Leinster Team Talk Thread (Love you Furlong time)

With Leinster seemingly currently looking to lure Tom O'Toole to Leinster, it seems that Leinster seem to be looking to hold onto their NIQ designations which is very interesting. So far, RG Snyman is the only player with a NIQ designation for Leinster next season. It wouldn't surprise me if they are looking to hold onto the designation to replace the likes of Lowe in the near future.

Clearly Billy Burns isn't part of Ulster's long term plans, so his potential move to Munster makes sense. I think it would be beneficial for someone like Harry Byrne to go up North to Ulster. Doak and Byrne have similar age profiles and both are considered to have realistic opportunities to be part of the next world cup cycle.

I just don't see how Connacht benefit from this and how they are meant to remain competitive as a province when they are getting one of their better up and coming players taken off them. They have Mack Hansen and Santiago Cordero both healthy next season which is a great wing duo. If it was Leinster who had a glut of talent and they were poached, that is fine because they have the necessary strength in depth to replace the outgoing player. I just feel bad for a Connacht team who need every talented player they can get.

Munster shouldn't be responsible for paying the Irish Captain, surely that is what Central Contracts are for? I'd argue he would be better value to them if he was dropped or retired from International duty.

I agree fully. The IRFU will be setting a very dangerous precedent if they don't offer O'Mahony a contract.

Pains me to say it as a Connacht fan but either Kilgallen or Bolton would be a great fit for Leinster imo. Both the type of powerful, abrasive athlete that doesn't seem to come through the Leinster academy. Both are probably as good as it will get in terms of replacing Lowe, at least in terms of power. I can't imagine Irish rugby producing a player with Lowe's combination of power, playmaking, and kicking ability any time soon.

I can see Leinster outsourcing for another winger in the future. They have some good players like Jordan Larmour, Rob Russell, Tommy O'Brien, Jimmy O'Brien as well as young players like Andrew Osborne, Aitzol King but I expect them to get another big booted left footed winger similar to Lowe not next season but the season after.

I think at this stage, you are right, it probably will be a Bok but it has been interesting that they tried to get Tom O'Toole. It makes me think would they consider Jack Aungier? They could easily go out and find a NIQ TH but they focused on O'Toole first, why is that? Are they worried about Furlong long term? Are they looking to hold onto the NIQ designations for different positions? Were they just trying to take advantage of Ulster's salary cap difficulties?

I am probably digging way too deep but has me curious.

Probably should have been more clear, I was referring to back 3 players only, which is where I could see either Bolton or Kilgallen filling a gap. I imagine Osborne will primarily play centre moving forward. The Leinster academy isn't churning out many power wingers, more so smaller footballers like Russell, JOB, Keenan, Cosgrave, etc. Aitzol King is probably the exception to the rule, but the Connacht lads mentioned are a good bit ahead of him in terms of first team readiness right now.

I think the 2nd Tighthead at Leinster is actually a really good role. Furlong isn't going to play every week so that player will get a lot of game time, They will be working alongside a lot of the starters for Ireland and bench players meaning easier to see a natural fit for the Ireland team if they play well. The likelihood of representing Ireland usually goes up representing Leinster so Aungier might get more opportunities internationally.

I like Clarkson alot but if Furlong was to get injured next season, Leinster are left very very light in terms of top quality. Aungier isn't there either but he is on his way.

I think Furlong probably stays put, He knows his worth but I think Leinster and Ireland will keep him on a central contract and Furlong probably won't push to hard for a move abroad.

I don't think this is true but I heard a rumour that Leinster are waiting to see what happens with the Melbourne Rebels financial situation. They are potentially going into administration which for any club is terrible. If it were to occur, Leinster are planning on swooping in for Tighthead Taniela Tupou. If true, that would be a monstrous signing for Leinster.

I hope it is true! but I have my doubts. A signing of that calibre would be huge but does it create a headache for Leinster?

With Furlong and Tupou both considered to be amongst the best tighthead props in the world, who would start?

If it was Tupou, would Furlong be ok with that? and visa versa? Would the IRFU block the signing as they believe it might stop the likes of Tom Clarkson and Rory McGuire developing?

If like the Snyman deal, it was a one year (Two at best) deal, then maybe it can be justified but it feels like the IRFU are really keeping a close eye on Leinster and their dealings in the market after Snyman.

I would have called BS on the rumour right away but Leinster making the call about TOT has me curious with what Leinster are up to in the market at tighthead.

I agree with you actually, Very low likelihood it will happen, was just passing on a rumour I heard that I found interesting.

Potentially. The way I read into Tom O'Toole talks was that Ulster were having some financial hardships and Leinster pounced on the chance to bag an IQ tighthead prop who is an Irish International. To be fair, if Ulster had to shed some players, I think the IRFU would have been perfectly fine with O'Toole to Leinster instead of losing him abroad, but obviously he is key to Ulster's long term plans and is probably untouchable.

Leinster clearly want a starting calibre tighthead. I'm not saying that Furlong is going anywhere, I'm just saying that they know he isn't a play every match player and they want a 1B to Furlong's 1A. O'Toole would have fit that role perfectly.

I can't see the IRFU stopping Leinster from signing NIQ players, unless they completely block the route for a high potential player from claiming a Leinster jersey. Even Snyman doesn't block the route of any player next year He is playing the Jenkins role. 1st Lock off the bench, which suits Leinster and Snyman down to the ground because that is when he is most impactful.

They need a tighthead and if they lose Frawley to Ulster, they will need a Utility back capable of playing all across the back line.

I agree with you. I wouldn't have liked to see TOT come down to Leinster if it meant Ulster got significantly weaker at the position. There seems to be a narrative that Leinster fans just want all the other provinces good players. I think most Leinster fans want all the provinces to do well, just not better than Leinster.

I would love to see who is on Leinster's shortlist to replace Ala'alatoa. It is literally the only position that worries me next season.