2nd Row going forward

[Theleinsterlad]

Josh is a pretty big loss imo.

Not just as a second row option, but also as a solid, physical, imposing and flexible presence when the internationals are away.

Besides Rhys, he's one of the most physical players we have from 4-8.

agreed, but if it's in his interest to develop where he may get more and better quality gametime then best of luck.

Gutted to see him go, he does so much unseen grunt work a lot like Rhys and I actually really liked the way himself and Ross operated in second row the last couple of games, yes we lost height at line out time but we got great power in the scrum and the rucks got cleaned out so fast with those two running around the place. Great piece of trading by our western brothers

[the spoofer]

Josh is a pretty big loss imo.

Not just as a second row option, but also as a solid, physical, imposing and flexible presence when the internationals are away.

Besides Rhys, he's one of the most physical players we have from 4-8.

agreed, but if it's in his interest to develop where he may get more and better quality gametime then best of luck.

Gutted to see him go, he does so much unseen grunt work a lot like Rhys and I actually really liked the way himself and Ross operated in second row the last couple of games, yes we lost height at line out time but we got great power in the scrum and the rucks got cleaned out so fast with those two running around the place. Great piece of trading by our western brothers

I always find the lineout height issue an interesting one. Does 5cm really matter that much? (I was going to use 2 inches but then I knew some of you smutty f%~kers would get involved) I can see how a similarly explosive 6' 7" lad is better than a 6' 5" lad would be better but is the speed in the air, quality of lifters and overall design of the lineout plays not a bigger issue than a little bit more height?

[mildlyinterested]

agreed, but if it's in his interest to develop where he may get more and better quality gametime then best of luck.

Gutted to see him go, he does so much unseen grunt work a lot like Rhys and I actually really liked the way himself and Ross operated in second row the last couple of games, yes we lost height at line out time but we got great power in the scrum and the rucks got cleaned out so fast with those two running around the place. Great piece of trading by our western brothers

I always find the lineout height issue an interesting one. Does 5cm really matter that much? (I was going to use 2 inches but then I knew some of you smutty f%~kers would get involved) I can see how a similarly explosive 6' 7" lad is better than a 6' 5" lad would be better but is the speed in the air, quality of lifters and overall design of the lineout plays not a bigger issue than a little bit more height?

most 6'5 locks cant carry the same weight as a 6'7 and retain that top tier athleticism.

there isnt many 6'5 locks at the top level of the game outside of a few rare exceptions like AWJ and Itoje.

[ronk]

Some teams play an additional lock at 6 for grunt. Leinster played an extra backrow for 2 games and because we could control the game, we were able to move teams around and Montpellier and Bath couldn't live with the pace.

In a closer contest we might not have held up as well. Murphy is a good and popular player but he has limited enough gametime and he's someone who's putting a medical career on hold for pro rugby, he'll want to play. I'm happy to keep him but Connacht would really benefit.

[blockhead]

Lood de Jager? Anyone

[LeinsterLeader]

Lood de Jager? Anyone

Two things I heard about him (neither might be true though). 1) He is constantly injured (or injured a lot) and 2) He's looking for huge money and because of this Toulouse are top of the queue.

[mildlyinterested]

fantasy signing that would never happen.

[ronk]

Assuming that we have actually signed Jenkins then we are out of the market for an elite lock.

[Dave Cahill]

Assuming that we have actually signed Jenkins then we are out of the market for an elite lock.

Yep, leaving aside a fluke situation (like Hines), any business that was going to be done has been done.

[elephantman]

Lood de Jager? Anyone

He’s a little overrated in my opinion. A good player but not a great player. Injury profile isn’t great either.

[arsebiscuits1]

So Etzebeth confirmed to be leaving Toulon.

While the "personal reasons" he cited could be a genuine desire to return to South Africa, I think it's more likely he doesn't want to play under that absolute head case he calls a boss who is happy to publicly shame his own players.

Pipe dream? Absolutely

Likely to play for Leinster? Absolutely not

A player who'd really get us stepped up to the next level? You betcha.

One can dream. I assume Easterby/ Dawson/ whoever else recruits has at least called their agent to see what price he'd be

[ronk]

I wouldn't want Leinster to sign someone who shows such a lack of committment. He's very very expensive and even at maximum effort he's a stretch in terms of value.

I wouldn't take a risk on someone who's phoning it in, allegedly. That's not how we sign players.

[jezzer]

Kremer would be a quality signing in the Fardy mould. Would also be pricey though, i imagine.

[Flash Gordon]

Lood de Jager? Anyone

Two things I heard about him (neither might be true though). 1) He is constantly injured (or injured a lot) and 2) He's looking for huge money and because of this Toulouse are top of the queue.

And that he's away with the Boks a lot. Fardy was a great signing because he had quality, leadership, was decent value and was always available. Not sure he was as fully appreciated as he should have been.

[hugonaut]

Lood de Jager? Anyone

Two things I heard about him (neither might be true though). 1) He is constantly injured (or injured a lot) and 2) He's looking for huge money and because of this Toulouse are top of the queue.

And that he's away with the Boks a lot. Fardy was a great signing because he had quality, leadership, was decent value and was always available. Not sure he was as fully appreciated as he should have been.

I thought Fardy was absolutely great, an amazing player and presence in the squad. One of our best ever NIE players. Five trophies in four years, Pro14 Dream Team in three of those, captained the team on a good few occasions ... the guy was outstanding for us as both a person and a player.

[blockhead]

Two things I heard about him (neither might be true though). 1) He is constantly injured (or injured a lot) and 2) He's looking for huge money and because of this Toulouse are top of the queue.

And that he's away with the Boks a lot. Fardy was a great signing because he had quality, leadership, was decent value and was always available. Not sure he was as fully appreciated as he should have been.

I thought Fardy was absolutely great, an amazing player and presence in the squad. One of our best ever NIE players. Five trophies in four years, Pro14 Dream Team in three of those, captained the team on a good few occasions ... the guy was outstanding for us as both a person and a player.

If you could,
Fardy, Hines, Rocky or Thorn?

[neiliog93]

Etzebeth wants to go back to South Africa.

[Morf]

If you could,
Fardy, Hines, Rocky or Thorn?

At their best Thorn is what we need most.

[riocard911]

Etzebeth wants to go back to South Africa.

Good. The more Bok frontliners playing in the URC the better!!!

[erskinechilders]

I thought Joe McCarthy was excellent last night in the loose. Some of his carrying & cleanout work was seriously impressive. Dunne is a monster too. The effing size of him when he was warming up behind the goal. I think the rumoured move to Exeter would actually benefit him massively. They play a very abrasive game which could teach him a thing or two. If he learns from the likes of Gray we could get him back a much better player.