Tyler Bleyendaal

Tyler Bleyendaal opens up on out-half selection process with Leinster's abundance of talent

"I respect what they've done in the past but now we're trying to move forward a certain way and I think it's going to be an open competition," says Leinster's new Backs Coach Tyler Bleyendaal

24 Sep 2024 by Derek Foley · Irish Mirror

Leinster's Tyler Bleyendaal first-up job at Leinster will be to juggle the incredible array of talent they possess at out-half.

There are FIVE potential candidates for the first team shirt Ross Byrne, Ciaran Frawley, Sam Prendergast, Harry Byrne and Charlie Tector.

That's specifically, and in order, their most experienced no10, Ireland's 2024 senior squad breakthrough star, Emerging Ireland's current leader, the injury-dogged former heir apparent and, lastly, already the 2024/25 breakthrough player!

The good news may be that the coming match, against Dragons on Friday, has a number of factors making selection easier and that's, not least, as Ross Byrne has plenty of Aviva experience.

Prendergast is unavailable due to Emerging Ireland commitments, Frawley is likely to be still unavailable as he is a returning Ireland player and with the likelihood Robbie Henshaw is not scheduled to return, Tector will be asked to carry on at no12 following his stunning performance last week.

That would leave just Harry Byrne in the frame for the spot on the bench.

New Leinster Backs Coach Bleyendaal - appointed in succession to the departed Andrew Goodman - may have the options mercifully narrowed for him this week but he is anxious to stress he didn't arrive at the Blues with preconceived selection ideas about the position.

"I don't think there's a defined hierarchy, no," says the New Zealander of names appearing on the team sheet. "I guess I'm coming in with fresh eyes and seeing them for the time.

"Obviously, each of the players has had different experiences they can draw on and they've played different games but that's all in the past.

"I respect what they've done in the past but now we're trying to move forward a certain way and I think it's going to be an open competition."

Let's talk about Ross.

"Guys naturally feel comfortable in the environment and Ross has been here a long time, he's led weeks, so he's very comfortable speaking, can get aligned fast and also bring the other guys into that, which we're starting to do."

And Sam who got first run at the position last week?

"He's been great, I thought he played really well last Friday. He has got time on the ball. If teams are connecting a bit more in defence, he is able to pick the pass and put other guys into space.

"He delays the pass, the defence has to freeze and wait, and he’s been able to pick the pass and get us the best outcome. It’s definitely a strength of his, his passing game, his ability to have time on the ball.

"But he also has a great kicking game, he can run, so I guess the defence has to be worried about a few things with him.

"He put us in a great position on the weekend. He is super skilful and sees the game a certain way, sometimes he needs to maybe manage the game in a more conservative way and sometimes we need more of his talent and X factor.

"I thought the way he kicked, attacking kicks, he marshalled the guys around well, he’s a very skilful player and we are really excited for him."

Bleyendaal was also purring about Tector's success at no12, adding as it does to Leinster overall armoury, proving a sort of mix between a Jamie Osbourne and a Sam Prendergast.

"There would be a nice mix of player there," says the new Leinster Backs Coach chuffed with the idea.

"I thought Charlie had a great game. He is training in the midfield a lot during the pre-season because we have a number of no10s and he’s probably seen that and he can get more opportunities in training when we put him into the midfield. We think he has the skillset.

"And he is brave. He was really impressive in how he handled around the contact area. His work-rate off the ball that is maybe not shown on the TV, but if you look from the wide view at his ability to run across and fill gaps.

"He charged down that ball and he was really efficient on attack too. He has the ability to play like an out-half as well as all of that. It was great for him to get the opportunity but to have so many positive involvements, he must have felt like he really had a great game."

Meanwhile RG Snyman has been pack on a training pitch with Leinster not necessarily ruling out the South African from playing a part this weekend:

"RG will step up his rehabilitation programme this week as he nears a return from a foot injury," said the club in an injury bulletin.

Elsewhere there was good news concerning Jamieson Gibson-Park and James Culhane but not so much for Tommy O'Brien.

"Jamison came through the game on Friday with no issues after his recovery from a hamstring injury.

"James, withdrawn for a Head Injury Assessment towards the end of Friday’s game, passed all assessments and will be available to travel with Emerging Ireland squad.

"Tommy, withdrawn with a hamstring injury on Friday will require further assessment this week before a final decision is made on his involvement with Emerging Ireland.

"Michael Milne, withdrawn with an ankle injury on Friday and will be further assessed this week."

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