BEFORE EMBARKING ON what proved to be a sensational double-winning campaign last year, Leinster made a dramatic change to their training regime.
The dreaded long slog of a run-up to a new campaign – the element of the profession most bemoaned by Brian O’Driscoll in his latter years – was shelved. In its place, Leinster brought their players back earlier than usual but then released them for a fortnight-long break.
The change of tack tightened the parameters for holidays, sure, but it also broke up the sweaty slog of matchless training before a new campaign.
This year, the eastern province proudly unveiled their new Adidas gear as players got back to pre-season training before their many team-mates on tour with Ireland had finished their season.
If that sight felt even earlier than the 2017 approach, it’s down to Leinster’s success, progressing to two finals rather than end the season in disappointment at the semi-final stage.
25 days on from beating Scarlets to seal the Pro14 title, the likes of James Lowe, Rhys Ruddock and Jamison Gibson-Park were back in boots on 20 June getting set for 2018/19.
Last week, with other provinces approaching the full swing of their preparations, Leinster broke for a two-week holiday again and their time is their own until 23 July.
Well, not entirely their own, says head of athletic performance Charlie Higgins.
“(It’s) a working holiday,” Higgins says on LeinsterRugby.ie, “we’ll give them GPS units, a programme, and they can train remotely for two weeks, improving on their strength and conditioning.”
Recruited in 2016, Higgins is the man behind Leinster’s change of tack. His first season, after arriving from Western Force was a time for familiarising himself with all the province’s processes. The structural shift came about ahead of his second year in Dublin.
“The rationale of that is: in three weeks it’s hard for them to do a lot of damage or de-train. So we give them three weeks off (post-season). Then we’re not chasing ourselves when they come in chasing fitness, we allow them to build into the season.”
The infamous rugby-heavy Stuart Lancaster-led training days have also brought about a tweak to the traditional approach. Rather than starting from scratch with strength and conditioning in the gym before latterly moving to game-based training outdoors, rugby is central for Leinster from the earliest days.
“We’ve jumped pretty much straight into rugby. We are addressing our strength and conditioning issues, but it’s pretty much rugby from day one.
“We get the majority of our speed and conditioning through our rugby sessions, through our ‘Stuesdays’. Our strength (weights-based work) supports that on the side.”
A little under three weeks out from a friendly against Montauban, the squad will resume working as a collective on 23 July with their work already appraised by way of GPS. Once back in the office, players will face Dexa scans (monitoring bone density) and the fitness test of a Bronco shuttle run. Then they are in ‘rugby mode’ with the clock ticking down fast to the new season and the defence of two titles.
And as they take up the scent of friendly and competitive matches ahead, the 15 players who were involved in Ireland’s summer series will begin their own pre-season programme, ramping their fitness back up in good time for inter-pros and Champions Cup encounters.
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.