A HEAVY DEFEAT, even on friendly terms, is not something Leinster are ever used to or happy about, but the stick with which they’ll beat themselves will do no harm to their early season impetus.
Joe Tomane looks to the stands after defeat in Donnybrook.Source: Gary Carr/INPHO
Before Friday's six-try loss to Newcastle Falcons, Leinster's coaches were already highlighting the dark patches of cloud within a shimmering season of silverware.
The defining moments from Bilbao and the Aviva Stadium in the last campaign were not wallowed in, but the shaky approach to the perfect landing - a home loss to Benetton and a hammering in Galway - was almost welcomed as a discussion point despite the wince it induced.
Weeks before that, Stuart Lancaster didn't waste time after getting his whole squad back together to dish out a flogging to the collective ego.
"(We conceded) too many tries for my liking," said Lancaster last week when asked where the all-conquering club can go after their double season.
So we had a reasonably tough morning when we actually watched most of them all over again. It's a pretty sobering morning when you're watching the tries you've conceded, so you can soon bring them back down to earth."
"I did say ‘well done,'" Lancaster jokes, before clarifying that the microscope went on the defence only after some more positive attack work and the delivery of the over-arching message: minor improvements bring about considerable improvements.
"When they came back in we very much started with our attack shape and how we are looking to evolve our attack but there then comes a point when we need to flip our attention to our defence.
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“It was a good opportunity just to remind people… you look at (whether) there are any trends as to why we conceded and where we conceded, times of the game and situations? So, I did that analysis and I wanted to remind them of some key things.
“If we can improve in some areas, whether it is line-out defence or edge defence, then we have a better chance of winning more games. Equally, if we can convert in this area we can translate that into more tries.”
Stuart Lancaster on Friday. Gary Carr / INPHO
Gary Carr / INPHO / INPHO
Because of Lancaster's sky-high profile in English rugby the speculation that has linked him with this Premiership job and that - substantiated or not - has sometimes made his position at Leinster feel relatively precarious. Before taking up the role as Leinster senior coach, Lancaster also went working briefly with Counties Manukau in New Zealand, but coaching in the southern hemisphere is not currently an option for him either.
Now entering his third season working in Dublin, Lancaster's position is solidified as confidence from all parties grows in his methods. The commute via Leeds-Bradford airport remains a tricky one, but only his nearly-reared children will make him doubt his current routine.
"I don't know how many phone calls I've had, but it's not been many, I can assure you," laughs the former England coach, "I'm not expecting any phone calls, To be honest. I'm not seeking any either, I enjoy it here, it's a great club to coach, we had success and the challenge now is to back it up.
"If there are any decisions down the line, the number one consideration is family, first and foremost. I'm still on the commute, my wife lives in Leeds, my daughter (got) her A Levels on Thursday, she's going to University in (three) weeks' time, my son (Dan) is just about to sign his first academy contract, he's 17 going on 18. There's big things going on and I want to be around for them.
"It's all well and good having the romantic notion of coaching in the southern hemisphere, but it's not much use if your kids are at Uni and you can't get to see them - that's part of the equation people forget."
Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
One aspect Lancaster will look to the southern hemisphere on is the matter of backing up success. Scott Robertson's Crusaders have been imperious in Super Rugby over the past two seasons and Lancaster is keen on emulating the feat. That begins with consistency, topping pools, conferences and, despite being a valuable scalp for every opponent, putting yourself in prime position when playoff time rolls around again.
"There is going to be challenges across the board. You are there to be got at because you are champions of Europe and the Pro14. Crusaders have done it. They are a good example of a team that has won the Super Rugby title and gone through the season, topping their conference and going on to win it again.
"So, it can be done. It is tough in a sport like rugby. They are a great example of how it can be done.”
The chase for silverware starts all over again for Leinster in Cardiff on Friday 31 August. Win there and most will forget about the inconsequential loss to Newcastle. But in Leinster, there's no guarantee it won't reappear in the queue should Lancaster feel the need to put some lowlights on display.
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Friendly flogging no harm for Leinster as they firm up game and prepare to defend titles
A HEAVY DEFEAT, even on friendly terms, is not something Leinster are ever used to or happy about, but the stick with which they’ll beat themselves will do no harm to their early season impetus.
Before Friday's six-try loss to Newcastle Falcons, Leinster's coaches were already highlighting the dark patches of cloud within a shimmering season of silverware.
The defining moments from Bilbao and the Aviva Stadium in the last campaign were not wallowed in, but the shaky approach to the perfect landing - a home loss to Benetton and a hammering in Galway - was almost welcomed as a discussion point despite the wince it induced.
Weeks before that, Stuart Lancaster didn't waste time after getting his whole squad back together to dish out a flogging to the collective ego.
"(We conceded) too many tries for my liking," said Lancaster last week when asked where the all-conquering club can go after their double season.
"I did say ‘well done,'" Lancaster jokes, before clarifying that the microscope went on the defence only after some more positive attack work and the delivery of the over-arching message: minor improvements bring about considerable improvements.
"When they came back in we very much started with our attack shape and how we are looking to evolve our attack but there then comes a point when we need to flip our attention to our defence.
“It was a good opportunity just to remind people… you look at (whether) there are any trends as to why we conceded and where we conceded, times of the game and situations? So, I did that analysis and I wanted to remind them of some key things.
“If we can improve in some areas, whether it is line-out defence or edge defence, then we have a better chance of winning more games. Equally, if we can convert in this area we can translate that into more tries.”
Because of Lancaster's sky-high profile in English rugby the speculation that has linked him with this Premiership job and that - substantiated or not - has sometimes made his position at Leinster feel relatively precarious. Before taking up the role as Leinster senior coach, Lancaster also went working briefly with Counties Manukau in New Zealand, but coaching in the southern hemisphere is not currently an option for him either.
Now entering his third season working in Dublin, Lancaster's position is solidified as confidence from all parties grows in his methods. The commute via Leeds-Bradford airport remains a tricky one, but only his nearly-reared children will make him doubt his current routine.
"I don't know how many phone calls I've had, but it's not been many, I can assure you," laughs the former England coach, "I'm not expecting any phone calls, To be honest. I'm not seeking any either, I enjoy it here, it's a great club to coach, we had success and the challenge now is to back it up.
"If there are any decisions down the line, the number one consideration is family, first and foremost. I'm still on the commute, my wife lives in Leeds, my daughter (got) her A Levels on Thursday, she's going to University in (three) weeks' time, my son (Dan) is just about to sign his first academy contract, he's 17 going on 18. There's big things going on and I want to be around for them.
"It's all well and good having the romantic notion of coaching in the southern hemisphere, but it's not much use if your kids are at Uni and you can't get to see them - that's part of the equation people forget."
One aspect Lancaster will look to the southern hemisphere on is the matter of backing up success. Scott Robertson's Crusaders have been imperious in Super Rugby over the past two seasons and Lancaster is keen on emulating the feat. That begins with consistency, topping pools, conferences and, despite being a valuable scalp for every opponent, putting yourself in prime position when playoff time rolls around again.
"There is going to be challenges across the board. You are there to be got at because you are champions of Europe and the Pro14. Crusaders have done it. They are a good example of a team that has won the Super Rugby title and gone through the season, topping their conference and going on to win it again.
"So, it can be done. It is tough in a sport like rugby. They are a great example of how it can be done.”
The chase for silverware starts all over again for Leinster in Cardiff on Friday 31 August. Win there and most will forget about the inconsequential loss to Newcastle. But in Leinster, there's no guarantee it won't reappear in the queue should Lancaster feel the need to put some lowlights on display.
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pro14 turn the air blue