Leinster have become the dominant force among the four Irish provinces over the past decade, having over twice as many players in the Ireland squad for the Six Nations as any of their interprovincial rivals.
Their stronghold over their rivals extends even beyond their dominance of the national team, with Leinster having had more of a pull for attracting new signings in recent years.
Leinster have already pulled off a major - and contentious - coup from one of their interprovincial rivals this season, with Munster lock RG Snyman set to move to Dublin when his contract expires this summer. It now seems as though they have already attempted to pull off a second swoop.
Reports this week from Belfast suggest that Leinster had attempted to prise Tom O'Toole away from Ulster to replace Samoan Michael Ala'alatoa.
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Report: IRFU rules prevented Leinster move for Tom O'Toole
1 January 2024; Joe McCarthy of Leinster is tackled by Iain Henderson, left, and Tom O'Toole of Ulster during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Ulster at RDS Arena in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
The Belfast Telegraph reported on Tuesday morning that Leinster's approach for Ireland prop O'Toole was rebuked due to IRFU rules provinces from outbidding each other for players.
The same report suggests that this comes despite a desire from Ulster to offload several players to offset financial difficulties. To be contending with losing a homegrown specialist player in a crucial position of tighthead is not exactly a reassuring indicator for the province.
O'Toole would have been an excellent acquisition for Leinster. The tighthead prop appeared in all of Ireland's Six Nations games last year whether off the bench or starting, and has become an integral part of the setup in Belfast.
With Michael Ala'alatoa departing for Clermont at the end of the season and Tadhg Furlong entering his 30s, Leinster's inability to snap up O'Toole will be frustrating to fans of the province - though it will be encouraging to Ulster as they struggle for form.
After disappointing defeats at the business end of the URC and Champions Cup over the past few seasons, Leinster are now in the midst of an era of change. Captain Johnny Sexton retired after the Rugby World Cup, with coach Stuart Lancaster also departing for Racing 92 last summer.
Several of Leinster's players are also reaching the twilight of their careers, and a new generation of players will be needed if they are to continue operating to a high level.
Elsewhere, multiple reports have linked Ulster out-half Billy Burns with a move to Munster this summer.
Burns' impressive recent form had him in contention for selection in Ireland's Six Nations squad and, with Munster set to lose Joey Carbery this summer after the departures of Ben Healy and JJ Hanrahan in recent years, they require reinforcement at 10.
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