Former Ireland wing Shane Horgan believes that the change in Leinster’s style has put ‘even more pressure’ on the side this season.
The Irish province have not won a trophy since 2021 while their barren Champions Cup streak stretches back even further, with their last victory in the continent’s top-tier competition coming in 2018.
In 2023, Stuart Lancaster, who was the architect behind their attacking game, departed and was replaced by Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber.
There were signs of change last season but the Nienaber influence has been in full effect in 2024/25, with Leinster employing a vicious defence.
As a result, Horgan feels that the exciting rugby which was in evidence during the Lancaster era has been somewhat sacrificed.
‘Still in transition’
“Leinster have fewer issues, but it seams they are still in transition. We are seeing the Jacques Nienaber project take shape,” the former Leinster speedster wrote in his Sunday Times column.
“Leinster’s DNA is free-flowing rugby with lots of tries, which has been deprioritised for super-aggressive, defensive, low-scoring games. Which is fine but it puts even more pressure on winning the European Cup.
“For several years winning trophies has been Leinster’s only priority, [and] they have doubled down on that with Nienaber, backing his style. However if they don’t win, they no longer have the goodwill that comes from playing flowing rugby to fall back on.”
Leinster are in a much better position than their fellow provinces, however. While the Dublin-based outfit will almost certainly challenge for trophies this season, they may be Ireland’s sole representative in the URC and Champions Cup.
“There has been a turnover of coaches at Ulster who are still finding their feet and consistency,” Horgan wrote. “Connacht are unhappy with how they are being refereed but that is far from their biggest issue.
“Their game at home to Ulster over Christmas was the perfect opportunity to react to Mack Hansen comments on refereeing after the Leinster game. Instead they delivered a meek performance that had nothing to do with the officials and everything to do with a lack of player responsibility.”
“Munster parted with their head coach Graham Rowntree mid season, only just over a year since they won the URC. It has left them vulnerable, never more so than when they lost 28-7 at home to Leinster after Christmas. They are crying out for the type of re-boot that is almost impossible during the season.”
Jack Crowley call
Horgan also weighed into the Jack Crowley debate after the Ireland fly-half was rested for the huge derby against Leinster.
“The decision to rest Jack Crowley for the game — the biggest match of the league season outside of the knock-out stages — was disappointing,” he added
“Player minutes must be managed but not in that particular fixture and this particular time.
“Not only did it massively reduce Munster’s chances of winning, the optics were terrible both to the fans and the Munster changing room. It also robbed us of the chance to see Sam Prendergast and Crowley go head to head at 10.”
