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'Sometimes he is coming up with five scrum penalties on his own': Leinster pay trophy-lifting tribute but coy on future of Bent, Fardy and Toner
By Liam Heagney
Leinster have for now played down suggestions that veteran pack trio Devin Toner, Michael Bent and Scott Fardy are all set to leave the club at the end of the season after they stepped out in front of the squad to lift the Guinness PRO14 trophy together following Saturday's title win over Munster.
The Irish province have a habit of honouring departing players by allowing them to lift the PRO14 trophy when it is being presented to the team following a final. Isa Nacewa was to the fore in 2018, Sean O'Brien in 2019, and Rob Kearney and Fergus McFadden last September before they respectively left for retirement, London Irish, Western Force and another retirement.
Now the latest PRO14 presentation has prompted speculation about the futures of Toner, Bent and Fardy as they raised the trophy aloft following a record fourth successive triumph for Leinster. Coach Leo Cullen wouldn't confirm what the presentation actually signalled, but he paid tribute nonetheless to the role of the trio at the club.
"Dev has just broken the record as most-capped Leinster player. It's a brilliant moment for him, he is such a great character," said Cullen. "And Scott and Michael, the two of them are just brilliant for us over the course of the season. They are the glue.
"Regardless of what is going to happen in the future, what has happened this season, Michael and Scott are the glue of the group. Michael, what he delivers around the scrum and how he goes about his business, mentoring younger players and delivering all throughout the season.
"Like, we have lots of players away, sometimes we are playing the games and he is coming up with five scrum penalties on his own which has such a big bearing on the outcome of those games. He has been brilliant. Great to see him up there.
"And Scott, since he arrived as well, he is in the thick of everything really on and off the field, a great mentor for a lot of young players we have. It's a very special moment for the three of those guys together. We can worry about the future in the future but for now, it's just the three of them enjoying the moment because they are just such key figures in the group."
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Latest Comments
Hopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to commentsNot surprised to see Barretts rating. He has always been a solid defender for the ABs but not particularly effective in attack situations.
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