Leinster 2013/2014

LEINSTER BUILD FOR THE FUTURE BY ANNOUNCING 23 NEW DEALS...

Amongst a raft of Academy players who have graduated into the senior ranks - rubber-stamping the province's commitment to producing indigenous players for provincial and national representation - Leinster Rugby are also delighted to confirm that Ireland internationals Leo Cullen, Sean Cronin, Luke Fitzgerald, Fergus McFadden, Richardt Strauss and Devin Toner will all be extending their stay.
The nationally contracted trio of Cian Healy, Rob Kearney and Mike Ross have already confirmed new contracts and the addition of Newcastle Falcons out-half Jimmy Gopperth and Ireland international second row Mike McCarthy will add experience and quality to the squad. The province also hopes to agree a deal for one more overseas player in the coming weeks.
With forward duo Healy and McCarthy having both agreed three-year deals, in all 16 players have extended their contracts by two years.
Of the overall tally, 16 players are recent graduates from the Leinster Academy including three props (Jack McGrath, Martin Moore and Jack O'Connell) who will compete alongside Michael Bent who linked up earlier in the campaign.
In a further boost, in a little over two weeks since applications opened, almost 10,000 season ticket holders have already renewed their places for next season. Season tickets will go on public sale from next Wednesday, 3rd April ONLINE HERE.
Commenting on the contract extensions and the newcomers for next season, Leinster Coach Joe Schmidt said: "Ahead of a few big weeks for us in both the PRO12 and the Amlin Challenge Cup, it's great to have confirmation that so many of our current squad are staying with us, along with a few new players that will add further value to what we believe is a really competitive squad.
"The players have done a great job in recent years and they're committed to maintaining that in the seasons to come but, in the short term, our focus will be on Ulster this weekend and London Wasps the week after."
NEW LEINSTER CONTRACTS:
3 Years: Cian Healy (national contract), Michael McCarthy
2 Years: John Cooney, Sean Cronin, Luke Fitzgerald, Jimmy Gopperth, Rob Kearney (national contract), Brendan Macken, Ben Marshall, Fergus McFadden, Jack McGrath, Jordi Murphy, Eoin O'Malley, Mike Ross (national contract), Quinn Roux, Dominic Ryan, Richardt Strauss, Devin Toner
1 Year: Leo Cullen, Darren Hudson, Martin Moore, Jack O'Connell, Noel Reid

Next season's pack looks a lot stronger which think will compensate for a potentially weaker backline.

Be interesting to see what our 1st string bak row will look like. Seeing as Ryan and murphy have signed contracts, surely one of McGlaughlin, Ruddock, or Jennings will have to leave. They're too good not to be getting regular game time.

Our biggest challenge will be to find a new centre partnership out of McFadden, Fitz, EOM, Macken.

The backline crisis isn't as big as it's being made out to be. We lose Carr and Conway and Nacewa but gain a new, possibly better than Nacewa, back three. Not too bad just means more gametime for younger players.

Ideally L.McGrath can kick on and form a mesmeric partnership with Madigan and launch us into a new era of European domination.

I reall don't think its possible to get a better back 3 player than Isa gleeson. You shouldn't be expecting a big name signing let alone a player near the class of Nacewa.

Madigan replaces Sexton
Martin Moore replaces Hagan
Mike McCarthy replaces Browne
???NIQ??? Replaces Nacewa


Jordi Murphy, Gopperth, Hudson, Macken are all good players while Cooney is a good backup for Reddan and Boss. Quinn Roux has been injured all season and I think Leo Cullen will be used more as a sub next season.


When all is said and done I don't thik Leinster will be weaker next season.

Moore will be ahead of Bent within a season and will be pushing for an Ireland place within 2 years.

I don't think we will get a signing like Isa, it does worry me slightly that we are only recruiting one more player (I think that is what the Leinster press release said) when we have lost 3 back 3 players and could well lose BOD

never heard of Moore. you seem to really rate him LF4L. what his story

Goodin, he is just out of the academy but has impressed all Leinster fans whenever he has played in the Rabo.

When Brad Thorn came over last season he played with Moore in an 'A' game and couldn't speak highly enough of the young TH. He is only 22 but could be a real star for us.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Goodin, he is just out of the academy but has impressed all Leinster fans whenever he has played in the Rabo.

When Brad Thorn came over last season he played with Moore in an 'A' game and couldn't speak highly enough of the young TH. He is only 22 but could be a real star for us.

That bodes well I must say.

Any idea why that young lad Boyne the fullback didn't get a contract? He was on the bench for a few Rabo games ahead of many others thought he would have got the promotion

Its looking good for Leinster.

Two weeks ago Leinster were contemplating life without Luke Fitzgerald, Brian O'Driscoll, Joe Schmidt and Isa Nacewa next year.

Fitzgerald has committed to a new deal, Schmidt is no longer the front runner for Ireland head coach. O'Driscoll will give it another year methinks - especially if there is a new Ireland coach.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Goodin, he is just out of the academy but has impressed all Leinster fans whenever he has played in the Rabo.

When Brad Thorn came over last season he played with Moore in an 'A' game and couldn't speak highly enough of the young TH. He is only 22 but could be a real star for us.

That bodes well I must say.

Any idea why that young lad Boyne the fullback didn't get a contract? He was on the bench for a few Rabo games ahead of many others thought he would have got the promotion

You mean Adam Byrne? Hes only like 19 i think isnt he? Think hell only be going into the academy this year. I could be wrong though.

He's the youngest player to have played for Leinster ever.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Goodin, he is just out of the academy but has impressed all Leinster fans whenever he has played in the Rabo.

When Brad Thorn came over last season he played with Moore in an 'A' game and couldn't speak highly enough of the young TH. He is only 22 but could be a real star for us.

That bodes well I must say.

Any idea why that young lad Boyne the fullback didn't get a contract? He was on the bench for a few Rabo games ahead of many others thought he would have got the promotion

I dunno Pete I guess that he isn't seen as good enough or wants to move? Sam Coughlan-Murray and Flanagan also havent signed contracts. Maybe there will be more contracts announced in the coming weeks.

Golden wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Goodin, he is just out of the academy but has impressed all Leinster fans whenever he has played in the Rabo.

When Brad Thorn came over last season he played with Moore in an 'A' game and couldn't speak highly enough of the young TH. He is only 22 but could be a real star for us.

That bodes well I must say.

Any idea why that young lad Boyne the fullback didn't get a contract? He was on the bench for a few Rabo games ahead of many others thought he would have got the promotion

You mean Adam Byrne? Hes only like 19 i think isnt he? Think hell only be going into the academy this year. I could be wrong though.

He's the youngest player to have played for Leinster ever.

He's talking about Andrew Boyle. He has played a lot for the As this season.

Anyone else think that unless he leaves Leinster (by that I mean Ireland), Moore won't amount to anything.

When was the last time we developed an international standard tighthead in Ireland?

I would say Simon Best is probably the last example and before that it was John Hayes.

Mike Ross would have amounted to nothing had he not left and gone to England. Andress' scrummaging has come on so well due to regular gametime in England. I think Hagan has done the right thing in heading to London Irish and I can see him making a triumphant return to Leinster in two years time to take the starting jersey after getting plenty of gametime in the Premiership.

Kirchner looks like the front runner for the Isa spot. Not too impressed. He will be a back three player mainly wing I would say (even though he is a fb)

Perhaps he can be Schmidt ized, and turned into a new player.

Goodman will sign too. Perhaps they will hold the last Niq spot to see what happens with Bod. They could bring in a 2nd row (would explain Flanagan) or another back of some sort. (Not centre)

I think that was due to all the foreign props we had Stag, which would deprive any irish prop of any significant gametime. Thats not an issue now at Leinster.

We also have a very good scrum coach in Feek. Hagan has improved no end this season imo; which is how he was able to get a contract in England. Remember it was only a few weeks ago that Ulster fans were laughing at how bad Hagan was and now they would love to see Hagan going to Ulster after that performance against Glasgow.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Kirchner looks like the front runner for the Isa spot. Not too impressed. He will be a back three player mainly wing I would say (even though he is a fb)

Perhaps he can be Schmidt ized, and turned into a new player.

Goodman will sign too. Perhaps they will hold the last Niq spot to see what happens with Bod. They could bring in a 2nd row (would explain Flanagan) or another back of some sort. (Not centre)

Does that rumour have any substance though? There are always names flying around the rumour mill on Leinster fans. Kirchiner would be an awful signing imo. I would much rather we developed Adam Byrne than get in him.

Adam Byrne is an 18 year old lad. He is in the academy this year by the way. he joined mid year. Looks great but he's hardly a reason not to sign a proven intrenational.

I would trust Joe and Mick Dawson if they see something in Kirchner. And no I am not basing my info on something I read on Leinsterfans

Ashley cooper was defo in the frame for a long while too. he had an offer from us and a massive one from japan. but he chose to stay with the Tahs.

Jen, what does him being 18 have to do with anything? Australian francises start playing them at 17. No point in holding a guy back because he is young. Fitzy was a Leinster star by 19.

I would be all for signing a foreign back. But definately not someone like Kirchner.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Ashley cooper was defo in the frame for a long while too. he had an offer from us and a massive one from japan. but he chose to stay with the Tahs.

I think he was using you lot to get a bit of leveage back home.

He did the same with Leicester Tigers when he contract was up last time.

Well he has come off the bench once for Leinster. You can't bet the farm on him based on that.

Notna big fan of Kirchner either but A/ he is not actually signed yet and B/ in Joe we trust.

red_stag wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Ashley cooper was defo in the frame for a long while too. he had an offer from us and a massive one from japan. but he chose to stay with the Tahs.

I think he was using you lot to get a bit of leveage back home.

He did the same with Leicester Tigers when he contract was up last time.

Perhaps. They were talking to him for a long time though.

No one wants to hold Byrne back. But you can't put the world on his shoulders either. He will get plenty of gametime early next season.

No your spot on but I just want it to be the right signing

Yeah we all do. Sometimes you have to get the best available too. Or take a punt based on your gut.

Have people actually seen Adam Byrne play? Looking at the U18s I think Dardis and Brewer will be signed up to the Leinster academy for next season.

I heard Le Roux mentioned, he would be a great signing imo, much better than Kirchner.

Want someone really really quick who has an eye for the tryline.

Do we have to go Southern Hemisphere? Could we nab Gilroy seeing as he dosen't start for Ulster. Could we nab Cuthbert or North?

I can Hosea Gear being a possibility.

I would hate to see Kirschner at Leinster. All he seems to do is hoof the ball in to the air. Really don't rate him.

James O'Connor????

In terms of depth I think we should be making two back3 signings. We saw this year how bad things can get and we were very grateful for having Carr and Conway because if we'd lost anymore guys our team would have been decimated.

Anyone else watching the AIL on RTE 2? Martin Moore is a beast.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Anyone else watching the AIL on RTE 2? Martin Moore is a beast.

Flippin' tv signal is down!

Connacht have signed the Lansdowne 10 Ronaldson on a 1 year deal. Can't understand why Leinster didn't sign him but a good signing for Connacht.

He looked a very good player from the small bits ive seen of him. Hopefully hell get a decent bit of gametime in Connacht

Ye apparently Munster and a few english clubs were after him so he is obviously playing well.

Surprised that its only a one year deal, so he doesn't have much time to impress!

http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/other/leinster-in-the-hunt-to-sign-aussie-star-589906.html

Drew Mitchell?????

I'm a big Drew Mitchell fan. He always strikes me as a very physical winger. Got an excellent handoff and a really good way of diving low to score. I like how he comes infield looking for work like Trimble does for Ulster.

Definitely a step up from Kirtchner. But has he not missed a lot of rugby due to injury? Dont want another CJ who spends most of his contract in the physio, especially with Fitz in the same position.

I. Want. Him.

Think he could be a fantastic signing, he's got such a good all-round game

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Jen, what does him being 18 have to do with anything? Australian francises start playing them at 17. No point in holding a guy back because he is young. Fitzy was a Leinster star by 19.

I would be all for signing a foreign back. But definately not someone like Kirchner.

And look at poor Fitzy now (and he is a Back).

I also think its not a bad idea for young lads to have something to fall back on career wise if it doesn't work out the way they want it to.

Would prefer Mitchel over any of the other names mooted thus far, great nose for a try. Something we could really do with.

Mitchell is superb.

Absolutely horrendous leg injury in 2011 (ankle dislocation and break) but he's back and looking sharp for the Tahs now - he scored against the Highlanders last week. I think that there might be something to this rumour - look for a lot of Aussies leaving after the Lions tour runs its course.

Mitchell could be Leinster's Doug Howlett (or Sean Maitland ).

Doug Howlett? You mean Nacewa lite?

Just read that Mitchell has said he wants to stay in Aus until he can regain his form/fitness... Nothing signed yet but obviously doesn't bode well.

Mickado wrote:Doug Howlett? You mean Nacewa lite?

Just read that Mitchell has said he wants to stay in Aus until he can regain his form/fitness... Nothing signed yet but obviously doesn't bode well.

Balls

Actually here's the article.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/mitchell-delays-overseas-plans-20130326-2gs8k.html

''There's not much point going to the negotiation table when your stocks are at an all-time low,'' he said. ''I just need to worry about trying to maintain a spot in the team and really start eradicating those mistakes in my game that turn what could have been a pretty good performance into one that's a little bit up and down. I'll shelve thoughts on next year until a little bit later.''

Not bad news at all, he's just concentrating on this season right now.

Mickado wrote:Doug Howlett? You mean Nacewa lite? .

Well, at least Doug stuck around when the going got difficult.

It must be a real kick in the teeth to Leinster fans - all that outrage for the Nacewas and their Irish born children thrown back in their faces. They couldn't stick it out for another year to fulfill his contract.

Mickado wrote:Would prefer Mitchel over any of the other names mooted thus far, great nose for a try. Something we could really do with.

Le Roux looks pretty nice....looks like he would suit our style aswell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9bpnwHmVV4

Yeah he looks like a bit of a speedster too. Seems to score a fair bit.

Sin é wrote:

Mickado wrote:Doug Howlett? You mean Nacewa lite? .

Well, at least Doug stuck around when the going got difficult.

It must be a real kick in the teeth to Leinster fans - all that outrage for the Nacewas and their Irish born children thrown back in their faces. They couldn't stick it out for another year to fulfill his contract.

Family first Sin!

He said he would retire with Leinster, and even though he could no doubt draw a wage playing rugby in NZ, he’s stuck to his word.