Leinster Squad 2015/2016

[goreyguy]

italics - unconfirmed academy players

Loosehead
Michael Bent[29][2016]
Cian Healy[27][2016] Central Contract
Jack McGrath[25][2016]
Ian Hirst[25][201?] - contract likely ends in 2016.
Ed Byrne[21][201?] - contract likely ends in 2016.

Peter Dooley[21][Year 3]
Andrew Porter[19][Year 1]

Hooker
Richardt Strauss[29][201?] - contract likely ends in 2017.
Sean Cronin[29][201?] - contract likely ends in 2017.
James Tracy[24][201?] - contract likely ends in 2016.
Bryan Byrne[21][201?] - contract likely ends in 2016.

Sean McNulty[20][Year 1]

Tighthead
Mike Ross[35][2016] Central Contract
Royce Burke Flynn[28][201?] - contract likely ends in 2016.
Martin Moore[24][2016]
Tadhg Furlong[22][2016]

Oisin Heffernan[20][Year 1]
Jeremy Loughman[20][Year 1] - could also end up at Loosehead.

Second Row
Mike McCarthy[33][2016]
Devin Toner[29][2017]
Tom Denton[27][201?] - difficult to predict could have been 1 or 2 year contract.
Mick Kearney[24][201?] - contract likely ends in 2017.

Tadhg Beirne[23][Year 4]
Gavin Thornbury[21][Year 4]
Ross Molony[21][Year 3]
David O'Connor[20][Year 1]

Backrow
Jamie Heaslip[31][2017] Central Contract
Kevin McLaughlin[30][201?] - difficult to predict could have been 1 or 2 year contract.
Sean O'Brien[28][2016] Central Contract
Dominic Ryan[25][201?] - difficult to predict could have been 1 or 2 year contract.
Rhys Ruddock[24][2016]
Jordi Murphy[24][201?] - contract likely ends in 2017
Jack Conan[22][201?] - contract likely ends in 2017.
Josh Van Der Flier[22][201?] - contract likely ends in 2016.
Dan Leavy[21][201?] - contract likely ends in 2016.

Peadar Timmins[21][Year 2]
Josh Murphy[20][Year 1]

Scrumhalf
Isaac Boss[35][201?] - contract likely ends in 2016.
Eoin Reddan[34][201?] - contract likely ends in 2016.
Luke McGrath[22][201?] - contract likely ends in 2017.

Nick McCarthy[20][Year 2]
Charlie Rock[20][Year 1]

Outhalf
Jonathan Sexton[30][2019]
Cathal Marsh[22][201?] - contract likely ends in 2016.

Ross Byrne[20][Year 2]
Joey Carberry[20][Year 1]

Centre
Ben Teo[28][2016]
Ian Madigan[26][2016]
Noel Reid[25][201?]contract likely ends in 2017.
Colm O'Shea[24][201?] - contract likely ends in 2016.

Steve Crosbie[22][Year 3]
Tom Daly[22][Year 3]
Tom Farrell[21][Year 3]
Rory O'Loughlin[21][Year 2]
Harrison Brewer[20][Year 2]
Gary Ringrose[20][Year 2]

Back Three
Isa Nacewa[33][2016]
Zane Kirchner[31][201?]
Rob Kearney[29][2018] Central Contract
Fergus McFadden[29][201?]
Darragh Fanning[29][201?] - contract likely ends in 2016.
Luke Fitzgerald[27][2017]
Dave Kearney[26][2016]
Mick McGrath[24][201?] - contract likely ends in 2016.

Adam Byrne[21][Year 3]
Billy Dardis[20][Year 3]
Cian Kelleher[21][Year 2]
Ian Fitzpatrick[21][Year 2]

[rdsblue]

I see you've included Gavin Thornbury here and you've also said that Tadgh Beirne will be playing with the 7s this summer but there have been very strong rumours that neither is getting a contract for 2015 / 2016. Have they got a reprieve ( in Thornbury's case) or what's happening to them?

[goreyguy]

I see you've included Gavin Thornbury here and you've also said that Tadgh Beirne will be playing with the 7s this summer but there have been very strong rumours that neither is getting a contract for 2015 / 2016. Have they got a reprieve ( in Thornbury's case) or what's happening to them?

Thornbury is rumoured to be getting a 4th year in the academy. Which makes sense given his age.
Beirne seems to be headed to play 7's. No one playing 7's this summer has a senior contract next season with a province.

We will have to wait and see what happens when an official announcement regarding the academy is made during the summer.

[johng]

While I know little about 7s, I would expect that the only forwards that would be useful would be back rows. Why would a huge lad like Beirne be in there?

[simonokeeffe]

While I know little about 7s, I would expect that the only forwards that would be useful would be back rows. Why would a huge lad like Beirne be in there?

damn good question

[hugonaut]

While I know little about 7s, I would expect that the only forwards that would be useful would be back rows. Why would a huge lad like Beirne be in there?

He's pretty quick for a tall guy, very lean as well – 104-107kg at 198cm. I remember him making a 50m break down the middle of the pitch in the 2012 JWC [perhaps against France?] and being really surprised at how quick he was, and how good his support line to get in place to make that run was. There's also the lineout/restart/cross-kick factor, where a tall and athletic player with good handling skills can make plays.

On a more holistic note, he has put in an awful lot of work, and the Leinster Academy have put a lot of time and effort into him. In that regard, it makes sense to allow him the chance to showcase his skills in order to better his career.

[neiliog93]

Sevens squad has been released but I can't find it anywhere. Was Beirne in it?

[goreyguy]

Sevens squad has been released but I can't find it anywhere. Was Beirne in it?

yes so were Adam Byrne, Tom Daly and Ian Fitzpatrick from the Leinster academy.

[jimbobjoe]

Sevens squad has been released but I can't find it anywhere. Was Beirne in it?

http://www.irishrugby.ie/ireland/34621.php#.VVyuEkYyiLM

[Donny B.]

Ben Marshall has signed for Connacht.

Good luck to him.

[Flash Gordon]

Ben Marshall has signed for Connacht.

Good luck to him.

Indeed. I think he's the real deal who has picked up a couple of knocks and not really had a run under Matt. When he has played he's done really well and its a good signing for both Ben and Connacht. Ideally a lock like Dev partnered with an athlete like Marshall would be an incredible combination.

[the spoofer]

If someone asked me who would I prefer, Marshall or Denton I'd take Marshall every time despite Tom's significant Improvement this year.

[goreyguy]

If someone asked me who would I prefer, Marshall or Denton I'd take Marshall every time despite Tom's significant Improvement this year.

Marshall more athletic, Denton bigger. Personally i'd prefer we keep Marshall over Denton but Marshall is probably better off leaving if he wants to develop.

[goreyguy]

If we are looking for scrumhalf cover, Neil Cronin would be a good shout if he is available.

[hugonaut]

If we are looking for scrumhalf cover, Neil Cronin would be a good shout if he is available.

Sean Cronin's brother? Thought he was involved with Munster in some way.

Thought that the Tarf scrum-half in the UBL final was good, Sam Cronin. Think that he's a former Munster under-age player. Lansdowne's Adam Griggs has played for Leinster 'A' before and is a tidy enough player, good head on his shoulders. Kev O'Neill from Terenure is a livewire and is 23 or so ... could be an interesting player to take a look at. Charlie Rock is really small and didn't look too sharp off the bench yesterday for the U20s.

[goreyguy]

If we are looking for scrumhalf cover, Neil Cronin would be a good shout if he is available.

Sean Cronin's brother? Thought he was involved with Munster in some way.

Thought that the Tarf scrum-half in the UBL final was good, Sam Cronin. Think that he's a former Munster under-age player. Lansdowne's Adam Griggs has played for Leinster 'A' before and is a tidy enough player, good head on his shoulders. Kev O'Neill from Terenure is a livewire and is 23 or so ... could be an interesting player to take a look at. Charlie Rock is really small and didn't look too sharp off the bench yesterday for the U20s.

yeah his contract status for next season is unclear, Munster currently have 7 scrumhalves on their books including the academy for next season not including Cronin.

Sam Cronin is ex munster underage yeah.
Griggs has been involved with Leinster A but i thought he might have been given a chance already if he was.
Rock is rumoured to only be involved for the RWC period and then a decision about his future will be decided upon.
O'Neill is a name i've seen mentioned alright.

Hard to know what will happen, given our current lack of coach etc.

[simonokeeffe]

have we any lingering injured players for next season? Locky only one I can think of if even applicable

[goreyguy]

have we any lingering injured players for next season? Locky only one I can think of if even applicable

Moore, Cronin, Healy, Fitzgerald, E Byrne, R Byrne, JVDF, McLaughlin, M Kearney, K Douglas, M McGrath, Fanning, McFadden, O'Loughlin all ended season with injuries.

you'd assume most of not all will be ready for preseason.

[simonokeeffe]

have we any lingering injured players for next season? Locky only one I can think of if even applicable

Moore, Cronin, Healy, Fitzgerald, E Byrne, R Byrne, JVDF, McLaughlin, M Kearney, K Douglas, M McGrath, Fanning, McFadden, O'Loughlin all ended season with injuries.

you'd assume most of not all will be ready for preseason.

yeah meant might be missing start of season/no known return date

Douglas is expected back August, Moore, Cronin, Healy, Luke, McFadden would be going straight into Ireland camps, Fannings was minor enough

what was word/prognosis on Byrnes, Kearney and JVDF? Think Locky's is still mysterious

[goreyguy]

Kearney is october time I think.
R Byrne is unknown.
E Byrne back by preseason.
JVDF back by preseason.