2023-2024 transfers

[TRF_Olyy]

Will you back Keats if he's leading Sale. Another Munster man to ye

He'd only be here to carry AJs boots
And presumably send reports on our academy players back to the IRFU

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Was with Northampton Saints before. Had a mixed bag. Well that is JJ strength now in that he is versatile. Axel (RIP) got grief when he let JJ go because he backed Keatley. I said it here at time and again now. JJ was hyped from U20 days but never adjusted to the full pro game and well through various reason never got near potential. Axel recognised this from seeing him day in day out was right

Or maybe Munster have a problem developing young talent. Since Peter O'Mahony, nobody younger than him has come through the academy to be a starter in the current fully loaded Munster team (since Rhys Marshall has seemingly overtaken Niall Scannell). O'Mahony's nearly 29. That needs to be addressed.

 

[munstermuffin]

Or maybe Munster have a problem developing young talent. Since Peter O'Mahony, nobody younger than him has come through the academy to be a starter in the current fully loaded Munster team (since Rhys Marshall has seemingly overtaken Niall Scannell). O'Mahony's nearly 29. That needs to be addressed.

That is an issue to. Bit not just at Munster level. Schools rugby is a poor standard here now. As is the club to province feeder system. At AIL level Dublin clubs are paying big money. And that isn't the biggest issue but more that lads see it as they don't push themselves if no sign of provincial deal but hopefully the Neil Cronin deal helps there. On Niall Scannell vs Rhys both are very different players. Rhys started end of season but Niall was injured a bit too. Again though even with Niall there it still not top developing. Although you've excluded Rory Scannell and Kilcoyne/Cronin and John Ryan from list.

But it isn't an issue developing but more so the structures and the talent not being there. As in JJ wasn't an issue of neglect. The injury profile is proof of that even in Northampton. The problem is now lads get too overhyped and believe it now. And mix it on with from what I see now a lad in academy being told he a superstar when in reality he is in the crop he trains with but different story come mixing it with a Leinster level academy. Which again traces back to Schools game where lads are more like professional and the approach and standard benefit hugely later in development

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

That is an issue to. Bit not just at Munster level. Schools rugby is a poor standard here now. As is the club to province feeder system. At AIL level Dublin clubs are paying big money. And that isn't the biggest issue but more that lads see it as they don't push themselves if no sign of provincial deal but hopefully the Neil Cronin deal helps there. On Niall Scannell vs Rhys both are very different players. Rhys started end of season but Niall was injured a bit too. Again though even with Niall there it still not top developing. Although you've excluded Rory Scannell and Kilcoyne/Cronin and John Ryan from list.

But it isn't an issue developing but more so the structures and the talent not being there. As in JJ wasn't an issue of neglect. The injury profile is proof of that even in Northampton. The problem is now lads get too overhyped and believe it now. And mix it on with from what I see now a lad in academy being told he a superstar when in reality he is in the crop he trains with but different story come mixing it with a Leinster level academy. Which again traces back to Schools game where lads are more like professional and the approach and standard benefit hugely later in development

100% now agents are starting to represent academy players (At least in English rugby) it becomes a lot harder to keep them as squad player with potential they want to be starters and on starting money even before a season of playing senior rugby, factor in a parent or two who think their lad is the greatest thing to grace the rugby field and it's a nightmare. Tigers have had issues with that recently.
Also Jounro's desperate to find the next Itoje or whoever don't help things, especially when most of them have to base their findings is U18 type stuff which isn't that accurate IMO.

It's important to have really good academy managers that can lower expectations before that jump happens.

 

[munstermuffin]

100% now agents are starting to represent academy players (At least in English rugby) it becomes a lot harder to keep them as squad player with potential they want to be starters and on starting money even before a season of playing senior rugby, factor in a parent or two who think their lad is the greatest thing to grace the rugby field and it's a nightmare. Tigers have had issues with that recently.
Also Jounro's desperate to find the next Itoje or whoever don't help things, especially when most of them have to base their findings is U18 type stuff which isn't that accurate IMO.

It's important to have really good academy managers that can lower expectations before that jump happens.

100% agree. Also here now youngsters are too protected by academies. Like Peter Clohessy and Shane Byrne here both said recently they should be thrown in to more AIL games (Not sure of equivalent over) where they come up against some guys on the decline of career too. And well that is where you learn the dark arts that no coach will ever teach. You look back even at Leicester in their prime. All fabulous players but had the craft too for the dark arts and knew how to stick up for themselves and be the physical presence. Martin Johnson was k9ng at it. The day v Ireland and red carpet debacle was that to a tee. And it worked

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Maxime Mermoz back at Toulouse for 2 years

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Paddy Jackson to Perpignan.

A bit of a coup really, newly promoted side get an international class ten. Presuming he gets back to where he was he's a top ten outhalf in the world.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Rumours they're also possibly going after one or both of the Tomkins...

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Paddy Jackson to Perpignan.

A bit of a coup really, newly promoted side get an international class ten. Presuming he gets back to where he was he's a top ten outhalf in the world.

Hmm not really. A coup yes, and an international 10, but not top 10 in the world.
1. Barrett
2. Sexton
3. Farrell
4. Cruden
5. Russell
6. Lambie
7. Foley
8. Biggar
9. Sopoanga
10. Cipriani

Maybe still Carter in there as well. Ian Madigan is better than Jackson as well

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Hmm not really. A coup yes, and an international 10, but not top 10 in the world.
1. Barrett
2. Sexton
3. Farrell
4. Cruden
5. Russell
6. Lambie
7. Foley
8. Biggar
9. Sopoanga
10. Cipriani

Maybe still Carter in there as well. Ian Madigan is better than Jackson as well

Cips over Jackson is very questionable

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Hmm not really. A coup yes, and an international 10, but not top 10 in the world.
1. Barrett
2. Sexton
3. Farrell
4. Cruden
5. Russell
6. Lambie
7. Foley
8. Biggar
9. Sopoanga
10. Cipriani

Maybe still Carter in there as well. Ian Madigan is better than Jackson as well

Definitely not. Lambie and Cipriani are way off his level, I'd argue Foley and Biggar too. My list of players based on their most recent form would be:

1. Sexton
2. Barrett
3. Russell
4. Lopez
5. Farrell
6. Sopoanga
7. Foley
8. Jackson
9. Ford
10. Biggar

Jackson was playing fantastic rugby prior to his troubles, had he not been stuck behind Sexton I reckon he'd have been a Lion.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I don't think it's a coup just because the newly promoted top 14 sides often throw huge cash around.

I'm a USAP fan so I'm happy, anyway. Great addition and would've come at a reasonable rate as well (sub 300k is how much he agreed to with us)

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

From purely a playing perspective, Paddy Jackson is an excellent signing for Perpignan. His form improved no end from the start of 2016 to last summer. He'll have been out of pro rugby for 15 months by the time next season starts so it might take him a while to adjust.

 

[munstermuffin]

Thing about Jackson is there minimal chance either he will be signed back to Ireland which in return means international windows won't be an issue

 

[Leinster Fan]

Minimal is pushing it a bit. There is a 0% chance that Paddy Jackson will ever even be considered for Irish selection ever again.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Something big coming at quins tomorrow. Very cryptic on facebook

 

[Fuzzy du Plessis]

John Kingston to return as DOR on a 7 year contract. You heard it here first.

 

[Mumbles119]

Something big coming at quins tomorrow. Very cryptic on facebook

Edwards to join Team Gustard at Quins?

There was a random BBC news story today about Gatland hoping Edwards doesn't leave and touting him as one of the three best defensive coaches in the world. Usually ignore this stuff, as it is usually just Media asking leading questions to use in nothing stories.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Edwards to join Team Gustard at Quins?

There was a random BBC news story today about Gatland hoping Edwards doesn't leave and touting him as one of the three best defensive coaches in the world. Usually ignore this stuff, as it is usually just Media asking leading questions to use in nothing stories.

Engerland.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

I think it's either Ben Ryan or that NZ partnership has paid off somehow and we get someone incredible.

Knowing us it will be "congrats, we signed a new sponsor" or some ****