The Official Irish Rugby Thread

[Jim Lahey]

Zebo

Still not convinced about Stockdale tbf. He's probably in pole position to start with Lowe so I hope I'm very much proven wrong.

Baloucoune has been a shadow of his former self this season, no idea what happened there. I know there had been a few lower body injuries but he looks to be lacking aggression and confidence, which I'd associate more with a return from a shoulder/head injury. He has been comfortably Ulster's best winger the last couple of seasons.

[PornDog]

Munster line up move for Ulster outhalf Billy Burns
Joey Carbery’s move to France next season leaves Munster’s outhalf stocks bare

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ ... lly-burns/


You've no idea how much mileage I am going to get out of this with my old man!

[fishfoodie]

Ulster needs a total clear out !

Ulster CEO Jonny Petrie departs province by mutual consent

Petrie had previously stated his aim to stay on at the helm of the province after parting ways with former head coach Dan McFarland

...

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ ... l-consent/

[Uncle fester]

Sacked so.
Humphs clearing house.

[PornDog]

No harm, there's been something rotten in the state of Denmark for a while now. Who's in charge of player development? They'll have an itchy bum.

[Jim Lahey]

Hopefully Bryn next. He's signed some donkeys over the years.

[Jim Lahey]

Ulster's season is already shot. Don't think we'll make the playoffs given our form and relatively tough run-in.

There will be financial pain missing out on the Champions Cup and losing Kingspan as a sponsor, but this wake-up call has been in the post for 3 or 4 years now, so I will fully embrace the re-build.

I'd take Kitshoff off the books to begin with. Good player that he is, but we can't afford him. We simply must spend that money on coaches and be forced to use the academy. Our born and bred players are much more likely to accept lower wages to stay at home than bringing in mercenaries and Leinster cast offs.

Our academy has been an absolute failure over the last 5 years. We haven't produced a forward that has made an impact on the international stage since Hendy over a decade ago. This is where the problem lies, and it must be addressed asap.

Couple of decent players coming through now mind, although Dan McF not picking them has hampered matters. Scott Wilson did a great job holding up against Ox Niche when he came on on Saturday, after our "international class" TH ToT had his spine rearranged in a previous scrum. Dave McCann has beem consistently good all season. Harry Sheridan looks to have a bit of much needed dog in him. Tom Stewart needs a bit more work but certainly has the potential.

The only way is up

[laurent]

Fucking Langers....

Best of luck in the final ya cnuts

[PornDog]

Fucking Langers....

Best of luck in the final ya cnuts

scoreline suggests it was an entertaining game

(40-34 in Cons favour for the curious)

[laurent]

Fucking Langers....

Best of luck in the final ya cnuts

scoreline suggests it was an entertaining game

(40-34 in Cons favour for the curious)

It was but I was watching the Irish ladies being taken to the cleaners at the same time.

Not entertaining unless you support the orkettes

[Uncle fester]

Good you got over Laurent. Where did you end up staying?

[laurent]

Coming in May 2nd

I was watching on YouTube and French TV.

Will stay in artane before heading west.

[Uncle fester]

West is best. Any places you plan on visiting?

[fishfoodie]

Coming in May 2nd

I was watching on YouTube and French TV.

Will stay in artane before heading west.

Thoughts, & Prayers .... !

[laurent]

Coming in May 2nd

I was watching on YouTube and French TV.

Will stay in artane before heading west.

Thoughts, & Prayers .... !

I am a northsider

[fishfoodie]

Hurrah !

https://www.the42.ie/connacht-stadium-p ... 7-Apr2024/

[Uncle fester]

Paywall
New stadium or redevelopment?

[fishfoodie]

Paywall
New stadium or redevelopment?

New Stand, & new training facilities

[fishfoodie]

Nice bit of business by Connacht. I'm sure there are plenty in Ulster crying in their beer over losing Ben

Connacht to sign two Ireland U20 internationals from Leinster

Bray native Ben Murphy has lined out for both Munster and Leinster in recent years, having spent a spell down south as injury cover in 2020 with the province short of scrum-half options.

Murphy (son of Ulster coach Richie) was also a part of the 2020 Ireland U20 squad, which won its first three Six Nations games before the competition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 23-year-old has made several senior appearances for Leinster this season, including a Champions Cup outing against Sale Sharks in December.

Wexford man Temi Lasisi, meanwhile, was also part of a highly-rated Ireland U20 group, playing three games during the 2021 championship, in which Ireland finished third.

Thursday marks Lasisi's 23rd birthday. The Enniscorthy native will be a valuable asset to Connacht due to his versatility in the front-row, able to play both tighthead and loosehead prop.

....

https://www.balls.ie/rugby/connacht-lei ... isi-597216

[Uncle fester]

Nice to read about players signing for a team other than Leinster for a change.

[Uncle fester]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2024/052 ... rom-rugby/

Not a huge surprise. Decent last hurrah for him though but overall, he could have been so much more.

[fishfoodie]

I thought I was only having a pipe dream when I said Sam should move to Connacht to be playing alongside his brother, but maybe it might happen for at least a season ?

Connacht have made enquiries about signing Sam Prendergast on loan for next season but with Leinster reluctant to acquiesce a decision now rests with the IRFU and the player.

Prendergast’s older brother Cian is an established part of the Connacht backrow and the western province are need of replenishment at outhalf in light of JJ Hanrahan being ruled out indefinitely after suffering an ACL injury in their win over the Dragons last month. The 31-year-old will now undergo surgery and is likely to miss a significant chunk of next season.

A star turn on last season’s Ireland Under-20 team which won the Grand Slam and reached the Junior World Cup final, the 21-year-old Prendergast was named in the Leinster Academy before earning a senior contract ahead of this season. Prendergast has accumulated 14 appearances for the province this campaign, including three starts.

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ ... -leinster/

If Leinster are going to alternate the Byrne brothers, then Sam won't be getting enough time to develop, & my money is on him being Irelands OH after the next RWC, so he can't be left riding the pine.

[Uncle fester]

Loan deals should not be what Connacht are looking for right now, bar injury jokers. You need players who will commit.

[salanya]

Wouldn't like to see Leinster letting Prendergast go - I'd like to see him develop another season to see his potential.
We know the limitations of Ross, and Harry Byrne hasn't looked close to delivering on early promise.

I hope I'm proved wrong on the weekend, but to win the big matches, I think they should invest in Ciaran Frawley at 10.

[fishfoodie]

Wouldn't like to see Leinster letting Prendergast go - I'd like to see him develop another season to see his potential.
We know the limitations of Ross, and Harry Byrne hasn't looked close to delivering on early promise.

I hope I'm proved wrong on the weekend, but to win the big matches, I think they should invest in Ciaran Frawley at 10.

Well it is only a proposed loan while JJ is recovering, & we do have Richies young fella under contract now.

Every side needs two'ish decent half back pairings, & Leinster have an embarrassment of riches, while the other Academy's are lucky to have one potential pair.

I'd prefer the IRFU to continue doing what they have been, & sharing out the spoils amongst the Provinces , so they each can do as well as possible, & the players can develop to their best potential, while we avoid falling into the trap of touring the SH looking for anyone who can apply for an Irish Passport.

[Uncle fester]

Rhys Ruddock retiring at the end of the year. Decent player and great servant of Leinster rugby. His appearance at 7 against SA wrecking maul after maul was a career highlight.