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IS THIS THE season when Leinster take that last step and secure their first trophy since 2021? They certainly have the quality of squad to do so.
Included in brackets after each player’s name is their age and number of Leinster caps in the format . Players have been listed in the order of their number of caps.Jack Boyle will be aiming to take big strides. Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO Michael Milne has the power and self-belief to do so but he has been slowed up a couple of times by injury and some scrummaging issues last season. At 25, he still has time on his side but won’t be happy just to sit down the pecking order.
26-year-old Kelleher was the first to explode out of the blocks before injury issues curtailed his progress and 25-year-old Sheehan took his chances to burst onto the international scene in impressive fashion. They are different tightheads, with Slimani more of an old-school, set-piece prop whereas Ala’alatoa was well suited to Leinster’s attacking style. While Slimani isn’t immune from being penalised at scrum time, we have seen how much big wins in this area can mean at the top level of the game. Leinster will hope Slimani can have an impact in that regard.
Cian Healy’s ability to switch over to tighthead could prove handy at some stage, while Andrew Porter was previously a good enough tighthead to be picked for a Lions tour.Advertisement RG Snyman will bring size and x-factor. Steve Haag Sports / Steve Haag/INPHO Steve Haag Sports / Steve Haag/INPHO / Steve Haag/INPHO
It’s understood that IRFU stipulations mean Snyman’s minutes will be managed to ensure Ireland internationals James Ryan and Joe McCarthy continue to get the starts and game time they need in Leinster colours. 23-year-old McCarthy made brilliant progress last season and, excitingly, still has huge room for improvement.
The teak-tough Rhys Ruddock retired at the end of last season, while Martin Moloney has just signed for Exeter after Leinster allowed him to visit the English club on trial during pre-season, but the conveyor belt keeps on rolling. Now fit again after missing Ireland’s tour of South Africa due to a hamstring injury, Jamison Gibson-Park will surely pick up where he left off as a key figure for Leinster and in the green jersey. His creative play, speed of thought and foot, and much-improved kicking game can elevate both teams.
Ben Murphy – capped 12 times by Leinster – moved on to Connacht during the summer, so Gunne and Foley will be out to drive up the pecking order.Sam Prendergast is a talented, ambitious young 10. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO Meanwhile, Sam Prendergast continued his development impressively, featuring in 16 games for Leinster, four of which were starts. He has built good experience for a 21-year-old but is clearly ambitious and confident enough to back himself to get even more of it this season in Leinster.
He has come off the bench at out-half in some big games, including last season’s Champions Cup final when his late drop-goal attempt nearly clinched a win over Toulouse only to slip wide, but far more of his starts have been at fullback or inside centre. He excelled as a fullback with the All Blacks initially but a move to inside centre before the 2023 World Cup was hugely successful. Barrett has some experience on the right wing and has even started one Test for New Zealand at out-half, but 12 is his gig right now.
As mentioned before, Ciarán Frawley is another option at inside centre, Jimmy O’Brien can play at outside centre, while wing Tommy O’Brien has also played in midfield in the past. Academy out-half Charlie Tector has featured at inside centre during this pre-season, while Harry Byrne has played at number 12 before.
Jordan Larmour, who also has history at fullback, enjoyed a fine season on the right wing in 2023/24 and will be determined to build on that as he aims to add to his 30 Ireland caps.
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