Leinster Team Talk Thread (Love you Furlong time)

This probably isn’t a popular thing to say in a results orientated sport.

However, the most probable reason for losing two finals really closely will involve a good deal of chance.

Logically, i’d give a coach who got us to that point a lot of rope.

Edit; sometimes there isn’t anything major to be learned other than ‘let’s do that again’.

No-one has been bashing Leo but there is an ongoing discussion around Leinster's under performance in the last decade with the resources they have, lions share of the Ireland team who have been there or thereabouts on the world stage for most of that decade (RWC aside). I agree that the pre SA URC is not a great benchmark of excellence, Leinster won 4 on the trot but asterisk on quality and a footnote that Munster and Ulster were at a fairly poor level in those years. 1 HC in a decade, again is not much of a boast given the resources, though that competition is steadily fearsome. France always has at least 1 team on fire every year and England often does. I disagree on the bounce of the ball from glory stuff, Leinster were out coached by ROG for the last 2 years, close matches yes but no-one could look at the last LAR match and say Leinster were unlucky. They didn't fire a shot in 50 minutes and LAR mounted one the greatest comebacks we've seen. So Leo is fine, but I'd never say he is a great coach. Would he have won anything with Connacht?

I wouldn't be surprised to see Ngatai given another year. He had injury problems last season for a spell but has largely been available. He's also been consistently very good for us; it feels like he makes at least one big moment that has a big influence on every game he plays. He turns 34 at the start of next season so probably feels like retirement would be premature and I think he's still giving plenty of value.

Healy shouldn't/won't be replaced. We're stacked in terms of promising options coming through at loosehead.

Ala'alatoa will definitely need to be replaced. I'd be happy for us to use that spot for a NIQ player but it would need to strike the sweet spot in terms of being a relatively high quality player but not one that will be disappearing for test rugby for stretches of the season. In a perfect world, that would be someone like Thomas du Toit who is high quality but missed out on the Springbok squad. He's moved to Bath now so is off the table (and is likely to be back with the Springboks again in the next couple of seasons).

He has signed a new deal with the Stormers but someone of a similar profile to Neethling Fouché would be ideal. Very solid scrummager, sometimes captain of the Stormers and isn't involved with the Springboks (and at 30, probably won't be).

We could potentially replace Jenkins although I can see us examining where our demands are greatest. If we have Ryan, McCarthy, Molony and Baird able to play there along with some youngsters coming through, are we better served by looking at something like a utility back row player? We've a few guys getting on a bit there and have been fortunate that Scott Penny has been incredibly robust over the last two years, covering openside and 8 at times.

I can see Farrell keeping the Ireland job until after the next World Cup and then I can see O'Gara taking the job for the foreseeable future. Leo will move into a director of rugby position with Leinster and a big name coach whether Nienaber or someone else take on head coaching responsibilities.

Well said TRC - we ARE lucky to have Leo and everything is great with Leinster.

Great to see you've shirked your oppressive and exhausting negative tone and are willing to offer constructive points now.

Long may it continue!!

Probably wouldn't be as involved in terms of boots on the ground. It would be more of an oversight role rather than being in the dressing room. Basically similar to what he is doing now but with a nicer title pretty much.