mildlyinterested wrote: ↑June 30th, 2020, 8:30 am
With the extension of Fardy and Toner for one more season, all the senior 2nd rows signed a new contract this season, along with 2 promotions from the academy this is what the position looks like currently:
Lock
Devin Toner(34) - 6'11, 126kg. Signed 1 yr contract in 2020
Ross Molony(26) - 6'6, 111kg. signed contract in 2020
James Ryan(24) - 6'8, 112kg. signed 3 yr central contract in 2020
Jack Dunne(21) - 6'8, 115kg. signed contract in 2020
Charlie Ryan(21) - 6'7 110kg. Academy Yr 2
Brian Deeny(20) - 6'7, 110kg. Academy Yr 2
Lock/Blindside
Scott Fardy(36) - 6'6, 114kg. Signed 1 yr contract in 2020
Josh Murphy(25) - 6'6, 108kg. signed contract in 2020.
Ryan Baird(21) - 6'6 110kg, signed contract in 2020.
You'd assume this is Fardy's last season with Leinster and Toner will continue on after this upcoming season, Ryan moving onto a central contract was a given, he already only plays in leinster's most important games. Dunne graduated from the academy early along with Baird. It will be interesting to see how the share game time going forward with so many young players knocking around who need game time. Could Leinster next season only have homegrown 2nd rows next season? Or is a experienced, heavier lock needed?
Potential academy entrants:
Alex Soroka(U20/Belvedere/Clontarf) - 6'5, 105kg
Joe McCarthy(U20/Blackrock/DUFC) - 6'6, 108kg
Soroka fits the Lock/Blindside prototype with experience at both positions, it's heavily rumoured he has joined the academy and is very highly rated as a blindside. McCarthy was impressive off the bench for the 20's and looked to have the frame and physicality for TH lock, it wouldn't be a surprise if he also joined the academy this summer. Beyond that leinster's production line of 2nd rows continues with 4 underage 2nd rows involved with ireland u18 last season.