Babbling 'brook

Ireland releases for inter-pro derbies this w'end: Connacht - Bundee Aki, Ultan Dillane, Dave Heffernan Leinster - Ed Byrne, Ross Byrne, Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier Munster - Craig Casey, Andrew Conway, Shane Daly, Chris Farrell Ulster - Stuart McCloskey, Tom O’Toole. No Conan but Ruddock & Ros...

From my POV it’s based on his school days and the 20’s as well. Still a small body of work but it’s over a long period of time. He’s got a lot going for him technically, athletically and he’s clearly a leader but for whatever reason he just doesn’t play like a ten IMO. He just strikes me as a guy w...

Leinster clearly don't want players hunting for turnovers. I can't really understand why. We've got a decent defence but I still think we need to get to that next level. We have the 2nd least turnovers in the Pro 14 with 63, only Edinburgh have less with 55. Could you shed more light on our defensi...

The drop off when Byrne went off was huge. Hawkshaw looks a decent prospect but he's not a 10. The game management and kicking disappeared with Byrne. Jesus I hope Byrne recovers in time for Uster, he looked excellent last night. Penny was brilliant, although I'd love to see him given the Hooper/ Mc...

I wasn't very impressed with Irelands experienced subs yesterday at all. The 2nd half in general was incredibly frustrating IMO but jaysus some our subs were poor. That one play were Healy knocked, Italy cleared upfield, Earls gathered and then kicked out on the full... That was horrendous. Healy ga...

Who are the outhalves fighting in the sub academy looking to get an academy contract? I've heard a few names but don't know much about them, could anyone fill me in? I know there are Tim Corkey, Charlie Tector, Fionn O'Hara.. am I missing anyone else and who is the most likely to get a contract?

Unfortunately there was less positive news for Tommy O’Brien and Adam Byrne who had both stepped up their recovery last week from ankle and hamstring injuries respectively. Tommy sustained a hamstring injury in training and is expected to be out for a number of weeks, while Adam sustained a quad in...

Is this necessary? We have - excluding Bent - Porter, Furlong, Clarkson, Abdaladze, plus McGrath Is switching Porter to loosehead either necessary or a good idea? We have - excluding Healy - Byrne, Dooley, Milne and Hannon, and one of the reasons he switched to tighthead was because he wasn't actua...

https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/leinster-rugby/crusader-isileli-tuungafasi-tops-list-as-leinster-go-in-search-of-an-overseas-tighthead-prop-40121376.html Leinster given the green light to sign NIQ tight head from Crusaders. Seems odd given that both Salanoa & Aungier left. Also surely they wo...

Would CJ have done as well as Jack last night? Yes..... He's a test Lion with almost 50 Intl. caps. Luke McGrath has really stepped it up in the last few months and he was excellent again last night. Last night was a tough night for rugby and I think its matches like these that the likes of Harry B...

Currently, there are 65 NTS players across the four provinces, with 255 PTS players. In normal times, these youngsters make up the age-grade inter-provincial and national teams and are working to earn a place in one of the four academies in Munster, Leinster, Connacht, and Ulster. Right now, nearly...

I think whats really important is that you have a blend of ballers / runners in the back line. I think thats why players like Larmour & Lowe are so important. Obviously Frawley & Byrne can run quite well, and actually Frawley's feet at the gainline are excellent ( remember his step & offload for Luk...

Yeah I can't see the benefit of Frawley leaving Leinster. As Ronk said, due to his versatility he can cover 10 & 12 ( 15 at a push ) on the Leinster bench. Add that to the fact that he's clearly our second choice 12. With Henshaw/ Ringrose missing plenty of Leinster games he could be reasonably expe...

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/pro14/andy-friend-doesn-t-see-opening-for-leinster-outhalf-harry-byrne-at-connacht-1.4486600 What a ridiculous article. Why on earth would Leinster be willing to let Harry Byrne go to Connacht? Having already lost Carbery to Munster. Whichever journo asked Frie...

mildlyinterested wrote: ↑

February 15th, 2021, 3:58 pm

Cosgrave trained with seniors today.

Is he in the sub academy or academy? Has he progressed the way people thought he might?

RoG on Lowe and defence "It is undeniable that James Lowe was the central figure for the George North and Louis Rees-Zammit scores. The winger kicked beautifully and added a positive dimension to Ireland’s attack but his defensive decision-making in those instances need further scrutiny and explain...

I think patience is needed in this position. Granted we are not in luxurious position of a few years where we had Reddan & Boss as our senior 9's and then we had Luke behind them. JGP will be 29 this year and Luke just turned 28 so we've at least 3 years left of the two of them at their peak. There ...

Byrne putting in a good 70 minute shift. 16/16 according to the official stats (which I think is generous — Sale won one of their throws but fumbled on the way down). At least 25 successful throws in a row from him! Our stats might be ok in the league, but remember that the league is basically 9 sh...

https://www.the42.ie/will-hickey-osprey ... 2-Feb2021/

Seems odd, I thought he was very highly rated and a big enough fella. Hopefully he'll have a Tommy Bowe like spell at Ospreys. The article mentions that he's not Welsh qualified.

How many head injuries/ concussions has he had? I remember he went off inside 5 minutes of his Ireland debut but after that I don't remember many.