Rumour Mill
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Re: Rumour Mill
Surprised that this name hasn't come up: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/spo ... 78674.html
Re: Rumour Mill
Wouldn't really welcome that tbh, obviously would be a great short term signing, but would love to see us getting a 3 year long contract.janeymac08 wrote:Nathan Sharpe - think he is free in a month or so (after the Wallabies tour Europe).
Albacete would be another awesome one.
Re: Rumour Mill
I'd definitely consider Horwill top quality but I think his contract runs into next season. No way the ARU are letting him go without a serious fight.
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Ruckedtobits
- Rob Kearney
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Re: Rumour Mill
Rumours are wonderful things. They require no logic. They don't need to have any justification. They can appear to overturn any rules. But let's understand a few basics:
1. Leinster only got Brad Thorn because of Leo's Achilles' tendons.
2. Leinster had to fight like hell to get him approved by the IRFU - he was initially turned down.
3. The IRFU policy on recruitment of players does not give any Province free licence to recruit players; they all have to be approved by the Player Contracts committee.
4. It is far more likely that Leinster are shopping in Ireland or at least locallym, if at all, for a 2nd row, rather than overseas.
Having said that, there is a rumour doing the rounds in France that Jason Eaton is jumping ship in NZ and is looking to play in Europe, specifically in the HC. That wonderful French Rugby institution, Midi Olympique, has a story today (on page 34)entitled "La <Dream Team> Prende Forme". Basically the story says that Jacky Lorenzatti, the owner of Racing Metro is going to contract the following players for next Season, for the exclusive purpose of winning the H Cup: Jamie Roberts, Martin Castrogiovanni (already recruited according to MO), Soane Tonga'uiha and Jason Eaton (2.02 Mtr, 107 Kg and 15 All Blacks caps). Eaton is "reputed to have signed" a contract of intention with a Welsh, or other European club, but Lorenzatti believes that he can buy that contract out.
MO consider Lorenzatti a spoofer, but they always report the rumours surrounding Racing Metro because he is so successful as a (property) businessman / speculator.
Now Jason Eaton (or Luke Charteris) are the only two 2nd rows in world rugby who would make a "pair" with Dev. We wouldn't say no to either one but Damien Brown, or Mark Flanagan might. Personally, I think that Leinster would be better trying to get their hands on Ryan Caldwell or Tuohy next season, or even (whisper it gently because they have tried it already last year), Mike McCarthy.
The only other candidate that Leinster should possibly seek is this year's transfer flop - thus far - Richie Gray. Sale are languishing badly. Whatever reason took him there in the first place, unless it's his love life, has been a total disaster and may even cost him his (undoubtedly warranted) Lions place. He is the European 2nd row who has the potential to dominate any world ranking of the position after the departure from the international scene of Botha, Thorn and Matfield - but where is he? Injured is the easy answer, but not a real reason. Gray is a kid in 2nd row terms. He has the potential to become a new species, a running second row who jumps at No 4, handles like Zinzan Brook and could play until he's as old as Simon Shaw.
Other than Gray, we should keep our bucks for backline spectaculars, who do not have any international call-ups. Just now apart from injuries, our production line is working just fine and if we can develop Quinn Roux in anything like the manner that Richardt Strauss has improved, the liklihood is that S African player agents will be banging on Mick Dawson's door with Saffa's, without a tan, who fancy a long international career.
If I was a betting man, I would not be surprised to learn that Jason Eaton's agent threw in the "word" that Leinster may be interested in his man...... "who, me gov? I never said a word, scout's honour...."
Let's put one thing to bed. We were never going to be allowed to recruit Brad Thorn again. If Hell had frozen over, nobody in the IRFU would have allowed us bring somebody that good into our set-up at 36 years of age and ensure that another Irish Province got hammered in a H Cup final. The IRFU bought the "36 year old has-been and that's the only reason he's available" line once. They won't buy it again. But to be fair to Joe Schmidt & Jono GIbbes, many other people in World rugby also thought he was finished after RWC2011. They just didn't know the man as well as JS, JG & Greg Feek.
If you have a good look at the Irish XV succession prospects, we are in reasonable shape in the back three; beginning to develop a decent crop in mid-field (not BO'D quality, but's that's impossible), particualrly at out-half; a few prospects at No 9, particularly with Marmion and McGrath from the last JWC; Loose-head looks OK, Hooker also, TH could do with another couple coming throught, but the prospects are around, including Furlong. Flankers are littering the place and Dan Leavy and one or two others may eventually fill some of the gap that Jamie will leave behind eventually at No 8.
2nd row is where we are thin on the ground in raw material;
But 2nd Row is the area we really lack the height and weight that other nations seem to have yards of. The Saxons can wheel out any number of large gentlemen, as can the French, at their leisure. Even the Scots, Welsh and Italians have a number of candidates, but we lack large men with strength and mobility, not to mention durability and hardness. Toner, Ryan, Tuohy and McCarthy will eventually have to fill the gap which Mal, POC and DOC have filled for a decade and a half. But for the next several (possibly 5) years, those four will fill the spaces unless we have a real discovery and it won't be easy.
On that basis alone, it is highly unlikely that the IRFU are going to allow any Irish Province recruit overseas second-rows in the foreseeable future, and why would they?
1. Leinster only got Brad Thorn because of Leo's Achilles' tendons.
2. Leinster had to fight like hell to get him approved by the IRFU - he was initially turned down.
3. The IRFU policy on recruitment of players does not give any Province free licence to recruit players; they all have to be approved by the Player Contracts committee.
4. It is far more likely that Leinster are shopping in Ireland or at least locallym, if at all, for a 2nd row, rather than overseas.
Having said that, there is a rumour doing the rounds in France that Jason Eaton is jumping ship in NZ and is looking to play in Europe, specifically in the HC. That wonderful French Rugby institution, Midi Olympique, has a story today (on page 34)entitled "La <Dream Team> Prende Forme". Basically the story says that Jacky Lorenzatti, the owner of Racing Metro is going to contract the following players for next Season, for the exclusive purpose of winning the H Cup: Jamie Roberts, Martin Castrogiovanni (already recruited according to MO), Soane Tonga'uiha and Jason Eaton (2.02 Mtr, 107 Kg and 15 All Blacks caps). Eaton is "reputed to have signed" a contract of intention with a Welsh, or other European club, but Lorenzatti believes that he can buy that contract out.
MO consider Lorenzatti a spoofer, but they always report the rumours surrounding Racing Metro because he is so successful as a (property) businessman / speculator.
Now Jason Eaton (or Luke Charteris) are the only two 2nd rows in world rugby who would make a "pair" with Dev. We wouldn't say no to either one but Damien Brown, or Mark Flanagan might. Personally, I think that Leinster would be better trying to get their hands on Ryan Caldwell or Tuohy next season, or even (whisper it gently because they have tried it already last year), Mike McCarthy.
The only other candidate that Leinster should possibly seek is this year's transfer flop - thus far - Richie Gray. Sale are languishing badly. Whatever reason took him there in the first place, unless it's his love life, has been a total disaster and may even cost him his (undoubtedly warranted) Lions place. He is the European 2nd row who has the potential to dominate any world ranking of the position after the departure from the international scene of Botha, Thorn and Matfield - but where is he? Injured is the easy answer, but not a real reason. Gray is a kid in 2nd row terms. He has the potential to become a new species, a running second row who jumps at No 4, handles like Zinzan Brook and could play until he's as old as Simon Shaw.
Other than Gray, we should keep our bucks for backline spectaculars, who do not have any international call-ups. Just now apart from injuries, our production line is working just fine and if we can develop Quinn Roux in anything like the manner that Richardt Strauss has improved, the liklihood is that S African player agents will be banging on Mick Dawson's door with Saffa's, without a tan, who fancy a long international career.
If I was a betting man, I would not be surprised to learn that Jason Eaton's agent threw in the "word" that Leinster may be interested in his man...... "who, me gov? I never said a word, scout's honour...."
Let's put one thing to bed. We were never going to be allowed to recruit Brad Thorn again. If Hell had frozen over, nobody in the IRFU would have allowed us bring somebody that good into our set-up at 36 years of age and ensure that another Irish Province got hammered in a H Cup final. The IRFU bought the "36 year old has-been and that's the only reason he's available" line once. They won't buy it again. But to be fair to Joe Schmidt & Jono GIbbes, many other people in World rugby also thought he was finished after RWC2011. They just didn't know the man as well as JS, JG & Greg Feek.
If you have a good look at the Irish XV succession prospects, we are in reasonable shape in the back three; beginning to develop a decent crop in mid-field (not BO'D quality, but's that's impossible), particualrly at out-half; a few prospects at No 9, particularly with Marmion and McGrath from the last JWC; Loose-head looks OK, Hooker also, TH could do with another couple coming throught, but the prospects are around, including Furlong. Flankers are littering the place and Dan Leavy and one or two others may eventually fill some of the gap that Jamie will leave behind eventually at No 8.
2nd row is where we are thin on the ground in raw material;
But 2nd Row is the area we really lack the height and weight that other nations seem to have yards of. The Saxons can wheel out any number of large gentlemen, as can the French, at their leisure. Even the Scots, Welsh and Italians have a number of candidates, but we lack large men with strength and mobility, not to mention durability and hardness. Toner, Ryan, Tuohy and McCarthy will eventually have to fill the gap which Mal, POC and DOC have filled for a decade and a half. But for the next several (possibly 5) years, those four will fill the spaces unless we have a real discovery and it won't be easy.
On that basis alone, it is highly unlikely that the IRFU are going to allow any Irish Province recruit overseas second-rows in the foreseeable future, and why would they?
Re: Rumour Mill
Rocky can play second row and is clubless.. 
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simonokeeffe
- Jamie Heaslip
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Re: Rumour Mill
Whoever updates Japanese rugby on wikipedia is not doing a good enough jobceemec wrote:Signed for Toulon recently and retired respectively.simonokeeffe wrote:Dannie Roussow or Dan Vickerman?
Vickerman played s15 this year? If he did and maybe Aussie club too he might still be fit, its a guess for who it is more so than wishful thinking
Carizza linked with Scarlets according to wikipedia
problem with Argies is theyre missing for September - November more or less especially if you want to give them any kind of a break. 6'7 and 120kg would fit the bit of heft brief thoughCaldwell would be a good signing but can't see him leaving Bath early
Roux is a project player and we have a spare NIQ slot so that should allow us an NIQ lock?
Retired from babbling. Can be found on twittter @okeeffesimon
Re: Rumour Mill
Vickerman retired due to injury so he's out. Caldwell could be an option but obviously isn't the person ror is referring to. He has done well at Bath and a move to Ireland could benefit all involved.
Really is very few people that fit the description. Have to assume it is a southern hemisphere player anyway.
Really is very few people that fit the description. Have to assume it is a southern hemisphere player anyway.
Re: Rumour Mill
Actually the IRFU rules will not only allow a NIQ 2nd row to be signed, they will effectively mandate it. 5 (4 + project) NIQ players each province, total of 15, not more than one in each position. There's scope for a lock or two and filling the quota without using one would just move the problem (from an IRFU perspective) elsewhere. Ulster have (and will lose) Muller, Munster won't want one (for a while, at least).Ruckedtobits wrote:
On that basis alone, it is highly unlikely that the IRFU are going to allow any Irish Province recruit overseas second-rows in the foreseeable future, and why would they?
The IRFU will almost pressurise us to get a NIQ lock as opposed to someone in another position. Unless Munster have a more pressing medium term need, if that happens there's no way the IRFU will block them recruiting.
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If an Aussie it'll have to be Sharpe, as everyone else will be hanging on to ensure their place for the Lions series. He's a relatively sprightly 34, and his contract with Western Force finished before the "Championship", I believe.
Re: Rumour Mill
Based on this, I assume it's a signing for next season?ror wrote:Not Immediate....
Look out Itchy, he's Irish
Re: Rumour Mill
Great post ruckedtobits. I think the Richie Gray recruitment idea is a good one but Sale might prefer to sell him to a French club if they had to let him go. I think there is no way that Leinster will go for a Puma lock who could be called up for International duty several times a year. In any case, apart from Dr.Phil our experience with recruiting Argies has been pretty woeful esp. for forwards.
The only other candidate that Leinster should possibly seek is this year's transfer flop - thus far - Richie Gray. Sale are languishing badly. Whatever reason took him there in the first place, unless it's his love life, has been a total disaster and may even cost him his (undoubtedly warranted) Lions place. He is the European 2nd row who has the potential to dominate any world ranking of the position after the departure from the international scene of Botha, Thorn and Matfield - but where is he? Injured is the easy answer, but not a real reason. Gray is a kid in 2nd row terms. He has the potential to become a new species, a running second row who jumps at No 4, handles like Zinzan Brook and could play until he's as old as Simon Shaw.
Other than Gray, we should keep our bucks for backline spectaculars, who do not have any international call-ups. Just now apart from injuries, our production line is working just fine and if we can develop Quinn Roux in anything like the manner that Richardt Strauss has improved, the liklihood is that S African player agents will be banging on Mick Dawson's door with Saffa's, without a tan, who fancy a long international career.
But 2nd Row is the area we really lack the height and weight that other nations seem to have yards of. The Saxons can wheel out any number of large gentlemen, as can the French, at their leisure. Even the Scots, Welsh and Italians have a number of candidates, but we lack large men with strength and mobility, not to mention durability and hardness. Toner, Ryan, Tuohy and McCarthy will eventually have to fill the gap which Mal, POC and DOC have filled for a decade and a half. But for the next several (possibly 5) years, those four will fill the spaces unless we have a real discovery and it won't be easy.
On that basis alone, it is highly unlikely that the IRFU are going to allow any Irish Province recruit overseas second-rows in the foreseeable future, and why would they?[/quote]
The only other candidate that Leinster should possibly seek is this year's transfer flop - thus far - Richie Gray. Sale are languishing badly. Whatever reason took him there in the first place, unless it's his love life, has been a total disaster and may even cost him his (undoubtedly warranted) Lions place. He is the European 2nd row who has the potential to dominate any world ranking of the position after the departure from the international scene of Botha, Thorn and Matfield - but where is he? Injured is the easy answer, but not a real reason. Gray is a kid in 2nd row terms. He has the potential to become a new species, a running second row who jumps at No 4, handles like Zinzan Brook and could play until he's as old as Simon Shaw.
Other than Gray, we should keep our bucks for backline spectaculars, who do not have any international call-ups. Just now apart from injuries, our production line is working just fine and if we can develop Quinn Roux in anything like the manner that Richardt Strauss has improved, the liklihood is that S African player agents will be banging on Mick Dawson's door with Saffa's, without a tan, who fancy a long international career.
But 2nd Row is the area we really lack the height and weight that other nations seem to have yards of. The Saxons can wheel out any number of large gentlemen, as can the French, at their leisure. Even the Scots, Welsh and Italians have a number of candidates, but we lack large men with strength and mobility, not to mention durability and hardness. Toner, Ryan, Tuohy and McCarthy will eventually have to fill the gap which Mal, POC and DOC have filled for a decade and a half. But for the next several (possibly 5) years, those four will fill the spaces unless we have a real discovery and it won't be easy.
On that basis alone, it is highly unlikely that the IRFU are going to allow any Irish Province recruit overseas second-rows in the foreseeable future, and why would they?[/quote]
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Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde
Re: Rumour Mill
I think ror takes sick pleasure in just leaving these little tid-bits of information here and then watching the feeding frenzy...
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Re: Rumour Mill
It's entirely possible that Gray has a relegation clause in his contract.
Can I raise a practical question at this point? Are we gonna do "Stonehenge" tomorrow?
Re: Rumour Mill
I have to say I didnt't expect this frenzy. I just wanted guys to know here that my info is that there is something going down in the 2nd row. I dont know if this one will come off but the key thing here is we are shopping. I suspect Leinster may follow the model of last year with Thorn by signing a Top name for a Short Burst.[Jackass] wrote:I think ror takes sick pleasure in just leaving these little tid-bits of information here and then watching the feeding frenzy...
Re: Rumour Mill
Ah, it's fun to speculate especially after last year's speculation ended up with the most decorated lock possibly in the history of the game rocking up.ror wrote:I have to say I didnt't expect this frenzy. I just wanted guys to know here that my info is that there is something going down in the 2nd row. I dont know if this one will come off but the key thing here is we are shopping. I suspect Leinster may follow the model of last year with Thorn by signing a Top name for a Short Burst.[Jackass] wrote:I think ror takes sick pleasure in just leaving these little tid-bits of information here and then watching the feeding frenzy...
Ok, so a short term contract. That suggests Japan again then. Thorn is already signed for the Highlanders so he's out. Roussow is arriving in Toulon in February so it's not him. That leaves us with Tom Donnelly, Hayden Triggs and Isaac Ross. Triggs isn't capped so it probably isn't him.
I'm going to go with Isaac Ross. It's only one letter different from a current player so it will cut down on paperwork.
When is he arriving?
Re: Rumour Mill
In todays Irish Times it says that Leinster went out on their own to find Bent, it was not the IRFU. With the new rules on NIQ players, the provinces, but more likely Leinster will be looking for other players from abroad who can play for Ireland. If they can find a tighthead playing provincial and super level rugby in NZ, they can find a lock.
Also, we have had huge success bringing in big players for a short burst in a season, that does not mean its going to work every time.
I'm also a little suspisous of ror, as I'd imagine Leinster are looking for a whole host of players on a constant basis, that are "not immediate" , dont they have full time employee's who do this full time. Its a bit like saying, I have an inside track that Joe Smidht is looking to put together a strong team for the 2012/13 season.
Also, we have had huge success bringing in big players for a short burst in a season, that does not mean its going to work every time.
I'm also a little suspisous of ror, as I'd imagine Leinster are looking for a whole host of players on a constant basis, that are "not immediate" , dont they have full time employee's who do this full time. Its a bit like saying, I have an inside track that Joe Smidht is looking to put together a strong team for the 2012/13 season.
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Munster 6-Leinster 25 H-cup semi Croke
Leinster 30-Munster 0 2009/10 RDS
Munster 15-Leinster 16 2009/10 Thomond
Leinster 16-Munster 6 2009/10 semi RDS
Leinster 13-Munster 9 2010 Lansdowne
Munster 16-Leinster 22 POC kicks DK in head 2013
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simonokeeffe
- Jamie Heaslip
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Re: Rumour Mill
there's a Declan Donnelly touring with the Maoiri this Autumn, he has to be eligible
Gray apparently chose Sale as it was driveable home and theyd release him for Scotland training
we did try to sign McCarthy before and he said no
Gray apparently chose Sale as it was driveable home and theyd release him for Scotland training
we did try to sign McCarthy before and he said no
Retired from babbling. Can be found on twittter @okeeffesimon
Re: Rumour Mill
He's played 7s for NZ.simonokeeffe wrote:there's a Declan Donnelly touring with the Maoiri this Autumn, he has to be eligible
Gray apparently chose Sale as it was driveable home and theyd release him for Scotland training
we did try to sign McCarthy before and he said no
Re: Rumour Mill
In fairness, ror holds substantial credability on the forum for his inside track. I don't think he'd want to lose that by blowing smoke up our ass and having Bails take over as "the insider". If there's a bit of juxtopositioning (did I make up that word or is my dyslexia playing up again as I can't spell) going on, then I'd say there's merit to what he says as a potential big development.BlueBlue wrote: I'm also a little suspisous of ror, as I'd imagine Leinster are looking for a whole host of players on a constant basis, that are "not immediate" , dont they have full time employee's who do this full time. Its a bit like saying, I have an inside track that Joe Smidht is looking to put together a strong team for the 2012/13 season.
Or perhaps it is run of the mill stuff that has gotten out of hand, as we're so starved of good news that we're waiting for the news that Thorn is coming back and he had such nice stories to tell, his mate McCaw decided to come with him.
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