Leinster Squad 18-19

[mildlyinterested]

Overall though it does look a slightly weaker squad then this year (assuming we don't sign anyone else).

I suppose they're depending on a few more gems shining in the Academy

no nacewa or jordi both have been heavy contibutors this season.. certainly weaker next season.

[mildlyinterested]

I thought Charlie Rock would get a development deal being honest.

thought he'd be lucky to get one.. obviously back Hughie to step up if needed next season.

[wixfjord]

We'll be relying a lot on Deegan, Doris and Josh Murphy. Will be good development opportunities for them.

[mildlyinterested]

We'll be relying a lot on Deegan, Doris and Josh Murphy. Will be good development opportunities for them.

None of them are the cousin of a 7, but might have to fill in, if Connors is off.

I wonder if Josh might play some lock..

[backrower8]

So Leinster senior squad next season as of 16/05:

LH Prop
Cian Healy(30) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2016
Jack McGrath(28) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2016
Ed Byrne(24) - Signed contract in 2018
Peter Dooley(24) - Signed contract in 2018

TH Prop
Michael Bent(32) - Signed contract in 2018
Tadhg Furlong(25) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2018
Andrew Porter(22) - Signed contract in 2018
Vakh Abdaladze(22) - Signed contract in 2018

Hooker
Sean Cronin(32) - Signed contract in 2018
James Tracy(27) - Signed contract in 2018
Bryan Byrne(24) - Signed contract in 2017

Lock
Scott Fardy(34) - Signed 2 yr contract in 2017
Devin Toner(32) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2017
Ian Nagle(29) - Signed contract in 2017
Mick Kearney(27) - Signed contract in 2017
Ross Molony(24) - Signed contract in 2018
James Ryan(22) - Signed contract in 2017

Backrow
Sean O'Brien(31) - Signed central 3 yr contract in 2016
Rhys Ruddock(27) - Signed contract in 2018
Jack Conan(26) - Signed contract in 2017
Josh Van Der Flier(25) - Signed contract in 2018
Dan Leavy(24) - Signed contract in 2017
Josh Murphy(23) - Signed contract in 2018
Max Deegan(21) - Signed contract in 2017
Caelan Doris(20) - Signed contract in 2018

Scrumhalf
Jamie Gibson Park(26) - Signed 3 yr contract in 2016
Luke McGrath(25) - Signed contract in 2017
Nick McCarthy(23) - Signed contract in 2017

Outhalf
Jonathan Sexton(33) - Signed central 4 yr contract in 2015
Ross Byrne(23) - Signed contract in 2017
Joey Carbery(22) - Signed contract in 2017

Centre
Noel Reid(28) - Signed contract in 2017
Robbie Henshaw(25) - Signed 3yr contract in 2016
Tom Daly(25) - Signed contract in 2018
Rory O'Loughlin(24) - Signed contract in 2017
Garry Ringrose(23) - Signed contract in 2018

Back Three
Rob Kearney(32) - Signed central contract until 2019 WC.
Fergus McFadden(32) - Signed contract in 2018
Dave Kearney(29) - Signed contract in 2018
James Lowe(26) - Signed 3yr contract in 2017
Barry Daly(25) - Signed contract in 2018
Adam Byrne(24) - Signed contract in 2017
Jordan Larmour(21) - Signed contract in 2018

In terms of sources of multiple players I make it:

10 ex-Michael's
5 ex-Clongowes
3 ex-Rock
2 each from Mary's and Andrew's

22 of the 43, or just over half from 5 and 42% from just 3 schools.

Big problems if the 3 big engines misfire

[Lar]

So Leinster senior squad next season as of 16/05:

LH Prop
Cian Healy(30) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2016
Jack McGrath(28) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2016
Ed Byrne(24) - Signed contract in 2018
Peter Dooley(24) - Signed contract in 2018

TH Prop
Michael Bent(32) - Signed contract in 2018
Tadhg Furlong(25) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2018
Andrew Porter(22) - Signed contract in 2018
Vakh Abdaladze(22) - Signed contract in 2018

Hooker
Sean Cronin(32) - Signed contract in 2018
James Tracy(27) - Signed contract in 2018
Bryan Byrne(24) - Signed contract in 2017

Lock
Scott Fardy(34) - Signed 2 yr contract in 2017
Devin Toner(32) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2017
Ian Nagle(29) - Signed contract in 2017
Mick Kearney(27) - Signed contract in 2017
Ross Molony(24) - Signed contract in 2018
James Ryan(22) - Signed contract in 2017

Backrow
Sean O'Brien(31) - Signed central 3 yr contract in 2016
Rhys Ruddock(27) - Signed contract in 2018
Jack Conan(26) - Signed contract in 2017
Josh Van Der Flier(25) - Signed contract in 2018
Dan Leavy(24) - Signed contract in 2017
Josh Murphy(23) - Signed contract in 2018
Max Deegan(21) - Signed contract in 2017
Caelan Doris(20) - Signed contract in 2018

Scrumhalf
Jamie Gibson Park(26) - Signed 3 yr contract in 2016
Luke McGrath(25) - Signed contract in 2017
Nick McCarthy(23) - Signed contract in 2017

Outhalf
Jonathan Sexton(33) - Signed central 4 yr contract in 2015
Ross Byrne(23) - Signed contract in 2017
Joey Carbery(22) - Signed contract in 2017

Centre
Noel Reid(28) - Signed contract in 2017
Robbie Henshaw(25) - Signed 3yr contract in 2016
Tom Daly(25) - Signed contract in 2018
Rory O'Loughlin(24) - Signed contract in 2017
Garry Ringrose(23) - Signed contract in 2018

Back Three
Rob Kearney(32) - Signed central contract until 2019 WC.
Fergus McFadden(32) - Signed contract in 2018
Dave Kearney(29) - Signed contract in 2018
James Lowe(26) - Signed 3yr contract in 2017
Barry Daly(25) - Signed contract in 2018
Adam Byrne(24) - Signed contract in 2017
Jordan Larmour(21) - Signed contract in 2018

In terms of sources of multiple players I make it:

10 ex-Michael's
5 ex-Clongowes
3 ex-Rock
2 each from Mary's and Andrew's

22 of the 43, or just over half from 5 and 42% from just 3 schools.

Big problems if the 3 big engines misfire

These things are cyclical. It's one of the reasons I was so pleased for this squad that they won on Saturday. This was a team minus some iconic and crucial players like BOD, Darce, Heaslip, even Seanie (as he played so little), Reddan, Ross most of whome had been pivotal in the three previous wins. With the obvious links to the original winners this side is very very different to the teams that won 3 out of four HECs.

But no team in Ireland is going to continually produce players in the manner of the conveyor belt that Leinster have been doing for the last few seasons. We are very fortunate at the moment but I have little doubt that the supply of such quality players won't continue indefinitely or will suffer some interruptions along the way. Who knows we may even look to get some players (back) from other provinces in the future. We need to enjoy this success while we can and if we can build on it in coming years all the better.

[Lar]

But we must surely be looking forward to Belvo providing a few more players in the coming years given their recent SCT wins and runs...

[blockhead]

So Leinster senior squad next season as of 16/05:

LH Prop
Cian Healy(30) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2016
Jack McGrath(28) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2016
Ed Byrne(24) - Signed contract in 2018
Peter Dooley(24) - Signed contract in 2018

TH Prop
Michael Bent(32) - Signed contract in 2018
Tadhg Furlong(25) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2018
Andrew Porter(22) - Signed contract in 2018
Vakh Abdaladze(22) - Signed contract in 2018

Hooker
Sean Cronin(32) - Signed contract in 2018
James Tracy(27) - Signed contract in 2018
Bryan Byrne(24) - Signed contract in 2017

Lock
Scott Fardy(34) - Signed 2 yr contract in 2017
Devin Toner(32) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2017
Ian Nagle(29) - Signed contract in 2017
Mick Kearney(27) - Signed contract in 2017
Ross Molony(24) - Signed contract in 2018
James Ryan(22) - Signed contract in 2017

Backrow
Sean O'Brien(31) - Signed central 3 yr contract in 2016
Rhys Ruddock(27) - Signed contract in 2018
Jack Conan(26) - Signed contract in 2017
Josh Van Der Flier(25) - Signed contract in 2018
Dan Leavy(24) - Signed contract in 2017
Josh Murphy(23) - Signed contract in 2018
Max Deegan(21) - Signed contract in 2017
Caelan Doris(20) - Signed contract in 2018

Scrumhalf
Jamie Gibson Park(26) - Signed 3 yr contract in 2016
Luke McGrath(25) - Signed contract in 2017
Nick McCarthy(23) - Signed contract in 2017

Outhalf
Jonathan Sexton(33) - Signed central 4 yr contract in 2015
Ross Byrne(23) - Signed contract in 2017
Joey Carbery(22) - Signed contract in 2017

Centre
Noel Reid(28) - Signed contract in 2017
Robbie Henshaw(25) - Signed 3yr contract in 2016
Tom Daly(25) - Signed contract in 2018
Rory O'Loughlin(24) - Signed contract in 2017
Garry Ringrose(23) - Signed contract in 2018

Back Three
Rob Kearney(32) - Signed central contract until 2019 WC.
Fergus McFadden(32) - Signed contract in 2018
Dave Kearney(29) - Signed contract in 2018
James Lowe(26) - Signed 3yr contract in 2017
Barry Daly(25) - Signed contract in 2018
Adam Byrne(24) - Signed contract in 2017
Jordan Larmour(21) - Signed contract in 2018

In terms of sources of multiple players I make it:

10 ex-Michael's
5 ex-Clongowes
3 ex-Rock
2 each from Mary's and Andrew's

22 of the 43, or just over half from 5 and 42% from just 3 schools.

Big problems if the 3 big engines misfire

These things are cyclical. It's one of the reasons I was so pleased for this squad that they won on Saturday. This was a team minus some iconic and crucial players like BOD, Darce, Heaslip, even Seanie (as he played so little), Reddan, Ross most of whome had been pivotal in the three previous wins. With the obvious links to the original winners this side is very very different to the teams that won 3 out of four HECs.

But no team in Ireland is going to continually produce players in the manner of the conveyor belt that Leinster have been doing for the last few seasons. We are very fortunate at the moment but I have little doubt that the supply of such quality players won't continue indefinitely or will suffer some interruptions along the way. Who knows we may even look to get some players (back) from other provinces in the future. We need to enjoy this success while we can and if we can build on it in coming years all the better.

Nail on the head.
Treat every trophy like its our first and our last, cherish every one. Dynasties come and go.
Our next trophy will be our 10th, ODECIMA. I hope we don't have to wait too long.

[mildlyinterested]

I'm treating the 4th like it might be the last.

hope the squad have similar mindset, getting a 5th will not be easy.

[blockhead]

I'm treating the 4th like it might be the last.

hope the squad have similar mindset, getting a 5th will not be easy.

Pro14 or Heino?

[mildlyinterested]

But we must surely be looking forward to Belvo providing a few more players in the coming years given their recent SCT wins and runs...

You'd hope.. but not many of their top players are making the academy..

[mildlyinterested]

I'm treating the 4th like it might be the last.

hope the squad have similar mindset, getting a 5th will not be easy.

Pro14 or Heino?

they don't put stars on the jersey for the pro 14.

[blockhead]

I'm treating the 4th like it might be the last.

hope the squad have similar mindset, getting a 5th will not be easy.

Pro14 or Heino?

they don't put stars on the jersey for the pro 14.

They should though. Maybe not stars but stripes maybe. Something catchy about that.
#RespectthePRO14

[riocard911]

But we must surely be looking forward to Belvo providing a few more players in the coming years given their recent SCT wins and runs...

You'd hope.. but not many of their top players are making the academy..

David Hawkshaw (outhalf) and Hugh O'Sullivan (fullback) both expected to join the academy this summer. Yay!!!

[mildlyinterested]

But we must surely be looking forward to Belvo providing a few more players in the coming years given their recent SCT wins and runs...

You'd hope.. but not many of their top players are making the academy..

David Hawkshaw (outhalf) and Hugh O'Sullivan (fullback) both expected to join the academy this summer. Yay!!!

HOS is already in the academy.
Hawkshaw looks unlikely to stay at outhalf.

But more to the point 2 academy players from 4 teams that made the sct final isnt a good return, two that won.

most of their top players didnt make any academy for one reason or another unfortunately.

[CiaranIrl]

The squad is excellent generally, and there is extraordinary depth in many positions (front row, back three, halfbacks). The only issue I see is that when Ireland players are away, the depth at lock, centre & openside isn't there.

I think we can cope in the row until someone from the highly rated next generation pushes through. Maloney & Fardy is still a great combo for a random league game, but we need to sign someone from openside from somewhere, and they probably need to be Ireland qualified. If we could bring in an NIQ, 12 is probably the priority. Even an Andrew Goodman type figure would be better than Noel Reid. If we can't sign someone, we need to think about pushing Ferg or DK in.

[mildlyinterested]

they will be hoping one of the many young centres can step up surely.. why else have the academy and have so many potential 12's in it?

On that topic, Tom Daly is very lucky to get a contract, leinster looked after him there.

at lock, they'd be better off investing in the under-20's than continuing to pay Kearney/Nagle.. Cormac Daly has been excellent for Clontarf this season, much better than Mick K when he has appeared from them over the past two seasons.

[CiaranIrl]

they will be hoping one of the many young centres can step up surely.. why else have the academy and have so many potential 12's in it?

If none have them have been able to oust Noel Reid after the recent run of games he's had, then I'm not full of faith to be honest. Hopefully Hawkshaw in a year or two? The others are surely old enough that they would have gotten chances this year if they were ready? I there were injuries to lads like Tom Daly, but still.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

The squad is excellent generally, and there is extraordinary depth in many positions (front row, back three, halfbacks). The only issue I see is that when Ireland players are away, the depth at lock, centre & openside isn't there.

I think we can cope in the row until someone from the highly rated next generation pushes through. Maloney & Fardy is still a great combo for a random league game, but we need to sign someone from openside from somewhere, and they probably need to be Ireland qualified. If we could bring in an NIQ, 12 is probably the priority. Even an Andrew Goodman type figure would be better than Noel Reid. If we can't sign someone, we need to think about pushing Ferg or DK in.

Everything about this just makes me realise how much we'll miss Isa. It's not even just that we need a 12, it's that his leadership and carrying would paper over the cracks elsewhere.

[mildlyinterested]

they will be hoping one of the many young centres can step up surely.. why else have the academy and have so many potential 12's in it?

If none have them have been able to oust Noel Reid after the recent run of games he's had, then I'm not full of faith to be honest. Hopefully Hawkshaw in a year or two? The others are surely old enough that they would have gotten chances this year if they were ready? I there were injuries to lads like Tom Daly, but still.

Well let's see:

COB(22), Frawley(20), Mullin(20) made their debuts this season.
JOB(21) has been playing 7's all season.
TOB(20) is still under-20 and has been playing Irish 20s.

It's right to be skeptical about them as Leinster have not produced many decent centres lately, let alone european level ones, but looks at Tom Farrell at Connacht, he was in the Leinster system and released, all he needed was the opportunity.

I can't see Leinster being allowed to sign a centre, so just going to have to make do.