Leinster Squad 18-19

[Dave Cahill]

NACEWA AND STRAUSS TO RETIRE AS CULLEN CONFIRMS DEPARTEES
April 24, 2018 / 11:06 am / Marcus Ó Buachalla

Ahead of the Leinster Rugby Awards Ball at the InterContinental Dublin this evening, Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen confirmed that Leinster Captain Isa Nacewa and hooker Richardt Strauss will be retiring at the end of the current season.

Nacewa (35), who has been capped 182 times for Leinster since his debut in September 2008 is bringing the curtain down on an illustrious career in Leinster blue which to date includes three Heineken Cup medals, a Challenge Cup medal and a PRO12 title.

Strauss (32), who made his debut in February 2010, has also had a profound impact on the club winning two Heineken Cups, a Challenge Cup and two PRO12 titles in his time with Leinster and has represented Ireland on 17 occasions including three appearances at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Together with the recently retired Jamie Heaslip and the departing Jordi Murphy, six players in total will be acknowledged by the club at the end of season Awards Ball this evening as Cullen also confirmed that Cathal Marsh and Peadar Timmins would be leaving the club at the end of the season.



“It is hard to articulate the impact that both Isa and Richardt have had on this club since their arrival.

“Warriors on the pitch and wonderful men off it, they are, in my opinion, two of the best players to have ever worn the blue jersey. Their impact on this group of players will be felt for years to come.

“We will also say goodbye this evening to Peadar and Cathal who have come through the Leinster pathway and are two great examples of that route and the success that can be had if you apply yourself in the right way. I wish them all the very best of luck in their future endeavours.”



Cullen was looking forward to giving all six players the send-off they deserved.

“It’s a difficult one because obviously you don’t want to get distracted with so much rugby still left to be played this season but it is important that we formally recognise the impact that these six players have had on the club.

“I think this evening at the Awards Ball in front of their team mates, their family and close friends is the perfect time to do that but once that is done, I know they will want everyone to focus on finishing the season as strongly as possible and I think for them and for the rest of us there is no better way of finishing out the season or your time at the club than that.”

Leinster Rugby – Departees 2017/18:

1. Jamie Heaslip, 12 British & Irish Lions Caps, 95 Ireland Caps, 229 Leinster Caps, 30 Tries
2. Cathal Marsh, 26 Leinster Caps, 2 Tries
3. Jordi Murphy, 20 Ireland Caps, 104 Leinster Caps, 17 Tries
4. Isa Nacewa, 1 Fiji Cap, 182 Leinster Caps, 47 Tries
5. Richardt Strauss, 17 Ireland Caps, 154 Leinster Caps, 12 Tries
6. Peadar Timmins, 12 Leinster Caps

*Statistics correct as of 23rd April 2018

[mildlyinterested]

Leinster Squad 2018-2019

LH Prop
Cian Healy(32) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2016
Jack McGrath(30) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2016
Ed Byrne(25) - Signed 2yr contract in 2017
Peter Dooley(24) - Signed contract in 2018
Michael Milne(19) - Academy Yr 1

TH Prop
Michael Bent(33) - Signed contract in 2018
Tadhg Furlong(26) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2018
Andrew Porter(23) - Signed contract in 2017
Vakh Abdaladze(23) - Signed contact in 2018
Jack Aungier(20) - Academy Yr 2

Hooker
Sean Cronin(33) - Signed contract in 2018
James Tracy(28) - Signed contract in 2018
Bryan Byrne(25) - Signed contract in 2017
Ronan Kelleher(21) - Academy Yr 2
Dan Sheehan(20) - Academy Yr 1

Lock
Scott Fardy(34) - Signed 2 yr contract in 2017
Devin Toner(32) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2017
Mick Kearney(28) - Signed contract in 2017
Ross Molony(25) - Signed contract in 2018
James Ryan(22) - Signed contract in 2017
Oisin Dowling(21) - Academy Yr 2
Jack Dunne(20) - Academy Yr 1
Ryan Baird(19) - Academy Yr 1

Backrow
Sean O'Brien(32) - Signed central 3 yr contract in 2016
Rhys Ruddock(28) - Signed contract in 2018
Jack Conan(26) - Signed contract in 2017
Josh Van Der Flier(26) - Signed contract in 2018
Dan Leavy(25) - Signed contract in 2017
Josh Murphy(24) - Signed contract in 2018
Will Connors(23) - Signed contract in 2018
Max Deegan(22) - Signed contract in 2017
Caelan Doris(21) - Signed contract in 2018
Scott Penny(19) - Academy Yr 1

Scrumhalf
Jamie Gibson Park(27) - Signed 3 yr contract in 2016
Luke McGrath(26) - Signed contract in 2017
Nick McCarthy(24) - Signed contract in 2017
Hugh O'Sullivan(21) - Academy Yr 2
Patrick Patterson(20) - Academy Yr 1

Outhalf
Jonathan Sexton(34) - Signed central 4 yr contract in 2015
Ross Byrne(24) - Signed contract in 2017
Ciaran Frawley(21) - Academy Yr 2
Harry Byrne(20) - Academy Yr 1

Centre
Joe Tomane(29) - Signed 2 yr contract in 2018
Noel Reid(29) - Signed contract in 2017
Robbie Henshaw(26) - Signed 3yr contract in 2016
Tom Daly(25) - Signed contract in 2018
Rory O'Loughlin(25) - Signed contract in 2017
Garry Ringrose(24) - Signed contract in 2018
Conor O'Brien(23) - Academy Yr 3
Jimmy O'Brien(22) - Academy Yr 3
Gavin Mullin(21) - Academy Yr 2
Tommy O'Brien(21) - Academy Yr 2

Back Three
Rob Kearney(33) - 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(26) - Signed contract in 2017
Adam Byrne(25) - Signed contract in 2017
Hugo Keenan(22) - Academy Yr 3
Jordan Larmour(21) - Signed contract in 2018
Jack Kelly(21) - Academy Yr 3
Tommy O'Brien(21) - Academy Yr 2
Michaels Silvester(21) - Academy Yr 1
Aaron O'Sullivan(19) - Academy Yr 1

[blockhead]

No suprises with ISA and Strauss but still, end of an era.
If they ever put up a statue of a Leinster player out side the RDS them it would have to be ISA.
Is he going to be staying in a coaching capacity?

[Dave Cahill]

For me, the greatest moment of the greatest day....

[curates_egg]

It was inevitable but congratulations and thank you to both of them for their hard work and devotion to Leinster over the years.
Nacewa will get the main spotlight, and I hope he stays with Leinster in a coaching role.
However, Strauss deserves just as much gratitude for his selfless commitment to the cause since he joined us in 2009. An entire decade in which he put his body on the line repeatedly.

[bertlim]

Any ideas on who will be given an academy contract next year? Have heard rumours that both Jack Dunne and Cormac Daly will be signed

[bluemagic]

A sad day, for a foreign player to come and do so much not just on the field but for the organisation too it really is staggering. A Leinster legend, hopefully we send him on his way with a trophy.

I do him a disservice calling him a foreign player. He’s as true a Leinster man as you could find, blue to the core. His try against Leicester in the quarter final in 2011 was just one example of his genius.

Goodnight sweet prince.

[mildlyinterested]

Irish Times reporting Nacewa will return to Auckland.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

That's what I thought of too Dave. Easy to forget how good Straussy was once he properly broke into the team. He was absolutely brilliant at supporting the ball carrier and knowing when to put the after burners on just at the exact moment the pass to him needed to be made, and he was excellent over the ball as well. Unfortunately his heart, hamstring, and concussion issues really took their toll over the years, that's probably around 5 years or so of his body really being put through the wringer. He may have lost his spark but he always gave everything and I thought he showed glimpses of his best form earlier in the season.

Hope his body is okay. Thanks Straussy

[blockhead]

Nacewa will not be remaining in Dublin, he will return to New Zealand at the end of the season. While Strauss is returning to South Africa after an injury ravaged past few seasons. Marsh and Timmins are looking for new clubs if they are to continue playing professional rugby.
According to the IT.

[OTT]

Strauss could have retired the time he got his heart diagnosis, he could have called it a day after any one of his concussions, he already had a load of silverware in his pocket and the admiration of his fans. Warrior is the right word for him, it was often uncomfortable watching him take the head shots in the last couple of years as concussion becomes ever more prevalent and our knowledge of the repercussions grow. Unbelievable player in the loose and also our set piece always looked more stable with him there in his prime years. Will always remember the quip attributed to him against Ashton in the final in 2011 (even if he never said it it is now folklore ). Thanks Mighty Strrauss.


ISA ISA ISA. I thought he was on the ropes this time last year, now I don't know what we will do without him...bit of deja vu here. The ultimate ambassador for our club on and off the pitch, oozes humility and class. We will be talking about him for many a year. Thanks for coming back when we really needed you.


EDITED: For atrocious spelling

[LeRouxIsPHat]

What can you say about Isa?

Well the first thing is that I was totally wrong about it being a mistake to bring him back By and large he's been phenomenal since his return and was clearly a huge part of the improvement in our performances. I think he' probably the best example of "fire in the belly, ice in the mind" that I've ever seen.

The biggest hitter I think we've had.
The hardest kick chaser I think we've had.
The best finisher I think we've had.
The best scrumhalf I think we've had.
The biggest heart I think we've had.

You could argue some of those of course, but for his quality and consistency for nearly a decade, he would come out on top in so many areas for me.

A genuine hero for Leinster and he'll be sorely missed.

Thanks Isa

[CiaranIrl]

Is there anything to be said for a one more year chant?

[fourthirtythree]

Obviously I agree ----------------------->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

For me, the greatest moment of the greatest day....

[blockhead]

What can you say about Isa?

Well the first thing is that I was totally wrong about it being a mistake to bring him back By and large he's been phenomenal since his return and was clearly a huge part of the improvement in our performances. I think he' probably the best example of "fire in the belly, ice in the mind" that I've ever seen.

The biggest hitter I think we've had.
The hardest kick chaser I think we've had.
The best finisher I think we've had.
The best scrumhalf I think we've had.
The biggest heart I think we've had.

You could argue some of those of course, but for his quality and consistency for nearly a decade, he would come out on top in so many areas for me.

A genuine hero for Leinster and he'll be sorely missed.

Thanks Isa

Me too! And I posted on here questioning the wisdom of bringing him back.
Now I think it is a genuine question.
Which ISA was the best, MarkI or MarkII?

[CiaranIrl]

It would absolutely suck to be Timmins or Marsh at Heaslip, Nacewa & Strauss's going away dinner. Imagine being them having to do a speech.

[Cianostays]

We're going to miss these guys when we're at home to Zebre on a pissing wet, freezing February Thursday next season. Unlike our Irish internationals (who obviously give their all for the cause when we can play them) guys like Strauss and Isa chose to come here and committed themselves to the cause. It makes me warm to these guys even more than our own (as perverse as that sounds). They truly are Leinstermen.


Thanks for everything boys. Thanks.

Sent from my SM-G531F using Tapatalk

[R-Dog]

It would absolutely suck to be Timmins or Marsh at Heaslip, Nacewa & Strauss's going away dinner. Imagine being them having to do a speech.

Not the worst,

Marsh had his chance but didnt kick on to the required level (bit unlucky as his break through coincided with our worst bit of form over the last few years. He is 3/4 years older than Byrne/Joey so right time for him to go try get some game time and make some euros/pounds somewhere. Other provinces screaming out for 10's too!

Cooneys season at Connaught followed by move to Ulster could yet turn out with him pushing for the Back up roll to Murray in Japan (especially if you factor in his place kicking and Joeys lack off)

[BlueWheels]

A sad day, for a foreign player to come and do so much not just on the field but for the organisation too it really is staggering. A Leinster legend, hopefully we send him on his way with a COUPLE OF trophies.

I do him a disservice calling him a foreign player. He’s as true a Leinster man as you could find, blue to the core. His try against Leicester in the quarter final in 2011 was just one example of his genius.

Goodnight sweet prince.

Just had to amend that

[blockhead]

Leinster Rugby Awards 2017/18

Laya Healthcare Young Player of the Year: James Ryan
Deep River Rock School of the Year: Blackrock College
Beauchamps Contribution to Leinster Rugby: Hugh Woodhouse, Mullingar RFC
Cityjet Senior Club of the Year: MU Barnhall RFC
Life Style Sports Supporters Player of the Year Award: Dan Leavy
Energia Women’s Rugby Award: Nora Stapleton
Guinness Hall of Fame Award: Paul McNaughton
Irish Independent Development School Award: Gorey Community School
Canterbury Tackle of the Year: Fergus McFadden
Bank of Ireland Junior Club of the Year: Wicklow RFC
Irish Independent Try of the Year: Jordan Larmour
Bank of Ireland Players’ Player of the Year: Dan Leavy