Dragons Away, 19th Feb, 7.35pm

[leinsterforever]

Wouldn't mind seeing Frawley at 15 for this (with Hawkshaw at 12 and Osborne at 13). If Frawley can cover 12 and 15 it makes him a better option for the #23 shirt, and if he can be selected at 23 rather than 22 it could slightly increase Harry Byrne's chances of getting the bench outhalf slot for the biggest games.

[Lock9541]

Wouldn't mind seeing Frawley at 15 for this (with Hawkshaw at 12 and Osborne at 13). If Frawley can cover 12 and 15 it makes him a better option for the #23 shirt, and if he can be selected at 23 rather than 22 it could slightly increase Harry Byrne's chances of getting the bench outhalf slot for the biggest games.

That’s a really good idea actually would like to see that. Could work out really well

[ronk]

Frawley has got a run at 12. I'd be loath to move him except to give him time at 10, still nominally his favourite position. Hes building a good partnership with Byrne.

Leinster have a need at 12 with Henshaw around so little and COB injured for so long. Ireland have more long term depth at 13 than 12 and Frawley could be a nice option if he kicks on there.

[leinsterforever]

I'd say he already is a nice option at 12. But he's still unlikely to start unless one of Henshaw and Ringrose is unavailable. A bench spot is probably more realistic for now. They seem to be backing the Byrnes at flyhalf so jersey 23 might be more atainable than jersey 22. Being versatile could aid his chances of nabbing it from DK/Larmour, JOB or TOB.

[leinsterforever]

Oh, you mean at 12 for Ireland. I agree with that. He'd be a perfect option in a RWC squad cos he could go as a centre, but cover 10, allowing them to take only two specialist 10s. I find it surprising they haven't got him involved already. I think he'd have been a better option coming off the bench than Burns at the weekend.

[mildlyinterested]

What sort of backrow will leinster have for the 6 nations if Conan/Ruddock/Connors/JVDF are all with ireland and not released and Penny/Deegan/Doris looking like they'll all be out injured.

Could we see Soroka start at 6 or 8?

[hugonaut]

What sort of backrow will leinster have for the 6 nations if Conan/Ruddock/Connors/JVDF are all with ireland and not released and Penny/Deegan/Doris looking like they'll all be out injured.

Could we see Soroka start at 6 or 8?

Good question.

I think it may come down to who Leo and Stuart rate higher at the moment of the academy backrows, Sean O'Brien or Soroka.

Option A
No6 Josh Murphy
No7 Sean O'Brien
No8 Dan Leavy

OR

Option B
No6 Josh Murphy
No7 Dan Leavy
No8 Alex Soroka

I think they will go with Option A.

Another option would be to super-size our pack and pay two blindsides on the flanks and an openside at No8:

Option C
No6 Scott Fardy
No7 Josh Murphy
No8 Dan Leavy

[mildlyinterested]

Never been a fan personally of Leavy at 8.

[Oldschoolsocks]

Never been a fan personally of Leavy at 8.

Yeah, I don’t think he’s an 8

[Flash Gordon]

Never been a fan personally of Leavy at 8.

The way game at Bath was probably Leavy's worst performance in a Leinster shirt, albeit against one of the best club backrows in England.

[mildlyinterested]

Never been a fan personally of Leavy at 8.

The way game at Bath was probably Leavy's worst performance in a Leinster shirt, albeit against one of the best club backrows in England.

The backrow performance against Connacht wasn't great either with Leavy at 8 too.

[Flash Gordon]

Never been a fan personally of Leavy at 8.

The way game at Bath was probably Leavy's worst performance in a Leinster shirt, albeit against one of the best club backrows in England.

The backrow performance against Connacht wasn't great either with Leavy at 8 too.

Yep, you've got an unfortunate combination of a having a lad at 8 who isn't comfortable there and losing one of the best wing forwards in the game.

[hugonaut]

Never been a fan personally of Leavy at 8.

Nor me, but he's been picked there before.

[mildlyinterested]

Never been a fan personally of Leavy at 8.

Nor me, but he's been picked there before.

Yep and could be picked there again, hopefully not though. I'd actually rather see Murphy there than Leavy.

[Laighin Break]

And I'm sure when the media return to the "Leinster have too many backrows and need to share the wealth" narrative, they'll completely ignore situations like this.

[Lock9541]

Frawley has got a run at 12. I'd be loath to move him except to give him time at 10, still nominally his favourite position. Hes building a good partnership with Byrne.

Leinster have a need at 12 with Henshaw around so little and COB injured for so long. Ireland have more long term depth at 13 than 12 and Frawley could be a nice option if he kicks on there.

Hawkshaw has looked very impressive every time he’s come on. Would like to see him start a game at 12 even if that means moving Frawley to 15. Would also like to see Osborne get a run at 13 he’s looked impressive too.

[Blue Man]

Frawley is a seriously talented footballer who needs a run of game in a given position. Having been moved from 10 to 12, I think it would be unfair to move him again. He’s a very different player to Henshaw but offers a second five eighth option to enhance our kicking and distribution options. Let’s give him a run of matches and see how good he can be.

[Blue Man]

What sort of backrow will leinster have for the 6 nations if Conan/Ruddock/Connors/JVDF are all with ireland and not released and Penny/Deegan/Doris looking like they'll all be out injured.

Could we see Soroka start at 6 or 8?

Good question.

I think it may come down to who Leo and Stuart rate higher at the moment of the academy backrows, Sean O'Brien or Soroka.

Option A
No6 Josh Murphy
No7 Sean O'Brien
No8 Dan Leavy

OR

Option B
No6 Josh Murphy
No7 Dan Leavy
No8 Alex Soroka

I think they will go with Option A.

Another option would be to super-size our pack and pay two blindsides on the flanks and an openside at No8:

Option C
No6 Scott Fardy
No7 Josh Murphy
No8 Dan Leavy

I’d go for option ‘B’. I don’t like Leavy at 8 and also want to see him get game time at 6 / 7 to help him get back to his pre-injury form.
The concern with all of the above options is a lack of pace or groundhog openside which is important in terms of how Leinster like to play the game.

[Ruckedtobits]

Nothing I saw from Soroka against Ulster A convinced me he is ready yet for senior appearances. He needs game time at that level and possibly a mental switch to recognise that his physique isn't going to dominate at this level and he needs to use his feet and brain to avoid direct physical confrontation, rather than seek it.

Doris, who has a comparable physique, uses it smartly. He may have a marginal advantage in acceleration and foot-work but these are both things that Soroka can work on.

Playing in dominant packs at age grade rugby, Soroka looked like the young Harlequins No 8 Dombreck. Playing in a backrow in a pack under pressure, as against Ulster A, Soroka looked like a petulant player trying to do his own thing and getting frustrated.

He has talent but needs time and direction to optimise how to use it.

[Jonny tight lips]

What sort of backrow will leinster have for the 6 nations if Conan/Ruddock/Connors/JVDF are all with ireland and not released and Penny/Deegan/Doris looking like they'll all be out injured.

Could we see Soroka start at 6 or 8?

Good question.

I think it may come down to who Leo and Stuart rate higher at the moment of the academy backrows, Sean O'Brien or Soroka.

Option A
No6 Josh Murphy
No7 Sean O'Brien
No8 Dan Leavy

OR

Option B
No6 Josh Murphy
No7 Dan Leavy
No8 Alex Soroka

I think they will go with Option A.

Another option would be to super-size our pack and pay two blindsides on the flanks and an openside at No8:

Option C
No6 Scott Fardy
No7 Josh Murphy
No8 Dan Leavy

Option C might make more sense

6 Fardy
7 Leavy
8 Murphy

I think that’s what he will go for as there’s plenty of second rows knocking about.