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

I like him as well and he's very knowledgeable but I find he goes so far into the coaching jargon sometimes I'm not actually sure what he's talking about.

Ed Byrne out 12 weeks! Clarkson out 8 weeks!

Jesus, we'll be light at loosehead.

Clarkson got injured in an AIL match. His season is scuppered. Vakh will get some minutes. Maybe Lasisi? Although, I doubt Lasisi is ready.

That was a very quiet update on Jenkins too. He wasn't mentioned last week and and is in the "no update" category.

Jesus I hope it's not long term.

The timing is awful for Leinster. Furlong nursing an injury, Big Mike been flogged and there's only Vakh..

I think they're both fairly good around the park. Neither are big men though, which probably woks against them. My hope is that they attain a decent level. The loss of Aungier/ Salanoa is looking like a big enough loss. Aungier is playing fairly well from what I've seen. I was hoping to see Clarkson make some ground this season.

In hindsight, I wonder was Healy playing 40 minutes at tight-head against Gloucester intended to keep Alaalatoa fresh for the Munster game?

If we have Healy and Milne at LH, and Alaalatoa and Vakh at TH, that isn't a bad bunch of props.

Any more injuries and we're really going to struggle.

We have Healy, Porter, Milne, Abdaladze and Ala'alatoa all fit.

Furlong's return is imminent.

So basically, we have all of our front line props largely fit plus one back up for both sides of the scrum. We also have Hannan and Lasisi in the academy who have both made appearances for the senior team.

We're fine at prop at the moment. Our third choice loosehead and our third/fourth choice tighthead are unavailable.

Porter has little enough game time for Leinster this season. 109 minutes since the Australia game. I'd expect him to play this weekend possibly from the bench but I'd think he'll start as Healy will potentially back up Ala'alatoa at tighthead.

Imo, there's a lack of quality coming in at tight head. Clarkson, if he gets to a decent level will not be an international. Lasisi would be similar in my opinion and McGuire hasn't played a minute in months. McGuire is a big enough lad. Hopefully, he can set a really high standard.

On the other side, we are in a good position. Boyle looks to be a serious operator. A little small but, plenty of potential talent. McCarthy coming up looks like a good prospect, although he looked the business on the th side and Haddan. Hadden was impressive in the u20 summer series.

You dont need every player to be an international to be a very good side. winning trophies.

Sad for any player to be forced to retire. Especially with something as serious as a kneck injury. Hope it has no lasting impact on his quality of life.

Treacy was a lad the squeezed every ounce of talent he had. Never a superstar but competent and dependable.

I would guess the McElroy will be signed for the remainder of the season. McKee should get his opportunities now.

There's quite a few players who have had to retire. Heaslip and Keavy come to mind. But there are others like McSharry, Fitzgerald and Ben Marshall. Holland down in Munster along with Felix.

You really have to feel for the boys.