Leinster Team Talk Thread (Love you Furlong time)

Not sure where your memory comes from. Sexton was ran into the ground by Ireland over the years, especially in the 6 nations last season at 37 years old.

It wasn't a freak event at all - it was clearly coming as he struggled with injuries the whole tournament. Sexton picked up a knock during the Wales game and was questionable to be able to play against France due to it. Then he got injured during the France game having to come off and missed the Italy game. He returned only to be asked to play 70+ minutes on back to back weekends because for over a decade no other province could develop a challenger to him, despite Leinster young players being farmed out. It all ended with him not looking right during the England game and being kept on before him hobbling off in the 73rd minute.

What he was paid has zero to do with the point, that is a positive of the central contracts that I've never contested. I was asked for an example of how a Leinster player carrying the Irish team has played a part in a Leinster loss and this is an obvious one.

I see 50+ new posts in the Leinster thread on a quiet weekend for Leinster.

"Brilliant. A few must have been at the Sarries game and graciously gave updates on what happened!"

Nope. Endless posts about hurling haha.

Come on folks. This place is meant to be a sanctuary during international windows

With there being no 6N this weekend and HB not getting a run last weekend I think there'll be a call from Farrell to get Harry into the 10 shirt this Friday to keep him sharp.

This will likely spell disappointment for Sam although based on the teamsheet he got a good 80 minutes against Sarries.

Similarly, Gunne has been lightly raced the last few weeks and probably will continue to be as 3rd choice. There's good AIL minutes available this week

Pretty sure Larmour and harry pictured training with Leinster this week.

Milne played Saracens so assume he’s available and likely to be included.

Heard a rumour Boyle might be the one leaving Leinster. Be very surprised and disappointed if it turns out to be true.

I'd honestly be surprised if either left. Cullen is really really good at getting guys to stay.

That makes no sense to me.

Sure there are 2 years between them but Byrne is a better prop (but not significantly so) and with more Irish caps to his name would probably cost a similar if not more of a wedge than EOS.

I had heard EOS was a budget concern in which case they're not solving it with bringing in Byrne.

Now if Byrne wants more first level rugby than perhaps thats a different case but he's hardly going to be getting European knock out minutes up at Ulster for a few seasons by all accounts

Boyle could be a superstar of those three. McCarthy has higher ceiling than that even but he has a weird body for a prop.

Edit: boyle would be the best young player that leinster have lost since carbery probably, which makes it feel pretty unlikely.

I can say with near certainty Boyle or McCarthy aren't going anywhere. Milne maybe but even I don't think he goes. All the looseheads are waiting on what happens with Healy before they announce a move. If he announces his retirement, you can expect Milne to probably stay, if he says one more year which it looks like will be the case, Milne will make the move to Munster and Ed Byrne probably makes his move to Ulster. Leinster know what they have in Boyle and McCarthy and won't allow them to leave.

Does anyone find it a bit odd that Leinster haven't announced a replacement for Michael Ala'alatoa yet? They are usually fairly on the ball and looking to get signings done early in the season so the focus can be on the business end of the season. The fact that they enquired about getting Tom O'Toole means that they are on the hunt for someone currently and are in the middle of searching. Asking about Tom O'Toole also shows they want a borderline starter at the position to take the weight off Furlong's shoulders too, so I wouldn't be shocked if it is a relatively big signing.

I honestly think they are potentially looking to move Furlong to the Healy role on the bench. Having Healy off the bench the last number of seasons since Porters emergence has been so valuable to Leinster. I think Leinster and Ireland both understand the Furlong needs a reduced role for club and country and with Bealham, O'Toole and Jager, they can lighten the load for Ireland. With Leinster, they currently don't have that luxury.

The only reason why I think they haven't pulled the trigger is that they might be waiting to see what happens with the Rebels in Australia and see if they can land Taniela Tupou. Obviously that is a dream signing and therefore unlikely but I didn't think they would sign Snyman and they did, so here's hoping!

When I said reduced role I didn't mean in terms of age I meant in terms of reduced workload.

If Ulster lose McCloskey and spend actual money on ed byrne, i'll be pretty unhappy.