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Leinster in hunt for 'big name' lock as Ulster miss out on 'bomb squad' Bok

Steven Kitshoff on the charge /Getty

Leinster are in the market for a ‘big name’ southern hemisphere second row as they look to reinforce their options in the engine room.

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The likelihood that the URC heavyweights will be without the services of both James Ryan and Ryan Baird during internationals window into the foreseeable, combined with the inevitable retirement of stalwart Devin Toner, appears to be behind the move.

Toner, who signed a one-year contract extension last season after much toing and froing, hasn’t featured for Ireland since February 2020. Though the 35-year-old may have a season or even two left in the tank, Leinster may have half an eye on a longer-term mix.

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Leinster regular Ross Moloney has proved to be an able lieutenant for the Dublin-based side, having amassed well over one hundred caps for the province since he debuted in 2015. Beneath him there’s a significant experience gap with 23-year-old prospect Jack Dunne. The 6’8, 120kg lock has made 15 appearances to date and is still very much in his professional rugby infancy.

Head coach Leo Cullen never replaced Wallaby utility forward Scott Fardy with a like-for-like. The Australian retired at the end of 2020/21 after four successful seasons.

Leinster have a track record of big-name forwards penning contracts to come to Dublin and experience brand Leinster. Some have been hugely successful – others not so much.

Brad Thorn, Rocky Elsom, Nathan Hines and Ollie Le Roux [as well as the aforementioned Fardy], all enjoyed celebrated stints in the RDS, becoming firm fan favourites in the process.

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They’ve been misses too of course – with Steven Sykes, Owen Finnegan and Kane Douglas all notable flops.

Meanwhile, Ulster appear to have missed out on adding another Springbok signing to the roster.

RugbyPass understands that the northern province have missed out on Stormers loosehead Steven Kitshoff. Kitshoff does not have an exit clause in his current contract, meaning any move would have to be facilitated with a hefty ‘transfer fee’ that apparently ruled out Ulster’s interest.

In all likelihood, this means that he’s most likely heading to France, where he previously spent three seasons with Bordeaux Begles.

Ulster will have to make do with No.8 Duane Vermeulen.

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Head high tackle 1 hour ago
How can Scott Robertson revive the All Blacks’ playmaking ‘triple threat’?

Nick I think a lot of teams 10,12 and 13 combo's suffer considerably when compared to the Carter, Nonu, Smith era. I cant think of any other world combo that comes close to that combo. 3 once in a generation players all doing their thing collectively. Carter is possibably the best ever player and Nonu and Smith are world class in any generation. Im old enough to remember the runner/playmaker 12s of yesteryear and rugby was much simpler then. The defensive systems of today are so studied and practiced that the space is no longer there in the midfield.

Under Foster the backs never quite looked as fluid as the Carter, Nonu, Smith trio and thats mainly due to Mounga, Jordie B and Reiko just not being close in standard to the other 3. Your recent article around the ABs 70%, shows clearly that Mounga is no Carter and that the 12 and 13 players who have replaced Nonu and Smith just arnt Nonu and Smith.

There is hope for Razor to develop that area next year and beyond but Razor has been more conservative at centre than any other area. So far Razor has avoided change but I think it will come. Both current centres are makeshift centres who grabbed the positions due to injury and have kept them.

Spot on around WJ and his skillset tho. He certainly has a few skill deficiencies compared to many 15s and I would be very happy for him to stay at 14, but also happy if he develops his kicking and playmaking from 15 as he brings something no one else does. He is very good at passing or offloading for his support tho.

JB is still playing 15 basically. We need someone to play 12. Not just play AT 12.

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