Rumour Mill

[johng]

Resigning Goodman dismays me though. Nothing against him, he's been a reliable, solid guy for us but if we really want to continue to be a force in Europe then surely our standards have to be higher.

Again, he is cover. 3rd choice 12 4th choice 10. When your Academy is delivering and your homegrown players are good enough you only want guys like him to bridge the gap.

Ulsters NIQs are all starters, that's because they are not yet producing the quality in those positions.

[ceemec]

Is there any confirmation or rumours that Goodman is going to re-sign?

[Leezer]

we need a bloody SH

[ceemec]

we need a bloody SH

We have 4 under contract for next season.

[johng]

Is there any confirmation or rumours that Goodman is going to re-sign?

Just rumours through our Korean connection.

[ror]

Yes it is true that Jimmy Gopperth has signed...

[nc6000]

http://www.thescore.ie/gopperth-leinste ... 9-Mar2013/

[mtleinster]

No major objection to this.

Seems like a decent cover for when Madigan is on International duty. Noel Reid is coming along nicely, but wouldnt want to rely on him for weeks upon end

[ror]

Never seen anyone kick a ball so high from the tee. they better add a few feet to the RDS posts...

[simonno6]

we need a bloody SH

??? Did you mean to type SR? I think we're quite strong at scrum half.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... UdR98gNTJU

This is the JG video from that score.ie article. He looks good, good kicker out of hand and has good pace with an eye for a break. One huge hit in that video as well. Could be a very good signing.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

we need a bloody SH

We have 4 under contract for next season.

I was thinking about this recently. We could do with including Cooney and McGrath in squads more often. Reddan and Boss aren't as good as they used to be and we have two very good young players so lets use them.

[Leezer]

we need a world class SH and this will help develop the youth coming through.

unfortunately boss and reddan are not going to win us the H-Cup again.

[hugonaut]

we need a world class SH and this will help develop the youth coming through.

unfortunately boss and reddan are not going to win us the H-Cup again.

We really don't need a scrum-half. Boss and Reddan are both 32 and they're contracted for another season. Cooney is 22 and progressing well, deserves to have his contract renewed. Luke McGrath is the current Ireland U20s captain, in his second year on the team, and playing lights out rugby. He played for the Leinster senior team [against NGD] in his first season in the academy and is a smashing player. I've absolutely no fears about his transition into the senior ranks.

Reddan has 49 international caps, three Heineken Cup winner's medals, has played in two RWCs and has played in a number of different teams [aside from Leinster, he's lined out for Munster, Connacht and Wasps] and two different leagues; Boss has got two HEC winner's medals, has also played in two RWCs and again has played for multiple teams [Chiefs, Hurricanes, Ulster] – you'd struggle to find any scrum-halves with those qualifications who are better placed to 'develop the youth coming through'. Both of those lads know the two youngsters well at this stage and are well-versed in the Leinster style of play and what that demands of a scrum-half.

[johng]

we need a world class SH and this will help develop the youth coming through.

unfortunately boss and reddan are not going to win us the H-Cup again.

We really don't need a scrum-half. Boss and Reddan are both 32 and they're contracted for another season. Cooney is 22 and progressing well, deserves to have his contract renewed. Luke McGrath is the current Ireland U20s captain, in his second year on the team, and playing lights out rugby. He played for the Leinster senior team [against NGD] in his first season in the academy and is a smashing player. I've absolutely no fears about his transition into the senior ranks.

Reddan has 49 international caps, three Heineken Cup winner's medals, has played in two RWCs and has played in a number of different teams [aside from Leinster, he's lined out for Munster, Connacht and Wasps] and two different leagues; Boss has got two HEC winner's medals, has also played in two RWCs and again has played for multiple teams [Chiefs, Hurricanes, Ulster] – you'd struggle to find any scrum-halves with those qualifications who are better placed to 'develop the youth coming through'. Both of those lads know the two youngsters well at this stage and are well-versed in the Leinster style of play and what that demands of a scrum-half.

Eggs act ly.

[AdamK]

So if rumours are to be believed, could this be next years HEC first team?

15. Kearney
14. Isa/AAC
13. BOD/EOM
12. McFadden
11. Fitzgerald
10. Madigan
09. Reddan/Boss
08. Heaslip
07. SOB
06. Locky
05. Roux
04. Cullen
03. Ross
02. Strauss
01. Healy

16. Cronin
17. McGrath
18. Bent
19. Toner
20. Murphy/Ruddock
21. Cooney/Boss
22. Gopperth
23. Goodman/D. Kearney

[hugonaut]

So if rumours are to be believed, could this be next years HEC first team?

15. Kearney
14. Isa/AAC
13. BOD/EOM
12. McFadden
11. Fitzgerald
10. Madigan
09. Reddan/Boss
08. Heaslip
07. SOB
06. Locky
05. Roux
04. Cullen
03. Ross
02. Strauss
01. Healy

16. Cronin
17. McGrath
18. Bent
19. Toner
20. Murphy/Ruddock
21. Cooney/Boss
22. Gopperth
23. Goodman/D. Kearney

We signed a little fellah called Mike McCarthy as well.

[simonno6]

wheres Dorce?! Is there a rumour of him finishing up?

[AdamK]

Hahha, amazing, it's like finding a €20 in your back pocket after you forgot it was there!

[AdamK]

So, would Roux and McCarthy start together?

[AdamK]

Kinda forgot about Darce, oops! I dunno, if BOD retires, I think he'd follow suit... Although he's been in great form, so can't see him retiring this year.

That'd change things up again.. I could see McFadden hitting the bench then