Dec 10,2024
Leinster flexed their muscle on Sunday evening to beat Bristol Bears, in their opening Champions Cup game.
In a game where the weather caused disruption, both teams struggled to put their stamp on proceedings in the first half. Leinster then mobilised their international depth from the bench to ease to a convincing win.
Their squad depth is nothing new. However, the additions of RG Snyman and Jordie Barrett have given another dimension to the meaning of 'depth'.
I can’t describe the disappointment at hearing of their injury disruptions and the rotation that was needed due to the extra Irish international game versus Australia. Leo Cullen has a way of managing this squad so that everyone wants to play, yet nobody wants to leave.
The environment in Leinster is clearly of the highest possible standard. They don’t hold back in terms of bringing in the top-rated coaches across the globe, and the expectation on winning trophies is as high as ever.
Their players know that if they break into the side, they’ll be rubbing shoulders with arguably some of the best talent across world rugby. If they become a regular part of that squad then the opportunities are exponential.
Even if you’re not in the side, the developmental opportunities for an individual’s game are so good that players want to stay, win trophies, and become the greatest version of themselves. You can argue that playing games is necessary for that, yet something seems to work for Leinster in terms of how they manage the players.
Being a coach is difficult, and selection discussions are probably, at least in my view, the single hardest part of the job. There’s no upside to telling guys they can’t play at the weekend. I’m not sure if any coach can see the positive side to doing it, although some are clearly very good at managing these conversations.
The reason I wanted to see a full-strength Leinster side is not because they would need it to get past Bristol, with respect. Sadistically, I was intrigued to see how it would be handled.
Since the announcement of Jordie Barrett's arrival, we have been waiting for that moment. Is it one world star too many to fit in seamlessly to the Leinster team? It is more manageable than I’m making out, due to the short-term nature of the signing, but it will still cover the business end of the season, where player load management isn’t necessary and the best team possible will take to the field.
In the meantime, maybe it will give Leinster an opportunity to rotate their players, even on big weeks. Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw won’t play every game, and having Jordie Barrett filling in at either centre position, or at full-back, will give Leinster another international option, no matter who is given the jersey.
When you look at a full-strength Leinster back line, several Irish internationals will be dropped from a potential semi-final or final, should everything go Leinster’s way.
Gibson-Park will be nailed on at scrum-half, with Luke McGrath currently backing him up as one of the most experienced second choices.
It also looks like Sam Prendergast has been given the keys at out-half, and rightly so. He showed his kicking and attacking capabilities once again on Sunday evening, while also managing himself in defence. That’s the half-backs well nailed on too.
The centre partnership was always a Ringrose-Henshaw combination, when both were fit. With Osborne’s ability, versatility and high ceiling, and the inclusion of Barrett, there is a possibility that Ringrose will go to the wing, like he did for some of the game last weekend.
James Lowe and Hugo Keenan are probably another set with which Cullen has hammered securely, assuming they’ll be back to full health soon. Which leaves Jimmy O’ Brien and Jordan Larmour fighting it out for the spot that Ringrose has already been picked in!
With a specialist 9 on the bench in Luke McGrath, it only leaves one more guaranteed spot on the bench for a back, although in a traditional five-three split of forwards and backs, there’s probably one more spot after that.
Depending on how the centres and full back are picked, you’d probably choose to have Osborne on the bench to cover both, but then leaves Ciarán Frawley out, and Ross Byrne can cover the other specialised position at out-half.
Or do you pick both Frawley and Osborne because of their ability to cover out-half, centres and full back directly, with other players swapping to the wing?
Either way, players with international caps and potential will be left out. Jimmy O’ Brien, Jordan Larmour and one of Frawley, Osborne and Byrne will likely not make the match day 23.
If Leinster's pack was under pressure with injuries, and or facing a powerful French pack, they might even go for a six-two split, and the conversations will have to stretch to one more player.
There’ll be some mental gymnastics in trying to get to a logical conclusion in that team selection.
With any team selection, it is probably accepted that you won’t have everyone fit at the same time. The load on Ireland’s international players is probably the reason why Leinster thought they’d manage these players throughout the course of the season.
It also leaves out the potential of Andrew Osborne, Ben Brownlee, Aitzol King and Hugh Cooney, the consistency of Liam Turner and Rob Russell, and the expectations of Harry Byrne. There are too many to mention.
Other provincial fanbases are frustrated at the talent available to Leinster, and it’s understandable in one sense, but the fact that they’ve brought nearly everyone through their own schools' system and academy is incredible. Objectively, when you stand back and survey the rugby landscape in Leinster, it’s seriously impressive.
It’ll be more impressive when they get over the line for their next piece of silverware, which has been frustrating for a team of that quality.
Even with the resources mentioned above, they’ll still be in a battle against some sort of French powerhouse, or an up and coming English or URC team that will inevitably cause trouble.
Glasgow and Bordeaux aren’t without their own depth and rugby style, while Toulouse have the same issues with selecting their back line as Leinster.
We’re only heading into the second week of European action, yet it’s very clear that a squad like Leinster or Toulouse will take a lot of stopping next May.
