Leinster Rugby - 2021/22 - Squad and team news

Leinster Rugby is one of four Branches who are the members (Owners / Constituents) of the IRFU. 

Leinster Branch is "owned" by the constituent Clubs, Sections and Affiliated Bodies (e.g. the School & Youths Committees & Referee's Assoc) within the Province. The Representatives of each of these meet monthly as the Executive Committee of Leinster Rugby. Only the AGM of Leinster Rugby has authority above the Executive Committee.

Each Club in Leinster is a registered Sporting Body (NFP status) and Leinster Rugby has a separate registered number as a Sporting Body. The property of Leinster Rugby is held in the names of Trustees elected annually at Leinster Rugby AGM.

in 2019, the IRFU established a property holding company to hold all of the property of the IRFU. Prior to that, all of the property of the IRFU was held in the names of the four IRFU Trustees, again, annually elected at the AGM.

In strictly legal terms, each of the four Provincial bodies are "unincorpoated trusts with tax exempt status as sporting bodies". Old-fashioned but effective structures for the control and preservation of voluntary sporting bodies.

20 Senior Clubs can summon an Extraordinary General Meeting of the IRFU to determine a Resolution proposed by those Clubs. However, nowhere within the IRFU Governing documents are Rugby Clubs defined as "members" of the IRFU. 

Notionally, the IRFU is "owned by the Clubs", but indirectly through the four Provincial structures.

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Feel free to add in Leinster Rugby news updates, wider news on provincial teams news, comments as you wish.

First match squad of the season against Dragons:

15. Hugo Keenan (18)
14. Jordan Larmour (50)
13. Garry Ringrose (76)
12. Ciarán Frawley (26)
11. James Lowe (47)
10. Johnny Sexton (167) CAPTAIN
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (93)
1. Ed Byrne (57)
2. Rónan Kelleher (15)
3. Michael Bent (140)
4. Scott Fardy (61)
5. James Ryan (39)
6. Rhys Ruddock (173)
7. Josh van der Flier (84)
8. Jack Conan (93)

16. Seán Cronin (185)
17. Cian Healy (220)
18. Andrew Porter (66)
19. Ryan Baird (10)
20. Max Deegan (64)
21. Luke McGrath (127)
22. Ross Byrne (89)
23. Tommy O’Brien (3)

A fairly strong line-up for the first match. They've already lost their first warm-up match with Leinster A losing to Ulster A. Time to get back on the horse.

Standby for a Sam Davies masterclass, the equivalent of when King Jason Tovey ruled in Dublin a few years ago.

Not expecting much, but if it was a bit less uglier than the Bristol game I’d be fairly happy.

Best of luck.

The best of luck to the Dragons tonight. A good performance from them here and they could really turn a corner.

It will probably go the same way it usually goes for teams going to Leinster. If we haven’t improved our conditioning at least then I’ll be pretty annoyed.

Leaving Byrne on the bench is a mistake.

Oh dear, the decisions that Leinster are getting already...

Unusual decision after a try has been scored. Roberts in the bin for high tackle on O’Brien.

Pot Hale wrote:Leaving Byrne on the bench is a mistake.  

He's being rested.

Excellent phase play and try from the Boys in Blue. Bit more like it.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:Leaving Byrne on the bench is a mistake.  

He's being rested.

Of course - sorry forgot that. Except now he’s not.

Hugo Keenan going well to advance his cause for the 15 shirt instead of Larmour.

Pot Hale wrote:Excellent phase play and try from the Boys in Blue.  Bit more like it.

It’s beautiful to watch. Our lot just don’t seem capable of that so they won’t be able to compete. That wasn’t a yellow for me, but home teams usually get favour in the comp anyway.

Excellent approach work again. Ross Byrne getting the back line moving nicely and a great swivel pass for O’Brien and Lowe to score.

Rosser gets the kick and its 21-0 with 7 mins to half time.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:Excellent phase play and try from the Boys in Blue.  Bit more like it.

It’s beautiful to watch. Our lot just don’t seem capable of that so they won’t be able to compete. That wasn’t a yellow for me, but home teams usually get favour in the comp anyway.

I did think it was a yellow but surprised it was looked at after the conversion kick was being lined up.

Could you guys give an honest opinion on Hewitt, now that you’ve had a good look at him?

mikey_dragon wrote:Could you guys give an honest opinion on Hewitt, now that you’ve had a good look at him?

Looks a really good player, I was surprised to see him stop Ruddock dead in his tracks too with a big hit in the first half.

mikey_dragon wrote:Could you guys give an honest opinion on Hewitt, now that you’ve had a good look at him?

I like the look of him, Mikey.  Strong, fast and gets about the place. Took his try chance very well.   Dragons will get better with that squad - Tompkins in the centre is a handful and Davies is quick enough.

Thanks, good to get a different point of view. We also think he’s pretty good and looks good enough to be in the Wales squad - consequently that just leads to ‘fans’ of other Regions bashing him

The age profile of Leinster has been changing over the last few seasons as more and more young academy graduates come through into the squad.

Leinster decided over the last two seasons to not bring in any outside players and only promoted from within. This season, they let go three high salaries - Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden and Joe Tomane along with 6 other players to other provinces - some of them recent academy graduates - Jack Aungier, Oisin Dowling, etc.

In came Ryan Baird (21), Harry Byrne (21), Jack Dunne (21), Tommy O'Brien (22), and Dan Sheehan (20). All of them on Development contracts valued between €40-60k. Alongside them are other youngsters from last year's academy crop - Ronan Kelleher (22), Caelan Doris (22), Scott Penny (21), Rowan Osbourne (23), Hugh O'Sullivan (22), Ciaran Frawley (22), Jimmy O'Brien (23) also on similar value Development Contracts. 12 players x avg 50k - €600k-€720k. Average age 21/22 years.

The next cohort are a little bit older with senior contracts, and who get regular game time in the PRO14 season, with some at their earning capacity now and the basic isn't going to get much better - just match fees and performance bonuses, and the others with room to improve with age on their side.
Vakh Abdaladze (24), Ed Byrne (27), Peter Dooley (26), Michael Bent (34), James Tracy (29), Ross Molony (26), Max Deegan (23), Will Connors (24), Josh Murphy (25), Conor O'Brien (24), Cian Kelleher (26), Adam Byrne (26), Hugo Keenan (24). Salary range for this cohort of mid-level players is the most competitive and tightly squeezed across European rugby - avg €120k-€175k. 13 players at say an average of €150k - €1.95m. Average age 26 years.

Senior squad members who regularly feature for both Championship and European Cup games have a few good years/caps under their belt, are more than likely capped for Ireland, and are in or heading for their best earning years at the club, but some of them headed on the downward salary slope, as age works against them:
Andrew Porter (24), Sean Cronin (34), Devin Toner (35), Jack Conan (28), Dan Leavy (26), Rhys Ruddock (29), Josh van der Flier (27), Jamison Gibson-Park (28), Luke McGrath (27), Ross Byrne (25),
Rory O'Loughlin (26), Dave Kearney (31), Jordan Larmour (23), James Lowe (28) and Scott Fardy (34).
15 players earning €175k - €275k - with an average of €230k. Total - 3.45m. Average age 28 years.

Lastly, there is the elite cohort of test players that the IRFU contracts separately and pay them through central funds, rather than a provincial contract - Leinster has six of them this season with some due for renewal/finishing in June 2021 - Sexton, Healy, and others in 2023 - Furlong, Ryan, Ringrose, and Henshaw. Values range from €350k-450k with players like Sexton and Ryan receiving a provincial top-up. Average salary value about €425k - €2.55m total.

That estimates Leinster's own player budget at €6.12m (£5.54m) with IRFU paying directly the 6 central contracts of €2.55m (£2.31m) approx. Total player cost estimate €8.67m (£7.85m).

I thought some of those guys on provincial contracts would be on a 100k more than that. They could probably earn more elsewhere but I guess this is where the tax break and whatever else you have is useful. 

As for the elite cohort, what’s their total salary? I expected some to be on 5-600K.

mikey_dragon wrote:I thought some of those guys on provincial contracts would be on a 100k more than that. They could probably earn more elsewhere but I guess this is where the tax break and whatever else you have is useful. 

As for the elite cohort, what’s their total salary? I expected some to be on 5-600K.

Decent players leaving Leinster for UK or France tend to get a good bump in salary. But a Noel Reid is not an Ian Madigan or Donncha Ryan to take a recent example. When you refer to "some of those guys on provincial contracts" - do you mean the PRO14 low-value regulars, or the more experienced/skilled championship/Euro players?

I'm sure some of the players organise separate commercial/sponsorship arrangements for themselves but they aren't paid by Leinster. For the mid-range players, a bump in salary would cover any tax relief gain they might make by staying. And it's only relief on match fee income, not appearances, sponsorships, etc at the end of their careers which could get cut short though injury, concussion, etc.

Elite cohort are paid 350-450k. Some players organise extra through commercial arrangements such as Murray, Sexton and Aki. I was allowing for Sexton earning €650k. Furlong would get a tidy sum, but Healy is at the exit door and would have got a reduced central contract last time round. Ringrose has just started on one, ditto James Ryan, and Henshaw is further along. The IRFU tries to keep a cap of €450k max on what they pay. If agent/province can add to that, they will. Perhaps they're higher with external commercial top-ups.

Ya gotta love Benetton.  They give full value as a team.  Great game in Treviso.  They never give up.

25-37 so far. Three minutes to go. They’re gonna come again.

Penalty to Benetton with 83.20 on the clock.  

They want a losing bonus point.  And a TBP.

And unfortunately they knock on after multiphases.  

25-37 FT.   Commiserations Benetton.

With the test squad players on duty, Cullen & Co have decided to try out a few newbies who get their first provincial caps this weekend, alongside some seasoned pros in Toner, McGrath, Bent, Dave Kearney and Ruddock as captain.

What's great to see is the presence of Dan Leavy on the bench returning after a long injury lay-off - hope it goes well for him.

The lineup for the game against Zebre - Fri 23 Oct at 19.35 - looks like this:

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):

15. Jimmy O’Brien (19)
14. Tommy O’Brien (4)
13. Liam Turner (0)
12. Ciarán Frawley (27)
11. Dave Kearney (149)
10. Harry Byrne (11)
9. Luke McGrath (129)
1. Peter Dooley (76)
2. Dan Sheehan (0)
3. Michael Bent (142)
4. Ross Molony (97)
5. Devin Toner (249)
6. Josh Murphy (33)
7. Scott Penny (14)
8. Rhys Ruddock (175) CAPTAIN

16. James Tracy (111)
17. Michael Milne (9)
18. Ciaran Parker (0)
19. Jack Dunne (7)
20. Scott Fardy (62)
21. Hugh O’Sullivan (20)
22. David Hawkshaw (0)
23. Dan Leavy (63)

Glad to see Leavy back. One of my favourite players. Hopefully he can have a run of games and build up his match fitness. Personally, I think he is a key player for Ireland.

Should be interesting seeing Sheehan. Big lad and there's a bit of hype around him.

The injury list isn't getting any shorter at Leinster's UCD HQ with 11-13 players on the table:

Harry Byrne and Rory O’Loughlin were replaced with knocks in the game against Ospreys.
Byrne picked up a dead leg and O’Loughlin took a knock to his shoulder but both are due to be available for selection this week should they come through training.

Tommy O’Brien not so lucky with an ankle injury - procedure this week and out for 6-8 weeks.

Jack Conan released by Andy Farrell with a neck injury which requires further assessment.

Seán Cronin (thumb), Ryan Baird (adductor) and Tadhg Furlong (calf) still going through rehab.

Conor O’Brien (hamstring), Garry Ringrose (jaw), Max Deegan (knee), Jordan Larmour (shoulder), Vakh Abdaladze (back) and Adam Byrne (hamstring) all still unavailable for another few weeks.

With 16 other players called up on on test duty, Cullen and Co will be running on academy fumes to keep them going.  Edinburgh will be hoping to catch them at a weak point on Monday Night Rugby.

Possible squad for Monday's match assuming O'Loughlin/Byrne are fit:

1-8
Peter Dooley
Dan Sheehan
Michael Bent
Ross Molony
Scott Fardy/Devin Toner
Scott Penny/Dan Leavy
Josh Murphy
Rhys Ruddock
9-15
Luke McGrath
Ciaran Frawley
Dave Kearney
Rory O'Loughlin
David Hawkshaw
Cian Kelleher
Jimmy O'Brien

James Tracy
Michael Milne
Ciaran Parker
Toner/Molony
Leavy/Penny
Hugh O'Sullivan/Rowan Osbourne
Harry Byrne
Michael Sylvester

Harry Byrne and Ciaran Frawley have been outstanding for Leinster tonight. Playing Edinburgh off the park.

Pot Hale wrote:Harry Byrne and Ciaran Frawley have been outstanding for Leinster tonight.  Playing Edinburgh off the park.

It's quickly becoming a 2 horse race, should your lot and our lot not start losing games just to keep things interesting for the rest?

I keep thinking Frawley has the potential to be better than both of the Byrne flyhalfs.
The prop depth is coming along nicely. And for the elder statesman, Bent played well. Never thought I’d say that.
Penny causes havoc when he is running outside channels late on in games. Forward match up with him but get caught out by his step and pace in the final quarter of games.
O’Brien at fullback is already showing he is comfortable in the position at the pro14 level. Give him more minutes there and he will be putting his hand up for selection in bigger games soon.

Sundays game with the Scarlets cancelled due to Covid in the Welsh teams camp shame two sides enjoy running the ball on a dry day would have been great.

stevetynant wrote:Sundays game with the Scarlets cancelled due to Covid in the Welsh teams camp  shame two sides enjoy running the ball on a dry day would have been great.

It would. As per the PRO14 thread, are there questions being asked about the recent frequency of Covid outbreaks at the regions? It's going to cause a pile-up of postponed fixtures that are going to become a real problem for some of the teams i.e. Connacht and Benetton.

Pot Hale wrote:

stevetynant wrote:Sundays game with the Scarlets cancelled due to Covid in the Welsh teams camp  shame two sides enjoy running the ball on a dry day would have been great.

It would.   As per the PRO14 thread, are there questions being asked about the recent frequency of Covid outbreaks at the regions?    It's going to cause a pile-up of postponed fixtures that are going to become a real problem for some of the teams i.e. Connacht and Benetton.

If we get into a situation where Connacht have to refuse to play 4 games in a single week in order to get their matches completed, will that mean the likes of a Scarlets et al here will take the win and the points even though they'll have triggered the whole issue by the requirement to cancel the initial fixture.

Good result for the team that Cullen put out at the weekend featuring many of the players who play regularly in the PRO14 - good to see their form being rewarded.

Pete Dooley, James Tracy and Michael Bent - take a front row bow.
Fardy and Toner are the evergreen locks still going at 33 and 35.
Rhys Ruddock continued his barnstorming form as captain and winning another MOTM award. He's certainly pushing for a place in Farrell's thoughts.
van der Flier has to up his game to get ahead of Will Connors in test duty whilst Caelan Doris continues to shine at the expense of Jack Conan and Mike Deegan beset with injuries.
In the backline, Ireland-dropped Luke McGrath showed new speed and faster delivery than he has in a while which no doubt helped Ross Byrne who still seems to be trying to find his form and confidence after a difficult series of tests.
Cullen seems to be sticking with giving his 3rd-choice 10 a new role at 12 and Frawley got himself a try to cap off a fine performance with only his second European cap and working well with Henshaw at 13.
Jimmy O'Brien took to European rugby on his first cap with great assurance despite only coming up from the academy this season, and scored a well-deserved try towards the end, earning plaudits from his team-mates. But the biggest congrats were reserved for Dan Leavy, back in Europe after a long layoff, coming off the bench and scoring the bonus point try 10 minutes from the end.

All in all an excellent selection by Cullen with a number of season league regulars and new faces getting their chance to shine in Europe and get the maximum five points.

Their opponents next week, Northampton, have indicated that they plan to send a second-string team. Perhaps Cullen might do the same....

.....You can't switch to second-string after one round of matches.... is there some gamesmanship going on there to maybe try and catch the opposition by surprise.

Some random things;
- French very strong, only Montpellier didn't pick up the win in the opening round for the French. (7/8)
- 2 of 2 away sides won on Friday night, 5 of 6 away sides won on the Saturday, normal service returned on Sunday (all home wins)
- Montpelier had a very big side selected but Leinster managed to not get bullied. Not sure if there is anything there that they can take to build a solution for sides that currently cause them more trouble?
- Our replacement front row was outshone considerably by our starting front row.
- Ross played well. Luke was even better, the type of scrum half display that a french crowd loves to see.

Leinster 24-35 Connacht

Kudos to Connacht tonight - great win for them at the RDS and well deserved. 4 tries apiece with 25 points coming from a very refreshed Jack Carty who scored twice and kicked brilliantly on 3 penalties and missing just one conversion.

With the revised Championship format, Leinster are now 10 points behind Ulster who lead Conf A table with 46 points and remain the only unbeaten team this season with 10 out of 10. Leinster have two games in hand on Ulster but the Easterners will need TBP from both matches to draw level.

In Conf B, Connacht and Munster are 8 points apart with the same number of games played - both have two games in hand.

All in all, it sets up next week's Round 10 interprovincials - Leinster v Ulster and Connacht v Munster very nicely.

Leinster needed their full complement to overcome Ulster in the last interpro matches - good game but still a bit of rust showing in a team that has not played together since November.

Injury update is a bit more encouraging with Leavy, Larmour, Ed Byrne and Conan all back available. Furlong, Lowe and Ringrose are still absent alongside long-termer Adam Byrne and Vakh Abdaladze. Am wondering if either of the latter two will survive the Nucifora contracting cut that's homing into view this month?

Tight game against Munster at Thomond Park but Ross Byrne, Keenan and Larmour combined neatly to score the winning try towards the end in a low-scoring match 13-10.

Keenan now looks to have advanced his credits best to secure the No 15 shirt for the upcoming Six Nations - seems very assured in catching high balls in comparison to Larmour who dropped a number of important balls during the opening half.  

Tadhg Beirne really pushed his name forward and was a deserved man of the match for Munster.  Is he best used as a 6, and, if so, where does that leave Stander and O'Mahony, if Doris is used at 8?


Andrew Porter lasted the full 80 minutes and it looks like Ireland will be depending on him given Furlong's slow receovery from injury that is due to end shortly.

Jimmy O'Brien was unfortunate to get injured and didn't much opportunity to show his skills in his time on the pitch, but still seems to be the best of the three young O'Brien picks in the backs.  Ringrose and Henshaw did well and made a good case to start together against Wales.

As ever, Leinster keeping a tight rein on their contract discussions - they'll announce them all together in March/April.

Sexton, Healy and Furlong are up for central contract renewal - Furlong will likely get one through to 2023, with the other two getting one-year extensions.

James Ryan signed a 3-year deal last season to take him through to end of 22/23 season.

An estimated 18 players are up for contract re-signing, including Rónan Kelleher, Dan Leavy, Jack Conan and Dave Kearney. Hugo Keenan should get a salary bump given his rapid rise in standing.  

Some players may be looking at the exit door such as Vakh Abdaladze and Adam Byrne who have been occupying the treatment room for far longer than their reported injuries should be lasting.

Sean Cronin turns 35 in May and may be asked to hang up his boots.  Same with Michael Bent who is 35 in April, but they would need to hang onto Abdaladze if he goes.   Tom Clarkson coming up from Academy should shore up TH stocks.

Scott Fardy turns 37 in early July so he's likely headed out the door.  Devin Toner may not get an offer as he turns 35 in June.  Finding a new experienced lock is possibly high on the shopping list.

Backrow stocks are plentiful - with possibly 1 or 2 being asked/persuaded to move - Deegan, Penny, or Murphy.

Hopefully half-back stocks remain untouched with Paddy Patterson moving on short-term deal from academy to Munster.  Ciaran Frawley may be a target for others.

Midfield and back-three may be untouched with possibly Adam Byrne moving out and a replacement found - likely from academy with David Hawkshaw (centre) and Aaron O'Sullivan (wing) coming up.

The rumour in Ulster is no one is moving up from Leinster
Deegan, Penny and Conan all prefer Leinster 'A's to Ulster starting XV

geoff999rugby wrote:The rumour in Ulster is no one is moving up from Leinster
Deegan, Penny and Conan all prefer Leinster 'A's to Ulster starting XV

That's good in the sense that they're willing to stay and fight for their spot - but Ulster is not the only destination. Deegan and Penny are not likely to be test players so they have a freer hand.

Pot Hale wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:The rumour in Ulster is no one is moving up from Leinster
Deegan, Penny and Conan all prefer Leinster 'A's to Ulster starting XV

That's good in the sense that they're willing to stay and fight for their spot - but Ulster is not the only destination.  Deegan and Penny are not likely to be test players so they have a freer hand.

Bit early to be calling that for Penny is it?

Dan Leavy out for the next while.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2021/0215/1197249-dan-leavy-ruled-out-for-the-season/

Opens up opportunities for an area of intense competition for space but have to feel for Leavy, could this be last ditch surgery to try and save a world cup / even a career?

thebandwagonsociety wrote:
Dan Leavy out for the next while.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2021/0215/1197249-dan-leavy-ruled-out-for-the-season/

Opens up opportunities for an area of intense competition for space but have to feel for Leavy, could this be last ditch surgery to try and save a world cup / even a career?

Who would be a 7. To many these days being injured early and spend the rest of their career trying to come back as their body gets worse.

Leinster looking very lost in their match against Connacht. Countless penalties and intercept try after 14 mins left them 16-0 down.

And they get back on the horse with a lovely angled run from Keenan and dotting down. 16-7.

And suddenly the men in blue kick into gear. Great passing and approach until balls ends up with Fardy who crashes up with McGrath firing out for Keenan to dot down again. Ross Byrne converts. 16-14. And Connacht are gulping at the pace.

What a turnaround. Leinster pack in feisty mode. From a penalty lineout they catch and drive over. Ross Byrne misses.

16-19