After yet another disappointing end to a season that had looked so promising, it's fair to say that there will be a huge amount of pressure on Leinster heading into the 2024/25 campaign.
They have now gone trophyless for three straight years, losing Champions Cup finals in each of those seasons. That has led to plenty of questions being asked about the current group at the province.
Of course, Leinster will make some high profile additions over the coming months. RG Snyman and Rabah Slimani will both arrive this summer, while Jordie Barrett will also come in on a short-term deal towards the end of 2024.
The All Blacks star is certainly the biggest name of the bunch, although not everyone is convinced that the move will benefit him in the long-term.
READ HERE: Ronan O’Gara Dismisses Divisive Rule Change Despite Double Red Card Disaster
Former NZ Coach Has Concern Over Jordie Barrett's Leinster Move
New Zealand players have made a habit of taking up short-term deals overseas in recent times, playing for other clubs during the off-season in their homeland. Many of them have opted to take the riches on offer in Japan during such periods, although Jordie Barrett went down a less conventional route by making the move to Leinster.
However, some are now wondering if that decision could affect the 27-year old moving forward.
Speaking on The Ruck podcast, former All Blacks head coach Ian Foster wondered if the demanding nature of club rugby in this part of the world would impact Barrett over the coming seasons.
It will be interesting what the level of rugby is like for him coming from the end of a big long season and then going into a UK winter.
There’s a certain relentlessness about their competitions so the proof will be in the pudding and how effective that is for him.
He probably won’t know for about a year after that because often it takes a while for the body to catch up, so I will be watching that with interest...
There’s a strong pull from the Irish with his background and his family. There’s a lot of good golf courses up there, so I think there’s a whole lot of motives for him.
Jordie’s often cut his own path a little bit. He came and knocked on our door a couple of years ago and wanted to go and train with the Melbourne Storm in his pre-season for 10 days.
We thought that was a good idea and he was stimulated by that. He’s chasing something up there at Leinster, we’ll see how that goes.
Jordie Barrett will certainly be tested over the next 12 months or so, going from a high level of play in New Zealand to the fierce competition in the URC and Champions Cup with Leinster without a substantial break in between.
That is something that may take its toll on his body at some point, but there is no doubt that Irish rugby fans are excited to see him strut his stuff in Dublin next season.
SEE ALSO: Rassie Erasmus Thinks Zebo Comments On Irish Hatred Will Spice Up Test Series
