Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread X: [****]

Jonny tight lips · 24-02-2019 10:18pm

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Next season we will have Leavy/VDF and Penny who are all specialist 7's. Munster's TOD is on the way out now for a while. From an IRFU point of view they will have too many eggs in Leinster.

No idea if official approach but wasn't it mentioned in press about VDF to Munster? or maybe it was some of the rugby sites

Penny will be in year 2 of the academy. We will have VDF and Leavy which is the minimum required. Porridge will also be in the squad if he’s kept on. Munster have TOD and Cloete and Conor Oliver and they also have a lad in year 3 or their academy ..... god forbid they develop one of their own ...

Shefwedfan · 24-02-2019 10:19pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

I wouldn't read into Leo's comments too much, simply because neither player is a 7 or close to it. It's more a comment to push them on and refine their game as an 8. They're both natural 8s in size and playing style.

Ulster will/should try hold on to Nordie for as long as they can, he can cover across the backrow at a high level and is a real foundation to build off of to help bring younger players through.

I 100% agree Ulster will try to hold onto Nordie. He is a quality player and was magnificent against Racing.

I also think Nordi would have stayed if Heaslip had retired a few months earlier.

Jonny tight lips · 24-02-2019 10:24pm

awec wrote: »

Murphy signed a two year deal with Ulster but I would be surprised if he headed straight back down to Leinster at the end of that.

Murphy has moved on from Leinster and Leinster have moved on from him. He looks like he’s settled well up there and Leinster have good better younger options at seven and eight. He left at the perfect time and went out in a high. His J tattoo is stupid looking but other than that great bloke.

Dubinusa · 24-02-2019 11:25pm

Jordi is amongst the leadership group in Ulster. He's part of a seemingly soon to be resurgent squad!
Coming back guarantees nothing.
As another season passes, the up and coming lads will have more experience and most will probably kick on.
There's teams in Europe would give up a nut for one of Deegan or Doris.
Next season's depth
6 Ruddock, Leavy, Murphy
7. VDF/ Leavy, Penny, Porridge
8. Conan, Deegan/ Doris.
Dowling is also a possible 6?
Still a massive amount of talent!
Maybe we can snag someone from another province?

troyzer · 24-02-2019 11:38pm

Leinster are always going to be decimated in an international window and backrow is so attritional. It's not their fault that their minnows are actually class

Dave_The_Sheep · 25-02-2019 2:21am

Watched Friday's game back there. Reid was superb, and not just for the two tries. Took the ball several times in ****ty situations and made the most of it. If he's going elsewhere, all the best to him, he may not be the best player in the world but he gave it his all every time.

Buer · 25-02-2019 10:37am

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

Watched Friday's game back there. Reid was superb, and not just for the two tries. Took the ball several times in ****ty situations and made the most of it. If he's going elsewhere, all the best to him, he may not be the best player in the world but he gave it his all every time.

People will scoff but he's the best creative midfielder in Ireland. His passing range and ability is unmatched. Guys like Scannell and Ringrose can pass well but they simply don't have that naturaly ability that Reid does. That flat long skip pass in the first half out to McFadden in the first half was a beauty. When he threw it initially, it looked like it was going to absolutely nobody.

It's just a shame that defensive issues and consistency have dogged his career. Hopefully he gets a good contract somewhere whether it's in Ireland or elsewhere and makes a bit of cash for himself. I think a guy who seeks to move abroad at the stage he's at should always be applauded. There are a number of guys who are simply happy to keep ticking along within their comfort zone knowing full well they will never be first choice for their province or in Irish contention.

arsebiscuits1 · 25-02-2019 12:14pm

Pleasantly pleased with that result. Good Friday night viewing.

Kings worked one of their tries very well. Wore us down in the 22 nicely.

I thought Ross Byrne did very well. 2 things I have noticed in particular this year is he is carrying a lot more. He seems to rarely get caught behind the gainline with the ball either. He will never have the line breaking skills of Joey but having a 10 who can get you a few metres over the gainline in the middle 3rd of the pitch is quite and understated advantage.

He also is keeping much squarer carrying to the line. Really helps to sit down the defender for his outside men.

I was watching Hugh O'Sullivan closely. He settled into the game well. His passing was noticeably poorer from right to left. It was at times erratic and slow but once he found his rhythm it improved considerably. A good performance overall for him.

On the topic of passing, I don't know how many players can sling a 20 metre pass off both hands as comfortably as Noel Reid does. They're pacy and accurate and he does it so often. The vision he has for these is incredible too. How many times has he been intercepted?

arsebiscuits1 · 25-02-2019 12:20pm

Also. I have to say I was disappointed with Deegan. 5 noticeable standouts

1) First attacking Ruck he was supposed to hit. He just stood and watched (I think there may have been an arse scratch there too) Ball was turned over and Kings got 9 points from it

2) Attacking ruck about 14 minutes in. Leinster player tackled over the gainline. Deegan stoops down and ties his lace. Ruck goes on for longer than expected. Deegan proceeds to undo his lace and retie it. Result: Dragons concede 14 points to Treviso in this time period.

3) 42 minutes in. Another attacking ruck. Deegan was still in the changing room getting ears taped again. Brexit negotiations completely break down here.

4) 55 minutes in. Absolutely no support for an attacking ruck. Camera pans to Leo the Lion getting his head ripped off by a drunken Cheetahs fan. Man in suit is revealed to be Max Deegan.

5) 72 minutes in. No support again to clear out an Ulster player from poaching our ball. A Leinster fan tweeted a picture of Max Deegan in full kit on the 46a on the way home

salmocab · 25-02-2019 12:30pm

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

Also. I have to say I was disappointed with Deegan. 5 noticeable standouts

1) First attacking Ruck he was supposed to hit. He just stood and watched (I think there may have been an arse scratch there too) Ball was turned over and Kings got 9 points from it

2) Attacking ruck about 14 minutes in. Leinster player tackled over the gainline. Deegan stoops down and ties his lace. Ruck goes on for longer than expected. Deegan proceeds to undo his lace and retie it. Result: Dragons concede 14 points to Treviso in this time period.

3) 42 minutes in. Another attacking ruck. Deegan was still in the changing room getting ears taped again. Brexit negotiations completely break down here.

4) 55 minutes in. Absolutely no support for an attacking ruck. Camera pans to Leo the Lion getting his head ripped off by a drunken Cheetahs fan. Man in suit is revealed to be Max Deegan.

5) 72 minutes in. No support again to clear out an Ulster player from poaching our ball. A Leinster fan tweeted a picture of Max Deegan in full kit on the 46a on the way home

I nearly didn’t read this as I thought more of this nonsense. Then I copped 46a

arsebiscuits1 · 25-02-2019 12:44pm

salmocab wrote: »

I nearly didn’t read this as I thought more of this nonsense. Then I copped 46a

And here was me thinking I had completed the bait and switch by point 2 :pac:

salmocab · 25-02-2019 12:47pm

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

And here was me thinking I had completed the bait and switch by point 2 :pac:

I didn’t read it until as I scanned down to see if there was another post after the 46a popped out at me. Well played

Squidgy Black · 25-02-2019 1:06pm

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

On the topic of passing, I don't know how many players can sling a 20 metre pass off both hands as comfortably as Noel Reid does. They're pacy and accurate and he does it so often. The vision he has for these is incredible too. How many times has he been intercepted?

I can't think of many occasions that he's been intercepted, he seems to be conservative enough to know not to force it ala Madigan.

I've always thought Reid would have been a great Pro14 level outhalf, he had some great performances for Clontarf in the AIL at 10, but obviously Leinster saw flaws or more of a chance for him at 12.

stephen.scrum · 25-02-2019 1:08pm

He has improved massively under Lancaster, not unlike many others.

joseywhales · 25-02-2019 1:53pm

He has fantastic hands, creates a lot of line breaks, he is a solid heineken cup player I would say.

Pudsy33 · 25-02-2019 1:57pm

Fardy signed for another year.

thomond2006 · 25-02-2019 1:58pm

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Fardy signed for another year.

Source?

troyzer · 25-02-2019 1:59pm

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Fardy signed for another year.

Pudsy33 · 25-02-2019 2:01pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Source?

Ryan Bailey and Cian Tracey reporting it on twitter.

thomond2006 · 25-02-2019 2:16pm

It's great news and the correct decision by the IRFU to green light it. Leinster's back five will be decimated by international callups and his leadership of the dirtrackers will be important. It also compensates the loss of SOB somewhat in the experience stakes.

troyzer · 25-02-2019 2:18pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

It's great news and the correct decision by the IRFU to green light it. Leinster's back five will be decimated by international callups and his leadership of the dirtrackers will be important.

I'm a bit sad about it to be honest though. He's been such a great servant to Leinster and particularly in developing the kids that I really wanted him to be recalled back to Super Rugby and go to a final world cup. He deserves it.

That door is shut now obviously.

stephen.scrum · 25-02-2019 2:18pm

Leinster 2nd row options, age as of start of next season

Senior
Scott Fardy(35) - Signed 1 yr contract in 2019
Devin Toner(33) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2017
Mick Kearney(28) - Signed contract in 2017
Ross Molony(25) - Signed contract in 2018
James Ryan(23) - Signed contract in 2017

Academy
Oisin Dowling(22/Lansdowne) - Academy Yr 2
Jack Dunne(20/DUFC) - Academy Yr 1
Ryan Baird(20/DUFC) - Academy Yr 1

Sub-Academy
Charlie Ryan(20/UCD)
Brian Deeny(19/Clontarf)
Cian Prendergast(19/UCD)

troyzer · 25-02-2019 2:21pm

stephen.scrum wrote: »

Leinster 2nd row options, age as of start of next season

Senior
Scott Fardy(35) - Signed 1 yr contract in 2019
Devin Toner(33) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2017
Mick Kearney(28) - Signed contract in 2017
Ross Molony(25) - Signed contract in 2018
James Ryan(23) - Signed contract in 2017

Academy
Oisin Dowling(22/Lansdowne) - Academy Yr 2
Jack Dunne(20/DUFC) - Academy Yr 1
Ryan Baird(20/DUFC) - Academy Yr 1

Sub-Academy
Charlie Ryan(20/UCD)
Brian Deeny(19/Clontarf)
Cian Prendergast(19/UCD)

Molony are Ryan are my starting lock pairing of the future when Toner goes. Molony has probably been my most improved player of the season for Leinster.

joseywhales · 25-02-2019 2:23pm

I feel like toner can play until he is 40 if he does his yoga, he hardly relies on explosive pace.

troyzer · 25-02-2019 2:38pm

https://www.the42.ie/scott-fardy-leinster-contract-4511983-Feb2019/

LEINSTER HAVE SECURED the services of influential Wallaby Scott Fardy for another season after he turned down an offer from Japan to sign a one-year contract extension with the province.

stephen.scrum · 25-02-2019 2:38pm

Injury update

In further good news for Leinster, Rhys Ruddock has stepped up his recovery from a hamstring injury and could return against the Cheetahs at the RDS on Friday night.

Dan Leavy (calf), Luke McGrath (knee), Joe Tomane (hamstring), Will Connors (ACL) and Nick McCarthy (foot) will all increase their load in training this week but are still unavailable for selection.

Devin Toner is still recovering from ankle surgery and he remains in a major race against time to be fit for next month's Champions Cup quarter-final against Ulster.

Second-row Mick Kearney will be assessed this week after picking up a shoulder injury in Friday’s 59-19 over Southern Kings.

Buer · 25-02-2019 3:04pm

Glad he's being retained but slightly disappointed we won't really get to see what Molony brings to the table at a higher level with any consistency. With JGP becoming Irish qualified, I'd expect Fardy to be in all of our European match day squads.