19/20 Season Preview: 2nd Row

[mildlyinterested]

James Ryan(23) - Signed contract in 2017
Devin Toner(33) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2017
Scott Fardy(35) - Signed 1 yr contract in 2019
Ross Molony(25) - Signed contract in 2018
Josh Murphy(24) - Signed contract in 2019
Oisin Dowling(22) - Academy Y3
Jack Dunne(20) - Academy Y2
Ryan Baird(20) - Academy Y2
Charlie Ryan(20) - Academy Y1
Brian Deeny(19) - Academy Y1

James Ryan enters the season as the best rugby player in ireland and leinster after winning awards from his peers for his performances for both last season. His contract ends at the end of this season and he is surely in line for an upgraded central deal from the IRFU. Devin Toner will also return from the World Cup, his contract also ends at the end of the season, last season his luck ran out in regards to injury, hopefully he can have a healthy season as he enters his mid 30's. Scott Fardy somewhat surprisingly returns on a 1 year deal, a key player for leinster over the past two seasons he will provide much needed leadership during the World Cup and beyond. Ross Molony returns after a strong season last season that was cut short at the end due to injury, the maturing lock will hope to fight off his younger competition over the world cup and retain his spot in the squad as 4th choice lock. Josh Murphy is really more of a blindside, but he did appear at lock last season, will this continue going forward? Oisin Dowling is another lock/blindside option, he is entering his final season in the academy and has an uphill battle for gametime this season. Jack Dunne made his debut for the senior team last season and managed to make 5 appearances in total, the tighthead lock impressed in particular against Treviso and Glasgow. He will hope to push on this season and potentially graduate from the academy at the end of the season. Fellow 2nd year academy player Ryan Baird is coming off a stay junior world cup campaign where he featured at lock and blindside, it will be interesting to see where he plays this season for Leinster. Ireland u20 captain Charlie Ryan joins the academy after an impressive U20 campaign, the tighthead lock will hope to make his leinster debut this season. Finally Brian Deeny also joined the academy this summer, this versatile athlete lined up in the backrow and at lock last season for the irish 20's, he is eligible again for the 20s and he will presumably be focusing on in nailing down his starting position for that team.

[dropkick]

10 years between Toner and Ryan. Not much international quality in that period but now there is a lot of quality.

[mildlyinterested]

Are people concerned about Toner's "dip"? Might Leinster's starting locks this season in europe be Fardy and Ryan?

[cormac]

Are people concerned about Toner's "dip"? Might Leinster's starting locks this season in europe be Fardy and Ryan?

I wouldn't write off Devin yet. He may need a bit of time to get back close to full fitness though.

[mildlyinterested]

Are people concerned about Toner's "dip"? Might Leinster's starting locks this season in europe be Fardy and Ryan?

I wouldn't write off Devin yet. He may need a bit of time to get back close to full fitness though.

Hasn't he had a long preseason to get back there?

Given his size and age, he may not get back to his previous levels of mobility/athleticism after his ankle injury. Hope i'm wrong of course.