Can Leinster be competitive in the coming seasons?

[Flash Gordon]

So 7 senior squad players confirmed leaving, replaced by:

Jack McGrath(29, 144 Leinster Caps ,54 Irish Caps, British & Irish Lion )
Ian Nagle(30, 19 Leinster Caps)
Mick Kearney(28, 51 Leinster Caps)
Sean O'Brien(32, 125 Leinster Caps, 52 Irish Caps, British & Irish Lion)
Nick McCarthy(24, 34 Leinster Caps)
Noel Reid(29, 121 Leinster Caps, 1 Irish Cap)
Tom Daly(26, 12 Leinster Caps))

-> Peter Dooley(25, 61 Leinster Caps)
-> Jack Dunne(20. 5 Leinster Caps)
-> Oisin Dowling(22, 4 Leinster Caps)
-> Max Deegan(22. 43 Leinster Caps)
-> Hugh O'Sullivan(21, 14 Leinster Caps)
-> Ciaran Frawley(21, 14 Leinster Caps)
-> Conor O'Brien(23, 17 Leinster Caps

And potentially Rob Kearney if SOB is to be believed! Mick Kearney is another one that jars a bit. He came with big expectations and was hitting form this season.

[mildlyinterested]

So 7 senior squad players confirmed leaving, replaced by:

Jack McGrath(29, 144 Leinster Caps ,54 Irish Caps, British & Irish Lion )
Ian Nagle(30, 19 Leinster Caps)
Mick Kearney(28, 51 Leinster Caps)
Sean O'Brien(32, 125 Leinster Caps, 52 Irish Caps, British & Irish Lion)
Nick McCarthy(24, 34 Leinster Caps)
Noel Reid(29, 121 Leinster Caps, 1 Irish Cap)
Tom Daly(26, 12 Leinster Caps))

-> Peter Dooley(25, 61 Leinster Caps)
-> Jack Dunne(20. 5 Leinster Caps)
-> Oisin Dowling(22, 4 Leinster Caps)
-> Max Deegan(22. 43 Leinster Caps)
-> Hugh O'Sullivan(21, 14 Leinster Caps)
-> Ciaran Frawley(21, 14 Leinster Caps)
-> Conor O'Brien(23, 17 Leinster Caps

And potentially Rob Kearney if SOB is to be believed! Mick Kearney is another one that jars a bit. He came with big expectations and was hitting form this season.

Kearney's contract ends after the WC, he was quoted recently as saying his future past that point is undecided as of now.
Healy's contract also ends after WC..

Mick K is in his last 20's and 5th choice, it's not that surprising he has decided to move on.

[the spoofer]

There is no question that next year will be the most challenging since Leo's first year in charge. We have incredible developing talent but it is just that, developing. We still have an incredibly strong core of 20/25 players but it's when go past that we are into lads without Irish caps and few starts in Pro14 let alone HC matches. I look forward to seeing how we cope with this development phase.

[TrapperChamonix]

The biggest loss will be when Stu goes to the Ireland set up. Is Filipe up to the job?

[mildlyinterested]

The biggest loss will be when Stu goes to the Ireland set up. Is Filipe up to the job?

Of replacing Lancaster? No.

But given he just signed a new contract with Leinster, who says he will have to replaced any time soon?

[TrapperChamonix]

The biggest loss will be when Stu goes to the Ireland set up. Is Filipe up to the job?

Of replacing Lancaster? No.

But given he just signed a new contract with Leinster, who says he will have to replaced any time soon?

I seem to remember the announcement being a bit vague. Did they NOT give a duration or something line that? Either way if Stuart and Andy want him for Ireland, I cant see any way that Leinster would / could stop that.

[mildlyinterested]

The biggest loss will be when Stu goes to the Ireland set up. Is Filipe up to the job?

Of replacing Lancaster? No.

But given he just signed a new contract with Leinster, who says he will have to replaced any time soon?

I seem to remember the announcement being a bit vague. Did they NOT give a duration or something line that? Either way if Stuart and Andy want him for Ireland, I cant see any way that Leinster would / could stop that.

I agree, but I don't see it happening next season, maybe I'm naive.

I said before, we need to appreciate this run because the IRFU will ensure it won't last much longer.

[wixfjord]

I said before, we need to appreciate this run because the IRFU will ensure it won't last much longer.

Have you said that before? I don't recall...

(That dastardly IRFU out to get us again! Grrrr!)

[riocard911]

I said before, we need to appreciate this run because the IRFU will ensure it won't last much longer.

Have you said that before? I don't recall...

(That dastardly IRFU out to get us again! Grrrr!)

Has anyone considered the possibility, that the IRFU might prefer to have Lancaster moulding Leinster academy players into potential internationals rather than as part of the national coaching ticket? Youth development is supposedly his greatest forté. Just sayin' like.....

[leinsterforever]

I said before, we need to appreciate this run because the IRFU will ensure it won't last much longer.

Have you said that before? I don't recall...

(That dastardly IRFU out to get us again! Grrrr!)

Has anyone considered the possibility, that the IRFU might prefer to have Lancaster moulding Leinster academy players into potential internationals rather than as part of the national coaching ticket? Youth development is supposedly his greatest forté. Just sayin' like.....

Certainly seems to me that he's of most use to Irish rugby as a whole right where he is. Hopefully the IRFU agrees.

[yellabelly1961]

if we get the 5th star this year I could , maybe, deal with a season without silverware - in the interest of squad development..

[mildlyinterested]

anything past the 5th star is bonus territory.

[Oldschool]

anything past the 5th star is bonus territory.

Dunno about that.
A wait for eight might be ok.
Being in the mix for six is definitely on.
Seven would be heaven of course.

[TrapperChamonix]

I have registered the following web sites LEINSTERdrive45, LEINSTER6inthesticks, LEINSTER7thheaven, LEINSTER8thbeforeits2late & LEINSTERcloud9

[johng]

I hope you covered .com .ie .net and .eu at a minimum.