Which was an odd article, but a good kicking off place for a separate discussion on scrumhalves within the province.
SeniorLike the hugely productive prop project initiated a few seasons back, Leinster recently suggested a similar programme to develop specialist scrumhalves. In response former Ireland nine and women’s head coach Tom Tierney was offered by the IRFU. Leinster demurred.
Jamie Gibson Park(26/New Zealand) - 56 Leinster caps - 24 starts
Luke McGrath(25/St. Michaels/UCD) - 100 Leinster caps - 58 starts
Nick McCarthy(23/St. Michaels/UCD) - 29 Leinster caps - 4 starts
Academy
Hugh O'Sullivan(20/Year 2/Belvedere/Clontarf) - 1 Leinster cap - 0 starts
Patrick Patterson(20/Year 1/Blackrock/UCD)
Sub-Academy
James Kenny(U21/Gonzaga/Lansdowne)
Cormac Foley(U20/St. Gerards/St. Marys)
Shane Murphy(U19/Skerries RFC/UCD)
Schools & Clubs
Adam McEvoy(U19/St. Marys)
Jack Connolly(U19/Gonzaga)
Ben Murphy(U18/Pres Bray)
Rob Gilsenan(U18/St. Michaels)
Will Reilly(U18/Portlaoise)
Cormac Fenton(U18/Wicklow)
Former Leinster underage scrumhalves at other provinces:
John Cooney(Ulster)
James Hart(Munster)
Dave Shanahan(Ulster)
McCarthy is under serious pressure from O'Sullivan and needs to perform when given opportunities this season, he turns 24 later this season and has not progressed well for a former ireland u20 captain etc.
Foley looks likely a strong contender to be starting Ireland u20 scrumhalf this season and therefore a strong contender for an academy place next season.
Kenny is a highly rated player, which was reflected with him being involved with leinster thsi summer past his under-20 season, but he has been unable to stay healthy since leaving school, a very different scrumhalf to what is usually found in leinster in size and style of play.
At underage level, Ben Murphy, son of ex-Leinster coach Richie, looks the brightest prospect followed by Adam McEvoy.