WHEN A NEW captain comes along, comparisons with the old names on the board are impossible to escape.
Positions differ, but personalities can easily hop from the low numbers to high. Yet it’s clear that James Ryan’s style of leadership will be different to that of the injured Jonathan Sexton.
A marked departure from Rory Best’s style, Sexton is a relentlessly vocal and demonstrative driver. The playmaker and standard-bearer all in one. Ryan strikes you as a quieter influence, a bearer of a big stick.
He was already labelled captaincy material by the time he was called to tour with Ireland in the summer of 2017 – after a hamstring injury kept him from winning a Leinster cap first. But he soon made an impression in the Test arena.
“He was fairly quiet, but you could already see the leadership qualities he had,” said Keith Earls, who was the senior star of Ireland’s tour of the US and Japan.
“The way he prepared himself, the way he went through his detail and prepared off the field. When he took the field he was a different animal, scored with his first touch in international rugby.
He’s been incredible, he’s come on leaps and bounds. Lot of similarities to Paulie.”
Paulie, in case it needs the explanation, is former Munster, Ireland and Lions captain Paul O’Connell. An iconic leader as well as an incredibly effective one. What draws Earls to the comparison?
“Just his mannerisms. The way he comes across and speaks, everyone just listens straight away. He’s got that presence.
“Even off the field, he’s constantly working, constantly looking at line-outs. Trains hard in the gym. And, for a young lad, his body’s been through a lot already and he turns up every week.
“Similar to what Paulie would have done, he’d do whatever it takes to get the win at the weekend.”
While players in the Leinster environment will be slightly better used to seeing Ryan lead his way through a week, this will be the first time the international squad will work with him as the official figurehead.
Another Munster wing, Andrew Conway, sees Ryan’s transition to the mantle being as smooth as all his previous steps up.
“He’s obviously new enough to (captaincy). As a player there are very few like him that I’ve come across.
“He’s come in and he’s been able to transition (the best) from schools to U20s and he was playing international rugby pretty soon after.
“And instead of what happens a lot of people – they might stall a bit or think they have it sussed.
“He’s a fella who will have his week planned out to get better and he’s constantly adapting and looking to lead through his actions. He’s also looking to lead by communication and bringing people with him.
“As much as I’ve seen of him, there’s nothing bad I’d say about him – obviously I wouldn’t say anything bad about him anyway.”
COYBIB
Such a joy to watch ulster this week compared to Munster. So much variety in their play. Mathewson sniping, passing, kicking. Forwards carrying with impact but also offloading when appropriate. Much more effective. Hume and McCloskey look great in the centre.
Let’s go Leinster!! Big day out for Ringrose
@gabs90: ya, biggest day of his career
Leinster lineouts are keeping Ulster in the game
Looking forward to a good game and hopefully no injuries for both sides for next week. . Super selection from Leinster and what a bench. Leinster by 10+ for me.
Leinster will win
I see Van Der Flier is Liam Tolands man crush this week
He’s a gas man. Giving Stockdale grief for crawling with the ball. But sure it was perfectly fine when a Leinster player did it to score against Munster.
Half time and the leinster lineout is easily the worst in professional rugby.
@Chris Mc: I think we need to end the hype that’s been surrounding Kelleher right now. Cronin is a better lineout thrower and that’s saying something!
@David Finn: his throwing is pants but he’s a massive present arround the pitch
@Chris Mc: yeah good around the pitch but on that performance about Irish no 4. He needs time.
@Trevor Johnston: the leinster lineout has been too complicated for a good few seasons now. Far too many moving parts. Most of the balls lost yesterday came without any real presure from Ulster, lifters missed the jumper, some times the jumper didn’t even jump. A lineout should be very simple, your jumper gets into the air before theirs or get higher than theirs. Your hooker throws the ball to the big guy been lifted by 2 other big guys. All the dummies, moving arround and decoys just allows the line to close and the lifters to be obstructed or miss their position or timing.
Game on great try
It’s good to see Ulster taking a leaf out of the Leinster playbook. Holding opposition players in nearly every ruck and starting to milk some penalties.
Another trophy the invincibles
Leinster Congratulations
People effuse about this morphing Leinster game plan, kicking on their terms and their love for defending but Ulster have been playing the better rugby for the majority of the game. I know Leinster are still winning but as a Leinster fan I expected a good bit more from Leinster tonight in preparation for Saracens. Doris has been quiet, Conan was petulant in the first half and it is not a day for Kelleher at line-out time. There have been moments when Leinster have shown good running rugby but the last phase fizzles out with an attacking penalty or picking the wrong option. We’ll need a better performance against Saracens, even without Farrell and Mako.
@Dan Finlay: and moments after posting Doris goes and scores.
@Dan Finlay: Conan coughed up three penalties. Can not afford that against saracens.
Atrocious lineout from Leinster.
Great response.
Brilliant try.
Great try! Very well worked. Come on ulster!
Would be grand if Brace actually reffed Leinster. Let’s them away with murder at the breakdown
@Andrew Taz Donohoe: fussy but fair
Here he comes. The Boss.
Great try …..game over ..joking
Anyone know if tg4 are showing this live or is it just discussions about the game starting at that time and the kick off being shown later on?
@Rudiger McMonihan: I’m pretty sure it’s live
Ulster happy to be in final, same as Heineken cup a few years back they failed to throw a punch… embarrassing
@Nathan Fulham: you can only play as well as you are allowed. Leinster in total control.
SUFTUM
Terrible commentators