Leinster's workload merits little sympathy
The Rugby Paper|April 28, 2024
LEINSTER are worried about the pressure that could prevent them from winning a European Cup and URC double. Any observation like this by a province with a full Ireland international line-up – and more squad players with Irish or Irish U20 caps jostling to be seen than there are patients in an NHS A&E – merits the response, “welcome to the real world”.
NICK CAIN
Leinster's workload merits little sympathy

The cipher for Leinster’s anxiety was Gordon D’Arcy, the 82-cap Ireland centre who played his entire career for Leinster, amassing 257 appearances for the province, which is the second-highest in its history.

D’Arcy said this week that Leinster’s quest for a fifth European champions star alongside another URC title is draining them. This attack of the jitters from Leinster supporters coincided with their team’s URC minitour of South Africa backfiring in a way that few expected.

In the past Leinster’s reserve strength has enabled them to make radical changes to starting line-ups, and still have a second-string side capable of beating most opponents.

It therefore came as a shock when a Leinster match 23 featuring current and former Irish internationals was trounced 44-12 by the unfancied Lions in Johannesburg last weekend.

Their Ireland Test roll-call included Cian Healy, Ciaran Frawley, Harry Byrne, and Luke McGrath. It also consisted of experienced former international back-rower Rhys Ruddock, fringe Test men Ed Byrne and Max Deegan, and other internationals, including one-cap Springbok lock Jason Jenkins, New Zealand and NZ Maori centre Charlie Ngatai, and Samoa tighthead Michael Ala’alatoa.

Denne historien er fra April 28, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra April 28, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE RUGBY PAPERSe alt
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
The Rugby Paper

Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy

TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024
South America look to keep on building
The Rugby Paper

South America look to keep on building

AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Scarratt excited by new pathway
The Rugby Paper

Scarratt excited by new pathway

ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Baxter: I want to make things better
The Rugby Paper

Baxter: I want to make things better

ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
The Rugby Paper

Pearce walks in his father's footsteps

PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024
New England group will cause uncertainty
The Rugby Paper

New England group will cause uncertainty

SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Galthie turns his sights to the future
The Rugby Paper

Galthie turns his sights to the future

FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie offered the clearest hint yet of Les Bleus' future on Wednesday, when he released 19 players back F to their clubs for the ninth and final Top 14 round before the international break.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson
The Rugby Paper

Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson

CAMERON Anderson has hailed the impact made by defence coach Jason Gilmore, below, since he arrived at The Stoop in the summer.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath
The Rugby Paper

Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath

BATH secured a thumping away success in the opening match of their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Ampthill at Dillingham Park.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024
New faces take the plaudits for Saints
The Rugby Paper

New faces take the plaudits for Saints

NORTHAMPTON handed out a thorough lesson to a tame Leicester team in this one-sided East Midlands derby to launch the Premiership Cup.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024