Leinster's Backrow going forward.

[simonokeeffe]

Now that James Lowe has made us privy to his real name, I can't believe anyone is calling Porridge anything other than Porridge.

Lowe in the backrow?

[ChrisUppy]

With Jamie retiring, Jordi going north and with a considerable number of our backrow players going to be with Ireland (SOB, JvdF, Leavy, Conan and I'd say Deegan will get a run in the game against the Tier 2 nation), we might want to look at an NIQ backrow for next season - someone like Ben McCalman who doesn't have a Super Rugby contract as a result of the Force being disbanded

I don't see someone like Ben McCalman coming knowing that he'll be sitting up in the stands for every big game of the season, and I doubt the IRFU/Leinster would be intrested in paying the wages he would command to do so.

Even with all of the above away, Leinster still have Connors, Doris, Murphy, Ruddock and Timmins. Plus Fardy and Mick Kearney have played 6. More likely that some decent AIL mucker would be brought in ala Leo Auva'a or that lad from Tarf that got a few games a couple of seasons ago.

EDIT: Tony Ryan was his name

[Oldschool]

With Jamie retiring, Jordi going north and with a considerable number of our backrow players going to be with Ireland (SOB, JvdF, Leavy, Conan and I'd say Deegan will get a run in the game against the Tier 2 nation), we might want to look at an NIQ backrow for next season - someone like Ben McCalman who doesn't have a Super Rugby contract as a result of the Force being disbanded

I don't see someone like Ben McCalman coming knowing that he'll be sitting up in the stands for every big game of the season, and I doubt the IRFU/Leinster would be intrested in paying the wages he would command to do so.

Even with all of the above away, Leinster still have Connors, Doris, Murphy, Ruddock and Timmins. Plus Fardy and Mick Kearney have played 6. More likely that some decent AIL mucker would be brought in ala Leo Auva'a or that lad from Tarf that got a few games a couple of seasons ago.

EDIT: Tony Ryan was his name

Whatever happened him, he looked to have big match temperment.

[simonokeeffe]

With Jamie retiring, Jordi going north and with a considerable number of our backrow players going to be with Ireland (SOB, JvdF, Leavy, Conan and I'd say Deegan will get a run in the game against the Tier 2 nation), we might want to look at an NIQ backrow for next season - someone like Ben McCalman who doesn't have a Super Rugby contract as a result of the Force being disbanded

I don't see someone like Ben McCalman coming knowing that he'll be sitting up in the stands for every big game of the season, and I doubt the IRFU/Leinster would be intrested in paying the wages he would command to do so.

Even with all of the above away, Leinster still have Connors, Doris, Murphy, Ruddock and Timmins. Plus Fardy and Mick Kearney have played 6. More likely that some decent AIL mucker would be brought in ala Leo Auva'a or that lad from Tarf that got a few games a couple of seasons ago.

EDIT: Tony Ryan was his name

Whatever happened him, he looked to have big match temperment.

was he the lad that went to Leicester? (pre Dippy)

[A16]

So you're saying we should have 5 professional standard specialist opensides on the books? The whole of England doesn't even have one [/quote]
I honestly can’t even think of a 7 who would be in the academy next year. I’m not saying we need some mega money NIQ but I’d just like to have some lad who actually plays in that position to call on. You can laugh at me now but we’ll see next season [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH AND SMILING EYES]

[A16]

[/quote]
[SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH AND SMILING EYES][/quote]

And no I did not type that all out, technology confuses me at times

[ChrisUppy]

With Jamie retiring, Jordi going north and with a considerable number of our backrow players going to be with Ireland (SOB, JvdF, Leavy, Conan and I'd say Deegan will get a run in the game against the Tier 2 nation), we might want to look at an NIQ backrow for next season - someone like Ben McCalman who doesn't have a Super Rugby contract as a result of the Force being disbanded

I don't see someone like Ben McCalman coming knowing that he'll be sitting up in the stands for every big game of the season, and I doubt the IRFU/Leinster would be intrested in paying the wages he would command to do so.

Even with all of the above away, Leinster still have Connors, Doris, Murphy, Ruddock and Timmins. Plus Fardy and Mick Kearney have played 6. More likely that some decent AIL mucker would be brought in ala Leo Auva'a or that lad from Tarf that got a few games a couple of seasons ago.

EDIT: Tony Ryan was his name

Whatever happened him, he looked to have big match temperment.

He's back at tarf again. I thought he was decent too and was surprised no other provinces picked him up after his stint here. Maybe he didn't fancy moving from Dublin.

He's only 26. It could well be worth getting him back involved

[cormac]

was he the lad that went to Leicester? (pre Dippy)

It was Michael Noone who went to Leicester. He's also playing AIL these days.

[Keith]

So you're saying we should have 5 professional standard specialist opensides on the books? The whole of England doesn't even have one

No chance on us getting a NIQ lad in the backrow, can you imagine the uproar if we did? We are still hearing from the likes of EOS complaining about us signing Lowe. Besides I'd much rather us get either a NIQ center, hooker or maybe even another second row. Areas we don't quite have the same depth.

[jimbobjoe]

So you're saying we should have 5 professional standard specialist opensides on the books? The whole of England doesn't even have one

I honestly can’t even think of a 7 who would be in the academy next year. I’m not saying we need some mega money NIQ but I’d just like to have some lad who actually plays in that position to call on. You can laugh at me now but we’ll see next season [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH AND SMILING EYES]

Not laughing at you A16.. moreso our riches in that position with three quality internationals plus backup relative to others. I can't see us getting someone else in - we'll just have to manage the international windows and any injuries like we always do. I think we'll be fine.

[mildlyinterested]

Will Connors is a 7 who will be in the academy.

Max Kearney & Scott Penny are two 7's who could be in the academy.

[Andrew097]

Often think a specialised No 7 is never really valued in Irish rugby too often we swop and change rather then look for a good one. We love them when they come along but we dont often hunt them out until we find one. For example often thought Mc Faddan had a lot of what it took in attitude to be a good open side wing forward it would have been interesting to see that in play. For a good part of his playing years we needed an open side while he was blocked at centre by two useful players. So with the next generation maybe we should be looking at a strong centre that could convert. One of the best Leinster open sides played scrum half until quite late. One of the best open sides who ever played did so at out half until a switch quite late.

[simonokeeffe]

was he the lad that went to Leicester? (pre Dippy)

It was Michael Noone who went to Leicester. He's also playing AIL these days.

Chapeau

Theres no chance of us getting an NIQ backrower

Maybe a tighthead prop to fill a Bent type role but even that is a serious stretch. Wouldnt mind a centre myself but cant see that happening either

[paddyor]

With Jamie retiring, Jordi going north and with a considerable number of our backrow players going to be with Ireland (SOB, JvdF, Leavy, Conan and I'd say Deegan will get a run in the game against the Tier 2 nation), we might want to look at an NIQ backrow for next season - someone like Ben McCalman who doesn't have a Super Rugby contract as a result of the Force being disbanded

The Force have announced a series of fixtures for 2018. Trialling 10point tries. Imagine they'll sign back a few players.

[Dave Cahill]

I doubt they'll attract too many elite level players - McCalman for example isn't in the squad they named the other day. Its just an NRC side now - even that Pacific Rugby Championship that Twiggy Forrest said he was going to set up hasn't been sanctioned yet

[CiaranIrl]

Will Connors is a 7 who will be in the academy.

Max Kearney & Scott Penny are two 7's who could be in the academy.

I have a lot of confidence in our depth at 6 & 8 (Ruddock, Doris, Deegan, Conan, Josh Murphy, Timmins), but I'm a bit nervous about 7 in the mid term. Leavy seems to have no regard for his own body & O'Brien is unlikely to play much longer. The nature of the position means that you need an awful lot of depth there. The weekend just gone demonstrated that pretty aptly, where both Munster and Leinster were missing what would have been considered their two first choice opensides (until recently).

Anyone that followed Leinster closely knew all about Leavy, VDF, Jordi & Sean O'Brien long before they made their impact on the world stage. Is there anyone coming up in the next couple of years that could seamlessly slot in at 7 down the line? I'm not sold on Will Connors yet & I'm disappointed that Max Kearney couldn't break into the under 20s team, which wasn't exactly overflowing with back row talent (the Munster 8 excepted).

[mildlyinterested]

Will Connors is a 7 who will be in the academy.

Max Kearney & Scott Penny are two 7's who could be in the academy.

I have a lot of confidence in our depth at 6 & 8 (Ruddock, Doris, Deegan, Conan, Josh Murphy, Timmins), but I'm a bit nervous about 7 in the mid term. Leavy seems to have no regard for his own body & O'Brien is unlikely to play much longer. The nature of the position means that you need an awful lot of depth there. The weekend just gone demonstrated that pretty aptly, where both Munster and Leinster were missing what would have been considered their two first choice opensides (until recently).

Anyone that followed Leinster closely knew all about Leavy, VDF, Jordi & Sean O'Brien long before they made their impact on the world stage. Is there anyone coming up in the next couple of years that could seamlessly slot in at 7 down the line? I'm not sold on Will Connors yet & I'm disappointed that Max Kearney couldn't break into the under 20s team, which wasn't exactly overflowing with back row talent (the Munster 8 excepted).

Scott Penny(St. Michaels) looked like a future star in Ireland u19's recent win over France.

Michael McMagh(Blackrock) and Alan Francis(Blackrock RFC) are other options there maybe, both are u20 next season and up against Penny may struggle.

Anthony Ryan(Clongowes) is starting at 7 for Irish Schools today, but dunno if he is really a 7 long term.
Jack Cooke(Terenure) was previously involved with Irish Schools earlier in the year.

Below that the 7's to watch in schools rugby are - James Culhane(Blackrock), Will Hickey(St. Michaels), Aaron Coleman(Belvedere), Tom Gilheaney(Clongowes)

[curates_egg]

SOB needs surgery on his shoulder. Played more for the Lions in 6 weeks than for us in either of the last two seasons.
Whatever miracle dust the Lions were able to sprinkle on him (or magic spray) clearly isn't sanctioned for use by the IRFU.

This, combined with Heaslip, combined with Ruddock's worrying injury profile, makes the failure to keep Jordi look even more like a very bad piece of business.
We now actually need to sign a back row for next season, in all likelihood.

[the spoofer]

SOB needs surgery on his shoulder. Played more for the Lions in 6 weeks than for us in either of the last two seasons.
Whatever miracle dust the Lions were able to sprinkle on him (or magic spray) clearly isn't sanctioned for use by the IRFU.

This, combined with Heaslip, combined with Ruddock's worrying injury profile, makes the failure to keep Jordi look even more like a very bad piece of business.
We now actually need to sign a back row for next season, in all likelihood.

We will have

Leavy
Josh Murphy
Ruddock
Conan
Josh VDF
Deegan
Doris
SOB??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Thats a decent roster.

[curates_egg]

SOB needs surgery on his shoulder. Played more for the Lions in 6 weeks than for us in either of the last two seasons.
Whatever miracle dust the Lions were able to sprinkle on him (or magic spray) clearly isn't sanctioned for use by the IRFU.

This, combined with Heaslip, combined with Ruddock's worrying injury profile, makes the failure to keep Jordi look even more like a very bad piece of business.
We now actually need to sign a back row for next season, in all likelihood.

We will have

Leavy
Josh Murphy
Ruddock
Conan
Josh VDF
Deegan
Doris
SOB??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Thats a decent roster.

It is (and you are missing Porridge), but it is a step down from the same roster with Jordi, a fit SOB and Heaslip.
It also includes two players with concerning injury profiles: Ruddock and JVDF (already).
With injuries and international windows, you could easily see us down to bare bones for parts of the season.
I think it is not sensationalist to suggest we need help. Either we sign a backrow or we shift Fardy there and sign a second row (which we probably need to do anyway).