Leinster head coach Leo Cullen was reluctant to give details when asked if they had an agreement with the Irish Rugby Football Union over RG Snyman’s playing time.
The Springboks star signed a one-year deal with the Dublin outfit ahead of the 2024/25 season after Munster were unable to offer the lock a new contract due to having two non-Irish qualified players in the same position – Jean Kleyn being the other.
Snyman has made an immediate impression since moving to the capital, starting in four of the matches so far.
Dropped to the bench
However, the South African was on the bench for their Investec Champions Cup opener against Bristol Bears and again takes his place among the replacements for the Clermont Auvergne clash.
There have been reports that there is a clause in Snyman’s contract that prevents him from starting should Joe McCarthy and James Ryan both be available.
Cullen was asked about that situation after their 23 was named for their encounter with Clermont and the Leinster boss refused to clarify the situation publicly.
“That’s a very private question, I don’t know if I’d be able to answer that in this forum,” he told reporters.
“There would always be various conversations that would go on in the background, but it’s not something I’d be willing to share publicly here.
“We’ve got a couple of good ones starting – and RG does that role pretty well for South Africa, so I think we’re all happy.
Snyman moved to Leinster, in part, due to the fact that he and his family are settled in Ireland and Cullen suggested that talks are already underway to extend his stay.
“He’s gone well, he’s fitted in well with the group most importantly and we’re at that stage when those conversations are going on. If the gang here have something official to tell you, they will.” he said.
Replacement for All Blacks star?
Snyman is not the only world star at Leinster with Jordie Barrett recently joining the province on a short-term deal.
Unlike the Springbok, whose future could well be in Dublin, Barrett will certainly head back to New Zealand at the end of the season, but Cullen is unsure as to whether they will look to sign a marquee player to replace him.
“They’re hard to come by. It’s not an easy process to go through,” he added.
“There are so many big games at the moment but at the same time the guts of half your squad are out of contract, so you’re just working your way through that cycle.
