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

That actually wasn't the case. France for example always had 2 props on the bench. It was a choice by coaches. Deccie always picked just one bench prop, prefering to have more flexibility with outside backs. Remember the game in Twickenham when Ross buggered off the pitch after 20 minutes and Tom Court was demolished illegally by Corbisiero. Court had beeen playing at loose head for years. Deccie could have had 2 props but didn't.

As long as he leaves our lads home. Lol. There's a lot of players who would find Paris attractive and would like playing for Stu.

I'm not sure about that. Money will be on the table, but can't see first teasers going unless close to retirement.

Maybe ruddock.

Ruddock is signed for next year? Maybe he would go. He'd make a good pile of cash.

The latest injury update has been posted:

Will Connors, Thomas Clarkson, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath and Joe McCarthy are all expected to train full this week after recovering from injuries.

No updates on Furlong, Sexton, Jenkins, Ngatai or Henshaw.

Second half for sure, post 50mins I think. Sorry, not very helpful. Came after we were in their 22 iirc

He was never shafted by Ireland and he won't be getting a big payday.

He absolutely should have had more caps than he did. He was the form 6 in the country for a good number of seasons. He had unfortunate timing with injuries, but there were a good number of occasions when he was overlooked for Stander or POM, despite outperforming them.

Rory O'Loughlin (Exeter)

Has 14 appearances including 8 starts for Exeter this season, racking up 650 minutes total. Has only missed out on the squad four times. Seems to have fallen out of favour from the starting line-up somewhat with Exeter choosing to use winger Solomone Kata at inside centre for the past three games rather than O'Loughlin. Dropping to the bench coincides with the game against the Bulls in the Champions Cup where he started at 12, was awful for 15 minutes and was hooked due to injury.

Jack Dunne (Exeter)

Was dropped straight into the starting team at loosehead lock, starting three of the the first four games of the season. Has mostly been benched since when he has featured (6 bench spots vs 4 starts). Has been included in 13 out of 18 squads with 7 starts. Was included in the European Cup team for the first time last week where he started at 4. He played the full 80 the previous week against Northampton in his first start at tighthead lock. He has amassed 511 minutes total which is a decent amount considering he never broke the 200 minute mark at any point for Leinster in a season.

Adam Byrne (Connacht)

Has only featured four times for Connacht this season, with two starts, scoring two tries, including one phenomenal solo effort against Newcastle in the Challenge Cup. He did not appear to be injured for the beginning of the season, so presumably was just out of favour until December with Connacht opting for John Porch on the right wing. His only starts for Connacht came in the Challenge Cup where Connacht have largely opted for a second string team. Has only managed 198 minutes total so far which is about 40 less than he managed with Leinster around this time last season.

Peter Dooley (Connacht)

I'd imagine Dooley would have fancied his chances to drop straight into the starting team for Connacht, but that hasn't really worked out where has has found himself behind Denis Buckley in the pecking order. He has started 6 games, and benched for 6 more. Three of his starts have come in weakened Connacht sides in the Challenge Cup. Started home and away against Leinster, possibly to help predict Leinster's set piece, where they had a lot of success, especially at the RDS. Has gained 462 minutes total all the same, more than all of last year with Leinster.

Josh Murphy (Connacht)

A fairly successful season for Murphy so far where he has found himself alternating between loosehead lock and blindside flanker, starting 9 games and benching for one more. He has totalled 618 minutes for Connacht which is 60 or so minutes more than he managed with Leinster last season.

David Hawkshaw (Connacht)

A very successful move for Hawkshaw. He looks like he could be a real gem of a player, and is still young at 23. Has featured largely as a ball carrying 12 for Connacht with 5 starts in that position. Has also started at out half three times and benched a further three times for 11 games total, amassing 679 minutes, 3 tries and 33 points total. Unfortunately it looked like he suffered a season ending injury against Leinster at the RDS, but has managed to more than double his professional rugby minutes in half a season.

True. Neither I'd say.

I'm sure leinster already got somebody.