Ireland could learn from Leinster selection policy
WHEN the dust had settled on the performance against Northampton, amongst all the excitement from a rugby point of view there was also a tinge of regret. The performance was so clinical that it was hard to find fault. Over the past few months in Irish rugby we have swung from deep frustration to elation and with Leinster it seems the elation will continue.
Wins in Europe are hard to come by and away wins are even more scarce.
If you find yourself against the Premiership league leaders on their turf you should expect a tough battle and a tough battle Leinster received until once again the dominance, resilience and patience of the visitors shone through.
In this competition you have to win your home games, an away win is always a bonus.
With two wins away already in this group Leinster have piled the pressure on their pool colleagues to perform.
For most of the 80 minutes Leinster had a strong foothold that was pretty much immovable. The game was probably replayed repetitively in Leinster fans’ houses throughout the weekend as there were few games in their history that were as complete as this one over the years.
Happening
It was clear that this victory was less about what happened in Franklin’s Gardens at the weekend and more about what is happening within the Leinster camp in Dublin.
Northampton started with the flowing rugby which has stood to them this season but that was counteracted almost immediately by an electric Jordan Larmour eager to make his mark on this competition.
Once again the comparison of the same players and their performances two months ago in a green jersey to present day forms poignant debate but the answer is obvious: Leinster management back themselves to pick on form and less on reputation and this faith is being repaid by players.
The most obvious example of this is Larmour’s selection over Rob Kearney; this was a brave move and a selection that Joe Schmidt probably sweated over prior to the quarter-final against New Zealand, but, for Leinster, it worked.
Kearney still has more to give to province and country but Leinster have given Ireland a lesson in selection and the rewards that ensue. In fact, all of Leinster’s 50:50 selections worked out. This does not mean that we are seeing an immediate changing of the guard but rather a certain broadening of the squad and options as the season continues.
In the initial 20 minutes last weekend, Leinster took on a Northampton side with their tails up and with a physical edge.
Leinster soaked up all of this pressure aided by the new fair breed of European referee Alexandre Ruiz who after a while managed to limit the Northampton late tackles.
Leinster weathered the storm and met fire with fire. Once again conceding a try early, Leinster were undisturbed; their intensity and low height at the ruck gave Northampton little chance to be on the front foot for the rest of the game.
The competition for places over the past few weeks has intensified in conjunction with the progress of both competitions.
Leinster are gaining from the intent of their players within to be in the starting 15 come April/ May, and there are players within this battle who will accelerate to international recognition.
This will have a two-fold effect in Irish rugby.
Rónan Kelleher will more than likely step aside for Seán Cronin this weekend but the impact Kelleher has made warrants further exploration; the confidence the back line has as a result of set-piece confidence gives an extra half-yard.
Over the past few seasons, with less lineout accuracy at Irish and Leinster level, the backline have had to stand flat instead of deep in an offensive pattern.
These days half-backs can be at full pace when hitting the gain line, putting the opposition on the back foot.
Acceleration
Caelan Doris once again made an impression on the European stage and his acceleration over small yardage makes him hard to stop and gives a great rucking platform for his team-mates to recycle ball quickly. His strength always buys that extra yard which affords time for the cavalry to arrive.
Doris is a No 8, Rhys Ruddock aNo6andJoshvanderFliera world-class seven. Max Deegan can cover all at a high standard and then we can look at the other options as they recover from injury
Casting a critical eye, this is the third week in a row that Leinster have copped a yellow card; two out of three would have been warranted but there will come a time where playing with 14 players will be more costly.
Leinster will be aware that the back-to-back Northampton fixtures a few years ago did not provide the same result at home as away but these times are different.
This Leinster team have more battles within camp that will assist a performance than to be concerned about Northampton revenge.
Casting a critical eye, there will come a time when playing with 14 players will be more costly