SIGN OF THE TIMES
Leinster imports hit the ground running
IRISH rugby watchers may be used to Leinster stealing a march on their provincial opponents in a variety of departments year on year.
The Blues have won more trophies, operate with more internationals, have access to — and can fill — the national stadium and, at 12,600, have more season ticket-holders.
And it looks like they have another winning category from this season already — that of successfully signing/integrating foreign players.
There were 10 signings with a foreign flag beside their name pitching up at an Irish province this season.
But the two who appeared to have settled best are with the RDS club, where second-row Jason Jenkins has been a revelation, while Charlie Ngatai announced his presence with a sensational try-saving tackle last weekend.
Compared to the nightmare being endured by former All Black Malakai Fekitoa at Munster — one of the six highest-paid players in the country — who has started all three of the Reds’ game, the difference is startling.
Munster have also signed utility back Antoine Frisch, the 26-year-old given a spot on the bench and brought in for 22 minutes in the opening game loss against Cardiff. He has not been used since.
Squad
Ulster’s Sean Reffell, James Toomaga Allen and Declan Moore have yet to make a match-day squad.
While Connacht’s two three-quarters signings — Shamus Hurley-Langton, who has made three sub appearances, and Byron Ralston, with two starts and a sub appearance — have yet to appreciably put their stamp on what has been three losses from three starts for Connacht.
Leinster, by contrast, have racked up three wins and are particularly pleased with Jenkins, all the more remarkable as he was signed from… Munster.
Jenkins has stated all three wins, looked a powerhouse and even bagged a try against Zebre. It is all too easy to ask, was he gift-wrapped?
“He’s been great,” purrs assistant coach Robin McBryde of a player who made two starts, lasting 55 and 52 minutes, and eight appearances from the bench for Munster last term.
“He was unlucky with injuries before joining us in Leinster and I know the medical team has worked hard with him with regard to a finger injury he had when he arrived.
“It was very hard for him to hit the ground running right from the word go without having had those minutes under your belt.
But now that he has a clean bill of health, he is playing really well.
McBryde likes Jenkins’ ability both away from and in the set-pieces.
“Jason has put shots in around the field, put himself about, struck up a great relationship with Michael Ala’alatoa from a scrummaging point of view.
Mental
“The front-rows will tell you, if they’re not getting a lot of weight coming through and everybody is happy when Jason is behind them.
“They say that scrummaging is 99 per cent mental, that’s all I know. I can only go from the feedback the prop gives you, and every prop wants Jason Jenkins behind them.
“He is working well with Ross Molony there as a second-row partnership as well. I think he’ll keep on growing, he’ll keep getting better.
“I think it was the first 80-minute game he played the other week for two years. Fair dues to him. He has made an impact right from minute one.”
McBryde is a fan of the IRFU policy of allowing a small number of foreign players in the provincial setup. It helps develop a blend.
“Jason is South African so he sees the game differently. That’s the beauty of having a good mix of Kiwis or Aussies or wherever players come from.
“I suppose there’s a little bit of an inside track on what is going to come on Saturday with the Sharks as well.
“They’re going to ask big questions of us at set-piece time. A big, power-based team running hard around the corner. Hitting things, confrontational, physical. He carries that with him, he’s South African.”
‘Everyone’s happy when Jason is behind them’