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A great big Munster thread

A few thoughts on it.

1. You cannot expect fellas in AIL to be able to safely step up to professional game in the front row.
2. Restrictions are understandable from top-down, but aren't the be all and end all. A medical joker for a few weeks is not stopping development of the next Tagh Furlong.
3. Instead of the AIL, the other provinces should be forced to present a list of their front row players in ranked order. The last on the list in the specific position is asked* to move for either duration of season or duration of cover. Pay for the period is doubled. (As they are likely to be on academy contracts, its no biggie financially for IRFU).
4. Once again exposes the real structural problem in Irish rugby. The gap between provinces and AIL is too large. Whether the market exists for a 8 or 10 team franchise league (think ITM cup) is another question.

* carrot being money and chance for first team games. stick being their existing deal unlikely to be renewed if they don't.
 
A few thoughts on it.

1. You cannot expect fellas in AIL to be able to safely step up to professional game in the front row.
2. Restrictions are understandable from top-down, but aren't the be all and end all. A medical joker for a few weeks is not stopping development of the next Tagh Furlong.
3. Instead of the AIL, the other provinces should be forced to present a list of their front row players in ranked order. The last on the list in the specific position is asked* to move for either duration of season or duration of cover. Pay for the period is doubled. (As they are likely to be on academy contracts, its no biggie financially for IRFU).
4. Once again exposes the real structural problem in Irish rugby. The gap between provinces and AIL is too large. Whether the market exists for a 8 or 10 team franchise league (think ITM cup) is another question.

* carrot being money and chance for first team games. stick being their existing deal unlikely to be renewed if they don't.
Alot of points on the money here. Wig os gone but he rattled a few cages with valid points. Now alot other issues too but what you said here is very valid. As I said though David Humphreys won't see next RWC
 
Gordon Wood added to the academy. Strange timing, but being a centre certainly helps. Could have 2 Woods in there before long.
 
Gordon Wood added to the academy. Strange timing, but being a centre certainly helps. Could have 2 Woods in there before long.
You'd imagine the younger brother will join soon.. started ahead of dylan hicks at the weekend for Garryowen.
 
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Correct. And few new faces in on both sides playing and Coaching. Not sure on official status of coach side
Alex Codling, O'Donnell and Cronin I'm seeing. Know next to nothing about Codling and know Cronin and O'Donnell have done some work with schools/clubs before coming to the academy.

Anyone beyond the announced on the player front? Few AIL lads?
 
Some French source saying Lancaster is coming to us. Highly sceptical because I'd have thought him out of our budget and I don't really trust French sources.
 
2 year contract, uninspiring at Racing, works well with youth and has expressed interest in coming back to Ireland. Would be awesome if it happened. Who's the French source? Some reliable ones in there.

Seperately, I saw Brian Gleeson was playing the A game. Likely to get European minutes after his injury return? Definitely a guy who should be on the fast track!
 
Some French source saying Lancaster is coming to us. Highly sceptical because I'd have thought him out of our budget and I don't really trust French sources.
IRFU pay all head coaches not the provinces.

I'd be very happy if he came. He is a superb coach. Anyone can look over my postings of him from his time from England to Dublin. He is a master coach. Probably what we need for where we are.
 
2 year contract, uninspiring at Racing, works well with youth and has expressed interest in coming back to Ireland. Would be awesome if it happened. Who's the French source? Some reliable ones in there.

Seperately, I saw Brian Gleeson was playing the A game. Likely to get European minutes after his injury return? Definitely a guy who should be on the fast track!
the source is.... 'Parlez-Vous French Rugby'. I would absolutely take Lancaster here, I think he would understand the assignment and tbh would be better suited to a club with limited resources where you have to develop younger players, thank the likes of Racing where they can more easily throw money at a position.

Brian Gleeson will definitely make plenty of matchday 23s this year. Was realistically on track to before injury too. I think he will be starting fairly consistently soon
 
IRFU pay all head coaches not the provinces.

I'd be very happy if he came. He is a superb coach. Anyone can look over my postings of him from his time from England to Dublin. He is a master coach. Probably what we need for where we are.
By out of budget I was including what the IRFU might be willing to pay!

Very much depends on what Lancaster wants though. I get the sense he really enjoyed his time with Leinster and like I said I think he's better suited to the Irish system than a French club.
 
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