Munster swooping to sign Trio

First topic message reminder :

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

Yer a chancer DOD...His auld boy was from derry,went to school there too and the family were from Ramelton..face it ... he's an Ulsterman...

I know you lot speak with funny accents but RG had the funniest sounding Ulster accent I ever heard.

This Donegal stuff is only from the younger generation looking him up and seeing he was born there. When he was at his height in the 70s it was never mentioned. Sadly people always look to be brought back to their hometown when they die...thats where Rory lies..

red_stag wrote: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.

I think you're wrong about the Blues. They are reliant on the big ball carriers; Rush, Molitika, Davies, Gethin, Roberts, Shanklin, G.Thomas. The problem is most are injured, retired or ready to retire so they are not as effective. Add to that a weakness/lack of depth to 2 and 3.

I think you need not worry. O'Gara is a much better player than Parks and I watched him unleash Mafi and Tipoki on the opposition and cause mayhem. The IRFU aren't contracting Downey though right? I don't think he is good enough to play for Ireland. A couple seasons with Munster could change that though.

Thomond wrote:Stag, I'm going to take a wild stab in the dark here and say Rory-Gallagher isn't his actual name. He is named after the world famous Cork guitarist Rory Gallagher.(He wasn't born in Cork but he was a Cork man)

Rory is from Ballyshannon. A Donegal man. Been to a few Tributes there. Fantastic weekends. But now Cork want in on the act, to make shekels out of it, and steal poor old Ballyshannon's glory.

Typical Band-waggoners.

Haarumph.

Still, I may go to both. Seeing as I love Cork an all.

Oh and say thank you Leinster for Ruddock - if he goes. I think he should. He is not a Leinster Way player.

In fairness, what with Deccie being blatantly Munster-centric. it will give Rhys a better chance of playing for Ireland.

Good move for his international career.

It looks like the Leinster Academy, will be feeding the lesser provinces - for years to come. Specially with the effects of the new IRFU Directive coming to bear. They will need all the help they can get.
Charity begins at Home.

No thanks required. Benevolence is a greater part of being true Champions.

Gibson wrote:

Thomond wrote:Stag, I'm going to take a wild stab in the dark here and say Rory-Gallagher isn't his actual name. He is named after the world famous Cork guitarist Rory Gallagher.(He wasn't born in Cork but he was a Cork man)

Rory is from Ballyshannon. Been to a few Tributes there. Fantastic weekends. But now Cork want in on the act, to make shekels out of it, and steal poor old Ballyshannon's glory.

Typical Band-waggoners.

Haarumph.

Still, I may go to both. Seeing as I love Cork an all.

I was also going to add that those who mainly think of him as being from Donegal are usually geographically challenged dubs. Sure they are all a bunch of mongrels anyway.

Ah sure Gibson Cronin, Ross, redden etc..now say thank you very much..

Gibson wrote:Oh and say thank you Leinster for Ruddock - if he goes. I think he should. He is not a Leinster Way player.

Surely you mean say thank you to Ospreys academy?

DOD wrote:

Gibson wrote:

Thomond wrote:Stag, I'm going to take a wild stab in the dark here and say Rory-Gallagher isn't his actual name. He is named after the world famous Cork guitarist Rory Gallagher.(He wasn't born in Cork but he was a Cork man)

Rory is from Ballyshannon. Been to a few Tributes there. Fantastic weekends. But now Cork want in on the act, to make shekels out of it, and steal poor old Ballyshannon's glory.

Typical Band-waggoners.

Haarumph.

Still, I may go to both. Seeing as I love Cork an all.

I was also going to add that those who mainly think of him as being from Donegal are usually geographically challenged dubs. Sure they are all a bunch of mongrels anyway.

Wooof! From a 5th generation Dub. I think we orginate from Norn Iron... but I didnt want to go that deep.

Mrs's line is from Nas na Ri and Limerick. Nuff said. I am a Martyr to the cause.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYYbK2sDaJ4

DOD wrote:Ah sure Gibson Cronin, Ross, redden etc..now say thank you very much..

They were nothing till they came to us. Now - they expect to win HC's and play for Ireland. Your move Decco.

Reddan did have a decent career at Wasps, in fairness, but he needed guidance.

Morgannwg wrote:

Gibson wrote:Oh and say thank you Leinster for Ruddock - if he goes. I think he should. He is not a Leinster Way player.

Surely you mean say thank you to Ospreys academy?

Yes Morgan. But he came to us to better himself. And has since been found wanting - amongst another 5 International backrowers. Perfect for Munster.

Gibson, don't delude yourself . He went to Ireland because he felt his father was treated like Poopie by our Union and wanted nothing to do with that. And that is the reason nobody who is Welsh would hold it against him(Rhys). You do have a lot of good backrow options over there though.

Morgan,
No delusion. Rhys wanted to play for his country of birth from the start. The fact that his Da, and ex SLAM-winner and OBE, is now taking care of Irelands future, pleases me no end. Great coach - who Wales discarded, imo.

Mike is a bigger loss to Wales than Rhys, imo.

Gibson wrote:

DOD wrote:Ah sure Gibson Cronin, Ross, redden etc..now say thank you very much..

They were nothing till they came to us. Now - they expect to win HC's and play for Ireland. Your move Decco.

Reddan did have a decent career at Wasps, in fairness, but he needed guidance.

What you mean is leinster needed a little push over the line, and thanks to our Munster born and bred imports we made it....not to mind a Fijian, Argentinian and Australian

Tenuous DOD. Tenuous.

We need our buy-ins, far less than most clubs in Europe. FACT. No discussion. A Leinster side, with XV Irishmen, will win the HC.

My dream will become a reality.

We are Barca. Toulouse are Real Madrid. The rest?
I like to make it simple for folk.

BTW, I would love yer input on this. You have deep knowldege of Irish rubgy and rugby in general.

https://www.606v2.com/t22174-mike-ruddock-in-the-frame-for-next-ireland-coach

I think the fact that Leinster players are coming through is great and a pointer to the inertia here down south with what was a wonderful team, but should have been challenged more.

Ehh.. to those who say Rory wasn't born in Donegal.. Just listen to what he says here at the very beginning

Oh and listen to the whole song because it is incredible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxiEMpcI83E

I don't think anyone is saying he wasn't born there..a bit like heaslip in Israel or O'Gara in san Francisco....like I said a man always likes to be buried where his home is...

There's an interview with Schmidt in the paper this morning where he says he hopes Ruddock will stick with Leinster. In fairness to the lad, he's 21 and he's captained us several times, he doesnt start every single game, but what 21 y/o does?

I am reading this thread for the first time. My chin hit the keyboard.

Let me get this straight. Munster are signing 2 new CENTRES, and people want to keep that donkey MAFI who is a CENTRE, and let DUGGIE (who is a WINGER) go.

Never mind that Mafi is a Ford Escort and Duggie is a Ferarri.....

What are you guys smoking? Had Gibbo put something in your breakfast cerials?

BTW as a neutral (Dub) when I used to go to see Rory Gallagher he was deffo from Cork. Met his bro back in the day too deffo a Corksucker. I think there has been a bit of re writing of history since his tragic death.

His guitar is in Cork, there is a bar named after his band in Cork, the band was formed in Cork. He is buried in Cork. There is to be a statue or there is a staue of him in Cork. That's all there is to say.

Rory Gallagher corner is in Dublin though

Spoiler:

Rory Gallagher Place is in Cork.

I know he's a Cork man, but lads, you're really easy to wind up.

Rory Gallagher is from Belfast...it says so on his 606v2 profile.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:I am reading this thread for the first time. My chin hit the keyboard.

Let me get this straight. Munster are signing 2 new CENTRES, and people want to keep that donkey MAFI who is a CENTRE, and let DUGGIE (who is a WINGER) go.

Never mind that Mafi is a Ford Escort and Duggie is a Ferarri.....

What are you guys smoking? Had Gibbo put something in your breakfast cerials?

BTW as a neutral (Dub) when I used to go to see Rory Gallagher he was deffo from Cork. Met his bro back in the day too deffo a Corksucker. I think there has been a bit of re writing of history since his tragic death.

We are not going to get two centres. It will be either Downey or LuaLua.

Rory Gallagher was indeed born in Donegal. Not sure when the family moved to Cork (I think it was when he was about 5 or 6 yrs). But there is no doubt that his amazing musical ability was something that was nurtured in the city of Cork.

Mick, this is bantering it's not good enough for a wind up.

DOD wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:I am reading this thread for the first time. My chin hit the keyboard.

Let me get this straight. Munster are signing 2 new CENTRES, and people want to keep that donkey MAFI who is a CENTRE, and let DUGGIE (who is a WINGER) go.

Never mind that Mafi is a Ford Escort and Duggie is a Ferarri.....

What are you guys smoking? Had Gibbo put something in your breakfast cerials?

BTW as a neutral (Dub) when I used to go to see Rory Gallagher he was deffo from Cork. Met his bro back in the day too deffo a Corksucker. I think there has been a bit of re writing of history since his tragic death.

We are not going to get two centres. It will be either Downey or LuaLua.

Downey is a done deal. I think you could have Laulala as well.

Rory is from Donegal. Moved to Derry and was then reared in Cork. Anyone who isin't born in Cork, is forever a Blow-in. So ye cant change yer own rules to suit. Educate yerselves people. Ive seen Rory umpteen times. 1st time was with Taste. Man.
He was the only big star who played in the North, right in the middle of the Troubles. He never forgot his roots. All his Kafflic, Proddie, and non-denominational fans - loved him for it.
Van De Man followed his lead.

And Schmidt said Munster are not having Ruddock.

That is all.

MON Connacht!

Gibson wrote:Rory is from Donegal. Moved to Derry and was then reared in Cork. Educate yerselves people. Ive seen Rory umpteen times. 1st time was with Taste. Man.
He was the only big star who played in the North, right in the middle of the Troubles. He never forgot his roots. All his Kafflic, Proddie, and non-denominational fans - loved him for it.
Van De Man followed his lead.

And Schmidt said Munster are not having Ruddock.

That is all.

MON Connacht!

And is buried in Cork his hometown...others might claim him as being from Donegal (as I said usually the Mongrel Dubs who dont usually know their own parentage not to mind say their history)...but he is one of us...

Hes a Blow-in. Ye claimed a Blow-in.

He was born in Ballyshannon. Its a long long way... from Cork to there.

You could say it's

A Million Miles Away

en vraagje Gibson....your Kids do they have Irish Passports?

Decco,
One has an Irish one, the other a British one. Used be able to have one of each back in the day. I told them an Irish one was safer when traveling.

Anyway, they consider themselves European. Dat was de bedoeling.

Mon Connacht! Stand Up.

Great signings.

After tonights performance and thinking about it a bit more having Downey would be a backward step. Lualua does add something but other than being replacements for Earls when he is on intl duty I cant see any benefit in either of them coming. Hanrahan is also a prospect coming through....there are probably others.

Mickado wrote:You could say it's

A Million Miles Away

brilliant!

DOD wrote:After tonights performance and thinking about it a bit more having Downey would be a backward step. Lualua does add something but other than being replacements for Earls when he is on intl duty I cant see any benefit in either of them coming. Hanrahan is also a prospect coming through....there are probably others.

In fairness DOD, we need to have options there. Earls had a stormer today but he now needs to add consistency when he plays in that position - but we are still short on quality centres. I really think that outside of Earls/Mafi we don't really have anyone who fits the bill. If either of those 2 get injured I would be worried about our alternatives. If this season has thought us anything it is that you need solid cover. We have been lucky with how the younger players have reacted, I for one definitely underrated the quality that was coming through our academy.

Thats what has made the British and Irish Cup such an important competiton for us.

2 years ago we made the final. The coach was Anthony Foley. Conor Murray was at scrumhalf, Simon Zebo on the wing, Mike Sherry at hooker, Danny Barnes in the centre, Peter O'Mahony in backrow and Stephen Archer at prop. All of them have gone onto play Heineken Cup rugby since then.

This weekend we took on Ulster Ravens and I would hope that in two more seasons we will have the likes of JJ Hanrahan, Luke O'Dea, Ian Nagle, Sean Scanlon and Paddy Butler integrated into the first team squad with some new faces coming in then.