Leinster 2014-15

by thebandwagonsociety Mon 14 Jul 2014, 11:04 am

First topic message reminder :

Haven't seen a 14-15 thread for Leinster so thought I'd set one up. What are peoples predictions for the current year?

Preseason Games wrote:
23/08 14:30 Northampton Saints (33) v (21) Leinster Rugby Franklin's Gardens
30/08 16:00 Leinster Rugby v Ulster Rugby Tallaght Stadium

Pro12 Games (September) wrote:
05/09 PRO12 Glasgow Warriors v Leinster Rugby Scotstoun Stadium
12/09 PRO12 Leinster Rugby v Scarlets RDS Arena
19/09 PRO12 Connacht Rugby v Leinster Rugby Sportsground
26/09 PRO12 Leinster Rugby v Cardiff Blues RDS Arena

European Pool 2 wrote:
Leinster
Castres
Harlequins
Wasps

The Squad wrote:
The Squad
Loosehead
Michael Bent[28][2016]
Cian Healy[26][2016] Central Contract
Jack McGrath[24][2016]
Sean McCarthy[23][2015]

Ed Byrne[20][Year 3]
Peter Dooley[20][Year 2]

Hooker
Aaron Dundon[32][2015]
Richardt Strauss[28][2015]
Sean Cronin[28][2015]
James Tracy[23][2015]

Bryan Byrne[20][Year 3]

Tighthead
Mike Ross[34][2015] Central Contract
Martin Moore[23][2015]
Tadhg Furlong[21][2016]

Second Row
Mike McCarthy[32][2016]
Devin Toner[28][2015]
Tom Denton[26][2015]
Kane Douglas[25][2017]
Ben Marshall[24][2015]

Tadhg Beirne[22][Year 3]
Gavin Thornbury[20][Year 3]
Ross Molony[20][Year 2]

Backrow
Shane Jennings[33][2015]
Jamie Heaslip[30][2017] Central Contract
Kevin McLaughlin[29][2015]
Sean O'Brien[27][2016] Central Contract
Dominic Ryan[24][2015]
Rhys Ruddock[23][2016]
Jordi Murphy[23][2015]
Jack Conan[22][2016]

Josh Van Der Flier[21][Year 3]
Dan Leavy[20][Year 3]
Peadar Timmins[20][Year 1]

Scrumhalf
Isaac Boss[34][2015]
Eoin Reddan[33][2015]
Luke McGrath[21][2016]

Nick McCarthy[19][Year 1]

Outhalf
Jimmy Gopperth[31][2015]
Ian Madigan[25][2016]

Cathal Marsh[21][Year 3]
Steve Crosbie[21][Year 2]
Ross Byrne[19][Year 1]

Centre
Gordon Darcy[34][2015]
Noel Reid[24][2016]
Colm O'Shea[23][2015]
Brendan Macken[23][2015]

Jordan Coghlan[21][Year 3]
Tom Daly[21][Year 2]
Tom Farrell[20][Year 2]
Rory O'Loughlin[20][Year 1]
Harrison Brewer[19][Year 1]
Gary Ringrose[19][Year 1]

Back Three
Zane Kirchner[30][2015]
Rob Kearney[28][2015] Central Contract
Fergus McFadden[28][2015]
Darragh Fanning[28][2015]
Luke Fitzgerald[26][2015]
Dave Kearney[25][2016]
Sam Coghlan Murray[22][2015]

Adam Byrne[20][Year 2]
Billy Dardis[19][Year 2]
Cian Kelleher[20][Year 1]
Ian Fitzpatrick[20][Year 1]

Elsewhere
John Cooney[24][2015] - Loaned to Connacht
Quinn Roux[23][2015] - Loaned to Connacht

What are your thoughts?

[P.S. all the leagues are entertaining and have their positive and negative aspects. Of course money is an issue but it is an issue for discussion on other threads.]

by ChequeredJersey Thu 21 Aug 2014, 6:03 pm

Thanks Mickado!

by Mickado Fri 22 Aug 2014, 9:04 am

So CJ, what type of thing were you hoping to do? Touristy tours? See trad music? Eat at the best restaurants? Take a trip outside of Dublin?

It might sound like a cliche but honestly I think a great way to get to know Dublin would be to take a trip to certain pubs, I would completely avoid Temple Bar like the plague, but there are a number of areas that have excellent bars, my own favourite would be around the Camden Street area, plenty of hotels around there too and it's really close to Lansdowne and the city centre (walkable to both), great nightlife, plenty of really good places to eat etc.

by Sin é Fri 22 Aug 2014, 10:58 am

Mickado, How could you forgot to mention that Camden street is just around the corner from Coppers Crying or Very sad

by Mickado Fri 22 Aug 2014, 11:16 am

Sin é wrote:Mickado, How could you forgot to mention that Camden street is just around the corner from Coppers

Didn't want to scare him off, and anyway, it sounds like he's bringing his girlfriend, and you don't bring an apple to an orchard. Cool

by thebandwagonsociety Fri 22 Aug 2014, 11:25 am

Never heard Coppers described as an orchard.

by thebandwagonsociety Fri 22 Aug 2014, 11:33 am

CJ - A little nuance when you are over is that Lansdowne Road is a bit fickle about which angle you walk up to it from. So before the game be sure to check what road you have to approach the stadium from and base your pre-game entertainment with that in mind. Many people have gone straight to Paddy Cullens/Mary Macs/Bellamys near the RDS as a good pre-match location (and there are good) but then figure out that they are in the northern end of the East Stand and have and extra walk to get around. There are plenty of good pre-match places about a street away from each corner of the ground.

Camden street is good fun. Any of the pubs on Baggot Street which is on the way into city centre from Lansdowne are pretty good also. Temple Bar is full of Tourists, Stags and Hens (along with a very small number of locals with friends from out of town who are apologising for the place being a state).

by Mickado Fri 22 Aug 2014, 12:05 pm

thebandwagonsociety wrote:Never heard Coppers described as an orchard.

It fits though, a it's packed with produce, of all qualities, some of which are difficult to get at, some of which are on the floor, you just have to pick them up.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Fri 22 Aug 2014, 1:42 pm

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS TEAM TO PLAY LEINSTER
Pre-Season Friendly
Franklin’s Gardens
Saturday, August 23rd, 2014
Kick off 2:30pm
15 Ben FODEN
14 Jamie ELLIOTT
13 Dom WALDOUCK
12 Tom STEPHENSON
11 Ken PISI
10 Will HOOLEY
9 Kahn FOTUALI’I
1 Alex CORBISIERO
2 Ross MCMILLAN
3 Salesi MA’AFU
4 James CRAIG
5 Christian DAY
6 Phil DOWSON
7 Tom WOOD (capt)
8 Samu MANOA

Replacements
Dylan HARTLEY, Alex WALLER, Gareth DENMAN, Courtney LAWES, Calum CLARK, Jon FISHER*, Cam DOLAN, Lee DICKSON, Stephen MYLER, Luther BURRELL, George PISI, George NORTH, James WILSON

by Jenifer McLadyboy Fri 22 Aug 2014, 1:42 pm

LEINSTER:
15: Billy Dardis
14: Darragh Fanning
13: Brendan Macken
12: Jordan Coghlan
11: Sam Coghlan-Murray
10: Jimmy Gopperth CAPTAIN
9: Isaac Boss
1: Michael Bent
2: Bryan Byrne
3: Tadhg Furlong
4: Ben Marshall
5: Tom Denton
6: Josh Van Der Flier
7: Dan Leavy
8: Dominic Ryan

REPLACEMENTS:
16: Tyrone Moran
17: Sean McCarthy
18: Ed Byrne
19: Gavin Thornbury
20: Jonathan Slattery
21: Luke McGrath
22: Cathal Marsh
23: Adam Byrne
24: Nick McCarthy
25: Stevie Crosbie
26: Rory O'Loughlin
27: Mick McGrath
28: Cian Kelleher

by Jenifer McLadyboy Fri 22 Aug 2014, 1:43 pm

So our academy and a few semi pros up against the mighty first team of Champs Northampton.

I predict a lot of ice baths.....

by ChequeredJersey Fri 22 Aug 2014, 5:35 pm

Mickado wrote:So CJ, what type of thing were you hoping to do? Touristy tours? See trad music? Eat at the best restaurants? Take a trip outside of Dublin?

It might sound like a cliche but honestly I think a great way to get to know Dublin would be to take a trip to certain pubs, I would completely avoid Temple Bar like the plague, but there are a number of areas that have excellent bars, my own favourite would be around the Camden Street area, plenty of hotels around there too and it's really close to Lansdowne and the city centre (walkable to both), great nightlife, plenty of really good places to eat etc.

Music and trad food and drink would be grand

Thanks for your info guys thumbsup

by Jenifer McLadyboy Sat 23 Aug 2014, 11:13 pm

Leinster academy were 26 nil down to the Northampton 1st team today and came back to within 5 points. Then George north scored a try at 5th death to leave it 33 21. Not bad for a few youngfeĺahs and some semi pros.

by **profitius** Sun 24 Aug 2014, 12:10 am

Leinster have some stream of talent coming through. Their U18s beat the Saints 38 - 0. Their U20s beat Italy today 43 - 10 despite missing their JWC players. Only problem will be trying to pick out the best player to keep. What a problem to have! Leinster 2014-15 - Page 2 3559488474

by Jenifer McLadyboy Sun 24 Aug 2014, 12:15 am

David Nucifora will try to make sure that any surplus go to another province. Better than them going to England or France.

by Golden Sun 24 Aug 2014, 3:03 am

Wow that sounds like some performance by the Leinster team to keep it competitive considering the team sheets. That was a very strong team by the Saints compared to a fairly unproven team by Leinster.

I was in work so didnt get to see it myself but would be very interested in how the likes of Dardis, Coughlan, Furlong and the backrow as a whole got on?

by Suspicious lurker Mon 25 Aug 2014, 8:59 am

I've often wondered what's the point of these preseason games, no really advantage to the first team as none of them will play. Is it jut to get a look at a few lads who might get a run in the B&I cup??

by Sin é Mon 25 Aug 2014, 9:04 am

Suspicious lurker wrote:I've often wondered what's the point of these preseason games, no really advantage to the first team as none of them will play. Is it jut to get a look at a few lads who might get a run in the B&I cup??

Its an opportunity to check out your squad and see how they perform when up against similar opposition to what they can expect if playing for the 1st team when covering for an injury. There would be a bit of a step up from B&I Cup for most these players.

by Suspicious lurker Mon 25 Aug 2014, 9:16 am

But playing a near full strength Saints team is in no way playing against "similar opposition" for a majority of the players who played Saturday. I realise they did exceptionally in the second half, but some of these fixtures have a men v boys feel about them.

It was the same in the Munster game against Glaws on Saturday as well.

by Sin é Mon 25 Aug 2014, 9:21 am

when up against similar opposition to what they can expect if playing for the 1st team

The coaches know who is ready for the step up to Pro12 & HC level if (when) they have to deal with the first teamers get injured without losing games.

The PRL teams are much further along in their pre season than the Irish teams, but the Leinster team in particular should be very pleased with their efforts. It just shows how beneficial the B&I Cup is for getting these young players playing competitively together.

by Suspicious lurker Mon 25 Aug 2014, 9:32 am

I just feel that we'd be better served giving regular first team players a run preseason rather than getting them up to speed in games where points are up for stake.

by Suspicious lurker Mon 25 Aug 2014, 9:32 am

I know you can't win or lose a league in September but I don't like the idea of playing catch up from day one is all.

by Sin é Mon 25 Aug 2014, 9:35 am

Those players (because they were touring) were not available for selection. Foley said that some of his players are only in Week 4 (of 8) of their Preseason.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Mon 25 Aug 2014, 9:44 am

It is the way we do it over here. Because the national players are controled by the Union they have a restricted number of games they can play.
Normally done in blocks. EG. they will be allowed play 7 of the first 9 games of the season etc.

Summer tours will also dictate when people start pre season as Sin says.

Swings and roundabouts. From our perspective why would you waste a national player's game minutes on a pre season friendly.

From an English perspective, why would you not want your top players up and running for the first game of the season.

No right or wrong answer. Just different strokes.

by formerly known as Sam Mon 25 Aug 2014, 10:36 am

In the English league players in the EPS must be given rest time. A set number of weeks from the end of the summer tour and a rest game per defined period of the season (season is split into blocks and a game of each period is selected by the club for a rest). It should mean that no EPS player plays a large block of games. There are exceptions for instance where injury or form have limited game time prior to the defined block.

It does mean the players get some preseason time but generally not a great deal.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Mon 25 Aug 2014, 11:03 am

Nonetheless. There are at least 5 internationally capped (excluding foreign internationals of which there are another 6) players on that NH team. Versus Isaac Boss on ours.

Boss is 34 and only an injury crisis will see him adding to his intl cap tally.

Our league also differs with 4 International teams needing players from it. Which brings it's own swings and roundabouts.

More international quality players but available less of the time.

by formerly known as Sam Mon 25 Aug 2014, 11:11 am

Did Gopperth blag a cap before leaving NZ?

It's a pretty usual side for an AP side in preseason. Mix of academy and senior players. AP sides tend to be a bit scratch at this point and don't always play as well as you might think looking at the team sheet.

It is at the Gardens though so you'd favour Saints there. Should be good experience for Leinster.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Mon 25 Aug 2014, 11:17 am

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Leinster academy were 26 nil down to the Northampton 1st team today and came back to within 5 points. Then George north scored a try at 5th death to leave it 33 21. Not bad for a few youngfeĺahs and some semi pros.

It was on Saturday Sam. We did fairly well in fairness. Like you say, not worth getting carried away on a pre season Friendly, but encouraging.

I think Gopperth had some Junior ABs caps which tied him in to NZ permanently.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Mon 25 Aug 2014, 11:20 am

2004–2005 Junior All Blacks 1 Cap.

Dug it out. Junior ABs are the designated 2nd (or A) team. Not the u20s.

by formerly known as Sam Mon 25 Aug 2014, 11:24 am

Lol. Woops. I'm used to preseason pessimism personally. Tigers always massively under perform.

Given that the Leinster youngsters are normally the first team in a few yeas time that's a fairly good sign.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Mon 25 Aug 2014, 11:29 am

There will actually be a massive logjam in the backs what with 7 Academy players who can play centre in there at the moment. A lot of them v talented.

Log jam in the back row currently.

3 Semi Pro lads on that bench too, from the AIL (club) game one of whom came on and scored a try.

by Feckless Rogue Mon 25 Aug 2014, 7:19 pm

If you were Jack McGrath would you consider leaving Leinster? You're behind one of the worlds very top looseheads, who'll be around for years to come. You'd probably be starting all the big games in pretty much any other team.

by Rory_Gallagher Mon 25 Aug 2014, 9:17 pm

Unless the McGrath at tighthead experiment continues..

by LeinsterFan4life Mon 25 Aug 2014, 9:34 pm

He will never be seen as a TH now that he is a top class LH. We also have Moore and Furlong coming through at TH so there is no need.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Tue 26 Aug 2014, 10:15 am

He was originally a TH and can play there, but when you are good enough to be 2nd choice for Province and Country to one of the best LHs in the world.....

Also props who can play both sides are not as important now with 23 man squads.

Furlong played 80 mins last week V another of the worlds top LHs (Corbisiero) and whoever replaced him. Didn't see the game but heard no reports of him getting destroyed, which is pretty good for a young lad just out of the Academy.

So yes Moore and Furlong look to be the real deal. I would have liked to have seen another TH start in our Academy this year, as there are now none, perhaps next year.

by asoreleftshoulder Tue 26 Aug 2014, 11:03 am

Feckless Rogue wrote:If you were Jack McGrath would you consider leaving Leinster? You're behind one of the worlds very top looseheads, who'll be around for years to come. You'd probably be starting all the big games in pretty much any other team.

I'd say prop is about the only position you could be reasonably happy as 2nd choice,he still gets between 20 and 35 minutes of game time for both Leinster and Ireland every time so it's not a huge difference.I'm sure he'd prefer to start but it's not like he's only struggling to get on the pitch.

Just thinking about it I'm not sure which role I'd prefer,Healy is never on the pitch for that big moment when the ref blows the whistle and the game is won.That is the best moment of any match for a player and it's even bigger when it's a final or a title decider like the 6N game in Paris this year.

by thebandwagonsociety Tue 26 Aug 2014, 11:32 am

Front row players are also more prone to long term injuries and they are very attritional. Healy has years in front of him but equally he has a decent number of minutes racked up on the wear'n'tear already.

I wouldn't think it so much as an issue for McGrath getting minutes on the pitch. It's more of an issue on whether a setup like Leinster could afford to wrap up so much cash in the LH prop position. The budget is finite and the real savings or value comes in the minutes you get from academy players and wider squad who are relatively inexpensive. As this Leinster side matures and players enter into their 'prime' (aka most expensive) contract periods it is going to be a greater and greater challenge to keep that squad together.

Don't get me wrong, it is great to have 2 first choice front rows that could start for province or indeed Test matches without much argument (obviously the likes of Best would get in infront but would a McGrath-Cronin-Moore starting Test lineup be completely unacceptable). It works at the moment because Moore and McGrath are relatively cheap (out of academy and on their first contract, etc.), but can they be kept when they cost as much as the first choice set up of Healy-Strauss-Ross. Saving grace is that Moore replaces Ross when he retires in a few years but the rest are all quite young relatively speaking.

by **profitius** Wed 27 Aug 2014, 1:27 pm

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:
So yes Moore and Furlong look to be the real deal. I would have liked to have seen another TH start in our Academy this year, as there are now none, perhaps next year.

Oisin Heffernan looked good during the JWC. He is still U20 this season and with Furlong and Moore being so young I presume the Leinster management thought it best to wait another year for Heffernan or maybe they've someone else lined up. On boards a poster said that a young Leinster tighthead has joined the Canterbury or Crusaders academy.

by LeinsterFan4life Wed 27 Aug 2014, 2:51 pm

Do you know the TH's name Prof? One of the U20 LH's has gone abroad aswell to join Grenoble.

by Thomond Wed 27 Aug 2014, 3:06 pm

With the seemingly imminent confirmation of Johnny's return what do we think of Madigan's prospects after this? Conancht may want a guy like him, even if they have Carty who has also shown promise. Munster will have JJ, if Ulster think Jackson isn't the answer, maybe there? If he goes abroad it will surely jeopardise an international future. A pretty big year for him.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Wed 27 Aug 2014, 3:10 pm

Darce to retire on Jonny's return (From Leinster, will play in the WC) Gopperth to Connacht (If he likes) and Mads to play 2nd 5/8th for Leinster. (10/12)

by Mickado Wed 27 Aug 2014, 3:11 pm

^^^^Wot he said^^^^

by Thomond Wed 27 Aug 2014, 3:14 pm

I've thought Sexton would make a better centre, but could see Madigan there (in terms of passing he would probably be up there with a scrum-half but having interchangeable 9s/10s is far too experiemental for Irish Rugby). Not far off D'Arcy's weight if I recall

by Jenifer McLadyboy Wed 27 Aug 2014, 3:33 pm

More like interchangable 10/12s

Picture Wilkinson and Giteau. Jonny W's game management with Giteau's flair.

Now stick them in Blue and call them Sexton and Madigan.

FFS we are even importing a big strong Basteraud to play outside them. Losing that QF in Toulon really hit MOC hard......... Laugh

by **profitius** Wed 27 Aug 2014, 4:12 pm

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Do you know the TH's name Prof? One of the U20 LH's has gone abroad aswell to join Grenoble.

Oliver Jager if I remember correctly.

by thebandwagonsociety Fri 29 Aug 2014, 11:54 am

Anybody know of the team to play Ulster this weekend? Presume we get some of the emerging Ireland representatives back do we?

by Sam Fri 29 Aug 2014, 12:14 pm

http://www.news.msn.ie/rob-kearney-niall-horan-1642857-Aug2014/ This made me laugh.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Fri 29 Aug 2014, 12:25 pm

thebandwagonsociety wrote:Anybody know of the team to play Ulster this weekend? Presume we get some of the emerging Ireland representatives back do we?

Emerging Ireland players already played last week. Byrne and Macken off the top of my head.

https://www.606v2.com/t55282-friendly-leinster-v-ulster-tallaght-stadium#2760690

by thebandwagonsociety Fri 29 Aug 2014, 3:44 pm

Thanking you.

No way Macken should be Emerging Ireland level, we have depth as a country that puts a question mark on the quality in my mind.

by LeinsterFan4life Fri 29 Aug 2014, 4:02 pm

Its only an Emerging squad and Macken is a regular with Leinster when the internationals are away, along with being relatively young.

There were also injuries and players rested when the two squads were picked in the summer.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Fri 29 Aug 2014, 4:22 pm

Funny that, of the 2 players that I mentioned, you picked Macken who has been a pro12 regular for a few years, 41 caps (including a couple of HC) and 6 tries, rather than Brian Byrne who is still in the Academy. Erm

Bent, Ryan, Tracy, L McGrath, Macken, B Byrne are the lads who played Emerging Ireland for anyone counting.

All of whom played some part last week.

Edit. Tracy didn't.

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