LEINSTER’S MANAGEMENT HAS already turned one eye to next season with the province currently in the process of identifying potential targets to bring to the RDS.
Speaking at yesterday’s weekly media briefing in UCD, backs coach Girvan Dempsey admitted they were looking at a number of players with a view to strengthening their panel for the 2016/17 campaign.
Leinster have already confirmed the departure of Ben Te’o and Marty Moore, both of whom are moving to the English Premiership at the end of the season, as well as Ian Madigan, and the focus is now on bolstering their ranks to challenge on all fronts again.
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“There are a couple of guys we’re looking at but they’re all ongoing and we’re not in a position to divulge any information at this time,” Dempsey said when asked about any potential arrivals.
“Across the board, you’re always looking at the depth of the squad in each position and we’ve been fortunate enough to have guys like Isa [Nacewa] coming in and his contract is up
“There are other guys in the backs and it doesn’t take rocket science to see our two scrum halves are in the latter end of their career but we’re seeing what their future is and trying to look at all that.”
Nacewa is currently in talks with Leinster over a new deal. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
While Dempsey admitted the province are looking elsewhere for reinforcements, there is also an emphasis on keeping hold of what they have.
Nacewa and Cian Healy are two players who are out of contract at the end of the current season and talks are ongoing with the pair over extending their stay at the eastern province.
“Pretty much working through that,” Dempsey continued. “It is a very busy time and we’re just trying to make sure we have all the right players contracted that we want to retain and looking elsewhere and see if there are players who can augment and improve our squad.
“You want to retain all players. You want a full strength squad to be able to compete at both Pro12 and European level and it shows with our squad, we do get a lot of guys away on international duty and that’s fantastic, it’s something we’re always striving to do get those guys to that level.
“But it then impacts on the rest of the squad and we need a large quality squad so we don’t really want to take a hit on any player, we want to try and retain all the players available to us.”
When directly asked about Nacewa’s situation, Dempsey added: “That’s ongoing but I would be hopeful. As backs coach, I would be delighted as he’s been an incredible asset to the club.”
Leinster 'looking at a couple of guys' with a view to strengthening ahead of next season
LEINSTER’S MANAGEMENT HAS already turned one eye to next season with the province currently in the process of identifying potential targets to bring to the RDS.
Speaking at yesterday’s weekly media briefing in UCD, backs coach Girvan Dempsey admitted they were looking at a number of players with a view to strengthening their panel for the 2016/17 campaign.
Leinster have already confirmed the departure of Ben Te’o and Marty Moore, both of whom are moving to the English Premiership at the end of the season, as well as Ian Madigan, and the focus is now on bolstering their ranks to challenge on all fronts again.
“There are a couple of guys we’re looking at but they’re all ongoing and we’re not in a position to divulge any information at this time,” Dempsey said when asked about any potential arrivals.
“There are other guys in the backs and it doesn’t take rocket science to see our two scrum halves are in the latter end of their career but we’re seeing what their future is and trying to look at all that.”
While Dempsey admitted the province are looking elsewhere for reinforcements, there is also an emphasis on keeping hold of what they have.
Nacewa and Cian Healy are two players who are out of contract at the end of the current season and talks are ongoing with the pair over extending their stay at the eastern province.
“Pretty much working through that,” Dempsey continued. “It is a very busy time and we’re just trying to make sure we have all the right players contracted that we want to retain and looking elsewhere and see if there are players who can augment and improve our squad.
“But it then impacts on the rest of the squad and we need a large quality squad so we don’t really want to take a hit on any player, we want to try and retain all the players available to us.”
When directly asked about Nacewa’s situation, Dempsey added: “That’s ongoing but I would be hopeful. As backs coach, I would be delighted as he’s been an incredible asset to the club.”
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