It is a sign of the changing times when Leinster only have 16 players of a 44-man Irish squad. That is only 36% representation.
And people say Joe Schmidt is Leinster loyal…
The eastern province has long provided the bulk of Irish rugby squad’s but Connacht’s rise and Munster’s resurgence has seen the selectorial plates shift somewhat.
As it stands, each province will be forced to rest some of their bigger names under the IRFU’s player welfare programme. There are four interprovincial games on the festive slate but January to March will be crammed with vital Champions Cup and international games.
Assets need to be managed. Rugby fans may be upset but that is the reality when the national team – the game’s cash cow – comes first.
Leinster had 16 players out of the 44 invited to Monday’s one-day training camp at Carton House. They have also provided the most players to the Test cause [the three Tier One match-ups] this season.
The likes of Garry Ringrose, Jack McGrath, Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner, Jamie Heaslip, Josh van der Flier and Garry Ringrose are only likely to feature in one of the two festive fixtures. Given their recent injury profiles, you can place Sean O’Brien, Rob Kearney and Robbie Henshaw in that bracket.
Provinces traditional stack their selection deck for their home game over Christmas. The logic is to go for a home banker and hope the younger players, veterans, foreign imports and those out of international flavour can upset the odds away from home.
Leinster could split their big names over the Munster [away] and Ulster [home] games but the bold option is to go heavy with the big guns for the trip to Thomond Park.
Munster are a team revived but they have suffered their first loss in over two months against Leicester Tigers. Going down to a sold-out Thomond Park and making a statement would set an imposing tone for the remainder of the season.
How good would it be to see Leinster lining out with McGrath, Heaslip, Furlong, Ringrose and co. in Limerick? You can be sure Munster will go with Conor Murray, Simon Zebo, Peter O’Mahony, CJ Stander and Keith Earls.
That may leave Leinster short against Ulster but they have enough strength in depth to do a job at the RDS.
Ultimately, Cullen’s mind may be made up by Ulster’s team selection for their home tie with Connacht. If Les Kiss goes with a strong XV, you can be sure the likes of Rory Best, Paddy Jackson, Andrew Trimble and Iain Henderson will be less likely to travel south.
Put all the chips behind the table-topper and back the squad to get it done on New Years’ Eve.
