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

31-03-2023 2:53pm

Leinster winning the Champions Cup with Byrne at 10 would be a materially good thing for Ireland going into the RWC.

Dubinusa · 31-03-2023 3:02pm

The team is surprising for me. Disappointing not to see Deegan or Milne. But, that's how it goes.

31-03-2023 3:05pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120423993#Comment_120423993

Milne was never going to be picked ahead of a healthy Porter or Healy here, and who would you have omitted to include Deegan?

It's just a reality of it with the Leinster backrow. We can only select so many.

Dubinusa · 31-03-2023 3:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120424008#Comment_120424008

I'd have Conan on the bench and Deegan starting. But you're right, too much talent in the back row. It's tough to pick from all of them.

Dubinusa · 31-03-2023 3:15pm

The talk of HB to Ulster is reasonable. But what about Tector? If he went now, he'd be most likely in the matchday squad. He'd push past Burns fairly quickly. I'm expecting Connacht to offer him a deal like they did with Illo.

Interested Observer · 31-03-2023 3:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120423938#Comment_120423938

I'd said it before that Ross Byrne making Ireland squads has the knock-on benefit of freeing up gametime for Harry and/or Frawley, and Harry in particular has performed well at 10 over the past couple of months. Ross would have been starting all those games otherwise.

Podge_irl · 31-03-2023 3:50pm

We in no way know enough about Tector to say he'd move past Burns ever never mind quickly. He has about 60 mins of professional rugby behind him

Dubinusa · 31-03-2023 5:07pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120424233#Comment_120424233

True enough! But, I believe he makes the squad regardless. Madigan is, and has been done. Burns, while decent, does not set a very high bar.

Lost Ormond · 31-03-2023 5:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120424536#Comment_120424536

I dont see how that is true as Tector has played so little pro rugby its impossible and also ridiculous to try claim that he is X or Y. Burns is a 10 year pro with over 200 pro appearances including around 10 international caps. Thats quite a good level to be at

CIARAN_BOYLE · 31-03-2023 6:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120424587#Comment_120424587

I'd be somewhere between both levels.

Burns is a good but flawed outhalf with next to no backup. Based on Ulster decision making this season the backup 10 in the European Cup last 16 is Nathan Doak but thats a break glass in case of emergency option only. Its also worth noting that Burns is not a front line goal kicker so if Doak or Cooney were to leave his position would become very vulnerable very quickly.

There should be young outhalves thinking I can get the 22 shirt fairly easily.

I think someone like Tector could easily get 15+ Ulster caps (2 or 3 starts and the rest off the bench) next season. He definitely won't get that at Leinster imo.

Dubinusa · 31-03-2023 6:56pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120424769#Comment_120424769

Right. Tector may not surpass HB at Leinster. He's assured of minutes at Ulster, imo. Madigan is done. Flannery was a bust. There's little competition in Ulster.

I'm surprised that Flannery didn't play much. I reckoned he was good enough to push into the 23. Apparently he's back down to Munster.

Lost Ormond · 31-03-2023 7:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120424913#Comment_120424913

You keep putting out absolutes which is ridiculous. "Madigan is done. Flannery is bust." thats just wrong and unfair as well. Tector isnt assured of minutes in Ulster. No reason for him to leave especially as he is only going into his second year of academy next season and Sexton is finished after world cup he will get loads of game time next season.

Dubinusa · 31-03-2023 8:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120424950#Comment_120424950

Well, how did Flannery do? Not well! How bout Madigan? Why would you think that Tector wouldn't get playing time at Ulster? He's getting into squads at Leinster. They may be absolutes, doesn't mean they're wrong. If Flannery or Madigan were playing every week, I would be wrong. Holding pads and making up #'s is what they're doing.

I'm guessing any new 10 introduced into Ulster would do better. Even a 20 year old Leinster academy player.

Dubinusa · 31-03-2023 8:20pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120424587#Comment_120424587

You're right! Burns has done well. But, what's behind him? There's no reason to say that Tector wouldn't do well in Belfast. He's learning and already has been in matchday squads. I base this on the amount of squads Madigan and Flannery have been in.

Dubinusa · 31-03-2023 8:51pm

With Ulster in town it would be a good idea to keep McKee under lock and Key so the wildlings don't tempt him back home! Lol

Clegg · 31-03-2023 9:10pm

Weather tomorrow is supposed to be crap. Rain expected. When Leinster played in Belfast earlier this season they handled the wind and rain far better than Ulster so that's something to hold on to. But you'd be a bit concerned all the same if poor conditions stop Leinster from playing expansively. It's their major strength and puts them above most sides in the competition.

Dubinusa · 31-03-2023 9:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120425363#Comment_120425363

I think Byrne can cope well in the rain.

Clegg · 31-03-2023 9:22pm

The New Zealand Herald is reporting that Leinster made an offer to Blues Head Coach Leon MacDonald, but he appears to be joining the New Zealand back room team instead.

ulsteru20s · 31-03-2023 9:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120425172#Comment_120425172

I personally wouldn’t want Tector. Stiff, game manager vibes. Give me Harry Byrne if its a choice. He is so talented and maybe the injury problems resolve themselves.

The bar is quite high for young players to get time but i’m still surprised flannery didn’t get more. The talent is obvious but he is quite raw. I’d like to see him play 15.

letsbefair · 31-03-2023 9:48pm

I’m sure the feeling is mutual, if you’re writing off an u20 grand slam winner without giving him a chance !

ulsteru20s · 31-03-2023 9:50pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120425529#Comment_120425529

There’s a big nice gray area between ‘writing off’ and ‘i’d want that guy as my second OH’. Are you giving me tector with no expectation for playing time? Sure, why not.

We’d ideally sign another OH at same time as back up.

awec · 31-03-2023 10:12pm

Any of you want to do a match thread?

gameoverdude · 31-03-2023 10:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120425639#Comment_120425639

I'm not that brave!

Locke_Lamora · 01-04-2023 10:29am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120425529#Comment_120425529

Lots of players will win u20 grand slams and lots of them won’t play pro rugby

bingobango12 · 01-04-2023 11:55am

Even with Leinsters superior pack, the weather will suits Ulsters style far more than Leinster. Think it will be closer than bookies are predicting.

Dubinusa · 02-04-2023 12:12am

Fairly nice performance in atrocious conditions. The pack played well. Everyone of them did the business. Not good conditions for open rugby and it was a game that reminded me of Ireland when Schmidt was the coach. Still a short turnaround for the Tigers.

02-04-2023 10:06am

Any reports on what the Leinster A side that faced London Irish on Friday was, and how they fared?

Can tell from AIL match reports that guys like Tadgh McElroy, Temi Lasisi, Alex Soroka, Max O’Reilly, etc seemed to feature, but would appear Jack Boyle and Chris Cosgrave didn’t. Boyle scored two tries again for UCD when they won the Colours Match.

Dubinusa · 02-04-2023 4:31pm

It was good to see Furlong playing well. He has gotten minutes under his belt and he should be going well.

Leinster really varied the throw in's to the l/o. Conan and Baird were used a lot. Usually, Molony is a key lad in this area. A good tactic.

Podge_irl · 02-04-2023 5:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120424950#Comment_120424950

To be fair, I don't think either of those statements is a massive reach.

Tector would have a better shot in Ulster for sure, but I can't imagine they are that interested in him either. If anyone comes sniffing around Leinster though I suspect they'll let Tector go a long way before they would let Prendergast go.

durthacht · 02-04-2023 7:56pm

Have Leinster announced whether Hanan, Soraka, and O'Reilly will be staying next year when they graduate from the academy?

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

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