken and blunt pundit. The problem is that he doesn't back it up with actual logic or sense.

Scottmactom · 05-05-2020 10:41am

So centre options next season:

Robbie Henshaw(27)
Rory O'Loughlin(26)
Garry Ringrose(25)
Conor O'Brien(24)
Jimmy O'Brien(23)
Ciaran Frawley(22)
Gavin Mullin(22)
Tommy O'Brien(22)

Henshaw and Ringrose are clearly 1st choice centre partnership for Leinster, ROL has missed most this season with an injury but he has often filled in at 12 in europe and been Ringrose's primary backup. COB has had a quieter 2nd season this year but will have an opportunity to push on next season with Tomane leaving. JOB has featured at 13 this season but could also play 15. Can he overcome his size in the centre at the highest level? Frawley is an option at 12 if he moves away from 10. Mullin has been a pure 13, wait and see can he get some gametime there next season. TOB can play all across the backline, will he settle at centre?

David Hawkshaw(21)
Liam Turner(21)

Hawkshaw is a 10/12, who has been injured. Will he focus on 10 or 12 on his return? Turner has been focusing on 7's, will he play 13 or wing on his return to 15's?

Clegg · 05-05-2020 11:12am

Jaysus. Look at that baby face.

https://twitter.com/leinsterrugby/status/1257613211349798912?s=19

Buer · 05-05-2020 11:15am

And around 6 months later he did this little move against Glasgow. The in and out move is something Hickie would have been happy with:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlIdRxKFjQQ

Scottmactom · 05-05-2020 11:18am

what an athlete.

Clegg · 05-05-2020 11:20am

You forget sometimes that Healy was a freak when he first burst onto the scene. Never seen an Irish prop as dynamic as him. Still haven't either. Porter and Furlong are great athletes, but don't have that explosive mix of pace and power.

AdamD · 05-05-2020 2:06pm

Rigor Mortis wrote: »

You can add Kane Douglas to that list. Unless a foreign player hits the straps immediately they are given a rougher time by a section of support.

Well it didn't help that Douglas never seemed to look like he wanted to be here, along with being fairly useless on the pitch. Then left his contract early which feeds into it looking like he was never that arsed in the first place.

Clegg · 05-05-2020 2:27pm

Remember Steven Sykes? He was in the same boat as Douglas. Was rubbish and clearly didn't want to be here either.

We had to wade through a lot of rubbish before we found some good locks to sign. And now we're at the stage where we can develop our own quality players.

Buer · 05-05-2020 3:31pm

Clegg wrote: »

Remember Steven Sykes? He was in the same boat as Douglas. Was rubbish and clearly didn't want to be here either.

We had to wade through a lot of rubbish before we found some good locks to sign. And now we're at the stage where we can develop our own quality players.

We're too quick to criticise. Sykes was 26, signed for Leinster which was the other side of the world and came here with his other half who was heavily pregnant (she wasn't pregnant when he signed). They had a kid with no family or support anywhere around and they were homesick.

He was a good player but being a good player in South Africa in the sun and at home doesn't mean you're going to be at the same level in Ireland. It's a shame as it appeared to completely unravel his career and he never go to the same level that he was at prior to leaving SA (he was an unused sub in the final Lions test).

Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread XI (The Finals Countdown)

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