Barrett's Leinster move seems strange to me

JORDIE Barrett’s signing by Leinster on a six-month contract from December until the end of next season looks on the surface as if it is a win-win, with the world-class New Zealand and Hurricanes utility back joining a team of Irish internationals.

- JEREMY GUSCOTT

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.