Munster swooping to sign Trio

According to the Irish Times, it is a fairly done deal that Northampton centre James Downey will join Munster next season.

In addition, Munster are hoping to sign 21 year old Rhys Ruddock from Leinster and 29 year old centre Casey Laulala from the Cardiff Blues.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/0119/1224310447569.html

Brilliant signings there Stag. They will strengthen Munster no end.

Yer man Laulua is a monster, everytime I watch him I'm impressed. Not sure how well he and Downey will work as a combination but we'll see. Individually two great signings though.

Really wanted Ruddock at Ulster but he'll be a great fit down there for you guys.

Nice one!

Luulua and Downey would be good foils for eachother. Ruddock has a one year contract at Leinster but he's played a good bit for us this season, 17 our of 20 games. He will probably get more gametime at Munster though, and would probably be a HC starter, so that could be the deciding factor...

Ruddock never looks comfortable with that offloading game Leinster play. He's like a fish out of water. Perfect fir for Munster where he will get more gametime.

Will Munster see him as a replacement for Coughlan, who's no spring chicken or will O'Mahoney move to 8 or 7?

roddersm wrote:Brilliant signings there Stag. They will strengthen Munster no end.

Yer man Laulua is a monster, everytime I watch him I'm impressed. Not sure how well he and Downey will work as a combination but we'll see. Individually two great signings though.

Really wanted Ruddock at Ulster but he'll be a great fit down there for you guys.

Nice one!

Think Laulau had a very good first season with the Blues, but he's been a little bit hit&miss this season, poss down to troubles with injury etc.

What slightly worries me is that Cardiff Blues are totally reliant on Laulala for the success of their backline.

10 Dan Parks
12 Jamie Roberts
13 Casey Laulala

is alarmingly similar to

10 Ronan O'Gara
12 James Downey
13 Casey Laulala

And the Cardiff Blues backline isn't who we should be modelling ourselves on. It would allow for a very attacking back 3 of Simon Zebo, Keith Earls and Felix Jones.

The signing I am hoping for is John Andress. Leinster don't need him. As I understand it, Ulster and he have clashed. Munster would be best place.

Is Mafi gone then Stag? I think he's played really well of late although he did stuggle against Downey and Whitten recently.

Munster have options in the centre now and have the big ball carriers that they've lacked recently. They will be back up there with the very best next season imo.

Rodders,

Will Chambers has gone and returned back to Rugby League.

I suspect that Doug Howlett will be gone. A 33 year old winger (Howlett) with a long term injury, in a position we have depth is not as important to Munster as a 29 year old centre (Mafi).

I quite like Mafi. He's been with us over 6 years and has played nearly 140 games for Munster.

So one of Mafi and Howlett will have to go then. My guess is Howlett.

With Ruddock to Munster, which is not a surprise, Ulster will definitely have a NIQ backrower just a question of which one.

Does this mean Munster have finally recognized that Earls is not a 13

It simply must be Howlett to leave - legend and all that he has been.

Decisions must be made with Musnter at heart.

geoff998rugby wrote:Does this mean Munster have finally recognized that Earls is not a 13

Pity it was a fun debate while it lasted.

I like Mafi too stag, he gets too much stick and not enough credit I think. However with Downey and Laulua he may be surplus to requirements.

You really think Howlett will go? I think Munster should give him another season, he's still a class above the other back 3 players available.

I suppose it depends whether Barnes and Earls are seen as wingers or centres in the long term?

Mafi has been surplus to requirements before (Jean de Villier - Keith Earls).

I definitely think Howlett should go.

Denis Hurley, Johne Murphy, Keith Earls and Simon Zebo are all very capable wingers. Luke O'Dea and Danny Barnes can do a job too.

By contrast there are less options at centre.

Fair enough stag..anyways things are looking healthy at Munster if those signings come off.....if they don't get injured that is....

My understanding is teams will only be allowed 4+1 next year.

So how does that stack up at Munster next year ?

Speaking of injured I think Munsters medical team should all lose their jobs. Their apalling treatment of Niall Ronans injury against Treviso, the amount and reoccurance of injuries makes me question them.

Geoff, I would say:

Wian du Preez
BJ Botha
Lifeimi Mafi
Casey Laulala
Peter Borlase - Project Player (will be Irish qualified in June 2013)

Munster are down two centres/have spots for 2 at the moment - Barry Murphy & Rua Tipoki, Jean de Villiers have not been replaced with like for like.

Barnes is still very young - he needs a bit of experience around him.

Red_Stag - I can see Howlett staying for at least another year (and knowing his professionalism, he will come back good from his injury). We've missed him badly in the backs since his injury.

I don't think its any coincidence that Howlet loss has a lot to do with Munster's poor trying scoring record in the Heineken Cup this year.

Downey will do well with Munster. He is no superstar, but he is hardworking and ambitious so should do well.

Thanks Stag I thought Mafi or Howlett would have to leave I just wasn't sure.

Laulala would be Munster first signing into the 'new' post 2013 era.
so thats:

Ulster 1,9,15
Leinster - 5
Munster - 13

One of them will have to leave alright Geoff,

SinE yes, its a tough one in my mind about Howlett. I can't dispute what your saying. I just feel that we may leave ourselves short for cover at centre otherwise.

Also we will get more mileage out out of Mafi and I am sure he is on cheaper wages. I'd hope that signings like Downey and Laulala will put us on front foot for Earls, Zebo, Jones etc to run riot.

Howlett does well as more often that not he is creating something from nothing.

Thought the position dependent thing was going to be dropped or watered down? Whats the latest?

red_stag wrote:One of them will have to leave alright Geoff,

SinE yes, its a tough one in my mind about Howlett. I can't dispute what your saying. I just feel that we may leave ourselves short for cover at centre otherwise.

Also we will get more mileage out out of Mafi and I am sure he is on cheaper wages. I'd hope that signings like Downey and Laulala will put us on front foot for Earls, Zebo, Jones etc to run riot.

Howlett does well as more often that not he is creating something from nothing.

The way I would look at it about Howlett/Mafi - Howlett has the brains & class for the others to learn from. Downey seems to be very durable - and with Barnes (who has been playing a bit at 12) and JJ Hanrahan looking to be fairly decent in 2 years time for a centre position. I'd go for one really class player in the backs like Howlett.

I agree with Sin !

think casey laulala is one of the few players in the welsh regions at present that can break down defences/do something magical against the very best in europe. think he is a great signing for munster.

robbie deans once said the 3 best players he's very coach are dan carter, richie mccaw and casey laulala. so the guy is in good company!

I would hope howlett stays on. Good signings there for Munster.

roddersm wrote:Thought the position dependent thing was going to be dropped or watered down? Whats the latest?

There is a counter proposal from the coaches.

Now this is speculation but I believe it is around being allowed to re sign players and some elbow room around where they play i.e something like they will play 75%+ of their game time in one position not 100%.

The bits about 1 player 1 position and no NIE players coming in as injury cover I would expect to stay.

Standulstermen wrote:I would hope howlett stays on. Good signings there for Munster.

If he stays Mafi goes. They can't have both

Do people from outside Munster reckon Mafi or Howlett are the better choice.

Both have benefits and drawbacks.

I think we have got all we can from Howlett. He will be 34 years of age next season and I have to question how much he can really offer at that age after an injury.

Mafi by contrast is still in his 20s and provides cover in a position where we are lacking. He has been years at Munster and IMO is as valuable in his own way. Ian Keatley on arrival at Munster was asked who was the best player to train with on his arrival: He replied "There are a few good trainers at Munster, but Lifeimi Mafi at the moment – he keeps talking and giving me advice which is always helpful."

Mafi is the one for me to stay and Howlett can be sorted with a coaching role.

I know whoni would rather have though Geoff. Howlett has forgotten more about back play than mafi knows. IMO the best all black winger I have ever seen.

Coaching could be a good call stag

red_stag wrote:Do people from outside Munster reckon Mafi or Howlett are the better choice.

Howlett definitely. He's one of the best players ever to grace Irish soil and even past his prime is one of the best wingers around. He has a big impact on the players around him I think and has been key to Munsters success. Zebo, Earls, O'Dea etc. can still learn loads of this guy.

Mafi is an underrated and loyal servant but for me will become a bit part player if the above signings come off.

No contest.

Sometimes bit part players are necessary. I am confident that Zebo and Earls will have come on a long way in a years time and new centres will be excellent for them. Denis Hurley, Johne Murphy, Danny Barnes and Luke O'Dea give us depth.

Mafi would be great cover for us. We need it.

We need look ahead as to what squad needs not at what Howlett did.

I'm not looking at what Howlett did but what he can do. He might be 33 but he's Munsters best back by a country mile and will be for a couple of seasons yet if they keep him.

Keep Mafi and player/coach for Howlett (shifting gradually from the former to the latter in terms of emphasis) - is that possible under the new regs?

Don't think so.

have to say for James Downey I thought if was coming back to Ireland would have come sooner, I mean how come Munster didn't move for him last year or teh year before, when he has been playing well in the prem, and Munster have beed struggling for centers?

Standulstermen wrote:Don't think so.

That is my understanding but we await clarification

6) Ruddock
7) Wallace/Ronan
8) O'Mahony

I think that is a pretty tasty looking backrow! You would be doing well with those signings.

Im surprised that Leinster would let Ruddock go he seems to be the preferred choice to Dom Ryan this season.

Golden, they may not have a choice in the matter. He is only on a 1 year deal and eager to play first team rugby.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:
6) Ruddock O'Mahony
7) Wallace/Ronan
8) O'Mahony Ruddock

I think that is a pretty tasty looking backrow! You would be doing well with those signings.

Fixed it for you Rory! .....

Ruddock isn't all that great at 8 rodders, normally if he and SOB are in the same side Ruddock would play 6 and SOB would play 8. POM looks really good at 8 though, or 6. I think his best chance of breaking onto the Ireland squad is at 8 however.

Well he is definitely Munster #7 for foreseeable future. David Wallace will still be another few months coming back. Niall Ronan won't be back til next season. Tommy O'Donnell is out of action for another month or so. Denis Leamy is injured for 4 months.

Up until late March/early April we are looking at:

6 - D.Ryan
7 - P.O'Mahony
8 - J.Coughlan

Still reckon his worst position is 7, though I know the likes of DOD would argue otherwise. You only have to watch him play to see he doesn't actually play like one.. nor make the turnovers expected of one. He looks much better in the contact area, making big carries and using his aggression all over the place.

...aw Rory you are just too easy to reel in sir!

I really seem to be missing these traps today

Downey and Laulala is pretty one dimenisonal. Hope Ruddock signs, kid is a baller. An IQ prop like Andress would also be handy.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I really seem to be missing these traps today

sorry couldn't resist! Chin up its only a bit of craic!

Haha I'm sure there will be plenty more to come anyway.. there will be a few heated discussions to get sucked into today on that Irish squad thread.

On a different note, does anybody know how to stop getting emails from 606v2 everytime somebody posts? It is fairly clogging up my emails atm.

Rory - joking aside I would say that most "7s" in Ireland play like O'Mahony or David Wallace does. For me Chris Henry and Sean O'Brien play the same way. Let inferior players like Faloon and Jennings respectively play like "true 7s" but aren't as good.