Tommy Bowe & Leinster

[Danthefan]

Who knows! Payne has actually played far more rugby at centre anyway and you never know who's going to get injured. Either way I don't think it would just be a case of Gilroy being automatically banished if Bowe came back.

Who does know I suppose. What I do know is that Payne was signed as a fullback. It would be a very strange move to go and sign another, both of whom are very good players.

[ceemec]

Don't think Bowe or Ireland would benefit from him being in Munster. Howlett at the highest level, 62 tests for NZ, 49 tries. Howlett at HEC level with Munster, 28 games, 9 tries. Bowe would not see enough decent ball at all. He needs to be playing in a good back line to get the most out of him or he'll stagnate. If Munster don't have centres that will make use of his talents, he shouldn't head there. With Downey looking likely to sign, I don't think there's going to be a significant change in Munster's approach any time soon. ROG, Downey and Earls providing the ammunition? He'll get about one try in every 4 games at HEC level. He has 16 in 25 for the Ospreys. I'd much rather see him at Ulster playing alongside the future Irish backs, staying sharp and helping their development.

Unfortunately, money talks. By going to Munster, Bowe would be eligible for the tax back scheme which would be worth huge money to him if he spent 5 years there on a big salary. He's 28 next week so he knows this contract is going to be the biggest he'll ever sign. I can see him signing a 3 year deal with a province. Howlett will probably leave this summer which would free up a wedge of cash for potentially signing Bowe.

[Morf]

Howlett will probably leave this summer which would free up a wedge of cash for potentially signing Bowe.

It will be a central contract so IRFU money not Munster money.

[simonokeeffe]

Not saying Gilroy would be having to line out for Dungannon but Payne was signed on ridiculous money (for a non international/project player) so he'd play fullback (utility back at Blues bit signed as a fullback for Ulster) and Bowe and Trimble would start. Poor Adam Darcy would have to try and win another contract in his cereal box or however he got the last one. Am a big fan of Gilroy and would like to see him in the post BOD Ireland team with Bowe (at Ospreys) at 13

Bowe would need 10 years resident/playing in the Republic of Ireland to avail of the McCreevy tax break so Sterling would make him a lot more. He's big/class enough to dictate terms ie release for Ireland sessions so he'd make way more from playing in the Premiership, be nice to see one good skin at Northampton

[ronk]

Not saying Gilroy would be having to line out for Dungannon but Payne was signed on ridiculous money (for a non international/project player) so he'd play fullback (utility back at Blues bit signed as a fullback for Ulster) and Bowe and Trimble would start. Poor Adam Darcy would have to try and win another contract in his cereal box or however he got the last one. Am a big fan of Gilroy and would like to see him in the post BOD Ireland team with Bowe (at Ospreys) at 13

Bowe would need 10 years resident/playing in the Republic of Ireland to avail of the McCreevy tax break so Sterling would make him a lot more. He's big/class enough to dictate terms ie release for Ireland sessions so he'd make way more from playing in the Premiership, be nice to see one good skin at Northampton

They're treating Payne as a younger Nacewa without the pesky international cap. That's why they're paying so much, he still had a chance of New Zealand gametime and that was worth money.

The money isn't so bad if that's what Ireland end up with, an IQ Nacewa.

[simonokeeffe]

if Jared Payne was in the same league as Isa in NZ he'd have been capped
at best he'd be a younger Shaun Payne

all rumours and innuendo but story was he was on same money as Afoa which is crazy

[Turnip Boy]

Not saying Gilroy would be having to line out for Dungannon but Payne was signed on ridiculous money (for a non international/project player) so he'd play fullback (utility back at Blues bit signed as a fullback for Ulster) and Bowe and Trimble would start. Poor Adam Darcy would have to try and win another contract in his cereal box or however he got the last one. Am a big fan of Gilroy and would like to see him in the post BOD Ireland team with Bowe (at Ospreys) at 13

Bowe would need 10 years resident/playing in the Republic of Ireland to avail of the McCreevy tax break so Sterling would make him a lot more. He's big/class enough to dictate terms ie release for Ireland sessions so he'd make way more from playing in the Premiership, be nice to see one good skin at Northampton

You don't need to play 10 years to avail of the tax break - you can claim up to 10 years.

[simonokeeffe]

yeah you're right actually, can pick best 10 years financially too, way it was always reported read to me like they had to play here for 10 years

still the crux of the matter is Bowe would cold on the wing for Munster

[ror]

I see Bowe going to France. He is already showed he can live away from home and I just see a French Club paying possibly 500k. The IRFU is reducing contracts and Bowe is already established and too good to be given the Geordan Murphy or Bob Casey treatment.

[deco]

He should go to:
France if he's after money;
Ulster if he wants to play for his province;
Leinster if he wants to win silverware, play in Ireland, be part of one of the best squads in Europe;
Munster if he wants none of the above.

[Apocrypha]

He should go to:
France if he's after money;
Ulster if he wants to play for his province;
Leinster if he wants to win silverware, play in Ireland, be part of one of the best squads in Europe;
Munster if he wants none of the above.

How is Munster not in Ireland?

Did you mean outside Ireland (i.e. the pale)?

[johng]

He should go to:
France if he's after money;
Ulster if he wants to play for his province;
Leinster if he wants to win silverware, play in Ireland, be part of one of the best squads in Europe;
Munster if he wants none of the above.

How is Munster not in Ireland?

1 outa 3 ain't bad.

[deco]

Did you mean the pale?

FYI it's The Pale.

Get it right Dude.

[simonokeeffe]

are the new premiership wage limits coming in for next season or season after (limit goes up and they're allowed one marquee player who doesn't count for wage limit)?

[ceemec]

Can't see Bowe going to France. I don't think he'd command more than €350-400k over there and would play in a significantly more demanding environment where every game is a scrap. The big sides are all well served by wingers and Bowe hasn't put himself in the shop window massively with his Irish performances in the past year overall in reality. He has been solid but not as good as he was in 2009 and 2010 when he was on fire. He score three tries in 2011 for Ireland, 2 of which came against USA. The moment people will recall most from 2011 was his interception against Australia where he didn't have the legs to make the line. He's a quality player but his biggest selling point for any potential suitors right now is the fact that he's Irish and would allow Munster/Ulster to sign a player in another position. For that reason I can see him being offered over €300k by a province and he's be able to claim a nice chunk of money back when he calls it a day if he plays for Leinster or Munster which would offset the potential difference between a salary here and with one of the French sides.

From his perspective, I can see Munster being the destination. Well looked after, nice tax rebate, family down there. All good for him. Bad for Ireland though unless they change things.