Leinster's Long Term Fullback Post-RK

[Oldschool]

It's early days yet but I'm not sure that Larmour has what it takes to be a FB.
The big question he has to answer is.
'Has he the rugby intelligence to play at FB'?
Knowing when to run and when to for example.
RK makes it look easy but it isn't.

[leinster23]

It's early days yet but I'm not sure that Larmour has what it takes to be a FB.
The big question he has to answer is.
'Has he the rugby intelligence to play at FB'?
Knowing when to run and when to for example.
RK makes it look easy but it isn't.

He's 21, outrageously early to decide whether or not he has the 'rugby intelligence'. Given that he played every minute of our Heineken Cup campaign and rarely looked out of place, as well as been trusted to be in the first choice 23 by Joe Schmidt of all people I'd be inclined to say that the early signs are good for him.

[mildlyinterested]

His awareness, decision making and passing leaves a bit to be desired at 15, but he is still very young... but tend to agree that I don't think he is a top level international level 15 long term.

But do Leinster potentially have one of those on their books post Rob? ehm...

[mildlyinterested]

Potential academy fullbacks

U20
James Reynolds(CBC Monkstown)

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Max O'Reilly(St. Gerards/DUFC)

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Andrew Smith(St. Michaels)

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Sam Dardis(Terenure/Terenure)

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John Maher(Clongowes Wood College)

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U19
Chris Cosgrave(St. Michaels)

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Jamie Osborne(Naas RFC)

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Ed Kelly(St. Michaels)

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[LeRouxIsPHat]

The Indo is saying that contract talks have broken down and he might go to France. I had thought he was just keeping his head down and then would announce his retirement, but if this kind of stuff is hitting the papers then I'd say he really does plan on playing on and it'll all be sorted soon.

[Avenger]

Cunmiskey in Times is saying that it’s national contract or nothing.

[Oldschool]

Cunmiskey in Times is saying that it’s national contract or nothing.

Is that RK's line or Leinster's?

[mildlyinterested]

Who played 15 this season for Leinster outside of RK?

Dave Kearney - 4 starts at 15
Barry Daly - 2 starts at 15
Hugo Keenan - 3 starts at 15
Jimmy O'Brien - 2 starts at 15
Jordan Larmour - 9 starts at 15

Ciaran Frawley was named to start there once, but moved to 10 due to an injury.
Robbie Henshaw started at 15 for Ireland, once.

[Avenger]

Cunmiskey in Times is saying that it’s national contract or nothing.

Is that RK's line or Leinster's?

Looks like it’s RK.

Rob Kearney remains the only Leinster player out of contract next season. The most-decorated Irish rugby player – two Grand Slams, four European titles and a test Lion – remains in negotiations with the IRFU for a national deal.

The Irish Times understands that Kearney will not drop down to a Leinster contract. If talks break down with IRFU performance director David Nucifora, the 33-year-old fullback could join a club in France, England or even Japan.

[blockhead]

33 years old. And suddenly Leinster have to start paying his wages? Nah, you will never be forgotten Rob, and you deserve an indian summer with a big money deal. Thanks for the memories.

[Flash Gordon]

His awareness, decision making and passing leaves a bit to be desired at 15, but he is still very young... but tend to agree that I don't think he is a top level international level 15 long term.

But do Leinster potentially have one of those on their books post Rob? ehm...

Hard to tell, he played 13 in school, FB for the U20's, wing and FB for the senior teams so I think he needs to settle. There's a lot of learning in all of those positions.

I still think James Lowe is an option given that Ireland has world class wingers in situ with Earls and Stockdale but he would need to play there regularly obviously and he is an international class winger of course.

I can't see Rob getting an Ireland contract and he'd have to take a huge drop in wages to move over to Leinster so I think he might go. Might be France, could be the Premiership - London Irish have money and don't have an international FB on the books just a Fijian 7's player and a kid.

[mildlyinterested]

recent Leinster u20 fullbacks:

Cian Kelleher(1994/St. Michaels) - Connacht -> Leinster next season.
Billy Dardis(1995/Terenure) - Ireland 7's captain, ex-Leinster Academy
Hugo Keenan(1996/Blackrock) - Leinster, Ireland 7's
Jack Kelly(199/St. Michaels7) - Ireland 7's, Leinster Academy
Michael Silvester(1998/Clongowes) - Leinster Academy, Ireland 7's
Rob Russell(1999/St. Michaels) - Leinster Sub Academy

of course Conor Nash(1997/Navan RFC) didn't play leinster 20's due to AFL, while Jordan Larmour(1997/St. Andrews) played on the wing.

[ronk]

If the IRFU won't pay his contract demands there's not much chance they'd sanction us paying him more than they're offering. Even if a white knight offered to top up his salary it could still be a topped up central contract.

If they just weren't offering him a central contract we could negotiate. It's out of Leinster's hands.

Given the punishment we're already taken and the slim chances of signing a replacement this late this could be a tough blow for us and Ireland.

[Twist]

Well.......I hear Folau might be available!


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[Peg Leg]

Well.......I hear Folau might be available!


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Jaysus, that'd get DonnyB back on here

[blockhead]

Well.......I hear Folau might be available!


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Jaysus, that'd get DonnyB back on here

Well, as long as he promised to close down all his social media accounts.........

[blockhead]

Nucifora:

Yet the Australian took exception to McHugh’s comments, implying the Line Up Sports boss was not part of the current negotiations.

“I haven’t dealt with that fellow who was his agent, to be honest. I’ve never had a conversation with him so I don’t really know where he came from into it. I didn’t realise he was Rob’s agent.

“So the conversations I’ve had are pretty much on the same page and I’d suggest that we’re very very close and we’re sorting out a few things at the moment. So we’ll see where we get to but it’d be hopeful.”

[Dave Cahill]

Nucifora:

Yet the Australian took exception to McHugh’s comments, implying the Line Up Sports boss was not part of the current negotiations.

“I haven’t dealt with that fellow who was his agent, to be honest. I’ve never had a conversation with him so I don’t really know where he came from into it. I didn’t realise he was Rob’s agent.

“So the conversations I’ve had are pretty much on the same page and I’d suggest that we’re very very close and we’re sorting out a few things at the moment. So we’ll see where we get to but it’d be hopeful.”

Sure why would he know him, he only represents Conor Murray, Rory Best, SOB, Joey Carbery, Tadhg Furlong and and a host of other current Irish team members. Its totes plausible that the head of elite player development has never met the representative of some of the most decorated players this country has ever produced many of whom are on central contracts, including the most decorated player in the history of Irish rugby. Totes.com

At least we know Joe has met him

[ronk]

That makes at least one of them look unprofessional.

But it's better that an agent says something rather than the player.

I hope he stays, he's too important and we have a new coach. A hard rebuild after the RWC is a big risk

[Ruckedtobits]

Nucifora doesn't do contract negotiations. They're handled by the financial side of the house. Nucifora comments about never meeting McHugh was silly and he should have emphasised that the Hon Treasurer or Financial Director, or somebody else, handles the negotiations. However, be in no doubt that it is Schmidt & Nucifora who determine who is offered a National Contract and for how long.

IMO, the negotiation for RK is about the latter point and the Union may only have offered something like a one-year, pay-per-play deal. If you could do the calculation on the last National Contract for SO'B, it is possible that he was the most highly paid Irish international ever, per appearance. Reviewing RK's availability / fitness over the past two years and recognising that chronic injuries rarely improve with age, its not hard to see why current negociations are probably real hard-ball.