Matt O’Connor believes the Ireland player management scheme has contributed to Leinster’s perilous position in the Pro 12.

Lose to Ulster on Friday and Leinster will fail to make the play-offs for the first time in their history. It would also see them drop to third or possibly even fourth seed in next season’s Champions Cup.

"Yeah, I've been very honest in how I've approached those conversations," said O'Connor referring to negotiations with IRFU high performance director David Nucifora regarding access to international players.

“We’ve had access to our best blokes for 30 per cent of the season. And, you know, unfortunately the league table reflects that. With our best blokes, we are as good as anyone in Europe and I think we showed that on Sunday.”

Considering this week’s five-day turnaround between two away fixtures in Marseille and then Belfast, O’Connor felt it prudent to field a largely reserve XV in Rodney Parade on April 12th when Leinster lost 25-22 to the Dragons.

“When we selected the Dragons team that was on our mind. There is an element of freshness there now. We will be looking to take some pay off that on Friday.”

Rob Kearney has started just seven of Leinster's 19 league games this season. The fullback has also played six times in Europe and started seven Ireland internationals.

Right or wrong

“Yes, it’s difficult for us too when you’re fit and on the line, watching a game,” said Kearney. “But I suppose there’s a programme put in place, players have to buy into it whether it’s right or wrong and if ultimately it’s helping the national team, well then there is some sort of good coming out of it.

“I know that’s a debate that’s going on quite heavily in the background at the moment so I suppose as players we just leave it up to the powers-that-be.”

Kearney, when pressed further on the matter and considering the increased value of the Pro12 with regards European qualification, added: “I think there are a few changes that can be made, but as far as I’m aware the IRFU aren’t overly happy with how it is at the moment [either]. So you’d like to think there will be some amendments made.”

Commenting on the defeat to the Dragons, he said: “We still had a good enough team to win that game.”

It’s an issue that will continue for Leinster during this year’s World Cup when at least 15 players will be unavailable for at least two months.

“Yeah, and during the Six Nations again. It’s not a worry, you just need to put a bit more pressure on the guys who are in that situation to make sure that they’re getting the returns.”

Seán O’Brien, who due to injury has only played four Test matches and three Leinster games this season, adopted a similar attitude.

“Personally I have always said that I would love to play three or four games in a row and then be given a weekend off so you can get a bit of consistency and be match fit, rather than week on and week off.

“There will be no more weeks off now anyway. There was a lot of inconsistency throughout the year. Probably a lack of leadership was a bit of a thing at times when certain lads were injured and being minded by the Irish system. It leaves a lot less voices on the field.

"But, on the other hand, now you have guys like Jack McGrath and Jordi Murphy who have all got their first taste of the level and what is required and they are future leaders.

“Obviously, we have let ourselves down a lot this year in different games but we can still fight to the very end.”

As it stands in the Pro12, Leinster will be in a European Pool with an English and French club next season.

Easy answer

“If there was an easy answer it would have been found by now,” said IRFU chief executive

Philip Browne

last week when discussing the player management system.

“We have to find an effective balance. The person who manages that balance is David Nucifora, who works with the coaches in all four provinces, he works with the national team management and tries to balance the requirements of both.

“Ultimately the national team sits at the top of the heap,” Browne continued. “It generates most of the money. The reality is we are not allowed to fail at that level.”

Meanwhile, Marty Moore's season appears to be over after damaging his shoulder against Toulon. The 24-year-old, who went under the knife in October, will require more surgery. His recuperation period from the previous operation was 12 weeks. Tadhg Furlong will provide tighthead prop cover behind Mike Ross. There is further concern over Cian Healy's shoulder, which also required a scan yesterday, while Shane Jennings has been ruled out due to concussion.