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

That's true! I just hope he gets a run going. It's been frustrating for him.

People who think Ryan "isn't the same player as a few years ago" simply haven't managed their expectations well enough.

Every year he plays is another year people can compare him to.

In 2018 there was literally no reference point as he has just started his pro career. Ergo he was rated extremely highly (and rightly so) as the expectations were low. He could only impress with the performances he put in.

Since then he's been a mainstay for Leinster and Ireland. So there is 4 seasons of reference.

The reality is he has maintained the insanely high standard he set during his breakout season.

There are peaks and troughs as with any professional. But James Ryan as a player has not changed. People's perception of James Ryan has changed

In 2018 there was literally no reference point as he has just started his pro career

And the other point is that Ireland in 2018 were the best team in the world. Everyone looked awesome because we were playing so well. Stockdale also came into the team then and looked like the greatest winger we've ever had. Ditto with Leavy, people were proclaiming him a world class 7 based on 2018 even though he was nothing of the sort.

Ryan was one of the few who actually played well into 2019 but there was always going to be a dip after such a massive peak.

I think people just took a dislike to him because of all the initial hype and the playing for Ireland before his province etc, so it's gone completely to the other extreme now.

Interesting that Ringrose is captain. When Ryan is also starting.

Hopefully let's Ryan focus on his own game.

Wrong thread deleted

Maybe they only plan on giving him 40 and Ringrose will be there for the 80?

Actually I think it's ringroses 3rd game as captain this year and has been nominated as captain ahead of Both Ryan and luke mcgrathh who were captains In the past.

So far once he has started he is captain. ( Obviously hasn't captained ahead of johnny)

A random thought I had.

What do you think the chances might be that we will lose Jenkins to a Springbok call up in the early stages of next season?

Obviously this is early days we haven't yet seen him in Europe.

But if he keeps playing the way he has been he is unquestionably in our strongest XV.

Naturally, Leinsters ultimate goal this season is winning both trophies. Whether it transpires is anyones guess. But you'd get short odds on us making some big knockout games this season.

If Jenkins were to feature in them and be influential surely he would be turning Rassies head.

I mean Etzebeth obviously features as for me he is one of if not the greatest second rows of all time. De Jager blows hot and cold and can struggle for form and fitness. Mostert is a super player. The other options are there or thereabouts but haven't put their hands up.

Can he be called up outside of an international window?

Hard to know. Jenkins and his knowledge of the Irish pack would be a benefit for South Africans who we have in our group in the world cup.

His knowledge of the Leinster/irish pack, scrum, lineout would be second to none..

Didn't felix Jones get a job for the last World Cup for a similar reason.

I didnt say it was the only reason jones got the job. But it wasn't a negative when Rassie needed a coach.

AS you pointed out he was invited on the 2017 tour of Japan to be a coach with Ireland. I feel it would be quite disparaging to suggest that he didn't work hard on the tour and pick up some insider knowledge of irelands game plan. Which under Joe didn't appear to change that much from 2017 to 2019.

As soon as it was announced wasn't Joe straight on the phone to him.

Joe said at the time. "“It’s awkward because – you don’t have to be a rocket scientist - he came with us to Japan the last time, so he was right in amongst us. So you don’t really have to ask, do you?

“He was with us, he’s seen everything that we deliver and would have a great knowledge of even the language we use in our camp, so it’s awkward for us.

”There were a couple of opportunities here, but I’d be a massive fan of what Felix has got to offer in the future, and it will be a great learning experience for him.”

“I just hope that we don’t suffer as a consequence because he’s a smart coach, he already knows a lot about us and, if we do get to a quarter-final it has to be either New Zealand or South Africa or Italy that we do play against. That would mean he could be directly opposite us on the coaching bench.”

Anyway. Ireland lost to Japan and we never got to play SA.

As for Jenkins. Simply scrummaging with the Leinster/ Ireland front row on a dialy basis gives him excellent knowledge of their strengths weaknesses and traits at scrum time.. I'm not saying he is good enough or not . But I wouldn't rule out him being called Into the squad and if Rassie and Co can gain some information from him they will.

Strange game. Thought Leinster dominated the majority of it and played some very nice patterns in the backs. But ill discipline at the breakdown reared its head again. Connacht piled into the breakdown, sometimes illegally, and pilfered a lot of ball.

We continued with our new kicking game, but the majority of them were blocked down. Maybe we need a bit more recognition of when the kick is actually there to be made?

Lineout is the biggest worry. We created a very good attacking platform, especially in the first half, but failed to hit our jumper on multiple attacking lineouts in Connacht's 22.

I know performances havent been amazing, but still 2 away wins in interpros are nice to have in the bank.