Centre Options going forward

[mildlyinterested]

Robbie Henshaw(27) - 6'4, 105kg. central contact until 2022.
Rory O'Loughlin(26/St.Michaels/Old Belvedere) - 6'2, 95kg. Signed contract in 2020.
Garry Ringrose(25/Blackrock/UCD) - 6'3, 94kg. Signed 2 yr central contract in 2020.
Conor O'Brien(24/Mullingar RFC/Clontarf) - 6'3, 103kg. Signed contract in 2019.
Jimmy O'Brien(23/Newbridge/UCD) - 6'0, 90kg. Signed contract in 2019.
Ciaran Frawley(22/Skerries RFC/UCD) - 6'3, 93kg. Signed contract in 2019.
Tommy O'Brien(22/Blackrock/UCD) - 6'0, 92kg. Signed contract in 2020.
David Hawkshaw(21/Belvedere/Clontarf) - 5'10, 86kg. Academy Y3.
Liam Turner(21/Blackrock/DUFC) - 5'8, 90kg. Academy Y2.

Inside Centre
Two types of inside centres for Leinster: bigger more physical options or the lighter playmaker options. Generally leinster have went with the larger 12's, led by Henshaw and including ROL and COB. Frawley and TOB have appeared at 12 off the bench, but haven't started there for Leinster. Hawkshaw is an option at 12 as seen at irish u20 level.

Can COB challenge Henshaw at 12? If Henshaw is missing who would play 12 in europe? ROL or COB? Will we see more of Frawley at 12?

Outside Centre
Ringrose leads the way here, with ROL being the primary backup at the position in recent years. Henshaw has played here in the past, but rarely appears here for Leinster. JOB appeared here several times last season and looked impressive, while TOB also has a start here. Will either will focus on 13 long term? It's difficult to say. Finally Turner is in the academy and faces an uphill battle for game time at this position this season. If Ringrose is absent from europe does ROL start at 13?

Possible academy entrants:
Marcus Kiely(U20/Newbridge) - 6'3

Show Spoiler:

Simon O'Kelly(U20/St. Michaels) - 6'5

Show Spoiler:

Karl Martin(U19/Boyne RFC/Old Belvedere) - 6'2

Show Spoiler:

I wouldn't expect any of the three listed above to join the academy this summer, but all three to be in the sub-academy competing to play for ireland u20 and to earn an academy place. Martin is a pure 12, while Kiely and O'Kelly are more 13's with ability to play 12 aswell. All three are big centres by leinster standards, O'Kelly having rare height for the position but probably being the least physical of the three. Martin has been well known for years first appearing for ireland u18 as a 15 year old, Kiely is a former Kildare minor and has really progressed a lot in the past season as a rugby player. It will be interesting to see how each develops this season in the sub-academy.

[mildlyinterested]

Marcus Kiely try: https://youtu.be/-H4hjUYQERM?t=3347

[neiliog93]

Some big centres there. 6'5" Simon O'Kelly could be a bit of an Eto Nabuli.

[mildlyinterested]

Frawley appears to be playing 12 in training

Also Lancaster didn't name check him recently when talking about the outhalves.

[mildlyinterested]

With COB out..

12
Henshaw
ROL
Frawley

13
Ringrose
JOB
TOB

[Ruckedtobits]

With COB out..

12
Henshaw
ROL
Frawley

13
Ringrose
JOB
TOB

That looks about right but include Hawkshaw as a 'cover' for both positions

[Jonny tight lips]

TOB played a lot of 12 for the A team last year, anybody know if Gavin Mullin got picked up, decent player

[mildlyinterested]

He is still listed on the academy page on the website so maybe he is still around and will be appearing for the A team.

[mildlyinterested]

Shane Horgan calling for more Frawley at 12 for Leinster on second captains, saying that they need that 2nd distributor is needed for them to reach the next level.

[Flash Gordon]

Shane Horgan calling for more Frawley at 12 for Leinster on second captains, saying that they need that 2nd distributor is needed for them to reach the next level.

it's an interesting one. Depends how you use your 12, to create space at contact or to get the ball wide quickly. Maybe Frawley has the size and skills to do both. I think he's a superb prospect whether at 10 or 12. Hawkshaw at 10 or 12 is a similar debate.

[joooooe]

Shane Horgan calling for more Frawley at 12 for Leinster on second captains, saying that they need that 2nd distributor is needed for them to reach the next level.

He also said that "Leinster look like the two best teams in the Pro 14."

[Jonny tight lips]

1st, 2nd and 4th best if you include “white leinster”

[mildlyinterested]

Shane Horgan calling for more Frawley at 12 for Leinster on second captains, saying that they need that 2nd distributor is needed for them to reach the next level.

He also said that "Leinster look like the two best teams in the Pro 14."

we shall see about that over the next 2 weeks.

[Twist]

Shane Horgan calling for more Frawley at 12 for Leinster on second captains, saying that they need that 2nd distributor is needed for them to reach the next level.

Lukey was banging his usual drum about Frawley leaving too.

Of some interest though is that he said he himself should've left.

[riocard911]

Shane Horgan calling for more Frawley at 12 for Leinster on second captains, saying that they need that 2nd distributor is needed for them to reach the next level.

Lukey was banging his usual drum about Frawley leaving too.

Of some interest though is that he said he himself should've left.

I loved Luke Fitz as a player, but as a pundit he talks an awful load of tripe and is in love with the sound of his own voice. I gave up listening to his podcast long ago.

[Longtimelurker]

Shane Horgan calling for more Frawley at 12 for Leinster on second captains, saying that they need that 2nd distributor is needed for them to reach the next level.

Lukey was banging his usual drum about Frawley leaving too.

Of some interest though is that he said he himself should've left.

I loved Luke Fitz as a player, but as a pundit he talks an awful load of tripe and is in love with the sound of his own voice. I gave up listening to his podcast long ago.

Agreed. Fantastic player... Absolute melter off the pitch. Can't listen to the podcast at all

[mildlyinterested]

Robbie Henshaw(28) - central contact until 2022.
Rory O'Loughlin(27/St.Michaels/Old Belvedere) - Signed contract in 2020.
Garry Ringrose(26/Blackrock/UCD) - Signed 2 yr central contract in 2020.
Conor O'Brien(25/Mullingar RFC/Clontarf) - Signed contract in 2019.
Jimmy O'Brien(24/Newbridge/UCD) - Signed contract in 2019.
Ciaran Frawley(23/Skerries RFC/UCD) - Signed contract in 2019.
Tommy O'Brien(23/Blackrock/UCD) - Signed contract in 2020.
David Hawkshaw(22/Belvedere/Clontarf) - Academy Y3.
Liam Turner(22/Blackrock/DUFC) - Academy Y2.
--
Marcus Kiely(U20/Newbridge/Naas)
Jamie Osborne(U20/Naas RFC/Naas)
Karl Martin(U19/Boyne RFC/Old Belvedere)

Osborne could end up in the back three, but listing him here given his physical maturation and appearances for the A's. Kiely and Martin are both big physical centres by leinster standards. It wouldn't surprise me to see all three sub-academy players listed join the academy, given Osborne's versatility.

* age as of start of next season.

[CiaranIrl]

Robbie Henshaw(28) - central contact until 2022.
Rory O'Loughlin(27/St.Michaels/Old Belvedere) - Signed contract in 2020.
Garry Ringrose(26/Blackrock/UCD) - Signed 2 yr central contract in 2020.
Conor O'Brien(25/Mullingar RFC/Clontarf) - Signed contract in 2019.
Jimmy O'Brien(24/Newbridge/UCD) - Signed contract in 2019.
Ciaran Frawley(23/Skerries RFC/UCD) - Signed contract in 2019.
Tommy O'Brien(23/Blackrock/UCD) - Signed contract in 2020.
David Hawkshaw(22/Belvedere/Clontarf) - Academy Y3.
Liam Turner(22/Blackrock/DUFC) - Academy Y2.
--
Marcus Kiely(U20/Newbridge/Naas)
Jamie Osborne(U20/Naas RFC/Naas)
Karl Martin(U19/Boyne RFC/Old Belvedere)

Osborne could end up in the back three, but listing him here given his physical maturation and appearances for the A's. Kiely and Martin are both big physical centres by leinster standards. It wouldn't surprise me to see all three sub-academy players listed join the academy, given Osborne's versatility.

Thanks for these updates sir. Much appreciated.

Based on recent evidence, we need all three. I've been a bit unconvinced in recent games that Turner, Jimmy O'Brien or Hawkshaw can live with the physicality for centre.

[wixfjord]

Robbie Henshaw(28) - central contact until 2022.
Rory O'Loughlin(27/St.Michaels/Old Belvedere) - Signed contract in 2020.
Garry Ringrose(26/Blackrock/UCD) - Signed 2 yr central contract in 2020.
Conor O'Brien(25/Mullingar RFC/Clontarf) - Signed contract in 2019.
Jimmy O'Brien(24/Newbridge/UCD) - Signed contract in 2019.
Ciaran Frawley(23/Skerries RFC/UCD) - Signed contract in 2019.
Tommy O'Brien(23/Blackrock/UCD) - Signed contract in 2020.
David Hawkshaw(22/Belvedere/Clontarf) - Academy Y3.
Liam Turner(22/Blackrock/DUFC) - Academy Y2.
--
Marcus Kiely(U20/Newbridge/Naas)
Jamie Osborne(U20/Naas RFC/Naas)
Karl Martin(U19/Boyne RFC/Old Belvedere)

Osborne could end up in the back three, but listing him here given his physical maturation and appearances for the A's. Kiely and Martin are both big physical centres by leinster standards. It wouldn't surprise me to see all three sub-academy players listed join the academy, given Osborne's versatility.

Thanks for these updates sir. Much appreciated.

Based on recent evidence, we need all three. I've been a bit unconvinced in recent games that Turner, Jimmy O'Brien or Hawkshaw can live with the physicality for centre.

Find this a bit strange, can I ask why?

[mildlyinterested]

Robbie Henshaw(28) - central contact until 2022.
Rory O'Loughlin(27/St.Michaels/Old Belvedere) - Signed contract in 2020.
Garry Ringrose(26/Blackrock/UCD) - Signed 2 yr central contract in 2020.
Conor O'Brien(25/Mullingar RFC/Clontarf) - Signed contract in 2019.
Jimmy O'Brien(24/Newbridge/UCD) - Signed contract in 2019.
Ciaran Frawley(23/Skerries RFC/UCD) - Signed contract in 2019.
Tommy O'Brien(23/Blackrock/UCD) - Signed contract in 2020.
David Hawkshaw(22/Belvedere/Clontarf) - Academy Y3.
Liam Turner(22/Blackrock/DUFC) - Academy Y2.
--
Marcus Kiely(U20/Newbridge/Naas)
Jamie Osborne(U20/Naas RFC/Naas)
Karl Martin(U19/Boyne RFC/Old Belvedere)

Osborne could end up in the back three, but listing him here given his physical maturation and appearances for the A's. Kiely and Martin are both big physical centres by leinster standards. It wouldn't surprise me to see all three sub-academy players listed join the academy, given Osborne's versatility.

Thanks for these updates sir. Much appreciated.

Based on recent evidence, we need all three. I've been a bit unconvinced in recent games that Turner, Jimmy O'Brien or Hawkshaw can live with the physicality for centre.

JOB's best position at highest level is 15 IMO. But can cover elsewhere.