Leo Cullen’s Leinster side are busy focusing on this weekend’s game up against the Sharks in the URC. The touring team will be hungry for a win after their agonising defeat to the Bulls in Pretoria. Preparations are ramping up in what looks to be a fantastic game versus the Springbok laden Durban side.
Meanwhile in Dublin back at Leinster’s HQ, Leo Cullen’s front line players are hard at work with two weeks worth of attention on the real prize, their first European knockout game versus Harlequins. The contingent of Leinster players who were involved in the Six Nations were left at home from the provincial tour, giving them time to recover after a gruelling international championship and extra time to plot the demise of their premiership rivals.
The fact Leinster can leave a near entire team at home for a daunting South African tour is incredible. There are few clubs in the world who could realistically travel to South Africa hoping for points without selecting their international players.
Lets take a look at the predicted team versus the Sharks and the predicted team versus the Harlequins to showcase the incredible strength in depth.
Sharks & Harlequins
Jack Boyle & Andrew Porter
Such is the depth at Leinster Rugby, that the man who replaced Cian Healy in his potential last ever Ireland team, will be at best on the bench for next week’s knockout game. Andrew Porter has the number one shirt locked down, but Jack Boyle is showing he’s the man to give Porter a break come 60 minutes.
Gus McCarthy & Dan Sheehan
We don’t even have the time to talk about Ronan Kelleher, the production line just keeps moving. It feels as though a single injury in this slot almost guarantees the next man up international minutes. Leinster’s pack is just that good, that the Hookers flourish. Gus McCarthy made his provincial and international debut in a matter of months.
Rabah Slimani & Tadhg Furlong
Despite his terrific performances this year, Leo Cullen will be delighted to see Furlong back fit and healthy. Slimani has had a great start to his career at Leinster and has already earned himself another contract, but he’ll have to settle for the Sharks this week.
RG Snyman & James Ryan
This call could go either way. Leo Cullen appreciates James Ryan’s work to no end but Snyman’s ability across the park is second to none. There are clauses in Snyman’s contract however, that limit his ability to start ahead of fit Irish players, so Ryan gets the nod here.
Brian Deeney & Joe McCarthy
Leinster have great hopes for Brian Deeney, so much so that they could afford to lose Leinster stalwart Ross Moloney during the off season. They’ve invested valuable minutes into Deeney over the last two seasons and as an athletic but direct lock, he has a serious future in blue. But make no mistake, Big Joe is a key piece of this Leinster team.
Alex Soroka & Jack Conan
Soroka has been a revelation during the last few weeks for Leinster. He’s been incredibly physical and looks totally unforgiving in contact. Jack Conan however is a class above and had a terrific Six Nations campaign.
Scott Penny & Josh van der Flier
Scott Penny gets the nod this week over Will Connors who could have earned himself a role in the latter stages of Europe. I’ve just mentioned two classy number sevens and Josh van der Flier wasn’t even one of them. The man in the red scrum cap just brings a more well rounded game to the backrow. He’s strong in every aspect of the game.
Max Deegan & Caelan Doris
The man with the most lineout steals in the URC this year doesn’t even get a shot at the bigger European games. Although he has been involved during the pool stages. Deegan is the one cited year after year as the player who could move club and make an immediate impact. There’s no shifting Doris however.
Luke McGrath & Jamison Gibson Park
McGrath just signed an extension with the team once again showcasing his value to the entire organisation. He’s slipped out of the international reckoning but he’s an invaluable player for Leo Cullen’s side. Jamison Gibson Park is the second best player in the world at the moment. You all know who the first is… Aoife Wafer!
Ross Byrne & Sam Prendergast
No other player represents Leinster’s strength in depth more than Ross Byrne. The number 10 took Leinster to the final of the Champions Cup last year, steering the ship incredibly well only to be surplanted by the “heir apparent” Sam Prendergast. Byrne is tired of the Leinster wheel and has signed a three year deal at Gloucester ahead of next season where he’ll look to lead them to silverware.
Andrew Osbourne & James Lowe
Andrew Osbourne has been playing very well in recent weeks and has earned his first fully fledged pro deal. James Lowe returns though. No shade to Osbourne but need we say any more?
Jordie Barrett & Robbie Henshaw
Holy moly. Jordie Barrett could potentially been on a plane home to Dublin to join the Irish contingent in preparing for Harlequins. Leo Cullen has utilised Barrett off the bench already in Europe and there’s a chance he’ll be used again there. If not, he starts and Robbie Henshaw misses out. Just an embarrassment of riches.
Hugh Cooney & Garry Ringrose
Fresh off the back of his time in Ireland camp as a development player, Hugh Cooney has looked sharp in the no.13 jersey. But Garry Ringrose is integral to Jacques Nienaber’s defence.
Tommy O’Brien & Jamie Osbourne
If Tommy O’Brien can string some games together, he’s an international in the making. Another strong performance against the Sharks could jettison him into the starting team for Europe. As of now, Jamie Osbourne gets the nod. Although, his most recent game on the wing didn’t quite go to plan.
Jimmy O’Brien & Hugo Keenan
Jimmy O’Brien could genuinely be the most unlucky player in Irish rugby. The utility back was fantastic off the bench versus New Zealand in the Quarter Final of the 2023 World Cup and he hasn’t been capped since! Hugo Keenan had a brilliant Six Nations however and his communication with his fellow back three players is world class.