Leinster Squad 20-21

[mildlyinterested]

The British & Irish Lions are facing a coaching crisis after three late withdrawals from Warren Gatland’s first-choice management team.

Gatland had hoped to have Andy Farrell, the Ireland head coach, Steve Borthwick, the Leicester Tigers head coach, and Graham Rowntree, the Munster forwards coach, on his staff for the tour to South Africa.

For different reasons, though, all three have had to pull out this week. Borthwick declared that he was unavailable yesterday morning after being presented with the full Lions schedule.

Gregor Townsend, the Scotland head coach, is still set to take charge of the Lions attack on the tour, which begins with a game against Japan at Murrayfield on June 26 and culminates in three Tests against the world champions.

However, the late withdrawals mean that Gatland is without three of his four main assistant coaches.

It is only a little more than two months before the Lions are due to start assembling for their training camp and Gatland is set to announce his coaching line-up on Tuesday. The withdrawals have given Gatland very little time to recruit alternatives.

Farrell, a coaching veteran of the successful 2013 and 2017 Lions tours, was on Gatland’s shortlist but was waiting to see if Ireland’s summer tour would go ahead. It now appears that Ireland will head to the Pacific Islands and Farrell, who is in only his second year as head coach, feels obliged to lead that tour.

Borthwick, the forwards coach for the 2017 tour to New Zealand, had given Gatland verbal confirmation some time ago that he would tour again. Leicester were also fully supportive.

However, when the Lions finally sent through their schedule this week, it became clear to Borthwick that his club commitments would be heavily compromised at both ends of the tour.

The Lions schedule for team management overlaps with the semi-finals and the final of the Gallagher Premiership. At the back end of the tour, Borthwick would miss three weeks of Leicester’s pre-season and if a quarantine period were required on return from South Africa, he would miss even more.

Borthwick is in the process of rebuilding Leicester and it is understood that he felt he would be setting the wrong example to his players if he prioritised the Lions.

Rowntree is understood to have withdrawn because of family commitments. He has been living in Ireland away from his family, who have been in England, for much of the year. It had been expected that they would follow the tour but as that plan now appears impossible, Rowntree felt that he could not travel either.

The unavailability of Farrell, Borthwick and Rowntree will be a huge disappointment for Gatland. They were in his first-choice coaching line-up not only because he rates them so highly but because they provide continuity to the previous Lions tour four years ago.

One of the challenges of a Lions tour is to get all the working relationships within a squad running smoothly as quickly as possible. Gatland thought that he had a decent solution to the problem by keeping together the bulk of a coaching team that had worked so well four years ago while adding in Townsend’s fresh perspective. Gatland, Farrell and Rowntree also all worked together on the 2013 tour to Australia.

Gatland’s potential alternatives for a defence coach are John Mitchell, the England defence coach, and Shaun Edwards, who holds the same role with France. To replace Rowntree as a scrum and forwards specialist, Gatland may turn to Robin McBryde, the former Wales forwards coach, though it will be very hard to find a like-for-like replacement for Borthwick.

[Oldschoolsocks]

The British & Irish Lions are facing a coaching crisis after three late withdrawals from Warren Gatland’s first-choice management team.

Gatland had hoped to have Andy Farrell, the Ireland head coach, Steve Borthwick, the Leicester Tigers head coach, and Graham Rowntree, the Munster forwards coach, on his staff for the tour to South Africa.

For different reasons, though, all three have had to pull out this week. Borthwick declared that he was unavailable yesterday morning after being presented with the full Lions schedule.

Gregor Townsend, the Scotland head coach, is still set to take charge of the Lions attack on the tour, which begins with a game against Japan at Murrayfield on June 26 and culminates in three Tests against the world champions.

However, the late withdrawals mean that Gatland is without three of his four main assistant coaches.

It is only a little more than two months before the Lions are due to start assembling for their training camp and Gatland is set to announce his coaching line-up on Tuesday. The withdrawals have given Gatland very little time to recruit alternatives.

Farrell, a coaching veteran of the successful 2013 and 2017 Lions tours, was on Gatland’s shortlist but was waiting to see if Ireland’s summer tour would go ahead. It now appears that Ireland will head to the Pacific Islands and Farrell, who is in only his second year as head coach, feels obliged to lead that tour.

Borthwick, the forwards coach for the 2017 tour to New Zealand, had given Gatland verbal confirmation some time ago that he would tour again. Leicester were also fully supportive.

However, when the Lions finally sent through their schedule this week, it became clear to Borthwick that his club commitments would be heavily compromised at both ends of the tour.

The Lions schedule for team management overlaps with the semi-finals and the final of the Gallagher Premiership. At the back end of the tour, Borthwick would miss three weeks of Leicester’s pre-season and if a quarantine period were required on return from South Africa, he would miss even more.

Borthwick is in the process of rebuilding Leicester and it is understood that he felt he would be setting the wrong example to his players if he prioritised the Lions.

Rowntree is understood to have withdrawn because of family commitments. He has been living in Ireland away from his family, who have been in England, for much of the year. It had been expected that they would follow the tour but as that plan now appears impossible, Rowntree felt that he could not travel either.

The unavailability of Farrell, Borthwick and Rowntree will be a huge disappointment for Gatland. They were in his first-choice coaching line-up not only because he rates them so highly but because they provide continuity to the previous Lions tour four years ago.

One of the challenges of a Lions tour is to get all the working relationships within a squad running smoothly as quickly as possible. Gatland thought that he had a decent solution to the problem by keeping together the bulk of a coaching team that had worked so well four years ago while adding in Townsend’s fresh perspective. Gatland, Farrell and Rowntree also all worked together on the 2013 tour to Australia.

Gatland’s potential alternatives for a defence coach are John Mitchell, the England defence coach, and Shaun Edwards, who holds the same role with France. To replace Rowntree as a scrum and forwards specialist, Gatland may turn to Robin McBryde, the former Wales forwards coach, though it will be very hard to find a like-for-like replacement for Borthwick.

Very happy with that news bar the possible loss of McBride for the start of the 21-22 season. Not really a fan of the Lions since the 2005 tour tbh. It’s about time NH players and coaches recognise the tour for what it has become a means to prop up NZ and Aus rugby - it think SA are doing ok

[wixfjord]

Looking like McBryde will travel alright. Good for him!

https://twitter.com/FoyChris/status/1381356627903799300

[mildlyinterested]

Leinster Rugby can this morning confirm the signing of Nick McCarthy.

The 26-year-old scrumhalf came through the Leinster Rugby Academy system and scored four tries in 36 appearances for Leinster before signing with Munster ahead of the 2019-20 season.

Speaking to leinsterrugby.ie, Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen said, “Nick is a player we know very well. We know the qualities that he brings as a player but also as a person and the additional experience he now has from two years in another environment is an added advantage.

“We look forward to him joining us for pre-season and welcoming him back to UCD.”

McCarthy has been capped at Ireland Under-20 level and captained them at the 2014 Under-20 World Cup.

“I want to thank everyone for my time in Munster Rugby. It’s a special club to play for with a great rugby culture. I have really enjoyed the experience, learned loads and made friends for life.

“I am excited now to get back to Dublin in the summer. I will continue to challenge myself, compete at the highest level and hopefully add value to the squad in Leinster.” said McCarthy.

[mildlyinterested]

I wonder if we will hear more squad news this week...

[wixfjord]

Great news on Nick's return. I think that's a really smart signing, and the last few weeks have shown exactly why it's needed.

[hugonaut]

Great news on Nick's return. I think that's a really smart signing, and the last few weeks have shown exactly why it's needed.

Nick will be a good player for us and it's definitely a position of need. I don't think I'm the only one on this board who hasn't been convinced by any of the other options we have tried out over the past couple of seasons.

[Dave Cahill]

Great news on Nick's return. I think that's a really smart signing, and the last few weeks have shown exactly why it's needed.

Nick will be a good player for us and it's definitely a position of need. I don't think I'm the only one on this board who hasn't been convinced by any of the other options we have tried out over the past couple of seasons.

In fairness, we didn't exactly kill ourselves trying them out. O'Sullivan has two starts and less than 500 minutes total pitchtime, Osborne has two starts and less than 200 minutes pitchtime and Patterson has yet to have a start for us.

[hugonaut]

Great news on Nick's return. I think that's a really smart signing, and the last few weeks have shown exactly why it's needed.

Nick will be a good player for us and it's definitely a position of need. I don't think I'm the only one on this board who hasn't been convinced by any of the other options we have tried out over the past couple of seasons.

In fairness, we didn't exactly kill ourselves trying them out. O'Sullivan has two starts and less than 500 minutes total pitchtime, Osborne has two starts and less than 200 minutes pitchtime and Patterson has yet to have a start for us.

They're full time players, the coaches see them in training five days a week. It's not like they're just doing grids and drills there either, there's quite a bit of live rugby to get as close as possible to what they'd be doing in matches. If they weren't getting selected for games and matchday squads I think it's because Cullen/Lancaster/Contepomi weren't seeing enough in them to get excited about.

It's not as though they are cautious or lily-livered selectors. They've been more than happy to put in young players in every other position on the pitch.

[mildlyinterested]

I think Patterson is worth a contract if they are going to go with 4 senior 9's.

but the coaches have been very reluctant to give him much time at senior or even A level, thought he played well for Munster though.

as i've said previously leinster's development plan for the young 9's has been questionable.

[wixfjord]

New Kiwi TH signing to be announced this evening I've been told.

[Xanthippe]

New SH TH signing to be announced this evening I've been told.

There's a lad I've been hearing a lot about recently - would be delighted if we could get him for a season or two. He's a kiwi and I understand he has an Irish grandmother. His name, I believe, is Bent - Michael Bent

[mildlyinterested]

New Kiwi TH signing to be announced this evening I've been told.

probably needed given Clarksons knee injury looks to be quite serious.

[bluemagic]

New Kiwi TH signing to be announced this evening I've been told.

Tighthead? With Porter and Furlong?

Even it's just to cover while the internationals are away I'd rather trust the sub-academy and make a signing at loosehead.

[mildlyinterested]

New Kiwi TH signing to be announced this evening I've been told.

Tighthead? With Porter and Furlong?

Even it's just to cover while the internationals are away I'd rather trust the sub-academy and make a signing at loosehead.

doubt a LH signing will be allowed given need to develop top tier international at the position to replace Healy.

there are no TH's in the sub-academy who look likely to be ready to step up soon.

[ronk]

New SH TH signing to be announced this evening I've been told.

There's a lad I've been hearing a lot about recently - would be delighted if we could get him for a season or two. He's a kiwi and I understand he has an Irish grandmother. His name, I believe, is Bent - Michael Bent

I heard he can play loosehead

[mildlyinterested]

https://twitter.com/jaredwright17/statu ... 49189?s=20

Michael Alaalatoa joins Leinster from the Crusaders. Massive signing for the Irish Province.

[cormac]

https://twitter.com/jaredwright17/statu ... 49189?s=20

Michael Alaalatoa joins Leinster from the Crusaders. Massive signing for the Irish Province.

this tweet is not available

[wixfjord]

Yep had heard also that signing is indeed Michael Alaalatoa from Crusaders. Obviously ROC got his big islander prop names mixed up!

Interesting one, he's 29, 6'2 almost 21st and has played quite a lot for a winning Crusaders side. Captained Samoa too.

I assume he's replacing Bent and probably not a huge wage.

Could be a useful signing as on paper he's definitely good enough to sit on a Euro bench.

[Purist98]

He's first choice tighthead for the Crusaders and Samoa so not sure it would make sense for him to be third choice here