How much does it cheapen the jersey by? If I had to pick a number I would probably put it at 1/23rd, for the one project player who's appeared in the six nations for us so far this year. I never said we were innocent, I just find us being portrayed as the champion of the project player system idiotic.
Leinster signed Lowe, not the IRFU....... The IRFU has to approve signings, but it's Leinster who scouted him, courted him and got his signature. Our union doesn't make signings for us, although they do occasionally try and broker moves for young Irish players to other provinces where they'll have a better shot.
He's probably conveniently focusing on cycling this week, as he should probably stick to for every week of his angry little life. Regardless of what you think of project players, the attacks on a guy who is firmly in the jersey, has done it proud and won't be leaving it is pathetic. He's an internet troll who happens to be given a platform to spew from because Lance Armstrong gave him legitimacy in cycling he earned through expertise, and legitimacy in rugby circles he gained from god knows how.
I have no idea where he sourced that from. Usually these rumors come from online forums which are sourced from more than shaky links to the organisations themselves or agents posturing for a pay day, but the forums were silent on this one. To be fair I suspected it was legit because it was such a random player to be linked with, not like your AACs or Ben Smiths. This guy is probably an upgrade on Kirchener who is probably on less money. Great signing.
We do, but at the end of the day the IRFU have adapted a more case by case basis these days. There's only so many project players and NIQs we're allowed. The max for projects sits at 3 per team I think, with usually 1 or 2 NIQs not including short term cover signings who are pretty much unlimited in areas of need. We have guys like Toma on the books who has never actually played for us as he's only there for emergencies and wouldn't be allowed to play. The rules were loosened a lot for Connacht a few years back which triggered some vagueness around the system ever since. You can pretty much laugh off rumors like Ben Smith coming to Munster under the rules though as we have Chisolm (outgoing), Saili and Taute (at least one outgoing, maybe both), and he would block our other back three players. If a player is going to block Irish options, or if the IRFU is not happy with your production in that area, it won't be allowed
I'm going to the papers with this.
Darn. I was hoping if someone like Lowe was coming North he'd have felt more like an Italian with his dark Mediterranean looks
Curious timing as he has missed the boat for RWC 2019. A little disappointed that the IRU are so vocal about not having enough TV money to retain their outstanding native internationals but they are happy to splash the cash on foreigners.
Can't think of any outstanding Irish talent not playing on our shores. In fact Munster have dragged some lost sheep in recently.Darn. I was hoping if someone like Lowe was coming North he'd have felt more like an Italian with his dark Mediterranean looks
Curious timing as he has missed the boat for RWC 2019. A little disappointed that the IRU are so vocal about not having enough TV money to retain their outstanding native internationals but they are happy to splash the cash on foreigners.
Ahh no, I was hoping he stayed. Never seen a player buy in to the club so hard. Was a bit doubtful with the presence of Farrell, Goggin and eventually Arnold.
