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Leinster in hunt for 'big name' lock as Ulster miss out on 'bomb squad' Bok
By Ian Cameron
Leinster are in the market for a 'big name' southern hemisphere second row as they look to reinforce their options in the engine room.
The likelihood that the URC heavyweights will be without the services of both James Ryan and Ryan Baird during internationals window into the foreseeable, combined with the inevitable retirement of stalwart Devin Toner, appears to be behind the move.
Toner, who signed a one-year contract extension last season after much toing and froing, hasn't featured for Ireland since February 2020. Though the 35-year-old may have a season or even two left in the tank, Leinster may have half an eye on a longer-term mix.
Leinster regular Ross Moloney has proved to be an able lieutenant for the Dublin-based side, having amassed well over one hundred caps for the province since he debuted in 2015. Beneath him there's a significant experience gap with 23-year-old prospect Jack Dunne. The 6'8, 120kg lock has made 15 appearances to date and is still very much in his professional rugby infancy.
Head coach Leo Cullen never replaced Wallaby utility forward Scott Fardy with a like-for-like. The Australian retired at the end of 2020/21 after four successful seasons.
Leinster have a track record of big-name forwards penning contracts to come to Dublin and experience brand Leinster. Some have been hugely successful - others not so much.
Brad Thorn, Rocky Elsom, Nathan Hines and Ollie Le Roux [as well as the aforementioned Fardy], all enjoyed celebrated stints in the RDS, becoming firm fan favourites in the process.
They've been misses too of course - with Steven Sykes, Owen Finnegan and Kane Douglas all notable flops.
Meanwhile, Ulster appear to have missed out on adding another Springbok signing to the roster.
RugbyPass understands that the northern province have missed out on Stormers loosehead Steven Kitshoff. Kitshoff does not have an exit clause in his current contract, meaning any move would have to be facilitated with a hefty 'transfer fee' that apparently ruled out Ulster's interest.
In all likelihood, this means that he's most likely heading to France, where he previously spent three seasons with Bordeaux Begles.
Ulster will have to make do with No.8 Duane Vermeulen.
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ABs by 4……
IF
The Razor gang has given the AB’s a game plan A, B, C & etc (unlike so many AB games since 2016). &
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AB’s play 80+ minutes. &
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ABs do their individual & team jobs error free (‘ish) (unlike so many AB team since 2016). &
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All the ‘critical V Ireland’ AB form mobile forwards stay on field for the 80min S.Barrett, Sititi, Savea, and Vaa’i swap with Cane when he tires & Tuipulotu comes on. Finau back up. &
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The 10's get a better ‘cunning game plan’ than BB, ie his kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, ETC! (& MacK does have a better game plan). &
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Aumua can throw to lineouts . &
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The AB’s can remember their lineout calls (unlike too many V England games 1, 2 & 3). &
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Williams can be coached to stop being sucked into experienced tactics to drop him to the ground. &
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The AB coaches, teach all ABs some ‘soccer like’ drama queen fouling acting skills to make clear to the ref 1 of the most common Irish tactics ie obstruction by ‘stray’ decoy attackers around contact zone (tackle, ruck, maul). &
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The ABs have their arm out away if not tackling any, again, decoy attackers (or defenders) that run into them to try milk penalties as England did (eg penalty against Cane the worst). &
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S.Barrett can change & captain with assertiveness & presence to even be noticed by the ref (way to passive). &
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There's no food poisoning.
Go to commentsThat Bled timeout one was a crack up, sure he's not a kiwi?
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