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PICTURE: Leinster team in a huddle
SEPTEMBER 24 2024
New season, fresh faces, but for Leinster, the same old goals.
The disappointment of a third consecutive trophyless campaign has just about subsided, and while the road ahead is long and full of pitfalls once again, there is a renewed sense of optimism that Leinster can finally get back to where they feel they belong.
Despite the soul-searching that was done in light of the Champions Cup final defeat to Toulouse and the URC semi-final loss to the Bulls, the reality is, Leinster fell short by the narrowest of margins.
From that end, there has been no sense of panic internally, yet supporters’ patience is beginning to wear thin following another lost year with what is a very strong squad that is about to get even stronger with the imminent arrival of a couple of star-studded signings.
Jacques Nienaber’s delayed start after he led the Springboks to back-to-back World Cups in France last year meant that the Leinster players were always up against it in terms of learning an entirely new defensive system or as the South African put it, to “rewire their brains”.
For all the signs of progress, the fact that Nienaber has had a full preseason to implement his ‘blitz defence’ philosophy should help the squad get up to speed. Now that he is well-used to his new surroundings, Nienaber’s influence over Leinster’s style of play is likely to be even greater in the season ahead.
The departure of Andrew Goodman, who has replaced Mike Catt as Ireland’s backs coach, opened up another vacancy in Leo Cullen’s backroom team, but having quickly identified Tyler Bleyendaal as the ideal candidate, Leinster secured their man nice and early.
Still only 34, had a serious neck injury not ended his playing career four years ago, the former Munster out-half would almost certainly still be lacing up his boots. As it is, the Kiwi has built up a huge amount of coaching experience in recent years, as following his return to New Zealand, he worked under his fellow ex-Munster player Jason Holland at the Hurricanes, whose expansive style of play should in theory be a good fit for Leinster.
It helps that Bleyendaal has taken over from Goodman, who has also joined the Leinster setup from the New Zealand system (the Crusaders). Cullen will be hoping that the transition is smooth, as the head coach looks to ensure that his side strikes the right balance between attack and defence.
At times last season, Leinster were criticised for overly focusing on the defence, but given the attacking talent at their disposal, it is important to play to the strengths of the players by finding the right balance between attack and defence.
Those strengths will be significantly enhanced when RG Snyman and Jordie Barrett pull on the blue jersey, while Rabah Slimani has already made a good first impression during preseason. By signing Springbok lock Snyman from Munster and All Blacks centre Barrett from the Hurricanes, Leinster have sent out a major statement of their intent.
Considering both world-class signings have signed short-term deals until the end of next season, there is an even greater onus on Leinster adding to the trophy cabinet come May and June.
Leinster supporters will be hoping that Snyman’s injury record improves from his disrupted four-year spell with Munster because as the giant 29-year-old reminded everyone during last year's World Cup, he remains a truly unique operator when he is fully fit and firing.
Barrett is due to link up with Leinster following New Zealand’s autumn series in Europe, with the 27-year-old set to get an early chance to see his new team-mates up close and personal when Ireland host the All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium on November 8 in the first of four exciting home games that month.
Slimani’s arrival from Clermont Auvergne will not generate as many headlines as Snyman and Barrett, but the veteran French tighthead (34) is a vastly-experienced operator, who will hopefully pass on some of his knowledge around the scrum to the plethora of young, talented Leinster props.
As ever, Leinster’s Academy continues to produce future stars, with the likes of Paddy McCarthy, younger brother of Leinster and Ireland lock Joe, and Jack Boyle hoping to kick on this season.
McCarthy and Boyle are now part of the senior squad, as are the likes of Jame Culhane, who is a major back-row talent, and back-three player Andrew Osborne, younger brother of Jamie who made his Ireland debut in fine style at full-back on the recent summer tour to South Africa.
Getting a chance to pull on the green jersey is the ultimate goal of every young player in Leinster, including the new Academy recruits such as scrum-half Oliver Coffey, lock Alan Spicer and props Andrew Sparrow and Alex Usanov – all of whom represented the Ireland U-20s last season. Exciting 18-year-old out-half Caspar Gabriel is also a name to remember going forward.
Leinster’s quest to win that elusive fifth European will lead them towards the Champions Cup final, which will be held at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on May 24 before the URC decider takes place on June 14.
With an entire season to manage before anyone in Leinster can dare to dream once again, there will be many twists and turns along the way.
But fuelled by the pain of recent years, and backed by some exciting new arrivals, both in terms of the playing and coaching staff, Leinster supporters have every reason to believe this is their time.
The disappointment of a third consecutive trophyless campaign has just about subsided, and while the road ahead is long and full of pitfalls once again, there is a renewed sense of optimism that Leinster can finally get back to where they feel they belong.
Despite the soul-searching that was done in light of the Champions Cup final defeat to Toulouse and the URC semi-final loss to the Bulls, the reality is, Leinster fell short by the narrowest of margins.
From that end, there has been no sense of panic internally, yet supporters’ patience is beginning to wear thin following another lost year with what is a very strong squad that is about to get even stronger with the imminent arrival of a couple of star-studded signings.
Jacques Nienaber’s delayed start after he led the Springboks to back-to-back World Cups in France last year meant that the Leinster players were always up against it in terms of learning an entirely new defensive system or as the South African put it, to “rewire their brains”.
For all the signs of progress, the fact that Nienaber has had a full preseason to implement his ‘blitz defence’ philosophy should help the squad get up to speed.
Now that he is well-used to his new surroundings, Nienaber’s influence over Leinster’s style of play is likely to be even greater in the season ahead.
The departure of Andrew Goodman, who has replaced Mike Catt as Ireland’s backs coach, opened up another vacancy in Leo Cullen’s backroom team, but having quickly identified Tyler Bleyendaal as the ideal candidate, Leinster secured their man nice and early.
Still only 34, had a serious neck injury not ended his playing career four years ago, the former Munster out-half would almost certainly still be lacing up his boots.
As it is, the Kiwi has built up a huge amount of coaching experience in recent years, as following his return to New Zealand, he worked under his fellow ex-Munster player Jason Holland at the Hurricanes, whose expansive style of play should in theory be a good fit for Leinster.
It helps that Bleyendaal has taken over from Goodman, who has also joined the Leinster setup from the New Zealand system (the Crusaders). Cullen will be hoping that the transition is smooth, as the head coach looks to ensure that his side strikes the right balance between attack and defence.
At times last season, Leinster were criticised for overly focusing on the defence, but given the attacking talent at their disposal, it is important to play to the strengths of the players by finding the right balance between attack and defence.
Those strengths will be significantly enhanced when RG Snyman and Jordie Barrett pull on the blue jersey, while Rabah Slimani has already made a good first impression during preseason.
By signing Springbok lock Snyman from Munster and All Blacks centre Barrett from the Hurricanes, Leinster have sent out a major statement of their intent.
Considering both world-class signings have signed short-term deals until the end of next season, there is an even greater onus on Leinster adding to the trophy cabinet come May and June.
Leinster supporters will be hoping that Snyman’s injury record improves from his disrupted four-year spell with Munster because as the giant 29-year-old reminded everyone during last year's World Cup, he remains a truly unique operator when he is fully fit and firing.
Barrett is due to link up with Leinster following New Zealand’s autumn series in Europe, with the 27-year-old set to get an early chance to see his new team-mates up close and personal when Ireland host the All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium on November 8 in the first of four exciting home games that month.
Slimani’s arrival from Clermont Auvergne will not generate as many headlines as Snyman and Barrett, but the veteran French tighthead (34) is a vastly-experienced operator, who will hopefully pass on some of his knowledge around the scrum to the plethora of young, talented Leinster props.
As ever, Leinster’s Academy continues to produce future stars, with the likes of Paddy McCarthy, younger brother of Leinster and Ireland lock Joe, and Jack Boyle hoping to kick on this season.
McCarthy and Boyle are now part of the senior squad, as are the likes of Jame Culhane, who is a major back-row talent, and back-three player Andrew Osborne, younger brother of Jamie who made his Ireland debut in fine style at full-back on the recent summer tour to South Africa.
Getting a chance to pull on the green jersey is the ultimate goal of every young player in Leinster, including the new Academy recruits such as scrum-half Oliver Coffey, lock Alan Spicer and props Andrew Sparrow and Alex Usanov – all of whom represented the Ireland U-20s last season. Exciting 18-year-old out-half Caspar Gabriel is also a name to remember going forward.
Leinster’s quest to win that elusive fifth European will lead them towards the Champions Cup final, which will be held at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on May 24 before the URC decider takes place on June 14.
With an entire season to manage before anyone in Leinster can dare to dream once again, there will be many twists and turns along the way.
But fuelled by the pain of recent years, and backed by some exciting new arrivals, both in terms of the playing and coaching staff, Leinster supporters have every reason to believe this is their time.
Cian Tracey, Irish Independent
Despite the soul-searching that was done in light of the Champions Cup final defeat to Toulouse and the URC semi-final loss to the Bulls, the reality is, Leinster fell short by the narrowest of margins.
From that end, there has been no sense of panic internally, yet supporters’ patience is beginning to wear thin following another lost year with what is a very strong squad that is about to get even stronger with the imminent arrival of a couple of star-studded signings.
Jacques Nienaber’s delayed start after he led the Springboks to back-to-back World Cups in France last year meant that the Leinster players were always up against it in terms of learning an entirely new defensive system or as the South African put it, to “rewire their brains”.
For all the signs of progress, the fact that Nienaber has had a full preseason to implement his ‘blitz defence’ philosophy should help the squad get up to speed. Now that he is well-used to his new surroundings, Nienaber’s influence over Leinster’s style of play is likely to be even greater in the season ahead.
The departure of Andrew Goodman, who has replaced Mike Catt as Ireland’s backs coach, opened up another vacancy in Leo Cullen’s backroom team, but having quickly identified Tyler Bleyendaal as the ideal candidate, Leinster secured their man nice and early.
Still only 34, had a serious neck injury not ended his playing career four years ago, the former Munster out-half would almost certainly still be lacing up his boots. As it is, the Kiwi has built up a huge amount of coaching experience in recent years, as following his return to New Zealand, he worked under his fellow ex-Munster player Jason Holland at the Hurricanes, whose expansive style of play should in theory be a good fit for Leinster.
It helps that Bleyendaal has taken over from Goodman, who has also joined the Leinster setup from the New Zealand system (the Crusaders). Cullen will be hoping that the transition is smooth, as the head coach looks to ensure that his side strikes the right balance between attack and defence.
At times last season, Leinster were criticised for overly focusing on the defence, but given the attacking talent at their disposal, it is important to play to the strengths of the players by finding the right balance between attack and defence.
Those strengths will be significantly enhanced when RG Snyman and Jordie Barrett pull on the blue jersey, while Rabah Slimani has already made a good first impression during preseason. By signing Springbok lock Snyman from Munster and All Blacks centre Barrett from the Hurricanes, Leinster have sent out a major statement of their intent.
Considering both world-class signings have signed short-term deals until the end of next season, there is an even greater onus on Leinster adding to the trophy cabinet come May and June.
Leinster supporters will be hoping that Snyman’s injury record improves from his disrupted four-year spell with Munster because as the giant 29-year-old reminded everyone during last year's World Cup, he remains a truly unique operator when he is fully fit and firing.
Barrett is due to link up with Leinster following New Zealand’s autumn series in Europe, with the 27-year-old set to get an early chance to see his new team-mates up close and personal when Ireland host the All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium on November 8 in the first of four exciting home games that month.
Slimani’s arrival from Clermont Auvergne will not generate as many headlines as Snyman and Barrett, but the veteran French tighthead (34) is a vastly-experienced operator, who will hopefully pass on some of his knowledge around the scrum to the plethora of young, talented Leinster props.
As ever, Leinster’s Academy continues to produce future stars, with the likes of Paddy McCarthy, younger brother of Leinster and Ireland lock Joe, and Jack Boyle hoping to kick on this season.
McCarthy and Boyle are now part of the senior squad, as are the likes of Jame Culhane, who is a major back-row talent, and back-three player Andrew Osborne, younger brother of Jamie who made his Ireland debut in fine style at full-back on the recent summer tour to South Africa.
Getting a chance to pull on the green jersey is the ultimate goal of every young player in Leinster, including the new Academy recruits such as scrum-half Oliver Coffey, lock Alan Spicer and props Andrew Sparrow and Alex Usanov – all of whom represented the Ireland U-20s last season. Exciting 18-year-old out-half Caspar Gabriel is also a name to remember going forward.
Leinster’s quest to win that elusive fifth European will lead them towards the Champions Cup final, which will be held at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on May 24 before the URC decider takes place on June 14.
With an entire season to manage before anyone in Leinster can dare to dream once again, there will be many twists and turns along the way.
But fuelled by the pain of recent years, and backed by some exciting new arrivals, both in terms of the playing and coaching staff, Leinster supporters have every reason to believe this is their time.
The disappointment of a third consecutive trophyless campaign has just about subsided, and while the road ahead is long and full of pitfalls once again, there is a renewed sense of optimism that Leinster can finally get back to where they feel they belong.
Despite the soul-searching that was done in light of the Champions Cup final defeat to Toulouse and the URC semi-final loss to the Bulls, the reality is, Leinster fell short by the narrowest of margins.
From that end, there has been no sense of panic internally, yet supporters’ patience is beginning to wear thin following another lost year with what is a very strong squad that is about to get even stronger with the imminent arrival of a couple of star-studded signings.
Jacques Nienaber’s delayed start after he led the Springboks to back-to-back World Cups in France last year meant that the Leinster players were always up against it in terms of learning an entirely new defensive system or as the South African put it, to “rewire their brains”.
For all the signs of progress, the fact that Nienaber has had a full preseason to implement his ‘blitz defence’ philosophy should help the squad get up to speed.
Now that he is well-used to his new surroundings, Nienaber’s influence over Leinster’s style of play is likely to be even greater in the season ahead.
The departure of Andrew Goodman, who has replaced Mike Catt as Ireland’s backs coach, opened up another vacancy in Leo Cullen’s backroom team, but having quickly identified Tyler Bleyendaal as the ideal candidate, Leinster secured their man nice and early.
Still only 34, had a serious neck injury not ended his playing career four years ago, the former Munster out-half would almost certainly still be lacing up his boots.
As it is, the Kiwi has built up a huge amount of coaching experience in recent years, as following his return to New Zealand, he worked under his fellow ex-Munster player Jason Holland at the Hurricanes, whose expansive style of play should in theory be a good fit for Leinster.
It helps that Bleyendaal has taken over from Goodman, who has also joined the Leinster setup from the New Zealand system (the Crusaders). Cullen will be hoping that the transition is smooth, as the head coach looks to ensure that his side strikes the right balance between attack and defence.
At times last season, Leinster were criticised for overly focusing on the defence, but given the attacking talent at their disposal, it is important to play to the strengths of the players by finding the right balance between attack and defence.
Those strengths will be significantly enhanced when RG Snyman and Jordie Barrett pull on the blue jersey, while Rabah Slimani has already made a good first impression during preseason.
By signing Springbok lock Snyman from Munster and All Blacks centre Barrett from the Hurricanes, Leinster have sent out a major statement of their intent.
Considering both world-class signings have signed short-term deals until the end of next season, there is an even greater onus on Leinster adding to the trophy cabinet come May and June.
Leinster supporters will be hoping that Snyman’s injury record improves from his disrupted four-year spell with Munster because as the giant 29-year-old reminded everyone during last year's World Cup, he remains a truly unique operator when he is fully fit and firing.
Barrett is due to link up with Leinster following New Zealand’s autumn series in Europe, with the 27-year-old set to get an early chance to see his new team-mates up close and personal when Ireland host the All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium on November 8 in the first of four exciting home games that month.
Slimani’s arrival from Clermont Auvergne will not generate as many headlines as Snyman and Barrett, but the veteran French tighthead (34) is a vastly-experienced operator, who will hopefully pass on some of his knowledge around the scrum to the plethora of young, talented Leinster props.
As ever, Leinster’s Academy continues to produce future stars, with the likes of Paddy McCarthy, younger brother of Leinster and Ireland lock Joe, and Jack Boyle hoping to kick on this season.
McCarthy and Boyle are now part of the senior squad, as are the likes of Jame Culhane, who is a major back-row talent, and back-three player Andrew Osborne, younger brother of Jamie who made his Ireland debut in fine style at full-back on the recent summer tour to South Africa.
Getting a chance to pull on the green jersey is the ultimate goal of every young player in Leinster, including the new Academy recruits such as scrum-half Oliver Coffey, lock Alan Spicer and props Andrew Sparrow and Alex Usanov – all of whom represented the Ireland U-20s last season. Exciting 18-year-old out-half Caspar Gabriel is also a name to remember going forward.
Leinster’s quest to win that elusive fifth European will lead them towards the Champions Cup final, which will be held at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on May 24 before the URC decider takes place on June 14.
With an entire season to manage before anyone in Leinster can dare to dream once again, there will be many twists and turns along the way.
But fuelled by the pain of recent years, and backed by some exciting new arrivals, both in terms of the playing and coaching staff, Leinster supporters have every reason to believe this is their time.
Cian Tracey, Irish Independent