Leinster Team Talk Thread (Love you Furlong time)

Dave_The_Sheep · 15-10-2023 10:02pm

No, I'd rather not have anything to do with that coaching setup, to be honest. It is what it is at this stage though.

Clegg · 15-10-2023 10:05pm

I don't like Erasmus and his abuse of multiple officials. But he and Nienaber have won a World Cup and are probably getting to the next final.

They've timed their run perfectly and have SA incredibly well drilled.

Dave_The_Sheep · 15-10-2023 10:06pm

There's no denying that.

I still don't want anything to do with them.

RichieRich_89 · 15-10-2023 10:19pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121243395#Comment_121243395

But you're lumping Nienaber in with Erasmus here, no?

They're different people.

Clegg · 15-10-2023 10:47pm

Our first league fixture is actually next Sunday. Completely snuck up on me tbh.

Leinster are in an odd position where the majority of its senior players and coaches are unavailable. I don't expect to see many players who were on WC duty until probably the game against Scarlets on the 18th of November.

Nienaber will be with South Africa, probably until the final and Goodman was coaching the Samoa attack until last weekend. I think that leaves Robin McBryde as the most senior coach right now?

We're going to see a lot of younger and fringe players getting a chance to play in the opening fixtures. Don't expect to see the majority of our senior squad back until the 4th fixture at home against Scarlets.

Looking forward to seeing Osborne, TOB and Prendergast get games under their belt. Definitely think Osborne can force his way into our strongest 23 if he stays fit. In the forwards I hope we see more of Culhane and Jack Boyle.

El_Duderino 09 · 15-10-2023 11:12pm

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2023/10/13/aston-villa-shirt-sweat-problem-castore-two-solutions/

Castore coming up with solution or excuses. It's hard to tell from the article. But They're making some changes at least. Time will tell if the chanhes are effective or not.

conquestscarer · 16-10-2023 10:50am

Bringing in Nienaber is a big deal, everyone who has worked with him has given him huge praise. Jerry Flannery said "He was the best coach I've ever worked with". If you have the chance to replace our leading coach with what looks like an upgrade to me, you take that chance every day of the week. The Springboks were tactically perfect last night IMO, the subs came on at the perfect time and they made ballsy decisions that worked out well.

Dubinusa · 16-10-2023 8:04pm

Hope Mil ne is available. Hope we get a gawk at McGuire too.

RichieRich_89 · 16-10-2023 8:17pm

This thing South Africa do of kicking in behind and hoping the ball will break for Arendse or Kolbe is almost impossible to defend against. If they collect the ball in space with their pace and stepping ability it's pretty much 'goodnight'.

Makes me wonder which Leinster wingers this could suit. Tommy O'Brien looks like the fastest, and Jordan Larmour is probably the best at standing someone up. Larmour's acceleration is top notch, but for me he could improve his top end speed and speed endurance by taking longer strides rather than trying to turn his legs over as fast as he does. But could these two benefit from Nienaber coming in, I wonder. Larmour needs a bit of a change up to get back in the Ireland reckoning.

Foxtrol · 16-10-2023 9:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121247263#Comment_121247263

Adding that tactic as something else for the opposition to worry about should make what they're already doing in attack even more dangerous.

It has taken me a while but I've mentally separated Rassie from Nienaber and I'm looking forward to seeing what he brings. If you take away Rassie's loud mouth, I've been very impressed with how SA have approached the WC. They aren't stuck in historic 'safe' ways of doing things, they look to innovate and are willing to take gambles in ways that I feel champion sides should - be it their wider squad selections or bench calls.

Even outside of potential improvements in defense he should bring, SA's approach to rotating players for experience should fit right into Leinster's depth and they seem to play the long game of developing a squad and style targeting their biggest goal could be what we need to help get us over the recent European final hump.

The questions will be 1) how much of that is Rassie and how much is Nienaber, 2) how long it will take for him to settle given his late arrival, and 3) how much power he might have to change things given the number of coaches still in place.

Podge_irl · 16-10-2023 10:42pm

Not entirely sure I can bring myself to watch rugby yet, so will probably give the first few weekends a pass.

Will be an interesting season for Leinster. Been so close the last two years, but I would expect a drop in performance this year. Maybe Nienabar coming in will bring the necessary step up, but the loss of Sexton around the squad will be huge and I just think the hangover from the world cup will be a weight.

Clegg · 17-10-2023 9:50am

I agree that there will probably be a dip in performances this season. I doubt we'll see as much cohesion in play. The work Lancaster did to get the entire squad familiar with the game plan was incredible. It didn't matter if you were an academy player coming on for your debut. You knew what your role was and how to execute it.

Overall, I think the squad is in pretty good shape. The majority of our best players are all in their mid to late 20's and we've the likes of McCarthy and Osborne whom are still only 22 and have huge potential. I've hope that some of the recent Ireland u20 Grand Slam winners will develop into good players as well.

Dubinusa · 17-10-2023 1:11pm

We may not be as good this year. But we will still be in with a shout. The squad is still deep. Looking at the squad I hope Milne continues from last season and gets better. I hope to see more of Boyle. I'd be happy to see McGuire or Lasisi come up the depth chart. Clarkson I hope, can improve.

2nd row. McCarthy needs to be involved in the bigger games.

I'd really hope Larmour gets an injury free run. I'd be chuffed if Brownlee makes the step up. The out hall's are all solid, imo. I'd go slow with Sam P. Just bench appearances to start.

I think we still have a squad that can win in Europe.

El_Duderino 09 · 17-10-2023 1:19pm

Yeah this will likely be a transition year. New coach coming in late. Losing sexton, Healy still an asset but not getting any younger. It might be more about bringing on the younger lads like McCarthy, Osborne, Tommy OB, where does Frawley fit in, seeing if Penny can make the step up, where does Connors fit into a full strength squad? Plus all the front row stuff mentioned above. Then there's Sam P. He needs to be exposed but managed. It's tricky. I hope they get it right.

Ross Byrne will be no.1 but will also be away a lot of the season so 10 will likely not be a strong point for leinster, which is unusual.

A stong season would be great but seasoning the young lads and being competitive towards the end of the year might be as much as they can manage this year. We'll see

Dubinusa · 17-10-2023 1:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121249643#Comment_121249643

HB is a good bet to chase down his brother. Ross will get the shirt to start the season but, Harry may over take him.

Podge_irl · 17-10-2023 1:32pm

We have a good enough squad to be in the knockouts of both tournaments, so the management have time to adjust to the new reality.

I'll be annoyed if we don't win the URC this season.

AdamD · 17-10-2023 1:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121249704#Comment_121249704

Came here to write something similar. We've 9 months to transition before we start playing knock out games, it's no excuse. Our squad depth is pretty ridiculous

Must love hardship · 17-10-2023 1:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121249643#Comment_121249643

Ross won't be away that much this season. Will be one of the first irish players back in action. Will get a few weeks off but hasn't played in a month.. no November Internationals this year so will be with Leinster from Nov until the end of January.

Hopefully Rosszl, Harry, frawley and Sam all get a injury free run at nailing down the Leinster Jersey.

There is 5 games between now and the inter pros before the Champions cup hopefully they all get an opportunity to start a game at 10.

Exclamation Marc · 17-10-2023 1:53pm

In my mind, Harry isn't anywhere near to overtaking Ross. He unfortunately hasn't lived up to his potential and taken his chances recently so I think Leinster might run with Frawley or Prendergast when Ross is away.

Agreed that the URC must be a priority this year. Another year trophyless and without Johnny, Lancaster etc could materially damage the team's mentality and confidence.

El_Duderino 09 · 17-10-2023 2:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121249767#Comment_121249767

I presume Ross will be subbing for Ireland. So he'll be away at camps games plus recovery time, iys not like fringe players who play for the club when they're not in the Ireland 23.

Granted he'll be avaliable more than sexton as he was mostly held for Europe and Ireland games.

Still plenty of time for others to get a run of games. I hope they don't chop and change every game and instead allow the contenders to get gametime. Then take stock. I wouldn't mind if they experiment a bit and develop and sift players at the expense of peak performance.

conquestscarer · 17-10-2023 2:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121249811#Comment_121249811

Agreed but if he rips it up next couple weeks things can change quickly. He's got a player coming up behind him who would have no problem and taking his place from him. If he doesn't perform now he never will.

Vinnie222 · 17-10-2023 2:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121250098#Comment_121250098

He has to stay injury free 1st . It's a long time since he had run of it

RichieRich_89 · 17-10-2023 3:04pm

I think what you might see is the reserve team not being as good. Lancaster was very good at preparing the squad players to perform. Of course with fewer games in the league these days it's closer to full strength more often now.

I think and hope the first-choice team will be better at winning with Nienaber there. Lancaster seemed to specialise in coming second.

I don't see why it has to be a transition year. Joe McCarthy and Osborne are big prospects, but they're also excellent players now.

AbusesToilets · 17-10-2023 6:32pm

Be curious to see how they use Baird going forward. Strong possiblity he starts for Ireland at 6, but benches for the 2nd row for Leinster. We really could do with one of our other 7s staying fit too. Been absolutely ruined with injuries there over the last 5 years.

Clegg · 17-10-2023 7:47pm

I think Baird makes for a better blindside flanker than a lock. He has such freakish athleticism that it would be better put to use as a flanker. He'll still obviously do a significant amount of grunt work, but we should be doing everything we can to free him up as much as possible to carry.

Moving him permanently to 6 then moves McCarthy up the pecking order in the second row. If he remains injury free this season I think he has an excellent chance at nailing down the other starting position alongside Ryan. He has the bulk which most Irish second rows just lack. And excellent handling skills as well.

jacothelad · 17-10-2023 8:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121247898#Comment_121247898

Perhaps Sexton's departure will have a liberating effect on those who perform in his shadow. Leinster and Ireland will miss his presence but in the end no one is indispensable, not even the great one.

AbusesToilets · 17-10-2023 9:03pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121251391#Comment_121251391

Think McCarthy is going to be nailed on as the TH lock this season. I like Baird at 6 myself, was disappointed he didn't get more of an opportunity in the WC.

RichieRich_89 · 17-10-2023 9:54pm

Healy, Milne, Edward Byrne, Alexis Soroka and Martin Moloney injured atm: https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/cullen-issues-injury-update-ahead-of-bkt-urc-opener/

Jack Boyle
John McKee
Thomas Clarkson
Jason Jenkins
Ross Molony
Rhys Ruddock
Will Connors
Max Deegan
Luke McGrath
Harry Byrne
Jordan Larmour
Jamie Osborne
Charlie Ngatai
Tommy O'Brien
Ciarán Frawley
Lee Barron
Paddy McCarthy
Rory McGuire
Brian Deeny
Scott Penny
Cormac Foley
Sam Prendergast
Ben Brownlee

...is what I'm thinking. Bit uninspiring 4, 5, 6. Ruddock's past his best, and the two locks have probably reached ceilings below international standard. It shows how much competition there is for spots in the backrow if Culhane doesn't get in. But maybe they will put one of Deegan and Culhane at 6 with the other at 8.

It's a good opportunity for Boyle and McCarthy with looseheads ahead of them unavailable.

How long before Ala'alatoa returns? He'll probably get a bit of time off.

I think Brownlee might have a higher ceiling than Turner or Russell, so I'd like to see him on the bench.

Exclamation Marc · 17-10-2023 10:07pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121252132#Comment_121252132

If you're doing your weird name extension thing, at least get it right. It's Alekseiy Soroka.

ersatz · 17-10-2023 10:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121249757#Comment_121249757

Yeah, lots of time for the new coach to make his selections. So many young players chomping at the bit in Leinster that this really should be a big season. Sexton being retired might be a downer but I suspect it will energise the squad, new coach, new captain.

Leinster Team Talk Thread (Love you Furlong time)

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