Leinster were almost full strength tonight in Treviso as they put Benetton to the sword 35-5. A whole host of Leinster frontliners made their season debuts and fans were treated to a first sight of man mountain RG Snyman in blue.
Tonight's player of the match Jack Conan is a man who's been in the news this week. There have been reports that Conan is being offered a contract to join his former coach Stuart Lancaster at Racing 92.
The 32-year-old backrow is on the final year of his contract; meanwhile Racing are on the lookout for a backrow as Siya Kolisi left the club after just a season after a fallout with club owner Jacky Lorenzetti.
It makes obvious sense, but speaking after Leinster's win tonight, RTÉ pundit Bernard Jackman said he believes Racing will first try to find a French player to replace Kolisi.
READ HERE: Rieko Ioane Stokes Johnny Sexton Feud With Brutal Response To World Cup Claims
READ HERE: Paul O'Connell Had Uncharacteristically Wild Reaction To South Africa Test Win
Bernard Jackman on Jack Conan's rumoured move to France
Jackman said he's "hopeful" the IRFU will find a way to keep Conan in Ireland.
My understanding is they're looking for a French-qualified backrow and they're going to use that foreign player spot somewhere else. It wouldn't be the first time an Irish agent uses a Stuart Lancaster link to try to get a little more money out of the IRFU or Leinster.
Jack Conan can go to any club he wants in the Top 14. He's a proper operator. But the IRFU and Leinster - and Munster obviously lost Frisch - but in general we've been really good at keeping our best players in this country. I'd be hopeful that Leinster and the IRFU can keep someone like him here, but at the moment it sounds like they want to get a French qualified #8 first and if they don't, maybe use a foreign qualified spot somewhere else. And Jack Conan would fit the bill. The way Stuart Lancaster wants to play, he knows exactly how to play it.
Jackman also had some interesting comments pre-game on how he thinks Leinster are changing their approach this season following the heartbreaking defeats over recent years.
I think it's really interesting how Leo Cullen's approached this season compared to the last few seasons. Obviously, they've made big signings. They were made before and they didn't win a trophy, to be fair.
Nienaber has obviously been here for a summer, Tyler Bleyendaal, how they connect, how the attack and the defence balance works...but also selection.
Leinster have kept everybody happy for the last couple of years and it hasn't led to trophies. Obviously, Ross Byrne got a chance last week, Sam Prendergast the week before. 10 is really the only position that's clearly up for grabs. Others will rotate a little bit but who is going to play 10 at the knockout stage of the season? How quickly do they decide that?
Frawley has his chance tonight in a very strong team to continue on what he showed in the summer.
