Ryan launches new dynasty as Leinster conquer Europe again
Leinster left the industrial heartland of the Basque country behind them on Saturday night with the Champions Cup on board, content in the knowledge that their own production line is in fine working order.
Given the starring role played by 21-year-old lock James Ryan, a hearty, unflustered influence in this gritty, bare-knuckle victory, there is a real sense that Leinster’s record-equalling fourth European Cup title will be the start of another dynasty, not the end.
And for the fortunes of the blueshirted province, read Ireland, too, for Ryan is not alone in his precocious advance to international status, with the likes of his Leinster team-mates, flanker Dan Leavy, 23, and 20-year-old wing Jordan Larmour, very much part of a golden generation. The multi-garlanded Brian O’driscoll era has given way to a new wave. The prospects for Leinster in Europe, as well as for Ireland in the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, are rosy.
Stuart Lancaster has highlighted the quality in Irish ranks. There is a certain irony that the former England head coach will have such an input to the future wellbeing of Leinster and Irish rugby. The man who helped to bring Lancaster to Dublin in the wake of his dismissal by England, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen, was among many who praised the work of the 48-year-old.
Fly-half Johnny Sexton called him “a special coach”, while scrumhalf Luke Mcgrath spoke of a man who has “changed the whole structure and shape of our game”.
But the hands-on, sharp-end element is only part of the reason for Leinster’s success. Cullen, an understated yet hugely impressive-figure, paid tribute to the behind-the-scenes work done by scouts talent-spotting in local schools to ensure that, as this squad takes vivid shape, the next one is already being sourced throughout the province.
This is to ensure that this first European triumph in six years does not become a one-hit wonder. Once Toulouse reigned supreme in Europe. These days they are in the doldrums.
“It always seemed that Toulouse would kick on,” said Cullen, the first man to win titles as player and then coach. “You have to keep chipping away.
“There’s a lesson in that; don’t stop at four [titles]. Toulouse have had their troubles, other threats have come in. Fifteen years ago there wasn’t a Racing or a Toulon. The landscape is for ever changing. You need to keep evolving all the time and keep getting better.
“Toulouse are a good lesson for us. You sit still and people will pass you by. We’ve had to wait so long to get to this stage again. Six years we had to wait. Hopefully it won’t be another six years.”
That is unlikely. Even if the late goalkicking heroics of captain Isa Nacewa will not be with Leinster as the popular New Zealander heads into retirement, there is a real sense of ongoing renewal about them. Ryan is one of the fruits of that de- velopment programme. The second-row forward made his provincial and national debut this season and has only played 20 senior matches – and won all of them. “When I first saw him he was a string-bean – skinny, tall, talented,” recalls Leinster prop Cian Healy. “It’s usually about how people step up to the plate but, when you see him step up to the plate, it’s jawdropping.
“It’s class. Eventually he’ll lose a game and we’ll pick him up and dust him off and send him out again. The plan is to put a lot of stars on the shirt – not four [titles], not five. I want to see Leinster grow and be dominant in Europe for years. The crop that are coming through, long after I’m gone, they’ll hopefully be doing that.”
The contest may have lacked the easy-on-the-eye quality of Leinster’s semi-final performance against Scarlets, but in many ways this was even more satisfying in that it showed the team had the grunt and grit to endure no matter what. Nacewa’s clinching penalty strike in the 78th minute was the first time that Leinster had managed to get their noses in front. But they did not panic, they did not doubt.
Racing proved to be obdurate even though they lost their firstchoice stand-off, the South African Pat Lambie, crocked (and ruled out of facing England on their summer tour) within three minutes, while former All Black fly-half Dan Carter withdrew before kick-off with a hamstring strain.
Racing fought right to the wire, Teddy Iribaren’s four penalty goals keeping them in front. But Leinster overhauled them, Sexton ceding kicking duties to Nacewa because of a tightening groin. And Nacewa did not disappoint. Nor did Leinster, worthy champions.