Leinster exodus could make Irish provincial battles closer than ever as Connacht strengthen

With six weeks remaining until the return of the United Rugby Championship, the interprovincial derbies in Ireland look set to be closer than ever as internationals and players alike move overseas or jump ship to rival provinces.

Leinster, being the bulk supplier of the Irish national team, are losing an astonishing eight players, including the well-loved James Lowe, after contract negotiations broke down earlier in the year.

The 34-year-old plans to see out his impressive club career with Japan‘s Tokyo Sungoliath.

Rieko Ioane, after a successful season defending the URC title with Leinster, has already been scooped up by his home nation after his efforts for Leo Cullen’s side got him noticed and rewarded by New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie.

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Connacht seize the chance to strengthen at Leinster’s expense

The All Blacks are currently making their way across South Africa on the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, and the 29-year-old centre repaid that selection by scoring a try against the Stormers last week.

Rabah Slimani will depart Irish shores for Toulon next season, while following him to France is the ever-reliable Luke McGrath, who, after an impressive 14 years with Leinster, has decided to sign for Perpignan.

John McKee has signed for Scarlets, while the remaining three Leinster players have signed for rival province Connacht.

Interprovincial hopping isn’t unknown between Leinster, Ulster, Connacht and Munster, however, for Leinster to lose so many influential players in one swoop doesn’t happen very often.

Connacht, on the other hand, are thrilled to make such signings as Will Connors, Jerry Cahir and Ciaran Frawley.

Reunited with former senior coach Stuart Lancaster, Frawley now has a chance for regular selection at fly-half after leaving behind the Leinster No.10 debate.

It was a roller-coaster season for the 28-year-old, which included some shining moments that caused selection headaches for Cullen.

Unfortunately, Frawley’s time at Leinster did not end the way he would have wanted, but regular exposure at No.10 with Connacht will only benefit himself and Ireland in the long run.

Is the provincial balance changing?

Leinster regularly get the better of their neighbouring provinces, although there have been occasional upsets and unexpected defeats.

Munster provided the latest example when they got the better of the Dubliners at Croke Park.

However, this sudden loss of battle-hardened players, coupled with the prospect of several of those departures lining up against Leinster next season, will undoubtedly make defending their URC title a much harder prospect for the Dublin-based team

Connacht already boast talented and reliable players such as Jack Carty, Caolin Blade, Mack Hansen and Bundee Aki and were never to be underestimated in the first place.

But, bolstered by this new Leinster injection and with the experienced Stuart Lancaster at the helm, as well as a new multimillion-pound refurbishment of their home stadium, any team facing Connacht at the Dexcom Stadium must now be at the top of their game.

READ MORE: Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry explained: Why are the All Blacks and Springboks such fierce rivals?