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

JOB is literally the second choice fullback for the national team and an excellent player. Who could we possibly get that would be better than him but still content to sit on the bench behind Keenan?

Jesus the grinding negativity is unbelievable, win lose or draw.

Think there is 30 players gone

Have to bring minimum 9 front rows which would be minimum 26 and would assume there is 3 x 9s etc.

Yeah Leo was saying it was a scramble to get flights with people likely spread over multiple flights.

Shows how the travel situation on short notice is really not ideal at all when SA are involved.

They're right though. At one point you were asked if you actually enjoy watching leinster and you said you only enjoy when they win. But do you even enjoy when they win?

They've beaten connacht and Ulster in the last 2 matches and you're still not happy. Whinging and moaning about connacht being rubbish and Ulster being under strength.

I know why I follow sport. I'm sure it's not the same reason you do.

I hope leinster stay 5/3 this week with Ringrose on the bench. The more I see the 6/2 the less I think it suits leinster. Maybe it's the fact that they don't really trust mcgrath, but 6/2 really means they only have one sub to cover the backline, but they're not going to have any impact sub in the backs.

If JGP was injured, would they start mcgrath? I'd like to see Foley given the responsibility but I think they'd start mcgrath.

I'm not a fan of McGrath at this stage at all but we've been somewhat snookered into his selection at this point. Cormac Foley has missed a lot of rugby over the last couple of seasons which has prevented him really developing and maturing as a scrum half. He'd be a perfect fit for the Leinster system currently in terms of his ability to cover other positions but he didn't play from December 2nd until April 20th and that has been the story of his career to date.

When he played a few weeks ago against Ulster, it was clear that he needs more time in the role to develop. I wouldn't be selecting him on the bench in a big game at this point either. He's simply too ponderous and his pass selection/accuracy isn't exactly superb either (pass quality is obviously better than McGrath right now but that's a low level to compare to). He was done at the base in his own half for taking too long against Ulster and probably should have been whistled at least one more time after that. He wasn't good in South Africa either, to my eye.

McGrath is rapidly going backwards to the point where I'd expect him to fall out of our first choice 23 next season (if Foley stays fit) but I can understand keeping him there for the moment as he's the safer bet.

Agreed, but Gunne is nowhere near any matchday 23 unless LMcG & Foley are unavailable.

Foley needs time and it was clear that when LMcG came on v Connacht he went to 9 and Foley went to the wing (in fairness, where he has history). I would have moved LMcG to wing and kept Foley at 9 that day.

Utter nonsense some of the negativity, win a quarter final by 23 YES TWENTY THREE points at a canter, get narrowly beaten by Toulouse in Extra Time in the Euro Final and have a semi final to look forward to this weekend with close to a full side and we are strong favs with the bookies to win the URC despite having an away semi and possibly an away final.

Honestly not sure what people can realistically expect. Suspect if won both cups they would still be glass half empty.

Try being a supporter from literally any other team (bar Toulouse) and you would be falling over backwards to be Leinster.

Ulster could play that match even with a full side 10 times and I'd say they would struggle to win 1 even with Keenan off playing Olympics.

That it, none of the players have really stood up. You can't really pick a young player in a spot if you don't have a young player

Every other position Leinster in reality has developed a player and they have got game time. I think it is something Leinster need to look at and see why they can't seem to identify quality 9s

Yes a professional rugby player playing professional 7s rugby at the biggest competitions is "real amateur ear nonsense"

By the way, "amateur era" was Ireland with no professional players and no 7s program, so even if we had a 7s team he would be working and then training in the evening.

Agree on Henshaw & Luke. Thought Doris was MOTM. Prendergast gets involved, but doesn't get over involved, unlike 10s who charge into rucks in the opposition red zone. Luke was always, and remains, a brilliant rugby player. But the passing, ohh, the passing ….

It's the Leinster way.

There probably won't be a whole lot of gametime on offer, with Foley and McGrath knocking around. Maybe Gunne goes on the Emerging Ireland tour. If he's smart he'll be pushing to be allowed to go and play AIL at every opportunity when he's not featuring for Leinster. He can't rely on Leinster coaches to make good decisions for his development.

Oh for sure, but with a front row like Porter, Sheehan and Furlong, it's a shame if they can't get involved in open play.

But the scrum has been massive this year, no one has got the better of us and we've played some very large teams.