London Irish take more than a result from their visit to Munster

23 year old Munster prop John Ryan who covers both loosehead and tighthead has joined London Irish to accomodate them during an injury crisis.

He will be named in Munster European Cup squad rather than London Irish's one.

Is he any good stag?

You can imagine as LI bus drives off

"Come on quick lad, we'll give you first team rugby...run"

"Oi thieves, we want him back for Europe"

LI are signing a lot of irish lads. I like it, they definately have my support this year in the AP. I hope they do well.

Brian Smith made a point when he came back that he wanted the club to rediscover it's identity. Accrdingly, he has signed a few new Pacific Islanders.






Oh, and some Irish lads!!!



In all seriousness, I for one am over the moon as a London Irish fan that we are actively looking to recruit Irish players again. What we must ensure though is that we are signing them because they are the best player available to us, and not just on the basis of their nationality.

Ozzy - he is a promising prop. Not a bad scrummager, however he has about 3 chins too many and needs to improve his conditioning.

He is the 3rd choice Munster tighthead and probably 4th choice Munster loosehead.

I have to say I don't especially understand why London Irish are going to take him. Probably as he is cheap, he is eager and they have a good relationship with Munster.

Ozzy3213 wrote:Brian Smith made a point when he came back that he wanted the club to rediscover it's identity. Accrdingly, he has signed a few new Pacific Islanders.






Oh, and some Irish lads!!!



In all seriousness, I for one am over the moon as a London Irish fan that we are actively looking to recruit Irish players again. What we must ensure though is that we are signing them because they are the best player available to us, and not just on the basis of their nationality.

Thats great to hear, that the club is rediscovering its identity. Its obviously working because im now a fan

Stag, the reason we are taking him is that we only have 3 fit props and the season starts on Saturday. He will go straight onto the bench for us against Saracens.

Yanuyanutawa arrives at the weekend, so he will then have to fight for a place going forward. Rumour is that we have another prop (a tighthead) arriving in late October, so I am presuming that this is a player currently playing in either the ITM or Currie Cup, and once he arrives Ryan will head back to you guys.

Makes sense. Didnt realise things were that bad.

We only had 5 senior props on the books. Corbisiero, Lahiff, Aulika, Halavatau and Griffiths. We have an academy prop Tom Smallbone who is registered to play in the AP as well, but Smallbone, Griffiths and Corbs are all injured. As I say, Yanuyanutawa arrives this weekend, with possibly one more coming in, which will give us 7 senior props plus Smallbone, so fingers corssed will see us through the season alright.

He looks a sturdy scrummager and is a decent ball carrier too. More potential than Archer, IMO.

Good to see him getting some game time and good to see its just a short term loan.

Bad news about Joe Ansbro, hopefully he can make a full recovery.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/19389539

It's good to see LI getting the irish players, that arn't getting gametime at their provience, however I do feel that they missed out on Whitten.

Would have prefered to have seen Whitten at Munster, then if leaving Ireland LI.

but I see the Provinces working closer with LI in the future, like the Muster loan deal, is win win for both teams.

LI are one of three A* Jeff visitors to Welford road this season.
http://www.tigers.talent-sport.co.uk/Assets/HTML/assets/Match_Ticket_Prices_2012-2013_v2.jpg

LI I are officially a bigger draw than any HEC game.

That's interesting and surprising Portnoy. I know we have had some good and very entertaining games against you in recent years, so potentially is a good spectacle, but it surprises me that we are seen as a bigger draw than either Bath, who you have more rivalry with, or Quins, who are the champions.

They are probably:
a) trying to outprice the travellers as their tend to caravans clog up Nelson Mandela Park.

or

b) an agreement with local pubs to conserve Guinness/Murpheys stocks.

p.s. I predict that this factoid will be squirrelled away by the padinclined for malicious intent aforethought.

From the clubs current online Q & A session...


Q. Is there space in the budget for another tight head and any short term signings to cover any injuries that might occur over the season?

A. Yes we have room in the budget. We currently have Leo Halavatau, Halani Aulika and Cai Griffiths and we're about to announce an exciting young tight head from South Africa.

Munster is in SA?

I always though it was Ulster!

Ozzy3213 wrote:From the clubs current online Q & A session...


Q. Is there space in the budget for another tight head and any short term signings to cover any injuries that might occur over the season?

A. Yes we have room in the budget. We currently have Leo Halavatau, Halani Aulika and Cai Griffiths and we're about to announce an exciting young tight head from South Africa.

My question!

If I had to take a punt on who it might be, I would suggest possibly Frans Malherbe at Western Province.

Ozzy3213 wrote:If I had to take a punt on who it might be, I would suggest possibly Frans Malherbe at Western Province.

Was thinking exactly the same thing here - not that I have any evidence whatsoever for it being him!

I am only going on the fact that we have some sort of connection with them with Jebb being on loan there.

There are a few other young tightheads floating around the Currie Cup sides. Ruan Dreyer from the Lions might be a possibility as well, as he could be wanting an exit with no Super Rugby there next season.

apparently the Sharksworld website are saying that its Richie Palframan (Sharks U19 tighthead).

anyone know anything about him?

I saw that, I don't know much about him, will ask around.