Irish Provinces NEWS & GOSSIP thread 2016-17

[Sin é]

First topic message reminder :

What it says in the title - a place to put all bits of news not worth starting a thread for the Four Proud Provinces of Ireland such as new signings, interviews that maybe of interest to others etc.

[Geen sport voor watjes]

JJ back to Munster next year by all accounts

[geoff999rugby]

Gavin Thornbury moving to Ulster seems to be a possible

[profitius]

In Munster news.

John Andress has announced his retirement due to injury.

Munster are putting in additional seating for their match against Leinster. Good to see demand is up again.
http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/23638.php#.WFLKiPmLSM-

[eirebilly]

JJ back to Munster next year by all accounts

Would love to see this as I feel that he is the better option than Keatley. Problem is, would he be happy to return and play as understudy to Tyler? As stated before, I believe that if he is to return to Ireland then he should go to Connacht as he would certainly get more game time at 10 there and I would love to see him form a partnership with Marmion.

[rodders]

Sounds like Heaslip has negotiated himself a hefty new deal with the IRFU. Hope his form doesn't dip now ...

[Golden]

Signed up til 2020. Hell be 37 by the time that deal is up. To be fair if anyone will still be playing at a high level at that age it will be him. Although hell have some miles on the clock.

[carpet baboon]

Do you think he will go I to coaching? I know he has other business interests, but think he would make a decent coach

[marty2086]

3 years seems to be a long contract for anyone who's 34, I know hes rarely injured but the older we get the more the body breaks down especially for rugby players so we could see him pick up a few here or there

It also could be disheartening for some of the young guys coming through

[rodders]

Do you think he will go I to coaching? I know he has other business interests, but think he would make a decent coach

Doubt it saying he openly hates the game and never watches it outside of lining his own pock ... I mean playing it...

[St John The Enforcer]

Signed up til 2020. Hell be 37 by the time that deal is up. To be fair if anyone will still be playing at a high level at that age it will be him. Although hell have some miles on the clock.

36. He only turned 33 a few weeks ago.

3 years seems to be a long contract for anyone who's 34, I know hes rarely injured but the older we get the more the body breaks down especially for rugby players so we could see him pick up a few here or there

It also could be disheartening for some of the young guys coming through

Jack Conan may be a bit upset OK.

Heaslip will be 7 months older than Rory Best will when their respective contracts end.

Do you think he will go I to coaching? I know he has other business interests, but think he would make a decent coach

Doubt it saying he openly hates the game and never watches it outside of lining his own pock ... I mean playing it...

What he actually says is that he focuses all his attention on playing the game and any watching of the game he does is for analysis. He won't watch it as a fan until he retires. (Which is slightly different to hating the game)

[marty2086]

3 years seems to be a long contract for anyone who's 34, I know hes rarely injured but the older we get the more the body breaks down especially for rugby players so we could see him pick up a few here or there

It also could be disheartening for some of the young guys coming through

Jack Conan may be a bit upset OK.

Heaslip will be 7 months older than Rory Best will when their respective contracts end.

That's if their careers end with the contract

[St John The Enforcer]

What difference does that make?

The statement will be just as true whether or not either of them get another contract.

[marty2086]

I thought you said careers, having a blonde moment just ignore me

[St John The Enforcer]

I probably should have said "current contract"

[St John The Enforcer]

If Rory gets to go to the WC then he REALLY WILL be 37

[marty2086]

Jono Gibbes being tipped to take over from Pat Lam

[profitius]

Jono Gibbes being tipped to take over from Pat Lam

He would be a good signing for Connacht. They said they're going to continue to play their current style so the new coach will have to continue that. Thats good to hear as they're good to watch.

[geoff999rugby]

If, as reported, Doak goes there as well it will go downhill.

I used to think he was ok I now think otherwise

[GunsGermsV2]

Who are the leading contenders to take over at Connacht when Lam leaves?

According to Stuff.co.nz Tony Brown may take over:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/88439184/highlanders-coach-tony-brown-linked-to-ireland-move-with-connacht

Remember watching him as a player in the 1999 rugby world cup. Good player. Only player to score over 30 points in three international games.

[geoff999rugby]

Well we have a coaching revolution at Ulster:
Gibbs, Peel + ANOther IN
Doak, Clarke OUT and Kiss kicked upstairs

Given we will have a better balanced squad next year than this (even with Pienaer going) things are looking up at last

[SecretFly]

Wait for the up before praising it... but yes, I did tell you lads a while back that yous were overdoing the gloom and that you were probably next on the list for a major refit in coaching/player terms.

So it looks like poor Connacht is the one that has been yet again knocked back and is once again unclear about its future.

[GunsGermsV2]

Dwayne Peel is an interesting one. Great player but he doesnt seem to have any coaching experience at all.

[geoff999rugby]

Coaches at Bristol as skills and backs coach.

Inspite of their results they do try and play attractive rugby - forwards just not up to it.

Also as a specialist SH I suspect he will spend a lot of time with Shanahan, Lloyd, Burgess and O'Donnell

[GunsGermsV2]

He was a great player in Wales first GS run of the six nations. Electric.

[profitius]

Lots of talk of backrows leaving Leinster. Ruddock, Conan and Leavy all being mentioned.

[carpet baboon]

Lots of talk of backrows leaving Leinster. Ruddock, Conan and Leavy all being mentioned.

Send one to Ulster please

[The Great Aukster]

Send all three - they'd get a game

[marty2086]

Lots of talk of backrows leaving Leinster. Ruddock, Conan and Leavy all being mentioned.

Send one to Ulster please

Send them all please

[Pete330v2]

A nice clean sweep for the provinces with that Connacht win. What a nice weekend of rugby

[profitius]

I see Leinster are averaging about 6 tries per game since the start of the year and have already beaten the pro12 try record with 6 games to go.

[SecretFly]

I see Leinster are averaging about 6 tries per game since the start of the year and have already beaten the pro12 try record with 6 games to go.

They're becoming right ladyboy showoffs again. And I'm missing it all. Don't think I've seen a full Pro12 game this year.

[brennomac]

A nice clean sweep for the provinces with that Connacht win. What a nice weekend of rugby

Not to mention the women beating the frogettes and the u20s beating the tadpoles

[SecretFly]

It's going too good. It's all going to come crashing down next time. You know it's true - we is Irish.

[profitius]

A nice clean sweep for the provinces with that Connacht win. What a nice weekend of rugby

Not to mention the women beating the frogettes and the u20s beating the tadpoles

http://www.foxhedgehog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/5f1.jpg

[thebandwagonsociety]

Leinster signing Fardy, Ozzie flanker as second row cover for next season. Seems a strange move.

[St John The Enforcer]

Strange as in.... He's just the type of player we want? Can play both sides of the scrum is great in the lineout and tough as a bag of Vinnie Jonses.

[profitius]

He'll only be playing secondrow, not backrow, in case people are wondering.

Good signing for Leinster. They also have James Ryan signed up on a senior contract who is the best young second row in Ireland since POC, in my opinion.

[SecretFly]

If he has a big beard, we need him. Every respectable team now needs a big guy with a big beard + obligatory scrum cap.

[Golden]

Is Triggs still around next season?

[profitius]

Is Triggs still around next season?

Out of contract players

Ed Byrne
Strauss
Cronin
Bryan Bryne
Ross
McCarthy
Triggs
Nagle
Mick Kearney
Dom Ryan
Jordi Murphy
Conan
Leavy
Luke McGrath
Reid
Tom Daly
Kirchener
McFadden
Barry Daly
Adam Byrne
Billy Dardis


I reckon there could be a clearout because they've signed Fardy as well as 7 academy graduates and are looking to sign James Lowe from the Chiefs. The highlighted players look the most likely to stay.

[Golden]

James Lowe confirmed to Leinster.

Should be a big upgrade on Kirchener.

[marty2086]

James Lowe confirmed to Leinster.

Should be a big upgrade on Kirchener.

Another NIQ?

[Pete330v2]

James Lowe confirmed to Leinster.

Should be a big upgrade on Kirchener.

Another NIQ?

How many is that at Leinster now??
After that display at the weekend I'd say you lads could cancel all signings and save the dosh, you need for nothing

[marty2086]

James Lowe confirmed to Leinster.

Should be a big upgrade on Kirchener.

Another NIQ?

How many is that at Leinster now??
After that display at the weekend I'd say you lads could cancel all signings and save the dosh, you need for nothing

Maybe Joes finally given up and is just going to pick the whole Leinster team so they need some cover for the international windows

[Golden]

James Lowe confirmed to Leinster.

Should be a big upgrade on Kirchener.

Another NIQ?

How many is that at Leinster now??
After that display at the weekend I'd say you lads could cancel all signings and save the dosh, you need for nothing

Fardy Lowe, Park and Isa?

Anyone know if Lancaster is staying?

[profitius]

Strange signing considering they just beat the record for tries scored in the pro12.

Rumours of Grenoble looseness, Denis Coulson, signing for Connacht.

[SecretFly]

Everyone stop panicking about Leinster signings.  They're not all going to play the Pro12.  Leinster are going to have two Professional sides.  The other one will be entered into Top 14 15

[St John The Enforcer]

James Lowe confirmed to Leinster.

Should be a big upgrade on Kirchener.

Another NIQ?

How many is that at Leinster now??

4. The same as the last 4 seasons..... We don't get 6 like Ulster or 9 like Munster.

[thebandwagonsociety]

Is Triggs still around next season?

Out of contract players

Ed Byrne
Strauss
Cronin
Bryan Bryne
Ross
McCarthy
Triggs
Nagle
Mick Kearney
Dom Ryan
Jordi Murphy
Conan
Leavy
Luke McGrath
Reid
Tom Daly
Kirchener
McFadden
Barry Daly
Adam Byrne
Billy Dardis


I reckon there could be a clearout because they've signed Fardy as well as 7 academy graduates and are looking to sign James Lowe from the Chiefs. The highlighted players look the most likely to stay.

Bringing through 7 from the academy is good going. Also considering two of them are outhalfs in Ross Byrne and Joey Carbery, those are usually hens-teeth to find.

The signing of Fardy as a lock still feels a bit wierd would it be better to have a pure lock enforcer than a flanker being outsized moving to the second row, we must be expecting a good few of our current options not to be around next season. And with Ryan coming through the system and Molony still very young there some decent competition appearing in the second row.

[SecretFly]

James Lowe confirmed to Leinster.

Should be a big upgrade on Kirchener.

Another NIQ?

How many is that at Leinster now??

4. The same as the last 4 seasons..... We don't get 6 like Ulster or 9 like Munster.

Aren't stats a f**king basterde for disrupting well studied rants.

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