Barrett made a big impression at inside-centre during the 2023 World Cup, and in the buildup to it. However, he’s such a gifted big man (6ft 4ins, 16st) that he can also play outside-centre, wing, or full-back at the highest level. He is an outstanding ball carrier – abrasive, aggressive, with a fantastic skill set – he’s good under the high ball, and he’s also a Test class goal-kicker with a cannon of a boot.
So, what’s not for Leinster fans to love about signing the 27-year-old All Black star? Barrett’s not someone you turn down, even when you already have an Irish Test centre pairing of Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose – and it reinforces Leinster’s ambition to be the dominant force in European club rugby.
But that’s only one side of the story. The other side is that a short term contract like this seems to me to go against what Leinster are about in terms of creating and utilising their own development pathways, which have been very good, and have made a major contribution to their success. There’s no way that signing Barrett for a season is a cheap option, and it will also put a hold on some of the young backs they are bringing through.
I guess Leinster can afford it with a rumoured £12m salary budget, especially as about 10 of their players are centrally contracted by the IRFU, but it still seems a bit of a strange one – especially as they are in with a good chance this season of equalling the Toulouse record of winning five European Cup titles.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 21, 2024 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 21, 2024 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Army leave it late to regain trophy
MOMENTS and minutes change matches in equal measure, and that is exactly what happened at Kingsholm as the British Army’s men regained the Inter Service Championship trophy.
Blues hold on in battle at the top
BLUES held on with their backs to their try line as they edged past the Hurricanes 31-27 to leapfrog their Kiwi rivals and move top of the table.
Harrison leads from front to seal it for Saracens
SARACENS returned to Allianz PWR action with a bonus-point win at StoneX Stadium.
Coventry denied by powerful Pirates
SHEER pack power delivered two classic late rolling maul tries as Pirates maintained their quest for a second place Championship finish.
Davies the leading light in Welsh quartet
FOUR international flyhalves took flight from Wales last year, understandably so given the alternative of staying put on contracts shredded by the rugby recession.
Rugby's holy trinity prove the difference
SINCE time immemorial, rugby has been cloaked in its own cliches: Prince Obolensky was always “dashing”; Colin Meads lived his life as an “unsmiling giant”; Martin Johnson was rarely anything other than “beetle-browed”; and Billy Vunipola, easier to stop with an elephant gun than he is with a Taser according to recent evidence from a late-night bar in Mallorca, will forever be known as “the man who shamed the shirt he wasn’t wearing”.
Tbilisi win was key - Skivington
GEORGE Skivington has credited the European Challenge Cup win against Black Lion in Tbilisi as the moment Gloucester turned their season around.
Scarlets pay price for lack of discipline
ULSTER gave their URC play-off hopes a major boost as they capitalised on indiscipline from the hosts to secure maximum points in Llanelli.
James at his best as Sale keep in the race
SAM James might be departing for pastures new but Sale’s Mr Dependable produced a nigh on immaculate performance at full-back as they continue to battle for a play-off place.
Russell masterclass has Bath in top gear
FINN Russell scored eight points, pulled the strings for three of Bath’s tries and barely put a foot wrong in a classy display that will send shivers down the spine of their Premiership title rivals.