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United Rugby Championship

Jordie Barrett proves problematic as BOD picks ideal Leinster backline

Josh Raisey

27 Sep 2024

Anton Lienert-Brown shakes hands with Jordie Barrett of the All Blacks during the International Test Match between New Zealand All Blacks and England at Eden Park on July 13, 2024 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

The arrival of Jordie Barrett to Leinster at the end of the year is a “nice headache to have” for coaches Leo Cullen and Jacques Nienaber, according to Brian O’Driscoll, but the former Ireland captain confesses he has no idea where the All Black will play.

The 65-cap New Zealand star, who is currently out of action with a knee injury, is due to arrive in Dublin in December ahead of a six-month stint with the four-time European champions.

While any team in the world would gladly welcome someone with Barrett’s class, O’Driscoll is at a loss trying to work out how the 27-year-old will fit into Leinster’s star-studded backline.

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‘That Manie Libbok kick will follow him’ | RPTV

The Boks Office crew react to South Africa’s one-point loss to Argentina, with all to play for in Nelspruit this coming weekend. Watch the full show on RugbyPass TV

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As far as the Leinster and Ireland legend is concerned, there is only one vacancy in the Leinster line-up where Barrett could fit in which is on the wing. Though a versatile player, capable of playing at full-back and in the midfield, the Kiwi has seldom played on the wing

O’Driscoll joined the Off the Ball podcast recently to discuss this awkward position that Leinster may find themselves in come the end of the year.

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“Right now, on the basis of what we saw in the summer, you’ve got to look at [Ciarán] Frawley right now, you’ve got to look at [Robbie] Henshaw and [Garry] Ringrose, you’re looking at James Lowe and Hugo Keenan,” Ireland’s most-capped player said.

“So, for me, it’s only one position that’s glaringly obvious, or available, and Jimmy O’Brien, Jordan Larmour, this guy Jordie Barrett, don’t know where he’s going to fit in.

“I have no idea [where Jordie Barrett plays], I genuinely have no idea. You can’t play him on the wing, can you? I don’t know. A nice headache to have.”

The Leinster coaching staff still have a couple of months to work out a solution to this problem before Barrett arrives. It may still be a while before their strongest team is fielded anyway with plenty of their Ireland internationals being given a rest for the opening two rounds of the United Rugby Championship this season.