Leinster have strengthened their squad for the 2024/25 season with the addition of Springbok's RG Snyman and All Blacks' Geordie Barrett.
The Irish province already has a star-studded squad, with many players forming the core of Andy Farrell's Ireland squad.
However, the signings of Snyman and Barrett – the latter on a short-term contract for the second half of the season – add further world-class quality to the squad, which will look to push them into the upper echelons of both the United Rugby Championship and Investec Champions. cup.
A look back at the sensational matchday 23 that Leo Cullen may feature in next season.
15 Hugo Keenan
Hugo Keenan has consistently been one of the best No. 15s for club and country in recent years and is a simple choice at full-back.
Even if Keenan were to be sidelined with injury or suffer an unprecedented dip in form, Cullen and Jack Nienaber would be hard-pressed to find a replacement for him.
Jimmy O'Brien was sidelined for the majority of the 2023/24 season, but when he returns he could be targeted for a wing or full-back position, as well as being an option in the centre. The same goes for Jordan Larmour, who, like the All Black Bullet, can play across the back three.
Charlie Ngatai can also play a full-back role, as can utility back Ciaran Frawley.
14 Jimmy O'Brien
Larmour has been in great form this season and could retain his place, while Jimmy O'Brien was a regular starter on the wing in Leinster's big games last season.
Again, while the likes of Rob Russell, Liam Turner, Tommy O'Brien and Andrew Osborne have all moved up the pecking order, Leinster already have many of the players mentioned above and have no shortage of options. .
13 Robbie Henshaw
The Leinster leadership will have the luxury of picking horses on the course in so many positions next season, and will have ridiculous depth, especially in the middle.
As already mentioned, Barrett can play both center roles, similar to Robbie Henshaw, and with Garry Ringrose struggling with injury recently, Henshaw has made the number 13 his own. .
Form and fitness are likely to dictate who starts next season and Henshaw is the man for Leinster at the moment, which is why we selected him as our outside centre.
12 Geordie Barrett
Geordie Barrett during the All Blacks' warm-up with the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup.
Barrett's youngest brother is a true superstar, with world-class talent across the backline, having starred at outside back for the Hurricanes and All Blacks in his early career.
He has dabbled at fly-half from time to time, but has more recently settled into midfield for the Canes and All Blacks, where he was a standout for Ian Foster's side as they reached the Rugby World Cup final.
Osborne has recently emerged as an inside center, and Henshaw himself is a world-class talent, but Barrett is a superstar on a luxury contract with Leinster, so why not let him play his preferred position? ?
11 James Lowe
Admittedly, Leinster have plenty of options on the right, but it's almost a head-to-head race on the left with James Rowe, the clear starter for the province and Ireland.
He has been in sensational form both times this season and will no doubt continue to be one of the first names on the team sheet.
When All Blacks star turned down Leinster player, leading to James Lowe joining
10 Ross Byrne
Again, you'll never run out of options. Ross Byrne showed his quality in the quarter-final win over La Rochelle in the Investec Champions Cup, but he performed with Frawley and his younger brother Harry Byrne breathing on his neck. I'm always under pressure to do something. Sam Prendergast is the youngest of the fly-half options, but he is just waiting to break through and fulfill his potential in the role.
9 Jamison Gibson Park
Like Lowe, Jamison Gibson-Park is the obvious first choice scrum-half. There is no doubting his talent and he will be an integral part of Ireland and Leinster's play.
Luke McGrath is often Leinster's skipper and Cormac Foley is a rising star, but Gibson Park is sure to start in big matches.
8 Caelan Doris
Caelan Doris, the likely long-term successor to Johnny Sexton as Ireland captain, is clearly the first choice for Leinster's back row.
Cullen and Ninavar also have the added bonus of having British and Irish Lion Jack Connan off the bench or starting Doris on the side as their depth is not limited to the Bucks.
Max Deegan has also never let Leinster down as the No. 8 jumper and is constantly pressing for Ireland selection, although Rhys Ruddock could still be an option if he remains in Dublin.
7 Josh van der Flier
Former World Rugby Player of the Year Josh van der Flier is normally Leinster's seventh choice, but there are still options in fellow Ireland international Will Connors and ever-steady Scott Penny.
Alex Soroka's development has been slowed by injuries, but he is also a promising player at the position.
6 Ryan Baird
Ryan Baird started in Leinster's second row and is preferred in the blindside flanker position for the Dubliners and Ireland.
The hard-working and frankly fleet-footed forward has a long future ahead of him as a No. 6 shirt, and with a further contract confirmed, it looks like he will continue to feature on the side of the scrum.
Ruddock, Brian Deeney, Connan and Martin Moloney are other options for the No.6 shirt.
5 James Ryan
He fell down the Ireland squad during the Six Nations and has been sidelined with injury since then, but is likely to start for Leinster once James Ryan returns and is fully fit. , will probably be captain.
He will form a formidable second-row pairing with Snyman, along with other options such as Deeney and academy products Diarmuid Mangan and Conor Otaigianai.
4 RG Snyman
Joe McCarthy has had a big year in the blue and green jersey of Leinster and Ireland, but when it comes to big matches you would expect to see the pairing of Snyman and Ryan.
Whether it's McCarthy or Snyman in the starting lineup, the other will provide real grunt and impact off the bench.
Leinster star departs for Premiership club ahead of arrival of RG Snyman
3 Tadaharon
The 31-year-old tighthead prop remains a key figure in the Leinster pack and, although he has endured fluctuations in form this season, is still in his prime as a front row player.
Leinster are set to move on to sign a new tighthead as Michael Alaratoa heads to France to join Clermont next season, with rumors of Wallabies star Taniela Tupou also emerging.
If the Melbourne Rebels are eliminated, no one will ignore Tupou joining the men in blue. If not, Thomas Clarkson will likely take on more responsibility next season.
2 Dan Sheehan
One of the best hookers in the game, Leinster fans will be thrilled that Dan Sheehan has extended his contract with the IRFU and province. He will have stiff competition from Ronan Kelleher.
Lee Barron and John McKie will also be competing a few minutes behind the Irish pair.
1 Andrew Porter
The Leinster boss has several new stars at the loosehead side of the scrum, but Andrew Porter is undoubtedly first choice.
Michael Milne, Ed Byrne and Cian Healy add further depth to the side.
Leinster team candidates for 2024/25 season
Leinster: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Jimmy O'Brien, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 James Rowe, 10 Ross Byrne, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Sheeran Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier , 6 Ryan Baird, 5 James Ryan, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Tad Furron, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter.
Replacement: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Joe McCarthy, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Jamie Osborne
read more: Kwaga-Smith explains Springbok's 'combat statistics' as he believes size 'doesn't matter'
