Transfers Rumours

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Also an unnamed 3rd Connacht player leaving for Leinster too.

Jamie Hagan to replace Ben Prescott, Ronan McCormack and Simon Shawe perhaps? It could be Cillian Willis either if he's happy with being 3rd choice scrumhalf- Paul O'Donohoe going in the other direction makes sense.

 

[munstermuffin]

Since Newland is on a short term and Stan Wright will probably have the same issues as Warick I suspect it is probably Hagan as in fairness he would be good enough to challenge for a spot in team

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Would be a strange move for Carr,
Though he'd be more in the Ireland selectors sights if he played at Leinster, Leinster have got Shaggy, Fitzgerald and Isa already, so he won't be guaranteed a starting spot, or even a bench spot

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Would be a strange move for Carr,
Though he'd be more in the Ireland selectors sights if he played at Leinster, Leinster have got Shaggy, Fitzgerald and Isa already, so he won't be guaranteed a starting spot, or even a bench spot

Be like a Richard Fussell move to the Ospreys!

 

[munstermuffin]

Well I think Shaggy may be pushed on and if Carr keeps form he had for Connacht in a Leinster team that will create more opportunities for him then it could be a great move

 

[Peat]

Its not Horgan/Fitzgerald/Nacewa he's got to worry about. Horgan's coming to the end of his career, Fitzgerald has mandatory rest games and will miss international windows and might be in line for a positional change and Nacewa tends to get shunted around positions too.

Its Fergus McFadden getting a lot of wing time/Andrew Conway/Sam Coughlan-Murray and all the other youngsters hurrying up behind him he should be worried about. He's moving to about the best winger production line in the Northern Hemisphere, things might get a little tricky.

 

[munstermuffin]

Peat thing is expect a few maybe to be passing him on their way to Connacht

 

[Peat]

Well there's the rub. How strongly will Leinster support Connacht when push comes to shove?

They could quite easily offer them Dave Kearney and Darren Hudson and keep the named players to themselves. Two fair quality young wingers, one has ML experience already, what more would they want? Still leaves Carr with a load of competition, both in terms of already there and potential.

Obviously Connacht would like to see one of McFadden or Conway come their way in exchange for Carr. But McFadden covers 11-14 to at least ML standard and probably HC standard while Conway's making quite a few match squads despite being U20. Do you see Leinster wanting to give up either of them? I don't, not unless the IRFU is standing over them shouting.

So... yeah, not putting a whole lot of money on that one.

 

[coonor]

I would have thought it would have made more sense for Keatley and Carr to go to Munster. The IRFU should be organising with the four provinces which young players should go to Connacht and for how long. They have made a new plan for them but they to really push Leinster, Ulster and Munster to give some young talent to Connacht as it will benefit eveyone in the long term.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

As has been said, Fionn Carr coming to Leinster only makes sense if Connacht get something in return or Leinster cull a few players from their squad. If, say, Carr comes to Leinster and in return Connacht get Dave Kearney, Darren Hudson and Brendan Macken on loan, it makes sense since Connacht will have much improved depth and Leinster will add a quality finisher.

Likewise Sean Cronin and Jamie Hagan coming in exchange for Jason Harris Wright, Jack McGrath, Stewart Maguire and Ian McKinley makes sense - once again Leinster add quality competition for their match day 23 but Connacht add a clatter of raw future stars. If Connacht can achieve this and add a few rugged veterans to their squad, they'll do okay. If they merely replace Keatley, Carr, Hagan and Cronin with a few kids, they'll finish bottom of the Magners League table until those kids gain experience.

 

[Peat]

And when they do gain experience, the kids will sod off again!

Also, why would Connacht want Hudson and Macken when they already have O'Halloran and Griffin?

 

[munstermuffin]

Lads seems Paul Warick is close to signing with Stade. Really don't be surprised if a problem between IRFU and Munster comes out of this as we did want to keep him desperately but the IRFU seem to be getting stricter on NIQ contracts

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Also, why would Connacht want Hudson and Macken when they already have O'Halloran and Griffin?

..because they're losing their best finisher in Fionn Carr and have no quality depth.

Assuming they lose Fionn Carr, what other options do they have on the wing? Liam Bibo is ****, Troy Nathan is a squad player, Shane Monahan hasn't done anything and both Darragh Fanning and Brian Tuohy are little more than AIL players. Hudson is a prolific try scoring wing with a big future ahead of him but he needs gametime which Leinster can't provide. A back three of Duffy, O'Halloran and Hudson (or Dave Kearney) is infinitely better than Connacht having to play any of the others I've listed here.

Eoin Griffin is a decent prospect, of that there's no doubt. Their other 13 is an injury prone 30 year old Niva Ta'auso. At present they're so stuck for 13s that Ian Keatley has to plug into that position. Macken is undoubtedly gifted but is stuck behind Brian O'Driscoll, Luke Fitzgerald, Eoin O'Malley and Fergus McFadden in the queue for Leinster's outside centre spot. Why should he bide his time playing AIL and A level rugby when he can go to Connacht, fight for a regular starting spot and improve his skill set? It works for Connacht because they need added competition for places, competition which doesn't exist at present. Beyond their starting XV, Connacht have no quality. This is especially true in the centre and second row where even the starters aren't much use.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

the IRFU seem to be getting stricter on NIQ contracts

How did Leinster sign Isa Nacewa to a new 3 year deal and Heinke van der Merwe to a 2 year contract? Or what about Ulster picking up Ruan Pienaar, Johann Muller and Pedrie Wannenburg for 2 years? All this happened in the last 9 months. Also Munster re-signed Doug Howlett until 2012 earlier in the year.

I know you'll disagree with me but I think Paul Warwick has only been offered a 1 year deal because a) Munster take him for granted or b) they don't value him too highly and have a better NIQ lined up. I rate Warwick very highly and think he deserves better than this.

 

[Peat]

..because they're losing their best finisher in Fionn Carr and have no quality depth.

Assuming they lose Fionn Carr, what other options do they have on the wing? Liam Bibo is ****, Troy Nathan is a squad player, Shane Monahan hasn't done anything and both Darragh Fanning and Brian Tuohy are little more than AIL players. Hudson is a prolific try scoring wing with a big future ahead of him but he needs gametime which Leinster can't provide. A back three of Duffy, O'Halloran and Hudson (or Dave Kearney) is infinitely better than Connacht having to play any of the others I've listed here.

Eoin Griffin is a decent prospect, of that there's no doubt. Their other 13 is an injury prone 30 year old Niva Ta'auso. At present they're so stuck for 13s that Ian Keatley has to plug into that position. Macken is undoubtedly gifted but is stuck behind Brian O'Driscoll, Luke Fitzgerald, Eoin O'Malley and Fergus McFadden in the queue for Leinster's outside centre spot. Why should he bide his time playing AIL and A level rugby when he can go to Connacht, fight for a regular starting spot and improve his skill set? It works for Connacht because they need added competition for places, competition which doesn't exist at present. Beyond their starting XV, Connacht have no quality. This is especially true in the centre and second row where even the starters aren't much use.

You make a fair point about Connacht's lack of depth but I'm not sure sending over more youngsters who've barely had a sniff of the guns if that at ML level is the answer on how to improve it.

Now, Dave Kearney and Eoin O'Malley, that's an instant improvement to quality and depth. Or Denis Hurley and Barry Murphy. But Connacht have a fair few wet behind the ears pups to blood as it is. What they need are players that can go straight into the team, not the biggest nursery in Ireland.

 

[MunsterMan]

Griffin is a better prospect than Macken, who came nowhere near his "next BOD" hype when playing for the U20's, just looked like a big athletic young centre with poor enough ball skills. Or else followed the gameplan of boshing it up all the time and didn't get a chance to show what he can do, hopefully the second one but I'm not sure

I'd try an put in place an inwritten rule where if you sign a Connacht player roughly 3 of your players should go the other way as Snoopy more or less alluded to.

Munster are signing Keatley next season, it is a done deal from what I have heard. If Nagle, Butler and Deasy move to Galway that would be an excellent return for Connacht. Likewise if Leinster sign Cronin, Hagan and Carr. If Harris-Wright, Jack McGrath, Rhys Ruddock, O'Donohoe, McKinley, Macken, Kearney and Hudson go the other way it would be a good thing for Connacht.

1. Wilkinson
2. Harris Wright
3. McGrath
4. McArthy
5. Nagle
6. Muldoon
7. O'Connor
8. Butler
9. O'Donohoe
10. Nikora
11. O'Halloran
12. Deasy
13. Griffin
14. Kearney
15. Duffy

16. Flavin
17. Barry
18. Loughney
19. Swift
20. Ruddock
21. Murphy/Willis
22. McKinley
23. Macken

It's a bit raw, but there is huge potential there. Front row and second row needs work though! Mike Sherry from Munster, Tim Ryan from Newcastle, Dave Ryan from Munster, Stewart Maguire from Leinster (maybe one for the 2012/2013 season though). What is Trevor Hogan doing these days? get him to Connacht.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

You make a fair point about Connacht's lack of depth but I'm not sure sending over more youngsters who've barely had a sniff of the guns if that at ML level is the answer on how to improve it.

Now, Dave Kearney and Eoin O'Malley, that's an instant improvement to quality and depth. Or Denis Hurley and Barry Murphy. But Connacht have a fair few wet behind the ears pups to blood as it is. What they need are players that can go straight into the team, not the biggest nursery in Ireland.

I find it hard to disagree with this but feel it's unrealistic in some instances. Dave Kearney moving west is a fair call- his chances are limited at present and would be further limited if Fionn Carr arrived. Barry Murphy is invaluable to Munster's Magners League team now that he's finally recovered from injury. They'd be reluctant to lose him but I agree Connacht could realistically target him.

Eoin O'Malley is a different story. He's played 10 games for Leinster this season, starting and finishing 8 and averaging 67 minutes per appearance. You correctly pulled me up on suggesting Nevin Spence could move to Connacht when you showed that Ulster are picking him. He's played 6 times less for Ulster this season than O'Malley has for Leinster. Connacht can't offer O'Malley better than he's currently doing.

Denis Hurley too has played regular Magners League rugby and semi-regularly in the Heineken Cup for Munster. Moving to Connacht would be a step back for him.

Munster are signing Keatley next season, it is a done deal from what I have heard. If Nagle, Butler and Deasy move to Galway that would be an excellent return for Connacht. Likewise if Leinster sign Cronin, Hagan and Carr. If Harris-Wright, Jack McGrath, Rhys Ruddock, O'Donohoe, McKinley, Macken, Kearney and Hudson go the other way it would be a good thing for Connacht.

While I think Deasy and Ruddock are better off staying where they are (they're playing enough rugby already), I agree wholeheartedly with your sentiment about the other possible Connacht signings you mention.

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

Some more rumours:

Martin Castrogiovanni from Leicester to Stade Francais.

Leicester close to signing an unnamed Perpignan player.

Bayonne are chasing Dimitri Szarzewski and Byron Kelleher.

 

[Peat]

I can't argue that some of the players I named see significant game time, but I think they're all players the provinces could lose; Leinster still have BOD, Fitzgerald and McFadden who can play 13 Munster have Howlett, Murphy, Dowling and Mafi all available on the wing. And they're the sort of calibre of players Connacht needs.

But of course you hit a wall in that their provinces don't really want to see them go and most importantly, as you note, the players will probably see it as a step back as well. And that's the difficulty of Connacht. If the other three are serious about supporting Connacht, at least some of those sort of players are going to have to go west. If they can be persuaded as individuals.
---

And good, about time Castro went. Great servant for them, still of great use but it finally says Dan Cole is the number one man. Absolutely no shame in fighting for a shirt with Castrogiovanni, thats the sort of tighthead resources everyone wants but better for England.

Better for Leicester too in a way - that frees up a lot of budget for other areas of the team.

 

[munstermuffin]

Snoop I agree with you on the Warick points but facts are the IRFU are the party blocking the longer deal.
Doug Howletts deal is only a 1 year deal with the option of an extension and I presume Nacewa is ok as he is slightly younger.

Like I think everyone here will agree Warick is a big player for Munster and a class talent. And I read in post you say now Barry Murphy is fit that he will be a big part of our Magners team and this is true but Waricks value can't be measured and I only hope now that we do pull off a big international 15 and I just think we are slowly returning to our old pride and heart back

 

[MunsterMan]

Thornley mentioned yesterday that Tigers were looking at signing Sean O'Brien, but it was unlikely due to the salary cap... If Castro leaves...

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.