Leinster manager Guy Easterby talks to the Irish Times' Gerry Thornley ahead of the new season.
"Three of last season’s coaching ticket have departed; a cadre of experienced players have retired; their European crown has slipped; they lost the Magners League final at home; they have a brute of a draw in the Heineken Cup, and a combination of central contracting and the imminence of the World Cup means many of their front-liners will scarcely play half the games in an expanded Magners League. Ye Gods. Leinster supporters are entitled to be a tad apprehensive about a new season.
"The new management ticket, headed by Joe Schmidt, always knew the 2011 World Cup was going to result in player restrictions, and new manager Guy Easterby maintains “it’s still a pretty good hand”.
"Schmidt, with retained forwards coach Jonno Gibbes, skills and kicking coach Richie Murphy and scrum coach Greg Feek, inherits a high-achieving squad of players with a winning culture.
"Even the younger lads have been part of that winning mentality and they’re going to get their opportunity,” says Easterby. “For some of them it might prove too soon, but in a year or 18 months’ time we’re going to come out with a couple of decent players who may otherwise have never got that exposure at such a young age.”
"Easterby talks about the likes of flanker Rhys Ruddock, capped in the summer, and 20-year-old prop Jack McGrath, of whom much is hoped. To that can be added fellow flankers Paul and Dominic Ryan, and an opportunity should finally knock for Devin Toner."
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