Transfers Rumours

[coonor]

Leinster
Could do with a Hooker so Cronin or one of Munster's would be great.

Munster
Could do with a fly half next season and Keatley could enhance his career there. A high quality back would be good aswell Nonu would be great ir a full back. Maybe even a back row would be nice.

Ulster
A fly half that can actually kick Steenson please. A fullback aswell.

Connacht
They could just do with some quality and experience. They have a good core team and have real potential but they lack a good defence and need more control.

 

[munstermuffin]

Just hearing Schmidt there and well he seems to know Sexton is going.
Also Heaslip rumoured for France. Tony Buckley has been approached by Castres but I think it highly unlikely he will go.

But on Sexton issue I really think this will be a massive blow if he leaves as he is a player this team is been built around.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Just hearing Schmidt there and well he seems to know Sexton is going.

I find it hard to believe that the IRFU would rather throw new deals at a 34 year old Ronan O'Gara and a 32 year old Donnacha O'Callaghan (at the time their new deals kick in) than do everything in their power to keep the 26 year old starting flyhalf playing in Ireland. If it's true though, it's a massive loss for Leinster.

I see two options as a replacement:
1. Ian Keatley comes back from Connacht.
2. They throw big money at Matt Giteau in the hope that he rediscovers his form.

Also Heaslip rumoured for France.

He should be getting a massive IRFU deal and a shot at the Ireland captaincy post World Cup. I've no doubt he's in high demand elsewhere.

Tony Buckley has been approached by Castres but I think it highly unlikely he will go.

If Peter Borlase works out as the season progresses, perhaps it makes sense to let him leave rather than pay him an inflated salary. I don't think Buckley's performances deserve a large contract because there's no real sign of him developing as a scrummager and having turned 30, he's unlikely to get any better. Munster may be better off dumping his (and John Hayes') large salary and investing in a proper scrum coach! Buckley is an impact sub, no more no less.

He'll stick around though since he's Declan Kidney's lovechild and Munster would have very little depth at tighthead should he move.

 

[munstermuffin]

Snoop I agree with all comments and think it is vital that IRFU keep all 3 players as we need to keep the best in the provinces and be competitive in Europe.

Sexton - I'm hoping this is just all media but I don't know much about the guy personally and how close he is to Cheika but as you said it would be a huge blow and well I don't think those 2 options you mentioned would live up to Sextons standards.

Heaslip - This isn't a secret that Jamie himself want to chance his arm abroad after the World Cup but my understanding was that it was down in SH that he had his eye on. The biggest loss of all in my eyes if he went as he has been 1 of the most consistent players in World Rugby in past 18 months.

Buckley would hurt us if he left simply because we have invested so much time in to him and John Hayes we expect will retire after the World Cup.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I think Sexton would be a bigger loss than Heaslip simply because the potential replacements are so much weaker. If Heaslip leaves, Sean O'Brien can slot in extremely effectively at 8 and Leinster will still have Kevin McLaughlin, Rhys Ruddock, Shane Jennings, Dominic Ryan and Stephen Keogh battling it out for the other backrow slots. That would still be a strong unit. If Sexton leaves, Leinster only have Shaun Berne (great runner and passer but poor kicker) and the callow Ian Madigan in reserve. While Heaslip is a better player than Sexton, he's easier to replace.

Get rid of Buckley and replace him with holy Euan Murray! I see Murray is being linked with Newcastle who have the substandard Tim Ryan at 3. It wouldn't shock me if Murray showed up at Glasgow to try and get a World Cup place and also to shore up their poor scrum.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

I think Sexton would be a bigger loss than Heaslip simply because the potential replacements are so much weaker. If Heaslip leaves, Sean O'Brien can slot in extremely effectively at 8 and Leinster will still have Kevin McLaughlin, Rhys Ruddock, Shane Jennings, Dominic Ryan and Stephen Keogh battling it out for the other backrow slots. That would still be a strong unit. If Sexton leaves, Leinster only have Shaun Berne (great runner and passer but poor kicker) and the callow Ian Madigan in reserve. While Heaslip is a better player than Sexton, he's easier to replace.

Get rid of Buckley and replace him with holy Euan Murray! I see Murray is being linked with Newcastle who have the substandard Tim Ryan at 3. It wouldn't shock me if Murray showed up at Glasgow to try and get a World Cup place and also to shore up their poor scrum.

Murray could be well be on his way to Scarlets by some good sources. If not then a move to Scotland is his other favourite destination.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

How long are Scarlets tightheads out for?

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Leinster
Could do with a Hooker so Cronin or one of Munster's would be great.

Agreed. Cronin would be top of my wishlist. Looking longer term, a quality second row would be nice too since Hines and Cullen are getting old and Hogan, Galarza and O'Donoghue are average. Leinster need a long term partner for Devin Toner. A decent young fly half (Keatley) to compliment Sexton would be nice too.

Munster
Could do with a fly half next season and Keatley could enhance his career there. A high quality back would be good aswell Nonu would be great ir a full back. Maybe even a back row would be nice.

With Warwick on his way out, Keatley would be a great signing. A top class backrow to replace the ageing Quinlan and Wallace is needed too, as is a creative 12.

Ulster
A fly half that can actually kick Steenson please. A fullback aswell.

Once again, Ian Keatley would be of great use for Ulster. I think their starting XV is fine apart from the positions you mention but they sorely need depth almost everywhere.

Connacht
They could just do with some quality and experience. They have a good core team and have real potential but they lack a good defence and need more control.

What they need to do is keep their key players together and add 4 or 5 decent youngsters from the other provinces to their squad. Second rows and centres are badly needed.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

How long are Scarlets tightheads out for?

Rhys Thomas is long term, Manu and Edwards are short term, Edwards is mainly contracted to Llandovery though. If he came he'd be first choice.

 

[munstermuffin]

Have heard in the pipeline Sean Cronin will sign for Leinster next season.
We are close to signing Tony Buckley up and John Muldoon is been scouted here but move is unlikely.

We are in good talks with Conrad Smith which is at a good stage and well I expect us to release either Mafi or Tuitupou at end of year. That will free up a spot but we have to use our NIQ players smartly

 

[dangandan]

why aren't munster using keith earls as a 13? with conrad smith in the team he'll be shoved back to the bench or do munster have other plans for him?

 

[munstermuffin]

Well if Ireland only see him as a winger then maybe that what we could do but there is a few options in SH that are being explored. We know we need a backrow forward like when Jim Williams etc came in. We need a back that maybe is versatile and well Snoop mentioned him before but I think Matt Giteau would be ideal for Munster or that type of player but we will monitor options closely.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Cronin would be mad to do anything but go to Leinster (or stay at Connacht). Going back to Munster would be daft considering they have Flannery, Varley and Sherry on their books. In fact it would probably be for the best if Sherry were to move west if Flannery comes back fit and firing.

The Smith signing is a very interesting one. Munster's current centre options include Keith Earls, Leifemi Mafi, Paul Warwick , Johne Murphy and Sam Tuituuituoujiohsfb...... There's a good chance that they'll lose Warwick over the summer but they're quite well endowed in that aspect. It hints that the management may not be entirely satisfied with Mafi's form over the last year or so (understandable) and that Sam thingy hasn't been the signing they thought he would be. Otherwise I can't see why they'd use up another one of their NIQ spots for 13 when they're going to be facing a bit of a crisis in the backrow in the coming years.

 

[Teh Mite]

In fairness regarding Munsters centres, since Tipoki quit Mafi has been out of sorts. And Tuitupo is garbage. Murphy is better on the wing, so it seems bloody odd to play Earls outside instead if Warwick is on his way out.

 

[munstermuffin]

Bullitt everyone in Munster will agree with your comment on Mafi. Just hasn't clicked since Rua left. On the issue of players leaving lads I really think Warwick will be staying and Johne Murphy is a wing. Our centre options aren't huge but with NIQ players we have to be smart and find players that are serious about playing and not just here for payday

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Leinster close in on Cronin

IRELAND and Connacht front-row sensation Sean Cronin is poised to join Leinster next season.

Speculation intensified last night that Cronin will move to the capital and not his native Munster for the 2011-12 season.

"Many people would have expected that, having served his apprenticeship in Connacht, he would automatically move home to Limerick but there is too much home-based competition there," said one well placed source.

Apart from the injured Jerry Flannery, Damian Varley has emerged as one of the outstanding hookers this season. Mike Sherry is following hot on Varley’s heels and Munster’s embarrassment of riches is highlighted by the availability of Denis Fogarty, who will return from injury in January.

This is the time of year when contracts are traditionally signed, and while Connacht would obviously hope to hang on to the outstanding Cronin, it’s likely that national coach Declan Kidney will want to see the 24-year-old fast-tracked to a consistently higher level of competition than the Amlin Cup.

Since Cronin’s 2009 debut against Fiji, he has profited from injuries to Flannery and Ulster’s Rory Best, winning a further six caps.

Hooker has proved to be a troublesome area for Leinster of late, with Bernard Jackman retiring last season and John Fogarty forced to follow suit earlier this season through injury.

South African Richardt Strauss has been holding the fort at number two since, with Jason Harris-Wright pressed into active service on a regular basis as his second in command.

Read more: http://www.examiner.ie/sport/rugby/leinster-close-in-on-cronin-139492.html#ixzz18BgrTOgo​

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Excerpts from the Irish Times:

...........Seán O’Brien (supposed attracting the strong interest of Leicester Tigers)

It would also have made for a more contented, happier player. Instead, Stade Français and the former Leinster coach Michael Cheika are monitoring Sexton’s situation closely, along with a few other Leinster players, and are believed to value the player as worthy of €550,000 per annum.
Perhaps the IRFU did offer Sexton an improved deal then, but given nothing has still been signed – and a couple of sources confirm negotiations regarding a new deal opened in the summer – it strongly suggests the IRFU are not meeting Sexton’s value as a goalkicking out-half.
It is also understood Toulouse might be interested in the player, although this also hinges on the future of the Stade outhalf Lionel Beauxis, who has been strongly linked with Toulouse.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/1215/1224285581791.html

 

[Teh Mite]

Is that €550,000 before or after the Euro plummets into worthlessness and the French start using Francs again?

 

[munstermuffin]

Well it seems Sean Cronin has a good long contract with Leinster. Fionn Carr is also returning to play with Leinster and Keatley is in advanced talks with us. Also an unnamed 3rd Connacht player leaving for Leinster too.

Good IRFU model ha - Take all the good player and treat them as a bedding process

 

[TRF_Cymro]

You often feel that Connacht are just neglected by the IRFU, they are pretty much the Dragons of Wales, no cash and have to rely on developing within. When they become decent players they are snapped up by the big two.