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Everyone is saying the same thing after Jordie Barrett's Leinster debut
By Ian Cameron
Everyone is saying the same thing after Bristol Bears were brought down to earth in their Investec Champions Cup opener by a Leinster side that ultimately delivered a commanding 35-12 victory at Ashton Gate.
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While the Irish heavyweights eventually hit fifth gear after a sluggish start, it was the narrative surrounding their “Bomb Squad” and Jordie Barrett’s stellar debut that set social media alight.
Leinster’s ability to call upon world-class talent from the bench left both fans and pundits marvelling.
Leinster coach Jacque Nienaber – seemingly inspired by his and Rassie Erasmus’ much-vaunted Springboks substitution strategy – deployed a star-studded replacements’ lineup featuring Barrett, Caelan Doris, Andrew Porter, and World Cup winner RG Snyman.
The effect was devastating as Leinster turned a close contest into a dominant statement win.
New Zealand superstar Jordie Barrett made a near-immediate impact, scoring a try after 15 minutes of his Leinster debut and looked every inch the marquee signing the club had hoped for.
Fans were equally effusive about his performance [not to mention that Ireland flyhalf Sam Prendergast and Snyman]. His try-scoring debut was a cherry on top of a performance that suggests Barrett will be a key cog in Leinster’s machine this season.
“Guess who! Guess who!” 🎙️
Jordie Barrett makes a massive impact and delivers his first @leinsterrugby try 🙌#InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/SbKVUZ28PR
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) December 8, 2024
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Much of the post-match discussion centred around Leinster’s ridiculous strength in depth. Social media predictably erupted with comparisons to the Springboks’ famous “Bomb Squad” – albeit without the 6-2 bench split. The ability to bring on players of Doris, Snyman, Porter, and Barrett’s calibre was described by many as “scary” and a sign of Leinster’s menacing threat in Europe.
Welsh rugby writer Simon Thomas summed it up, tweeting: “Leinster march on with a statement 35-12 Champions Cup victory over English Premiership high-fliers Bristol at Ashton Gate as Jordie Barrett makes a classy try-scoring debut. Played eight, won eight so far this season. Their squad depth is scary.”
Gareth Reynold posted: “The squad depth is frightening. No one in Europe can match what Leinster are doing with their Bomb Squad and their stars like Barrett. It’s going to take something special to stop them. For Bristol, the game was a harsh reality check. For the rest of Europe, it was a stark reminder: Leinster are the team to beat, and their Bomb Squad is primed and ready to dismantle anyone in their path.
Porter, Clarkson, Doris and Snyman….. And oh yeah, J.Barrett… Leinster Rugby’s bomb squad is something else 🤯💣#InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/SNeiOaTKkF
— RugbyDump (@Rugbydump) December 8, 2024
Barrett was quick to acknowledge the warm welcome he has received in Ireland after the game.
“Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose have been awesome this week. It made my job a lot easier… The city of Dublin and even people all across the other provinces in Ireland have been outstanding, so I’ve enjoyed it so far,” Barrett told Premier Sports.
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