Leinster's Back Three options going forward

[deco]

He’s been bought once, he can be bought again

No need.

Cadbury will be slot nicely back into the 15 role if required, as well as providing cover for Ross B.

Meh he made his choice to leave.

Who? Zedbo or Dairy Milk?

[ronk]

If it's still silly season: Madigan can play fullback.

[Ruckedtobits]

At this point, the player I'd like to see as Robert's successor is Ciaran Frawley. Physical presence, pace, fielding ability, kicking, vision, distribution and tackling all present. Only experience required.

[mildlyinterested]

At this point, the player I'd like to see as Robert's successor is Ciaran Frawley. Physical presence, pace, fielding ability, kicking, vision, distribution and tackling all present. Only experience required.

[Barry]

Rob Kearney’s achievements rarely get the recognition they deserve in the media so good to see the article below in today’s Examiner – still bugs me that Jamie didn’t get to 100 Irish caps so here’s hoping that Rob has better luck and hits this major milestone


Kearney set to catch smoking Serge

The man they could never catch is about to be overtaken, by a Gaelic football convert from the smallest county in Ireland.

Serge Blanco stopped running almost 30 years ago. Now in his seventh decade and no longer smoking for France, he is recovering from major heart surgery but no amount of inconvenient facts ought to detract from the feat of endurance within reach of Louth’s Rob Kearney. Described by his fashion house as ‘the Pele of rugby’, Blanco outstripped the rest as a box-office hit par excellence on such a scale that it’s taken this long for someone to catch up with him. There can be no finer tribute to Kearney than to put him on an equal footing with the peerless former president of Biarritz.
France in Dublin on Sunday will be Kearney’s 81st start as Ireland’s full-back, matching Blanco’s 81 in the same position for France. The weekend will also put them level on 93 Tests, each having won his first cap on the wing, Blanco against Ireland in Paris in 1982, Kearney against Argentina in Buenos Aires a quarter of a century later.

They also share something else in common, an unbeaten record stretching over seven years. While Blanco helped ensure that no Irish team beat France between 1984 and 1991, Kearney hasn’t lost a Six Nations match in Dublin since Wales won there en route to their last Grand Slam in 2012. Preserving the run for another season will ensure the holders go to Cardiff next week with a shot — albeit a very long one — at clinging onto their title. Given a fair wind, Kearney will then go one clear of Blanco and one behind the player to have been picked most often as a Test full-back, Mils Muliaina.
The New Zealander, unable to manage a try during 11 appearances for Connacht four seasons ago, made 83 of his 95 starts in the No 15 jersey, the remainder on the wing or in the centre. Another centurion, Percy Montgomery, made 80 of his 90 starts for the Springboks at full-back.

Kearney turns 33 this month with his sights set on one last shot at the World Cup. Blanco was 33 when he made the most anti-climactic of last stands during the 1991 tournament, a home quarter-final against England providing the perfect stage for one last blaze of pyrotechnics.

The old enemy trampled all over him from the kick-off, a grim reminder that time waits for no man, not even Blanco.

Now that he has lasted long enough to perform the monumental feat of catching up with the most charismatic of full-backs, Kearney ought to have enough time left for a happier ending.

[leinster23]

Rob Kearney’s achievements rarely get the recognition they deserve in the media so good to see the article below in today’s Examiner – still bugs me that Jamie didn’t get to 100 Irish caps so here’s hoping that Rob has better luck and hits this major milestone


Kearney set to catch smoking Serge

The man they could never catch is about to be overtaken, by a Gaelic football convert from the smallest county in Ireland.

Serge Blanco stopped running almost 30 years ago. Now in his seventh decade and no longer smoking for France, he is recovering from major heart surgery but no amount of inconvenient facts ought to detract from the feat of endurance within reach of Louth’s Rob Kearney. Described by his fashion house as ‘the Pele of rugby’, Blanco outstripped the rest as a box-office hit par excellence on such a scale that it’s taken this long for someone to catch up with him. There can be no finer tribute to Kearney than to put him on an equal footing with the peerless former president of Biarritz.
France in Dublin on Sunday will be Kearney’s 81st start as Ireland’s full-back, matching Blanco’s 81 in the same position for France. The weekend will also put them level on 93 Tests, each having won his first cap on the wing, Blanco against Ireland in Paris in 1982, Kearney against Argentina in Buenos Aires a quarter of a century later.

They also share something else in common, an unbeaten record stretching over seven years. While Blanco helped ensure that no Irish team beat France between 1984 and 1991, Kearney hasn’t lost a Six Nations match in Dublin since Wales won there en route to their last Grand Slam in 2012. Preserving the run for another season will ensure the holders go to Cardiff next week with a shot — albeit a very long one — at clinging onto their title. Given a fair wind, Kearney will then go one clear of Blanco and one behind the player to have been picked most often as a Test full-back, Mils Muliaina.
The New Zealander, unable to manage a try during 11 appearances for Connacht four seasons ago, made 83 of his 95 starts in the No 15 jersey, the remainder on the wing or in the centre. Another centurion, Percy Montgomery, made 80 of his 90 starts for the Springboks at full-back.

Kearney turns 33 this month with his sights set on one last shot at the World Cup. Blanco was 33 when he made the most anti-climactic of last stands during the 1991 tournament, a home quarter-final against England providing the perfect stage for one last blaze of pyrotechnics.

The old enemy trampled all over him from the kick-off, a grim reminder that time waits for no man, not even Blanco.

Now that he has lasted long enough to perform the monumental feat of catching up with the most charismatic of full-backs, Kearney ought to have enough time left for a happier ending.

He doesn't get nearly enough credit, the look at the praise Liam Williams (deservedly) got a few weeks ago. Kearney does that every game and all he gets is consistent moaning. Legend of Irish rugby.

[mildlyinterested]

Seen a good bit of Cian Kelleher last night for Connacht, he has a lot of work to on if he is going to push for a leinster 1st XV place.

[mildlyinterested]

Given Keenan/Kelly/Silvesters lack of progress this season and their potential 7's activity, I hope Leinster take another look at Peter Sullivan.

[Dave Cahill]

I thought Keenan progressed quite nicely this season and was unlucky to get injured when he did

[wixfjord]

Yeah I thought Keenan was good too. Certainly progressed through the year.

Actually he should be back in training soon iirc?

[mildlyinterested]

Yeah I thought Keenan was good too. Certainly progressed through the year.

Actually he should be back in training soon iirc?

He is focusing on 7's and has been for the past two-three months.

Kelly/Silvester have been too, although both played AIL for DUFC at the weekend.

[mildlyinterested]

Academy/Sub-Academy Potential Back Three Players:

Hugo Keenan(U23/Blackrock/UCD) - 6'1, 90kg
Jimmy O'Brien(U23/Newbridge/UCD) - 6'0, 90kg
Jack Kelly(U22/St. Michaels/DUFC) - 6'1, 85kg
Gavin Mullin(U22/Blackrock/UCD) - 5'11, 85kg
Tommy O'Brien(U21/Blackrock/UCD) - 6'0, 89kg
Michael Silvester(U21/Clongowes/DUFC) - 6'0, 81kg
Liam Turner(U20/Blackrock/DUFC) - 5'8, 89kg
Aaron O'Sullivan(U20/Exile/UCD) - 6'2, 92kg
Rob Russell(U20/St. Michaels/DUFC) - 6'0, 88kg
Max O'Reilly(U19/St. Gerards/DUFC) - ??, ??

[Flash Gordon]

Academy/Sub-Academy Potential Back Three Players:

Hugo Keenan(U23/Blackrock/UCD) - 6'1, 90kg
Jimmy O'Brien(U23/Newbridge/UCD) - 6'0, 90kg
Jack Kelly(U22/St. Michaels/DUFC) - 6'1, 85kg
Gavin Mullin(U22/Blackrock/UCD) - 5'11, 85kg
Tommy O'Brien(U21/Blackrock/UCD) - 6'0, 89kg
Michael Silvester(U21/Clongowes/DUFC) - 6'0, 81kg
Liam Turner(U20/Blackrock/DUFC) - 5'8, 89kg
Aaron O'Sullivan(U20/Exile/UCD) - 6'2, 92kg
Rob Russell(U20/St. Michaels/DUFC) - 6'0, 88kg
Max O'Reilly(U19/St. Gerards/DUFC) - ??, ??

Liam Turner is listed 1.83 M (6' 0') and105 KG on the IRFU page. Not 100% convinced on the height but he's definitely not 5'8"!!

[mildlyinterested]

Academy/Sub-Academy Potential Back Three Players:

Hugo Keenan(U23/Blackrock/UCD) - 6'1, 90kg
Jimmy O'Brien(U23/Newbridge/UCD) - 6'0, 90kg
Jack Kelly(U22/St. Michaels/DUFC) - 6'1, 85kg
Gavin Mullin(U22/Blackrock/UCD) - 5'11, 85kg
Tommy O'Brien(U21/Blackrock/UCD) - 6'0, 89kg
Michael Silvester(U21/Clongowes/DUFC) - 6'0, 81kg
Liam Turner(U20/Blackrock/DUFC) - 5'8, 89kg
Aaron O'Sullivan(U20/Exile/UCD) - 6'2, 92kg
Rob Russell(U20/St. Michaels/DUFC) - 6'0, 88kg
Max O'Reilly(U19/St. Gerards/DUFC) - ??, ??

Liam Turner is listed 1.83 M (6' 0') and105 KG on the IRFU page. Not 100% convinced on the height but he's definitely not 5'8"!!

He is listed at 5'8, 89kg on the 6 nations website and was listed at that height/weight on the irfu page before they updated his stats to 6'0, 105kg.

He is certainly not 6ft, 105kg and while he may not be 5'8, he is certainly closer to 5'8 than 6'0. Below picture has Scott Penny next to him, who is actually 6ft.

[arsebiscuits1]

He is listed at 5'8, 89kg on the 6 nations website and was listed at that height/weight on the irfu page before they updated his stats to 6'0, 105kg.

He is certainly not 6ft, 105kg and while he may not be 5'8, he is certainly closer to 5'8 than 6'0. Below picture has Scott Penny next to him, who is actually 6ft.

Given Henshaw is listed in and around 100kgs depending on the source there is a slim chance that Turner is anywhere near 105 ha. I can only assume it was a misprint on the site

[mildlyinterested]

5'8 to 5'9 and 90kg looks about right to me.

[Barry]

any word on Ferg's citing hearing ? thought it was yesterday ?

[mildlyinterested]

any word on Ferg's citing hearing ? thought it was yesterday ?

Nope, but I doubt he plays again this season.

[leinsterforever]

Academy/Sub-Academy Potential Back Three Players:

Hugo Keenan(U23/Blackrock/UCD) - 6'1, 90kg
Jimmy O'Brien(U23/Newbridge/UCD) - 6'0, 90kg
Jack Kelly(U22/St. Michaels/DUFC) - 6'1, 85kg
Gavin Mullin(U22/Blackrock/UCD) - 5'11, 85kg
Tommy O'Brien(U21/Blackrock/UCD) - 6'0, 89kg
Michael Silvester(U21/Clongowes/DUFC) - 6'0, 81kg
Liam Turner(U20/Blackrock/DUFC) - 5'8, 89kg
Aaron O'Sullivan(U20/Exile/UCD) - 6'2, 92kg
Rob Russell(U20/St. Michaels/DUFC) - 6'0, 88kg
Max O'Reilly(U19/St. Gerards/DUFC) - ??, ??

I've seen you mention Peter Sullivan a bit. He'd offer something slightly different, being a good bit bigger than most of those guys, at around 95-96 kilos.

[mildlyinterested]

Academy/Sub-Academy Potential Back Three Players:

Hugo Keenan(U23/Blackrock/UCD) - 6'1, 90kg
Jimmy O'Brien(U23/Newbridge/UCD) - 6'0, 90kg
Jack Kelly(U22/St. Michaels/DUFC) - 6'1, 85kg
Gavin Mullin(U22/Blackrock/UCD) - 5'11, 85kg
Tommy O'Brien(U21/Blackrock/UCD) - 6'0, 89kg
Michael Silvester(U21/Clongowes/DUFC) - 6'0, 81kg
Liam Turner(U20/Blackrock/DUFC) - 5'8, 89kg
Aaron O'Sullivan(U20/Exile/UCD) - 6'2, 92kg
Rob Russell(U20/St. Michaels/DUFC) - 6'0, 88kg
Max O'Reilly(U19/St. Gerards/DUFC) - ??, ??

I've seen you mention Peter Sullivan a bit. He'd offer something slightly different, being a good bit bigger than most of those guys, at around 95-96 kilos.

Yep, but until Leinster bring him into setup he isn't really an option going forward.