Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread XII (The Byrne Supremacy)

TRC10 · 29-03-2022 11:03pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118853741#Comment_118853741

Henshaw, Ringrose and perhaps Frawley will play next to no URC over the next season and a half

Disagree. Frawley is a lovely player but honestly I can't see him overtaking Henshaw or Aki in the Ireland pecking order anytime soon. And even if he's involved in extended squads, there won't be provincial matches on international weekends next season, so barring injury Frawley will always be available for Leinster.

given Frawleys trajectory

What trajectory? 2nd choice 12, 4th choice 10 and not being in the 23 for Europe when everyone is fit?

Exclamation Marc · 29-03-2022 11:09pm

Frawley isn't moving to 10. Fourth choice 10 is essentially out of the default match day 23 which is just not happening.

Leinster/IRFU have re-signed three out and out 10s in the last month. He'll be starting at 12 with completion from Ngatai as realistically there is little depth/competition at 12 around international windows or if Henshaw is injured.

TRC10 · 29-03-2022 11:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118854079#Comment_118854079

Frawley isn't moving to 10

I wouldn't be so sure of this to be honest.

Sexton's Leinster career is more or less over. He probably won't play 10 more games for the province. Perhaps Leo and Stu are aware of Ross Byrne's limitations and see Frawley as a better long term successor if we want to challenge for more European Cups?

When we signed Ala'alatoa, I thought it was bizarre that we were signing the Crusaders 1st choice TH and Samoa captain to be 3rd choice, and then it turned out he was being signed to accommodate Porter switching to LH. I wouldn't be at all surprised if this is something similar. I'd be amazed if we're signing an All Black (probably on a decent wedge) to be 3rd choice 12.

Exclamation Marc · 29-03-2022 11:31pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118854129#Comment_118854129

I totally agree on Sexton in the URC but I wouldn't rule out him showing up for key Champions Cup games. Much has been made of his ability to turn up for games uncooked and perform but he'll still need some fitness.

If they had no confidence in Ross, they wouldn't have re-signed him. Because in this scenario, they've re-signed Ross, Harry and Frawley for one of them to essentially be a water boy. And if Sexton is available, one of them won't even be given that luxury.

If there was any inkling of Frawley being a ten, he would have turned up there for at least one minute in the last two years, which he hasn't.

Ngatai is there for competition but he can also cover other positions. There is so little depth at 12. It's Henshaw and Frawley and that's it post the summer departures. Sure Harry Byrne was playing 12 as we were so light on depth. Moving Frawley to 10 would be madness and make no sense.

TRC10 · 29-03-2022 11:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118854158#Comment_118854158

he would have turned up there for at least one minute in the last two years, which he hasn't.

He played the last 20 minutes or so v Bath at 10.

I fully understand the squad depth argument, but you don't sign an ex All Black who's playing every week at Lyon to come and be 3rd choice and play the odd URC game. That's the kind of thing you sign someone like Tom Daly or Dan Goggin or some random IQ lad from the Premiership for, not an ex All Black who's still only 31 playing 1st XV rugby. It just seems like overkill to me. We could put T'O.B or Harry at 12 and still wipe the floor with most the dross in the URC.

I suspect Frawley being shifted to 12 had more to do with us being stacked at 10, than him not being rated as a 10. But very soon, we won't be stacked for 10s anymore.

Dubinusa · 30-03-2022 5:15am

Who knows what the story is? Frawley may go back to the 10 position and perhaps he can make himself a valuable out half? It would be good for RB and HB, to have more competition.

Frawley is a very good 12, he could be involved in some Irish squads? I can see his multi talents at several positions are very attractive. He's played 15 and 12, he could probably do a job on the wing like ROL. But, having another option behind Sexton is needed.

RB is obviously highly rated with Leinster. They have re signed him and remember, he was chosen over Carberry to remain at Leinster.

HB is a dilemma! He just can't get a consistent run. I'm hopeful he plays this weekend. I'd love to see him start!

I would assume Tector will be in the academy. I have changed my opinion of him after the match with France. I thought he was quite good! I still think Corkery was better but, no other province picked him up!

sydthebeat · 30-03-2022 9:22am

Ngatai plays a lot more than just 12.

he will be brought in as a utility back to cover both centre spots and 15.

im sure james lowe was instrumental in getting him over (if the signing is confirmed)

AdamD · 30-03-2022 11:31pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118854055#Comment_118854055

The trajectory that has him in line to be our player of the season and beginning to get into Ireland squads

TRC10 · 30-03-2022 11:35pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118859096#Comment_118859096

He won't be our player of the season. The only way he'll get in the matchday 23 for the "big" games is through injury

He didn't make the 6N squad

Rigor Mortis · 01-04-2022 11:31am

Not sure whether its because Boards.ie has fallen off, because the interest in the URC is lower or because the rivalry isn't what it once was, but no posts on either Leinster or Munster forums in the last 24 hours and no dedicated match thread. It really does seem like interest in the league derby is on the wane.

Interested Observer · 01-04-2022 12:05pm

15. Hugo Keenan (38)

14. Jimmy O’Brien (45)

13. Garry Ringrose CAPTAIN (94)

12. Robbie Henshaw (60)

11. James Lowe (59)

10. Ross Byrne (120)

9. Jamison Gibson-Park (108)

1. Ed Byrne (80)

2. James Tracy (139)

3. Michael Ala’alatoa (16)

4. Devin Toner (276)

5. Jack Dunne (17)

6. Caelan Doris (47)

7. Josh van der Flier (106)

8. Jack Conan (109)

Replacements:

16. Dan Sheehan (21)

17. Cian Healy (241)

18. Tadhg Furlong (119)

19. Ross Molony (131)

20. Josh Murphy (55)

21. Luke McGrath (167)

22. Ciarán Frawley (47)

23. Max Deegan (80)

It's 2/3rds of a good team but that front 5 is just... what?

Munster: Matt Gallagher; Calvin Nash, Chris Farrell, Damian de Allende, Shane Daly; Joey Carbery, Conor Murray; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Jason Jenkins, Fineen Wycherley; Peter O’Mahony (C), Chris Cloete, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Thomas Ahern, Alex Kendellen, Craig Casey, Ben Healy, Keith Earls.

Clegg · 01-04-2022 12:11pm

Leinsters second row is iffy and I think Munster have the advantage there. Front row is about even, but our back row is superior. I also think we've the stronger bench. Especially with a 6/2 split. Sheehan, Furlong, Murphy and Deegan are very high impact replacements.

We've the better backline too. Surprised that Larmour isn't involved. Thought he was back to fitness?

Munster need the win more than Leinster, but we want to keep momentum going into the Connacht knock outs. Munsters front 5 might give them a better platform to play from than ours. So that's a worry.

Munster by a score I'd say. But if we're ahead once both respective benches begin to come on I think we'll win.

Former Former Former · 01-04-2022 12:22pm

At least we get a good look at Jenkins

AbusesToilets · 01-04-2022 12:24pm

Ruddock out of the starting 23 now?

TRC10 · 01-04-2022 12:26pm

Very surprised Jimmy got picked over Tommy at RW, being a left footer. I'd actually have put Jimmy at 15 and Keenan on the wing. I think that would actually work better.

Serious lack of mobility and power in the front 5 with Byrne, Tracy and Toner. That's a weakness for us. Mind you Munster's front 5 isn't very mobile either.

Our bench is vastly superior though. If we're within a score on the hour mark, we'll win.

aloooof · 01-04-2022 1:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118865314#Comment_118865314

“Munster by a score I'd say.”

I think I’ve lost track of the number of times Leinster fans on here have declared Munster the favourites. ;)

Bookies have it Leinster by 5 which doesn’t seem far off to me. Am I right in saying this is the first time since Dec 2019 this fixture will have a full house tho? Hoping from my side that’ll make a difference.

arsebiscuits1 · 01-04-2022 1:32pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118865314#Comment_118865314

Larmour said during the week he was close but a week or 2 away didn't he?

Bookies have us evens with a 6 point handicap. I think that's fair

stephen_n · 01-04-2022 1:39pm

Forwards win games, backs decide by how much. Well we will see if that’s true now. Our starting front 5 wouldn’t inspire too much confidence. The Backline though is quite tasty. No Harry Byrne in the lineup with a 6-2 split is interesting.

sydthebeat · 01-04-2022 1:49pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118865779#Comment_118865779

munster tight five arent fear inducing either, and i much prefer our bench if its a tight game going into the last 20 mins

stephen_n · 01-04-2022 2:19pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118865836#Comment_118865836

Ah yeah if Munster aren’t at least 10 points ahead on 60 mins. I’d fancy us to take it. Just our starting second row is as weak as I can ever remember.

Lsdrugbyfan · 01-04-2022 2:33pm

harry byrne is injured

Lsdrugbyfan · 01-04-2022 2:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118865585#Comment_118865585

wont be a full house as there are thousands of tickets for sale still

molloyjh · 01-04-2022 3:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118866341#Comment_118866341

Well that is what the league is all about. Accommodating Leinster.

Dubinusa · 01-04-2022 3:09pm

Toner and Dunne do not strike me as a good pairing. Toner is pedestrian and Dunne has barely played. I'd have stuck with Ross and McCarthy. But, it's good seeing Henshaw back, hopefully he's fit and 100%.

I can't believe that there's still tickets available.