Leinster Front Row Options going forward

[mildlyinterested]

Surprised they haven't done anything to address the lack of depth at hooker. If they all stay healthy, it will be fine, but a rather large if IMO.

Sean Cronin(32) - Signed contract in 2018
James Tracy(27) - Signed contract in 2018
Bryan Byrne(24) - Signed contract in 2017
Ronan Kelleher(20) - Academy Yr 2

Strauss and McNulty left, so Leinster have gone from having 6 contract hookers to 4.

[mildlyinterested]

Loosehead depth chart for Leinster, ages as of end of the season:

Senior
Cian Healy(31/Belvedere/Clontarf) - 198 caps
Jack McGrath(29/St. Marys/St. Marys) - 137 caps
Ed Byrne(25/Clongowes/UCD) - 31 caps
Peter Dooley(24/Birr RFC/Lansdowne) - 54 caps

Academy
Michael Milne(19/Birr RFC-Roscrea/UCD)

Sub-Academy
Guiseppe Coyne(19/Blackrock/DUFC)
Harry Noonan(18/Greystones RFC/Old Wesley)

Hooker depth chart for Leinster, ages as of end of the season:

Senior
Sean Cronin(33) - 161 caps
James Tracy(28/Newbridge/UCD) - 78 caps
Bryan Byrne(25/Clongowes/Clontarf) - 32 caps

Academy
Ronan Kelleher(21/St. Michaels/Lansdowne)
Dan Sheehan(20/Clongowes/DUFC)

Sub-Academy
Declan Adamson(19/Clontarf/Clontarf)
Sean Molony(19/Blackrock/UCD)
John McKee(19/Campbell/Old Belvedere)

Tighthead depth chart for Leinster, ages as of end of the season:

Senior
Tadhg Furlong(26/New Ross RFC/Clontarf) - 92 caps
Andrew Porter(23/St. Andrews/UCD) - 40 caps
Michael Bent(33) - 112 caps
Vakh Abdaladze(23/Coolmine RFC/Clontarf) - 4 caps

Academy
Jack Aungier(20/Suttonians RFC/Terenure)

Sub-Academy
Thomas Clarkson(18/Blackrock/DUFC)
Charlie Ward(18/Tullow RFC/Clontarf)

[mildlyinterested]

Ed Byrne chosen ahead of Jack McGrath last weekend

But unlike the other five, the Lions prop was not in the sick bay. McGrath “came through unscathed” in his return to action against Ulster earlier this month, but Ed Byrne was chosen ahead of him when it came to the visit of the four-time European champions.

Byrne was on the bench for the December back-to-backs against Bath, but McGrath was unavailable then after undergoing hip surgery. This time was different — with the 25-year-old selected on merit ahead of the 53-times capped Ireland international.

“Our motivation is the team, the team has to perform for all of us,” said Leinster scrum coach John Fogarty. “It’s an uncomfortable conversation, for sure, you do care about the player an awful lot, you understand what he has delivered in the past, you don’t want to lose out on anything either.

“It is a difficult conversation, but I guess that’s part of the job for them and for us.”

[neiliog93]

Ed Byrne chosen ahead of Jack McGrath last weekend

But unlike the other five, the Lions prop was not in the sick bay. McGrath “came through unscathed” in his return to action against Ulster earlier this month, but Ed Byrne was chosen ahead of him when it came to the visit of the four-time European champions.

Byrne was on the bench for the December back-to-backs against Bath, but McGrath was unavailable then after undergoing hip surgery. This time was different — with the 25-year-old selected on merit ahead of the 53-times capped Ireland international.

“Our motivation is the team, the team has to perform for all of us,” said Leinster scrum coach John Fogarty. “It’s an uncomfortable conversation, for sure, you do care about the player an awful lot, you understand what he has delivered in the past, you don’t want to lose out on anything either.

“It is a difficult conversation, but I guess that’s part of the job for them and for us.”

Fair call. Ed's ability in the loose and low centre of gravity are a joy to behold, especially off the bench. He's pushing on and showing he can do it against bigger teams now.

[mildlyinterested]

Loosehead Prop minutes this season

Cian Healy(9+2) = 580
Ed Byrne(3+10) = 422
Jack McGrath(5+2) = 303
Peter Dooley(3+6) = 285

Tighthead Prop minutes this season

Tadhg Furlong(10+2) = 616
Micahel Bent(8+2) = 479
Andrew Porter(2+13) = 458
Vakh Abdalaze(0+3) = 41

[mildlyinterested]

If Jack Mc goes north as is rumoured. Ages of players as of the start of next season.

Senior
Cian Healy(32/Belvedere/Clontarf)
Ed Byrne(26/Clongowes/UCD)
Peter Dooley(25/Birr RFC/Lansdowne)

Academy
Michael Milne(20/Birr RFC-Roscrea/UCD)

[Twist]

As an aside, I didnt realise both those guys were from Birr. Thats great for such a small club


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[the spoofer]

As an aside, I didnt realise both those guys were from Birr. Thats great for such a small club


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah, Peter played most of his youths rugby in the backrow, he was absolutely outstanding, a one man team. Mikie was huge, so much bigger than all the other kids. He moved to Roscrea around second or third year.

I have always rated Peter but he hasn't kicked on like I thought he would. If McGrath is gone then both Byrne and Dooley have huge opportunities at the start of next season.

[mildlyinterested]

Will the IRFU re-sign Healy? Turns 32 in October and likely looking for a raise and a 2+ year deal.

[Flash Gordon]

Will the IRFU re-sign Healy? Turns 32 in October and likely looking for a raise and a 2+ year deal.

Good question! With Jack's dip in form he's streets ahead of the alternatives, 32 isn't that old for a prop really though he did start very young!

While I was looking there I noticed that Ringrose doesn't have a central contract, hadn't realised that!

[johng]

Nor Stockdale or James Ryan. Most of the rest of the starters do though

[Flash Gordon]

Nor Stockdale or James Ryan. Most of the rest of the starters do though

You'd imagine that those 3 would come in for O'Brien, Kearney and Best (and maybe McGrath). Also got Josh and Carbery to consider, maybe Beirne, Leavy and Larmour in the picture too depending on how the RWC pans out. When does Lowe qualify?

[johng]

December 2020 or thereabouts. Along with Cloete and Jarrad Butler in Connacht

[Jonny tight lips]

Nor Stockdale or James Ryan. Most of the rest of the starters do though

You'd imagine that those 3 would come in for O'Brien, Kearney and Best (and maybe McGrath). Also got Josh and Carbery to consider, maybe Beirne, Leavy and Larmour in the picture too depending on how the RWC pans out. When does Lowe qualify?

I wouldn’t put Lowe into the Ireland 23 at the moment let alone give him a central contract (he wouldn’t get ahead of Earls or Stockdale and dosent cover enough poisitions to play 23).

[mildlyinterested]

Looking at underage Leinster have good to very good prospects at LH Prop at each age grade:

U20: Michael Milne(Birr RFC-Roscrea/UCD)
U19: Harry Noonan(Greystones RFC-Wicklow RFC/Old Wesley)
U18: Sam Illo(Wesley College)
U17: Jack Boyle(St. Michaels)

[mildlyinterested]

Good interview with Tom Clarkson: https://www.the42.ie/thomas-clarkson-ir ... 1-Mar2019/

[Ruckedtobits]

Will the IRFU re-sign Healy? Turns 32 in October and likely looking for a raise and a 2+ year deal.

Definitely but possibly on a max 2 yr contract, but more likely only an annual contract lest he be tempted overseas, but that's unlikely from his personal interests.

[mildlyinterested]

Will the IRFU re-sign Healy? Turns 32 in October and likely looking for a raise and a 2+ year deal.

Definitely but possibly on a max 2 yr contract, but more likely only an annual contract lest he be tempted overseas, but that's unlikely from his personal interests.

Odd nothing has been announced yet, might he be moving off a central deal and he will be announced with the rest of the leinster extensions?

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Will the IRFU re-sign Healy? Turns 32 in October and likely looking for a raise and a 2+ year deal.

Definitely but possibly on a max 2 yr contract, but more likely only an annual contract lest he be tempted overseas, but that's unlikely from his personal interests.

Meaning that no other country would let him bring his knives?

[arsebiscuits1]

Good interview with Tom Clarkson: https://www.the42.ie/thomas-clarkson-ir ... 1-Mar2019/

I think they're overstating his size a small bit there. He's the same height as all the Leinster senior THs.

He could definitely do with another 6-8kgs on him but he's still a year young for 20s age grade