The winds of change are sweeping through Leinster, but they go into the campaign as defending champions and will expect to be in the reckoning come the final shake-up.
Leinster fans will be forgiven for having more questions than answers leading into the new campaign. Will new coach Matt O’Connor hit the ground running? Just how much will they miss Jonny Sexton and Isa Nacewa? Will they rue the decision to let some of their players join fellow inter-provincial rivals? Will Brian O’Driscoll sign off in style?
Whatever unfolds over the coming season, it will make for interesting viewing and you can rest assured they won’t be giving up their crown without a fight.
Players in/out
Unfortunately most of the focus has been on those who have hit the exit door. Jonny Sexton was unable to turn down the finances that were not offered by the IRFU and his season is already two weeks in for Racing Metro. Joe Schmidt was a welcome replacement for the departing Declan Kidney, but leaves a huge void after his period in the Leinster hot-seat, with O’Connor under no illusions to the task at hand.
Isa Nacewa’s retirement leaves a similar void and the loss of Andrew Conway to Munster looks to be their rivals gain if his end of season form is anything to go by.
They have brought in some quality however. Irish international Mike McCarthy joins from Connacht and will add to their second-row options, a perceived area of weakness in recent years while Zane Kirchner adds further international pedigree and could soften the blow of Nacewa’s departure. Jimmy Gopperth joins from Newcastle to add competition for Ian Madiagan for the number 10 jersey.
Zane Kirchner will add huge experience to a Leinster backline
Last season
After a slow burner – they lost by 25 points to the Scarlets in their opening fixture, they came into their best form when it really mattered, a hallmark of this team in recent years, winning the last five games of the season, including the decider against Ulster at the RDS.
It was fitting for some of their departing players that they lifted the trophy after so many near misses in recent years, men who were integral to their dominance domestically and in Europe. Their defence was not as water-tight as we have come to expect - 46 tries conceded compared to an average of just 26 over the previous five years - but they always back themselves to score more than the opposition. Only on five occasions last season did they fail to do so.
Cliché you are most likely to hear this season
One more year…to be sang by the raucous Leinster supporters in Brian O’Driscoll’s direction in every home game.
Cliché you are least likely to hear this season
Jonny probably wouldn’t have made that kick either.
Room for improvement
Defence is an obvious point considering they looked porous on occasions, but a more settled line-up could be key. Of course player welfare, new signings and a manager trying to find his best combinations could make this more difficult than it seems, never mind injuries, but it could be Matt O’Connor’s biggest challenge.
Will he give more game time to suitors of the 13 jersey considering a certain someone will be hanging up his boots? Will Zane Kirchner play mostly on the wing or full back? And what academy players will stake a claim for regular rugby?
Player most likely to follow Jonny Sexton in a big money move
Rob Kearney and Sean O’Brien have been linked in the past with possible moves abroad and although Leinster supporters will not want to hear it, Sexton’s replacement could well become their most valuable asset and a target for other French clubs.
Mad to fill Jonny's boots
He is just after signing a new contract – with Leinster and not a central contract – but his stock rose immeasurably last year and looks more than able to fill the boots vacated by Sexton.
Best case scenario
They are the reigning champions and the squad is peppered with talent, so there is a good reason they are 15/8 favourites at the moment to retain their trophy. While question marks hang over the squad, it would be a brave punter to back against them at least reaching the play-offs and securing a home semi-final. And any team that beats Leinster at this stage of the season will earn it the hardest way possible.
Worst case scenario
It could well be a difficult year, perfectly understandable given the changes at the club. Finishing outside the play-offs seems inconceivable, but if they get injuries to one of their marquee backs, they may struggle to unlock some of the tighter defences.
