Transfers Rumours

[munstermuffin]

Lads I really can't state enough how hard the IRFU are up sh*t creek with funds. Don't think O'Brien will leave though as he is a solid players and wants to reach the top, money isn't an issue with him

 

[Duckdee]

It's been stated many a time, but Castro doesn't want to leave, so I guess it's up to him if he follows Croft's example, and chooses Leicester over money. If he does go, we'll need another tighthead from somewhere, as White said this is his last season.

Edit -

Director of rugby Richard Cockerill says Leicester Tigers are desperate to keep hold of Martin Castrogiovanni.
The 29-year-old Italy prop has developed into a key figure at Welford Road since joining in 2006 but is out of contract at the end of the season.
Cockerill told BBC Radio Leicester: "Castro has been fantastic; he's world class, is an icon of the club and we will do whatever we can to keep him.
"We're talking it through and hopefully it will come to a resolution."
But Cockerill fears a better financial offer could tempt Castrogiovanni away from the Premiership champions.
"If he leaves because the financial lure is so much then I wouldn't ever hold that against him because you have to make the right decision at the time," Cockerill said.
"But certainly this environment is where he has played his best rugby and we would love to keep him."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/leicester/9290312.stm

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Confirmation that Connacht are losing Ian Keatley to Munster and both Sean Cronin and Fionn Carr to Leinster:
http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-suffer-multiple-blows-2466582.html

Cronin is a superb signing for Leinster and gives them two superb options for the 2 shirt. Carr arriving is very welcome with both Rob Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald likely to miss a lot of the season due to the World Cup and Shane Horgan turning 33 before next season.

Keatley needed to get out of Connacht. He'll get plenty of games at 10 when O'Gara is at the World Cup and will hopefully pick up some of ROGs better habits as the season progresses. By the time the 2012/13 season comes around, he'll be Munster's regular first choice flyhalf.

 

[munstermuffin]

Snoop as you said Keatley will learn alot and well plan is simple he learns next season while getting time in ML and Heineken Cup (despite possibly not starting it's vital he will get game time in Europe)

Cronin will be Ireland's first choice hooker now he is getting time and well Leinster now have top-class competition in all frontrow spots and well remind me of a french set-up of seeing the whole frontrow been subbed together yet the replacements don't weaken team.

 

[lucky number 7]

T
O'Brien isn't going to get an international contract either given the competition he has in the backrow and with the cutting the amount of international contracts to 21, could be up to Leinster to trump up the cash if they want to keep him.

With the form he is in at the moment he should walk to a contract .. alot of competition for the backrow yes but the way he is playing . his ability to break the gain line every time he gets his hands on the ball and His ability to play 6 7 8 means he is well deserving of one In my opiniion

 

[Teh Mite]

Paul Warwick
© Inpho Photography
Warwick Move Confirmed
20 December 2010, 4:47 pm
By The Editor
Munster have confirmed that Paul Warwick will be leaving at the end of the current season.

There had been widespread speculation in the media over the past weeks that he would be moving on at the end of this season and a statement issued today confirmed the news. It's understood that the 29 year old, one of Munster's non Irish eligible players, has attracted the interest of several European clubs who have offered terms that Munster are unable to match.

Commenting on the news Warwick said, "We felt the need to address the recent speculation about my future by confirming my intention to move. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here with Munster and hope I can contribute in helping the squad achieve the goals we set for ourselves at the start of the season.”

Munster coach Tony McGahan said. "We are of course disappointed that Paul will be leaving us at the end of the season. He has been a quality player who significantly contributed at both fullback and fly half over the past four seasons. We understand the reasons for his decision and he leaves with our best wishes both professionally and personally

Warwick joined Munster at the start of the 2007/2008 season and since making his debut against the US Eagles in Chicago and won his 80th cap against Ospreys last Saturday

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/8431.php

 

[MunsterMan]

Balls. He will be missed.

Confirmed that Sean Cronin and Fionn Carr are heading to Leinster and Ian Keatley to Munster too.

I'm not liking all the Leinster players we have! backline with Keatley, Ian Dowling, Johne Murphy, Denis Hurley and Felix Jones in it is possible. How about you take them back and give us Cronin, Ross and Reddan in return?

 

[Conal]

mabey in a year or two for the first time that i can remember at least there could be two international standard flyhalves in ireland nd one isnt about to retire

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

How about you take them back

Last year Leinster took Isaac Boss (yay) and Ed O'Donoghue (boo) from Ulster. This year they're stripping Connacht of Sean Cronin and Fionn Carr. Next year it's Munster's turn to be raped by Leinster. Never mind Ian Keatley, Ian Dowling, Johne Murphy, Denis Hurley, Felix Jones and Niall Ronan; we'll help ourselves to Paul O'Connell and Keith Earls 'cos that's how we roll!

More seriously, how did Munster let Mike Ross slip away? I'm not going to laud him as a superstar but he's damn good at what he does. Look at the massive improvement in Leinster's scrum between last seasons meeting with Clermont Auvergne and this season's clashes. It's no coincidence that Mike Ross was playing in the 3 shirt this time around. The best tighthead in Ireland by some distance is a Munster man playing for Leinster yet Munster don't have a tighthead prop in their own squad worth their salt.

........................................................................

Another rumour:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/dec/16/sale-charlie-hodgson-decide-future

The Sale fly-half Charlie Hodgson, who has been linked with a move to Saracens or Northampton in the summer after spending a decade with the Sharks, has yet to make up his mind where he will play next season.
The 30-year old England international, whose contract ends in May, said: "There has been speculation about my future and people can say what they want. My only concern is to think about what I want and need and what my family needs. Only then will I come to a decision.
"I am still not sure about what I am going to do next. There are rumours connecting me with this club and that and I cannot do anything about that. Until something concrete happens, there is no point in talking about it.
"My aim at the moment is to be involved in the Six Nations after getting back into the England set-up for the autumn internationals. To have the opportunity to play in a few of their games was brilliant for me.
"As you get older, you learn not to take things for granted. It was also nice to prove a few people wrong and maybe shut some up and [nice] for my own sense of personal achievement and pride that I've managed to get back in the squad."

I think Hodgson makes more sense for Saracens than for Northampton. In my eyes Northampton are among the top half dozen teams in Europe at present. Is Hodgson going to help them climb to the very top? He's no better than Myler and Geraghty. Northampton are better off spending their money elsewhere; on a creative centre perhaps.

Saracens need an experienced veteran to help bring Owen Farrell along. Hodgson fits the bill- their other options are Alex Goode (a better full back), Gavin Henson (a better centre) and Derek Hougaard (a better..........actually he's just muck).

 

[mohamed_ali12]

Last year Leinster took Isaac Boss (yay) and Ed O'Donoghue (boo) from Ulster. This year they're stripping Connacht of Sean Cronin and Fionn Carr. Next year it's Munster's turn to be raped by Leinster. Never mind Ian Keatley, Ian Dowling, Johne Murphy, Denis Hurley, Felix Jones and Niall Ronan; we'll help ourselves to Paul O'Connell and Keith Earls 'cos that's how we roll!

More seriously, how did Munster let Mike Ross slip away? I'm not going to laud him as a superstar but he's damn good at what he does. Look at the massive improvement in Leinster's scrum between last seasons meeting with Clermont Auvergne and this season's clashes. It's no coincidence that Mike Ross was playing in the 3 shirt this time around. The best tighthead in Ireland by some distance is a Munster man playing for Leinster yet Munster don't have a tighthead prop in their own squad worth their salt.

........................................................................

Another rumour:

I think Hodgson makes more sense for Saracens than for Northampton. In my eyes Northampton are among the top half dozen teams in Europe at present. Is Hodgson going to help them climb to the very top? He's no better than Myler and Geraghty. Northampton are better off spending their money elsewhere; on a creative centre perhaps.

Saracens need an experienced veteran to help bring Owen Farrell along. Hodgson fits the bill- their other options are Alex Goode (a better full back), Gavin Henson (a better centre) and Derek Hougaard (a better..........actually he's just muck).

Bath will almost certainly need a new fly-half next season, and Hodgson fits the bill pretty well.

 

[munstermuffin]

Lads absolutely sickened by Warick departure. I have to say knowing him and well seen some pathetic excuses that there was a stab in the back and well this BS if big offers from Europe is rubbish. Paul wanted to stay and money wasn't the issue it was length and member within the IRFU, PAG and Munster branch really have to look long and hard at themselves.
1 member who I won't name stated "sure we just need time and Paul can be replaced with up and coming talents like Tom Gleeson and Scott Deasy".
Absolute rubbish, certain Cork members think because stadium is in Limerick that team should be mostly Cork lads with imports living down there too. I hear now Conrad Smith deal is looking good and Keith will be a fullback again. He is a centre or a wing not a 15 really. Paul Warick is a class act and has a few food years left in him.
And we need to smart up and get a worldclass tigh head that can prop a decent back and another backrow but I so peed off.

I honestly think best thing for Munster is fight to qualify for QF of H Cup but at very least make the Amlin and then let's blood Nagle, O'Mahony, Holland, Dave Ryan and few others in Europes second tier and see what we have and then any lads not good enough ship them to Connacht for a while

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Shifting Paul Warwick out and getting Conrad Smith and Ian Keatley in seems like a fair trade off to me. It's harsh on Warwick but with money getting tighter, these decisions have to be made. In the short term, could Keatley play 12? Shifting Sam Tuitopou and Lifeimi Mafi out (as much for disciplinary reasons as anything else) should be the next decision taken by the Munster management. Dumping their salaries along with the likely retirement of John Hayes and Alan Quinlan should free up a lot of money for a top backrower and quality scrummaging tighthead to be recruited.

............................

Charlie Hodgson to Bath is a good shout.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Reckon most "big names" at Sale will leave at the end of the season (with the exception of Cueto - think he'll stay until he retires)
Pretty sure that Hodgson, Tait, Peel, Cohen, Sheridan and Paul Williams contracts are up this season

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[coonor]

Its very bad news but players must move on. I don't see Earls as a 15 but he may fit in there and use his speed in spaces well. Like snoop says Keatley can play 12 and his pass and tactical kicking could benefit Smith (If he comes). Plus the master poachers of Smith and Howlett playing side by side could be destructive. I agree with snoop in that dumping Mafi, Quinlan, Hayes etc. should leave space for academy players and leave money for a much needed tight head and back row.

 

[MunsterMan]

Conrad Smith? Incredible player but we need a tighthead prop

Try and tempt Mike Ross home, or else get Castro seeing as he is leaving Leicester or someone

 

[munstermuffin]

Shifting Paul Warwick out and getting Conrad Smith and Ian Keatley in seems like a fair trade off to me. It's harsh on Warwick but with money getting tighter, these decisions have to be made. In the short term, could Keatley play 12? Shifting Sam Tuitopou and Lifeimi Mafi out (as much for disciplinary reasons as anything else) should be the next decision taken by the Munster management. Dumping their salaries along with the likely retirement of John Hayes and Alan Quinlan should free up a lot of money for a top backrower and quality scrummaging tighthead to be recruited.

............................

Charlie Hodgson to Bath is a good shout.

Snoop, Sam will probably leave as he was only originally signed for the year but think Mafi will go too and well we need a tighthead ASAP and a backrower of the highest calibre.
I understand what your saying in terms of money but Smith will be on alot more than Warick and well while I understand your issues I just keep getting the itch that this decision will come back to upset us.
Quinny I think will leave at end of season and well The Bull will too (And retire after World Cup if he goes )

I'd like us to be smart in market, Leinster have up to 10 really classy backs and well McFadden/O'Malley/Conway - If 1 were to become available then we should try.
We need a tighthead, 2 Backrow forwards, a fullback (Felix Jones is too injury prone) and well a centre if not 2.

 

[lucky number 7]

Euan Murray ? not sure whether he is a tighthead or a loosie but his reputation for scrummaging is very impressive .

also Mafi is a constant liability.. I told my dad when I saw him jogging out onto the pitch ...here comes a sin binning...Lo and behold !!

 

[coonor]

What is wrong with Munsters academy? They did well last year in the British and Irish cup but it seems like they have no strengh coming through especially in the backs.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Murray's a tighthead,
I imagine he'll go to Scarlets for the remainder of the season because of their injury crisis, then who knows next season.
People assume that he'll head back to Scotland, but I've not read anything from him that's said he wants to do that, so if Munster make a move it's likely he'll end up there, which would be great news for Munster (though not so great for Buckley/Hayes (if Hayes doesn't retire after the WC))


On the Warwick departure, would be a crying shame if Earls is shifted to FB when he leaves. The Ireland selectors already view him as wing/fb, despite him playing his best rugby at 13, and this'll just ensure he doesn't get a chance at being O'Driscolls replacement (and I think he's the best man for the job when BOD moves on/retires)

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[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

What is wrong with Munsters academy? They did well last year in the British and Irish cup but it seems like they have no strengh coming through especially in the backs.

It was ignored for too long. Declan Kidney must take a lot of blame for this since all he did was pick the same old warhorses every game. Tony McGahan inherited an ageing team and had to shake it up. In doing so he's giving lots of younger players a game, some before they're ready, but they're losing the odd game as a result. He's blooding a load of kids, reinvigorating the setup and a bunch of clowns on MF.com are calling for his head! All he's done is won a Magners League, been in a B&I Cup final, see his team sit top of the ML table and qualify for three semi finals despite being in the middle of a major squad overhaul.