WHEN MAX DEEGAN was first breaking through with Leinster back in 2017, he had a reputation as a rangy number eight with a classy skillset.
Those attributes are still there but Deegan’s superstrength these days is his lineout work.
He usually wears the number six shirt now and while his athleticism is a standout feature of his play on the ball and in defence, Deegan’s leaping ability and reading of the lineout have become key strengths.
He’s top of the URC charts for lineout steals with eight and he’s a key figure when Leinster are throwing in.
Preparation for and analysis of the lineout has become a big part of Deegan’s weeks.
“I enjoy it, the week of it, the analysis, the walkthroughs, everything, I take a lot of pride in it,” said the 28-year-old.
“It’s something I’ve definitely put my focus into, trying to become better, making it a point of difference for myself.
“There is so much competition in the changing room that you’ve got to have a point of difference and I’ve been really pushing for that in that aspect. Yeah, really enjoying it, it’s nice to come up with a few big steals and give us some attacking ball.”
Deegan was speaking directly after a lineout meeting with James Ryan, Joe McCarthy, and RG Snyman, the other key lineout figures against Bristol tomorrow in the Champions Cup. Deegan will wear the number six shirt again.
Leinster have had the challenge of reintegrating lots of Ireland internationals this week but it’s a good problem to have, particularly when you can throw a new All Blacks star into the mix in Jordie Barrett.
“It’s funny enough, RG comes in at the start and then Jordie is in now,” said Deegan.
“You can just really tell he loves rugby, he’s really serious about his rugby. He’s a super nice guy, he’s really easy to get along with and have craic with but he’s really serious, he’s really detailed, really focused.”
Boosted by their big names returning, Leinster appear to be in a happy place following last weekend’s URC win away to Ulster.
Deegan started that victory, his sixth appearance in their seven games so far. Leinster have notched seven wins with six try-scoring bonus points in a steely start to their bid to end a run of trophyless seasons.
“It’s across the board, the standards have risen,” said Deegan of that positive start. “I think the competition for positions has gone up again, but I think everyone is really committed in one… on the same page, everyone is driven by the one focus for the week.
“The team changes slightly. Sometimes I feel like in the past, [it was] one team and a completely different team the next week.
“But it’s smaller changes in the team which means a little bit more consistency and then everyone focuses on the one goal of the week which is just win the game and play well.”
Earlier this season, Deegan stated his belief that Leinster have the talent to go on a run of trophy-winning seasons and he’s firm in that feeling, but said the only way to get there is by dealing with the challenge directly in front of them.
Tomorrow, it’s a Bristol team who have been flying under Pat Lam.
“It’s the best they’ve played in a while, to be fair,” said Deegan of Bristol, who are second in the Premiership. “You know Pat Lam’s teams, they’ve got a really good shape, everyone knows what they’re doing.
“They’ve got some dangerous backs who can split you open in a second. Jacques [Nienaber] alluded to it being one of our biggest defensive performances needed for the whole season because of the way they attack.”
Deegan is probably closest like for like replacement for P O’Mahoney in the skill set he brings. Obviously has a lot more to prove to be considered in the same league as POM but if he can tie down 6 slot with Leinster , he could come into the reckoning for IRL. Early in his career, he showed he could perform at that level. Good player
@Michael Corkery: they are very, very different players when you take away the lineout skills
@Michael Corkery: a very competitive area, in both Leinster and Ireland, but then the irish lineout is a bit uncompetitive at the moment?
@adizlack93: I wouldn’t say so. Neither are very destructive ball carries like a Conan, Doris or Coombes or potentially Izuchukwu, fast over the ground and good at the breakdown/defence. And ability in lineout is a huge part of modern 6 game.
@Michael Corkery: it’s almost a pity JVDF is so good, then you could consider playing him at 7? I think POM’s best position at test level was openside, early doors anyway.
@Michael Corkery: Deegan is a very skilful and athletic ball carrier where POM is hard as nails and a and master of breakdown but not an athlete compared to other 6s
@adizlack93: POM would have been very athletic for most of his career but he didn’t have the density of a pure ball carrier like S O’Brien, D Wallace, Leamy etc. I’d say same now about Deegan v Conan, Doris etc. If we look at no 6’s , you have the hybrid lock types: Beirne, Baird, Izuchukwu,, Ahern, c. Prendergast. Deegan is much more a POM type BR forward than those lads. Sure they’re not identical but they’re definitely the closest in style of the current crop.
@Michael Corkery: an athletic 6 is Jerome Kaino, PSDT, Victor Vito, Stephen Ferris, Rocky Elsom. Not POM
@adizlack93: I think you’re mixing up athleticism and power. Or at least your definition of athletic is my definition of power. POM was very athletic, indeed that’s why he’s so good in the line-out. And Deegan is much more like POM than the guys you’ve mentioned.
@Michael Corkery: athletic ‘physically strong, fit and active’ Pom was and athletic openside, but not an athletic blindside?
@Michael Corkery: Deegan is a no 8 remember. He’s shifted to 6 because we have Doris and Conan. He is a ball carrier first and foremost and is adapting to blindside for his careers sake
@brian o’leary: I think argument about best position is another one. I was comparing our current options at n6 and saying Deegan was potentially the most like for like replacement for POM in that 6 role. But of course, IRL might decide they need a different profile in that role. A more powerful player like Baird or Izuchukwu .
@adizlack93: yes deegan can carry the ball and make meters
@adizlack93: true but I think he realized that he didn’t have the power of the likes of Conan and Doris but his relative lightness and dexterity could be a big advantage in the lineout. I think there’s also a misperception that PO’M wasn’t a good ball carrier. He was often used to carry out wide as he was better carrying in open spaces where his relative speed and handling could be used. Similar to Deegan now. PO’M has been used at 8 as well in Munster but definitely we get more out of him at 6 and I think Leinster will have similar thoughts about Deegan.
@Michael Corkery: would have Conan at 6 for Ireland on current form. His defence has really come on in recent years and ire have missed him. Also scope for Baird, Izzy Prendergast and Ahern
@adizlack93: I agree on form, he deserves to be in Irish XV. But with our lineout troubles at the moment, they might be tempted to go with a hybrid type 6 à la Baird, Beirne
Clearly a very different team selection policy at Leinster this year which appears to be helping.
Seems like the coaches have taken some feedback on board.
Interesting to see if it can be sustained for the whole season.
Deegan is an all round player, can play across the back line. Maybe this is his breakout season.
On a site note. Did anyone notice that one of the official sponsors, « Jaecoo » (whom I never heard of before yesterday) supplies cars to the Russian market! That’s from Wikipedia. Am I mistaken that there is an embargo against doing business with Russia and these guys are an official sponsor of the EPCR? Even if it wasn’t illegal should any company on a pure ethical basis be doing business with Russia? Should EPCR choose its partners better?
@Con Cussed: side note
@Con Cussed: absolutely not. Yes, EPCR should be more selective in their sponsorship but my guess they are desperate after allowing the French/English diminish the prestige of the competition into something of an afterthought for most teams
@Con Cussed: Embargo my a$$. Money talks and dirty money talks loudest of all. There are no such thing as morals when there’s a few bob to be made.
@Con Cussed: the company is Chinese, the EU or US can’t dictate who it does business with. As for ethics, Ireland did plenty of business with US companies when it was invading countries.
@John Buckley: Agreed, it wasn’t right then and it’s not right now. The fact that this is a Chinese company only makes it worse as they are supplying technology to the Russian’s.
@John Buckley: I think the point was about EPCR (a European entity) having a sponsor supporting a direct enemy of Europe. Nothing to do with what China does.
@Michael Corkery: The EU still gets gas from Russia. Should EPCR leave the EU because of this?
@John Buckley: much less gas than b4. And you can’t compare something like primary energy (which is a necessity) and sponsorship of a sporting event.
@Michael Corkery: Why does that matter, they still take gas. Employment is a necessity if you live in China, and it is being provided by this Chinese car manufacturer selling on the Russian market. Like others, you have no right to hold the moral high ground
@John Buckley: I think you intentionally or otherwise twisting my argument. I agree that China has no obligation vis a vis the west but honestly having one of your sponsors as a direct supporter of a declared enemy of the states in which you operate reeks of desperation or least a feckless disregard for where the money is coming from.
@Michael Corkery: Totally agree. Not sure where John is coming from, sounds like he doesn’t have any concern about human life. Another Ray unfortunately.
@Con Cussed: I think probably the real story is about the loss of visibility and status of the old H-Cup. Probably EPCR would have been fighting off wannabe sponsors. I guess now, they’ll probably feel they have to take the cash that’s offered and turn a blind eye.
@Con Cussed: No, I am just not joining your virtue signalling. The EU only put an embargo on what suits themselves, they still give loads of money to Russia. None of its citizens can lecture others.
Fully agree! All the vacuous, empty “values speak” and virtue signalling go out the window when money enters the room! Sickening!
@Eugene O’Curry: It brings the good name of rugby into disrepute. If we don’t have our morals, we have nothing!
I think Deegan has had to evolve his game into a more hybrid 6 as he doesn’t have the explosive power of Doris or Conan to play 8. He’s clearly focused on his lineout work, which could help propel him towards Irish reckoning. Although there is plenty of depth at blindside.
Definitely reckon there’s some clause about Snyman not starting in big European games ahead of Ryan or Mccarthy. For me, it’d be Ryan and Snyman with Mccarthy on bench, with Alan Spicer soon to arrive in the 23