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/INPHOBefore 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.
“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.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
If he gets back into the Irish setup without others getting injured I’d be very surprised. Saying that if he does merit a recall then he’ll be playing fantastic rugby so for Ireland sake I hope he does.
@Chris Mc: It’s all about him I reckon cause he’s definitely got the talent/ability. As someone else pointed out here he looked in bad shape for a lot of his time at Wasps, if he really focuses on that he could challenge for a place on the squad no problem.
@The Irish Pain: wasps wanted him heavier, to be a different prop than the mobile less effective scrumager cooper wolley
Ireland now have 5 reliable TH props available . Furlong , Porter , Bealham , Ryan and Moore : all under 30 . That’s an incredible turnaround .
@Limón Madrugada: Maybe you could include Archer on that list as he seems to be first choice in Munster.
@Tom Reilly: but reliable for Ireland ?? I’m not convinced , he is capped though for sure ..
Someone on here yesterday said that Leinster made a ‘poor decision’ letting Marty Moore go.
I think the opposite, Marty Moore made a poor decision to leave Leinster.
When he left he was in the Irish 23, primed to replace Ross. He moved to Wasps and ended up not even starting for them. He also looked unfit.
In that time Leinster developed Furlong and Porter, Ireland brought in Bealham and Ryan and a few years later he’s back fighting for 3rd/4th in the Irish pecking order.
A shame because he is some prop on his day. Possibly a better scrummager than any of the above.
@Oval Digest: The word was that Moore was excited to play under Dai Young, a well capped Welsh and Lions prop. Maybe it was the 2 year deal offered by Leinster vs the 3 year Wasps deal (undoubtedly for more money) that was the real reason. Or maybe he saw Tadgh Furlong coming through and thought now’s the time to cash in. Or perhaps he thought Leinster are not gonna be challenging any more. If it was the Young factor that helped him go, the renowned Young had no impact on him other than gaining weight. The move might have been good for his bank balance but it was a disaster for his career. Thus far. Still, a big season and he could play his way in.
@grandslamkbo The word was also that Moore signed a contract without realising that he couldn’t get out of it in an effort to bargain with the IRFU, and then got stuck.
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/leinster-admit-defeat-in-bid-to-retain-marty-moore-s-services-1.2510136
Marty is good on his day when fit, the problem is there just isn’t enough of those days.
He will have to buck up his ideas if he is to have a sniff of being anywhere near the Irish squad.
Yes squad not team
His whole career and how people will view his achievements relies on his application for the next two years
Be interesting to see how Nathan Hughes goes this season, he should be pushing for a place in the English team.
@Ruairi O’Bric: He is a super club player but I’m not sure about his workrate apart from ball carrying. If Billy V stays fits there’s no comparison…
Looked very unfit at Wasps as when he was playing previously for Leinster he had great mobility/work-rate and could force a few turnovers too.
He was overweight when he last played for Leinster and Ireland and things have only gotten worse since, needs to go on a serious shred if he is to make Ireland contention again.