'They can look at their game management' - RTÉ Rugby panel on what next for Leinster?

The RTÉ Rugby panel of Jamie Heaslip, Stephen Ferris and Fiona Coghlan discuss how the squad will react to another heartbreaking decider defeat.
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[@jeremymonin8343]

As a Toulouse fan, we respect a lot Leinster as on the greatest team in the world. In my own opinion, European cups are less important than to win the French league. For Rugby lover, I advise you to watch the play-off coming soon in Top 14.

[@Camcolito]

A nice French backhanded compliment.

[@acerpcz5303]

Je ne suis pas d'accord avec mon compatriote. Je ne crois ni Leinster, ni Toulouse comme meilleure équipe du monde. Les sud africain nous observent depuis 2 ans et ils apprennent patiemment. Ils ont déjà gagné la challenge cup. Puis il y a la nouvelle Zélande et là, c'est une autre planète. Je suis toulousain de naissance et j'aime ce club, mais je n'oublie pas La Rochelle, malchanceuse avec ses internationaux après la WC et surtout son grand, très grand entraîneur ROG et c'est ce que l'Irlande pouvait offrir de mieux à la France. Merci.

[@jeremymonin8343]

@@acerpcz5303 Si tu n'as pas compris, j'ai dit que Leinster était une des meilleures équipes du monde ce qui ne dénigre aucune équipes Australienne, Néo-zélandaise ou Sud-Africaine 😀. Leinster a quand même fait 8 finales sur les 15 dernières éditions en Champions cup. Cela mérite le respect tout de même

[@acerpcz5303]

@@jeremymonin8343 j'ai bien compris, mais tu n'as pas compris que je ne voulais pas remuer le couteau dans la plaie de nos vaillants adversaires. Mais je crois que ton avis n'était pas assez précis. Puis tu as oublié La Rochelle qui est une merveilleuse équipe et que j'espère voir en finale du T14 et prendre sa revanche de l'an dernier. Et si cela arrive, ce sera grâce à un formidable irlandais, comme Toulon en son temps a eu la chance de vivre avec Sir Johnny. Nb: je suis toulousain d'origine.

[@jeremymonin8343]

@@acerpcz5303 Je comprends totalement ton fair play et ce n'était en aucun cas pour manquer de respect aux Irlandais loin de la car j'admire leur rugby. En ce qui concerne le Top 14, beaucoup d'équipes peuvent prétendre à la victoire finale tellement le suspense est fou depuis le début de saison...

[@Driver2616]

Frawley has to be installed as the first choice 10. What’s not to understand about that? It’s obvious. He should have been embedded into that position two years ago. Doing all the same stuff over and over and expecting different results is just ridiculous. And Nienaber is a bluffer. He should thanked for his efforts, paid off and given his cards…

[@gregobroin7738]

Byme would have slotted that drop in my view. Problem was he was injured. Nobody is within a country mile of JS and RB particularly has to contend with that comparison more than anyone else.

[@Camcolito]

@@gregobroin7738 He did nothing all game except get injured.

[@frankquinn6872]

Leinster almost got over the line while coving up their major deficiencies - a lack of top end speed out wide and an out half that none of the other top teams in Europe would want.

[@petefraser3013]

Exactly. Lowe is a great finisher up close, but he doesn’t have the speed to take people on the outside.

[@Camcolito]

@@petefraser3013 I think Lowe is a good player but he had a shocker.

[@ghes9141]

Almost got over the line three years in a row. Will probably be saying it next year too.

[@krlauf5307]

hold your heads up lads, still played very well, and that final was a fantastic occasion!!

[@billybrennan2590]

A fully correct synopsis of the situation at Leinster Rugby. The "dogs on the street can read the situation " current out-half is a serious deficiency that needs to be addressed with urgency if anything is to be salvaged from this season.

[@joemoody7440]

Its fascinating to see the delusional non-acceptance of this very evident fact!

[@Camcolito]

The Byrne brothers must have pictures of Cullen blowing a goat or something.

[@patrickmccutcheon9361]

Simple solution: play Frawley at 10.

[@joemoody7440]

@@patrickmccutcheon9361 yeah give the man a go!!

[@Anxiety101Awareness]

Leo has to move on now, 3 Finals and no learnings .. fly half is a major concern however even with Sexton finals were an issue .. seriously feel Pendergast should be given more games he’s the future behind Jack Crowley

[@Camcolito]

If he's the future why hasn't he been able to displace a stunningly mediocre Ross Byrne?

[@oisinfitzgerald5401]

Prendergast needs game time before we can say that. If they’re not going to give it to him at this level then let him loose in the AIL to get it. Frawley is more than capable at 10 and should be let play there

[@eamonlyons8069]

It's four.

[@ytevysbhtb]

1:30 "you're always learning" pardon ?? This Leinster team never does, and this is their main problem

[@uSbusiso_]

the Leinster we know and love

[@iamnutty8471]

if you look at champions cup wikipedia there are 3 other sides that lost 3 finals in a row that were best of their generation clubs clermont and racing, the difference here being leinster basically being the irish team, but they are not the first nor will they be the last! so at least 2 other great teams have suffered this, i wonder if these clubs were consulted?

[@mickymouse6285]

Leinster like Ireland in the world cup failed at # 9 & 10 with decision making, no taking your points. Toulouse took everything on offer. Leinster show a lack of respect for Toulouse in kicking for a line out and messing up. This game was about the best defence and the best attacking team in competition and Toulouse won. next year there will be massive pressure on them because they will be going for four in a row if they lose another final.

[@helpingaccount3116]

In the past me: FRANCE vs Ireland, me support Ireland England vs Ireland, me support Ireland x billion😂 New Zealand vs ireland, me support Ireland But this past weekend Leinster vs Toulouse, me support Toulouse 😂

[@mjomalley]

There is an Elephant on the playing field. Leo Cullen could see it from about the 20 minute mark. So can lots of others...particularly people who have played the game ...in the forwards.

[@metalshifter727]

Leo Cullen should be fired. He plays the same strategy year after year and on course for the same result ie NOTHING! Leinster won't win the URC either. 3 seasons now he's left his best players at home for the SA tour to rest his Cup team. Have they delivered yet? No, they lose the EURO final and then they're not interested in the URC. Not even the prospect of a tour against the Boks could budge this man into sending some players for familiarity training. Munster did, although they were already knocked out of the European Cup. Yes Leinster were off the back of a bruising semi- final before the tour, but the B side got smashed. Resting players for THREE WEEKS before a final and expecting them to perform is the problem!!! This happens every year! He should have taken his full team to SA and used them at least as subs to keep them match focused. Any dissenting player would have been told, well I tried that the last two seasons and it didn't work pack your bags! Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome is the definition of insanity. IMO you could see Leinster were rusty and they paid the price. A little tour of SA and some game time would have been what these players needed. Leo Cullen's focus for the WHOLE season is just the European Cup. Change the focus- change the outcome!!!! I noticed the commentators were saying that Toulouse were tired and the top14 demands blah blah blah..... and how fit Leinster were =yeah take a leaf out of their book and stop leaving players sitting on their a&*$s for 3 weeks

[@one_eyed_odin]

Copy and pasted a comment from before 😂

[@Driver2616]

Keep saying that! 👍. All of it. Say all of it and more of it, over and over again. Maybe then you’ll be listened to by the idiots out there…..

[@pieterels5704]

James Lowe is the slowest wing in URC, he can kick... Leinster need real pace out wide.

[@bernieob9577]

James is a fantastic player

[@Camcolito]

@@bernieob9577 He's a good player but he had a shocking game.

[@michaelvdunne]

Bring Joey Carberry back

[@benwalsh6314]

I love watching Irish teams lose. I used to support them but over last 5 years the arrogance and smugness from fans and pundits has really put me off. Well done Toulouse.

[@stephendoherty981]

You enjoyed watching Leinster lose rather than watching Toulouse win a terrific match? Sad. Very sad.

[@garethscott9051]

Totally understand I'm an Irish fan and I agree with your assessment. Over confident and the pundits who are normally ex players would sicken you listening to them . Big old slice of humble pie will do them no harm

[@stephendoherty981]

@garethscott9051 How can both Ireland or Leinster be 'overconfident' when you are the No 1 or 2 ranked teams in the world for a few years now. It's a nonsense comment. Success breathes confidence. It's normal. If Frawleys drop goes over, we'd be saying Leinster is the greatest club team in the world. But now they're overconfident losers???? Rubbish.

[@mattbritz5066]

They are overconfident because they have won nothing. Can't get past a quarter final in wcs

[@kevintablet743]

​@@stephendoherty981 lad honestly just ignore this. It is ridiculous. All these morons come out the woodwork to declare arrogant ireland when there is absolutely zero evidence of arrogance. It's complete nonsense.

[@Richie-j5p]

How can a squad that big with practically 2 very good teams in it be losers 🤷🏻‍♂️ maybe just maybe management has something to do with it !! From my perspective the competition within that squad is all but missing. Performance week in week out should pick the squad not your name 🫤. The irish ethos of being reluctant to give players the vote because they're "not ready yet" is stiffling progression while clinging onto those who "did it" but havent for awhile. Thats just me I think throwing in a few cats among thr pigeons always gets a reaction

[@one_eyed_odin]

Thinking of the leinster team, man what a mental cycle they've been through the passed few years including the RWC. Someday the 5th star will be ours, keep knocking on that door.

[@marcj4788]

Well said and nobody can judge this Leinster team who have been almost predicted to get to the final every year but whatever we do we seem to have this mentality that when they go behind in finals we freeze almost, but we didn't do what they did we kept going to the corner instead of taking the points, but we will be back next year 💙🙏💚🇮🇪

[@one_eyed_odin]

@@marcj4788 last year we went for points instead of corners and folk weren't happy with that 😂. I don't think Leinster have a good 10 so maybe Byrne wasn't confident in going for points?

[@eamonlyons8069]

It's hard to take at the moment because of the early successful teams who won whenever they reached a final. This team will win it next year I genuinely think so. Especially with Barrett and Snyman all coming in. Us Munster fans would love to be back there but we also had early heartbreak in this competition which helped get the lads over the line in 06 and 08.

[@stevenlynch7283]

I’d rather lose a final than be beaten out the gate in the early rounds but Holy God - what was Cullen doing starting Will Connors when he has JVDF on the bench? It’s time for Leo to do the honourable thing.

[@canadiancontent352]

That decision wasn’t bad in a way as JDVF had a stormer and ended up playing 55 minutes

[@joemoody7440]

The amount of SA fans spewing their spiteful arrogant nonsense in the comments is incredible! What is wrong with you people?? Are you just that angry with your own circumstances you feel the need to go on an irish rugby review of the game to express your bitter hatred?? Awful people..

[@benpiek4428]

Blame your pundits and fans!! Bunch of of whining chokers.....

[@bernieob9577]

I agree

[@AizenIPlannedIt]

What amount? there's literally only 2 comments from an SA fans, the ones you replied to. You just trying to direct your frustrations to other people.

[@joemoody7440]

@@AizenIPlannedIt your just wrong go have a look at the names on the comments having a go at leinster here you'll fine more than two! Can you explain the sour comments from SA fans when they have nothing to do with the game?? Just shows the pathetic nature!

[@kobuslouw9533]

@@joemoody7440 Sorry what, people aren't allowed to watch rugby as a neutral and have an opinion? Wake up dude, you are butt hurt and decided to take it out on 2 SA fans.

[@TropicalJungleIreland]

Cullen has to be sacked. Byrne at 10 is not up to it, has to go. Best 10 in Ireland sitting on the bench again. All 3 finals winnable but neither 10 or any pack player showed any on pitch leadership. If they of taken points from the tee insteyof going for line out maul, theyd have won. Disgraceful.

[@1477wales4]

Leinster well beaten at the end ....

[@MeiA-h9r]

Playing for Leinster must be a sick gig You get overpaid, overrated and all you have to do is prep for is a couple of home games in Dublin and 7 Champions Cup in totality but always lose the last one. Must be a breeze 💨💨

[@iamnutty8471]

look at how many games, (minus injury time) the avg toulouse player has played vs leinster! leinster are the smurfs of champions cup blue but smashed in the end!

[@one_eyed_odin]

Another copy and paste comment 😂 bots these days I swear

[@iamnutty8471]

@@one_eyed_odin so you are used to being called an idiot online and offline, makes sense

[@rickzane6433]

On the bright side, they finally beat La Rochelle...

[@28copland]

Barret will help with the kicking but they need to develop a ball playing 10, Byrne ain't the guy too pedestrian and not a playmaker in the way sexton was

[@neilcarpenter2669]

I'm an Englishman and I don't really care who wins if it isn't an English team and at the moment the English teams aren't good enough, however i do understand why so many people have turned against Leinster, it isn't the players or the average Irish supporter because in general they are just fine but it's down to some of the smugness of certain presenters and so called experts allied to the fact that many people think that Leinster have an unfair advantage most notably the financial model that has been in place for some time that has benefited Leinster at the expense of the other Irish provinces. No-one seems to know how much Leinster spend on their squad and that causes resentment from others both in Ireland and further afield, hopefully things will be more transparent under the new system. Ps Personally i believe all teams should have to adhere to a salary cap, i don't care if some teams can afford a higher wage bill than others but it should be limited and completely transparent. The top French teams have a huge budget compared to practically every other team however there isn't resentment because it's completely transparent, some may be envious but that isn't the same as resentment and that's why many neutrals were rooting for Toulouse even if they don't particularly like the French.

[@jean-michel.a]

Merci

[@marcsole4261]

same as me, I don't like the English!

[@alainfilho1467]

Vive NAPOLÉON...😂😂😂​@@marcsole4261

[@acerpcz5303]

J'aime les anglais quand ils sont jaloux de nous... belle prose, mais compréhension limitée.

[@pascalpibouleau2265]

I don’t really understand your points. I am French, from Toulouse, and I love english rugby. The harlequins did a great season in Champs cup, and I am glad your national team seems on the good path. Leinster built a setup to win the champion cup, and they fail not because of this, but probably because they don’t fight enough during the year, and also because the met better than them

[@johnarmstrong6940]

I was a neutral observer, but believed Leinster would win and are the better side, the best club in Europe & South Africa. What I’m about to say isn’t directed at every player in Ireland or Leinster, but there is a “Culture” or mind set problem in Irish rugby and to a lesser degree in other URC teams. Leinster players are too lippy, they need to cut that out. Reminds me of Sexton, it’s not a good look and irritates the ref. They constantly try milk penalties at the ruck, instead of trying to play positively and trusting in the ref to see infringements. Gibson park runs to the back of the ruck deliberately trying to trip himself over rolling away players. The forwards are so focused on holding in rolling away players, they are not properly competing at the ruck and the ref isn’t buying it. The ref was constantly saying, the ball is there, stop holding him in. It’s negative rugby and if it’s been coached, it needs to stop. If you only depend on penalties to kick to the corner to score tries, but the ref isn’t awarding them, you have to adapt. They have world class players like Josh van der Flier, who play hard and positively, others need to follow. That poor young Leinster number 12, a game to forgot, hopefully doesn’t affect his confidence too much. Gave away 9 points on his own. Leinster players should know to put on their silver medals. Yes it sucks, but it’s rugby values, and maybe getting those small things done right, will help towards the big trophy.

[@zisssssou]

Rather to wonder "what went bad in Leinster coaching, game management or competition momentum" maybe, just maybe, these irish pundits could imagine that certain France clubs have solid teams with much more intelligent gameplans? Since few years, irish pundits are behaving like english or nz pundits, very arrogant and self-centered. Nothing good come from these kinds of analysis.

[@carthy29]

Leinster great team but they need fresh eyes now - time for a change via Leo

[@thabomazwayi4422]

Leinster must get back that have the ability to beat defenders one on one. They can't always rely on team tries

[@LiamMurray-le4pk]

If Leinster can’t win a European cup then Ireland will never win a World Cup .

[@helpingaccount3116]

I believe Leinster/ireland national team hasn't improved for couple of years. What did All blacks coach say after the C-F in the world cup? He said Ireland attack has been the same since 2020, they've been attacking the the same way building phases after phases. Ireland attack system is the same as Leinster. Teams are catching up on them and find solutions to deal with it. It's not the transition from defence to attack that' is an issue, in fact this year leinster conceded least tries compared to last season. The defence has been better, but attack has been figured out by many sides and many teams can patiently defend against leinster's attack and are able to survive it. This is similar to Boks mauling during 2019, they used to score most tries from it but after teams figured out how to stop the maul the Boks moved and try something else.All blacks lethal offloading made teams to tackle them around the arms so that they can offload.etc.all these teams were aware when those strategies were no longer effective. Why is Ireland/Leinster not aware of this? This was evident during the six Nations when ireland struggled and even lost to England, same attacking strategy won't work. I rate leinster highly and I don't think they have been playing bad at all, I just think they need to change the attack technique that they've been using for 4/5 seasons. Leave your defense it's top class, go watch 2018 ireland and leinster games and you will see Same attack that we watched vs Toulouse. Jonny and all these lads are fine players leave them alone. The problem is teams caught up with Leinster/ireland, time to move on. Go on KZbin and Write leinster or ireland tries and you will see all their tries came from same copy and paste attack build up phases. You don't need to be an analyst to stop or find out what their no 10 does or passes when they are attacking, it's all been same over 5 years. I support Ireland.

[@patrickmccutcheon9361]

Have had a similar thought that smart coaches know how to stop the Leinster / Ireland attack. Only two tries v England, two v Scotland and just one in extra time v Toulouse. Must be said they are missing Ringrose and that Keenan missed the last two internationals.

[@jonahsekakoni]

At the tail end of the season, this chap first suggestion is to go have a beer! Is that really the first thing to do as you come to end of the season with some other big matches remaining. Sic mentality

[@Zenda_Nior]

What's wrong with having a beer?

[@jonahsekakoni]

@@Zenda_Nior they are at the business end of the season and all attention ought to be paid on the last 2/3 games to atleast secure one trophy 🏆. First thought shouldn’t be hitting the booze. That’s pre-professional rugby mentality.

[@Johan-rg3vo]

They can look at getting a decent 10...byrnes clearly not good enough....also take your points when on offer, south african side will win urc

[@joemoody7440]

Like last year?? You lot are so incredibly petty its hilarious!

[@Camcolito]

They already have a decent 10 but leave him on the bench to play fullback and 15 mins of 10 a season.

[@rianpp3696]

Winning trophies isn't for everyone

[@riverwolf654]

sign a 1o that can do more than kick the ball to touch

[@ucanprofit]

Management decisions. Versus the S.A.teans and Ulster. Not battle-hardened.

[@meilmontigny9201]

Dingo ate my baby.

[@MoerseBokbaas1]

😂let's just blame it on the saffa 😂.Nieaber was the reason Leinster loss 😂

[@riyaadrhoda3990]

Leinster should have had 7 stars. Narrowly lost the last 3 finals which they could and should have won.

[@johnlaw4513]

But they didn’t did they?

[@kropotkine9640]

In the last finale Toulouse was way better than Leinster and could have scored two more tries, it was a foot an inch in touch that stopped that... So your "Leinster should have won" is a total delusion

[@williamgilliland8923]

What would be the comments if Frawley’s drop kick had gone between the posts?

[@fazertace6837]

Winner of the most idiotic post ☝️ It didn’t did it?! What if? What if? Post something worth reading or don’t post at all.

[@bernieob9577]

Absolutely

[@gerrycallaghan5519]

They need a new 10, 12 and a 7. Conors is a very limited player and VDF is not big enough.

[@lawrie3448]

Lost the breakdown pretty much every time ….

[@rossoconnor1769]

Time for Leo and Ross to move on

[@canadiancontent352]

lol yer man hits that droppie we are all singing a different tune. Fine margins finals are. Leinster has some learnings But did better than every other team than 1, and almost got over them. Relax

[@fazertace6837]

Yer man DIDNT hit the droppie though did he 😂

[@canadiancontent352]

@@fazertace6837 that’s right so fire Cullen, drop Lowe, get rid of Jacques, move on from Byrne and bring back Lancaster; who’s not tearing it up at Racing. They got beat by an absolutely stacked team that includes one of the best players of all time that had a worldie of a game. No need to throw out the baby with the bath water.

[@boemomolefe8303]

So slow to post when the Irish teams lose😂😂😂

[@thecuttingsark5094]

😂😂

[@jean-michel.a]

Leinster loses in the final because the organization of the cup and travel arrangements favor... Leinster. Otherwise, they would lose ... before ... the final.

[@acerpcz5303]

Fallait oser...

[@kropotkine9640]

Please explain me how going to la Rochelle for the 1st game of the tournament was favorizing Leinster?

[@getridofneocons]

Always a pleasure when leinster lose,poor leinster fanboy heaslip

[@joemoody7440]

Always nice to see the spiteful ignorant SA fans out trolling, reinforcing the stereotypical "worst fans in the world" tag!

[@TheFreddyKruegerFan99]

That ref robbed us

[@marktill1197]

Bollocks

[@Salker64]

Enjoy the third loss in a row😊

[@jomotolo]

🤣

[@benpiek4428]

Shame always the REF when it comes to the French a and Irish - whiners and chokers!

[@TheFreddyKruegerFan99]

@@Salker64 if that terrible ref didn’t card James Lowe carded the French player who deliberately knocked the ball forward penalised the player who illegally stole the ball hadn’t given all those scrum penalties allowed are 2 tries frawleys first drop goal we would have won that game

[@jacqueline23788]

kleenex some more excuses