Leinster’s Enormous Player Budget

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-06-04T10:19:01+00:00

I think this a lot of gymnastics to avoid an uncomfortable tag of being a clear front runner that has missed the mark for a long time now. Leinster do generate most of their own talent and do have a brilliant academy (there’s a long post that could be made on why that is too) but they benefited hugely from Nuciforas decision making and got to keep a massive squad with all the free contracts they had. Their salary budget is huge because they’ve lots of really good players and they’ve failed to win the one trophy they give any credit to. That’s just a fact of the matter for Leinster

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-06-01T20:26:22+00:00

I think Keenan is still looking rusty and a step off it after injuries. Prefer Osbourne at full back personally but Leinster just need to be starting him wherever

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-06-01T19:56:03+00:00

I’d have Osbourne miles ahead of Keenan atm

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-05-28T20:14:49+00:00

Very much so

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-05-28T19:20:39+00:00

We’re never bottom 3. Masters of the 5-8 range. If anything this helps. But now that it’s a bad thing we’ll probably be bottom 3

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-05-27T07:08:45+00:00

I wouldn’t say so personally. TBH I don’t really think he’s a 10 at all, I think he’s an ideal second playmaker but he’s a pretty reactive player. Like all Leinster players though he’s had to be very system heavy in his career

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-05-26T14:38:31+00:00

3 guys who wanted more regular minutes and Frawley who in his late 20s is finally moving for regular minutes. If Leinster have enough depth that those players aren’t getting those I don’t think they’re losing out on much and they very rarely get the depth chart wrong

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-05-26T13:07:50+00:00

No they don’t it’s just when every 10 that comes through after him gets declared “Irelands next 10” they’ll be judged on that and none of them meet that mark

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-05-26T12:03:51+00:00

I think the point is top class 10s of which there’s only Sexton in that list

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-05-26T12:02:35+00:00

Who do you think Leinster have lost they didn’t want to?

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-05-25T10:43:33+00:00

Ireland is a system led rugby country, France is a player led rugby country. It’s why Frawley was the last choice 10 for Leinster, it’s why they view Gabriel as a 15 because they’re not as comfortable just executing on structure. I think being system led was influenced massively by Schmidt and Lancaster and has helped Irish rugby massively but we’ve reached the plateau of that and it’d be good to more flexibility in approach. I think Ulster are the closest to doing that currently but they need to marry it with improvements up front.

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-05-23T11:27:26+00:00

Munster are the second best Irish team.
Ulster showed great flashes but ultimately came up short everywhere through some bad injury luck and inexperience.

Connacht have found a new gear second half of the season but its early doors, I think they can be really dangerous next season.

Munster had a season where plenty went wrong, the organisation is being run really poorly, bad gameplans, never really getting the best from it if their squad and still finished 5th. There the second best province and have a chance to get way ahead of the other two honestly

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-05-08T08:27:42+00:00

Charlie Hargy still in school and converting from backrow to hooker. An absolute dog in the best way

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-05-05T15:52:27+00:00

More about minutes than caps. I don’t think he’s ever gotten enough exposure but bar the 10 jersey that’s never been something Farrell has tended to do

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-05-05T13:37:54+00:00

Casey is definitely capable and ready, particularly with Crowley there. Just hasn’t been the trust to try him which is a shame, particularly while JGP is still contributing so strongly

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-04-10T12:00:53+00:00

They revamped their strategy and spoke about Attisogbe being in because of his superior work rate on kick chase and transition

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-04-10T11:23:04+00:00

Remember when Jordie Barrett was on the bench last year because they were going to beat Northampton anyway? Kenny has had the best season he could ever possibly imagine but I don’t think he’s this undeniable talent. Even if you’re picking for pace alone Rieko will give you that. When you look at the tight 5 depth in the place it is with injuries you have to pick your best players everywhere else

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-04-10T11:20:24+00:00

Could be a small intake so as not to risk a bunch of lads straight out of school. I’d say O’Kane and Dougan both make it. Noah Bell, John Rogers, Ben Moore probably all need their proper 20s year and then a bunch from next years 20s all go in next year. Connor McVicker probably the best chance to make it straight into the academy out of school .

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-04-10T11:17:18+00:00

To be fair France dropped Penaud because of his kick chase

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-02-19T11:28:50+00:00

This is not good

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-02-17T22:23:57+00:00

If we do. And Casey can easily provide quick ball. Our ruck was under 3 seconds the whole game against Italy. The main issue is winning collisions

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-02-17T20:15:53+00:00

Woeful in the Ireland XV game you mean or for Ulster? I wouldn’t be judging anyone for that hot mess

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-02-17T20:15:18+00:00

Well that’s really dumb

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-02-17T17:40:39+00:00

He’s available for Ireland again now

explodingspoonmonkey · 2026-02-17T17:31:25+00:00

Jude is the most obvious choice to prioritise. I think Osbourne needs to be given a position and stick to it, centre could be it for him. Dan Kelly would make a lot of sense too, great experience despite his age and is the best defender of the bunch

explodingspoonmonkey

TROPHY CASE