Transfers rumours

[big ginger 8]

Add to earlier (although been around a while) Conan to Exeter or Leicester.

Conan isn't leaving. He's publicly stated he wants to stay at Leinster.

 

[munstermuffin]

Probably right just seen it here in Wales on Telegraph. And it floating on sites like Pundit Arena

 

[profitius]

Dan Leavy 99% done to leave Leinster for another province. Can't see it being us. Also Ruddock supposedly done for Ulster too.

Perfect fit for Munster as we need more backrows. Ruddock would be a good signing for Ulster. Add some beef to their pack.

I doubt Conan, Leavy and Ruddock will all leave though.

 

[munstermuffin]

Perfect fit for Munster as we need more backrows. Ruddock would be a good signing for Ulster. Add some beef to their pack.

I doubt Conan, Leavy and Ruddock will all leave though.

Agreed on Leavy for us but think we are backing Oliver.
Agreed can't see all 3 going but well 1maybe 2 will

 

[Groundhog]

Yeah Leavy is the rumor I heard. Makes a lot more sense.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

Haven't watched much of Leavy, how is he compared to Ruddock in terms of quality?

 

[munstermuffin]

Haven't watched much of Leavy, how is he compared to Ruddock in terms of quality?

I've a feeling Leavy can be a top top 7. Ruddock more a high level in all positions but Leavy can be the better guy in 1 position. Both good players to have

 

[Groundhog]

I'd take Leavy. Youth on his side and he's tearing up trees. Seems to really be thriving in the competition at Leinster.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Safe to say I want Leavy to stay after tonight... (And before that) Having SOB, VdF and Leavy is crazy though, I think they'd all start for any other province.

 

[big ginger 8]

Leavy was the most highly rated of any of Leinster's backrows coming out of school/20s really its only injuries/playing in the most stacked backrow in club rugby that's held him back. He has no real weakness to his game his ball skills, carrying and tackling are real standouts. I really hope he doesn't go but if he does who ever gets him will have a hell of a player and leader.

 

[munstermuffin]

Was looking up Leinster tonight and it seems alot are worried as they say now they have pool of great guys but the next crop isn't as good.
I'd agree with Alpha that maybe all 3 would start in any other province as Tommy is our best 7 but guys mentioned are more natural 7s.
Will be interesting times for Leinster as itbseems Van Der Flier dislocated shoulder so will someone like Leavy grab his shot and overtake again.

Would Jordi be the preferred option for alot to let go?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Christ I forgot about Jordi, he'd be no. 2 for me, especially in a backrow with Heaslip.

 

[munstermuffin]

So who'd you keep as top 5 guys

 

[big ginger 8]

Was looking up Leinster tonight and it seems alot are worried as they say now they have pool of great guys but the next crop isn't as good.
I'd agree with Alpha that maybe all 3 would start in any other province as Tommy is our best 7 but guys mentioned are more natural 7s.
Will be interesting times for Leinster as itbseems Van Der Flier dislocated shoulder so will someone like Leavy grab his shot and overtake again.

Would Jordi be the preferred option for alot to let go?

I'd love to know why people would be worried about our next crop of backrows. First of all VDF, Leavy and Conan are 23, 22 and 24 respectively so they're all still young. Murphy and Ruddock are also 25 and 26 so we could easily survive a few years of not so great prospects. The academy backrowers have also played for Ireland 20s most of them admittedly aren't standout prospects (but neither was VDF) however, they've all played Ireland 20s and Max Deegan is a talent that is as standout as we've had having won JWR Player of the Year last year. There's also a number of highly touted prospects still in school. This all means unless the injury bug hits (as it admittedly is want to do in the backrow) big time we're in as rude a health as anyone else.

Not to mention we've had to let some backrowers go, a few of whom were highly regarded prospects in their own right. Munster have Oliver, Connacht have Masterson, Moloney, Connolly and McVeigh, Ulster have Timoney and reportedly O'Connor (he's the Leinster player I've heard rumoured to Ulster, makes sense as his brother and best friend are there) as well as this Gilsenan and Coghlan are in England. These are all backrowers who started their rugby in Leinster, are professional and are under 25. I don't know how you could be worried about our backrow production.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

So who'd you keep as top 5 guys

With Jamie Heaslip, Sean O'Brien and Josh van der Flier all likely to be in Ireland squads and injuries and rotation also factored in, Leinster would need 6 backrowers of high quality. Jordi Murphy, Jack Conan and Dan Leavy would be the next three I'd be more reluctant to lose. Rhys Ruddock is also an excellent player but he's down the pecking order and would easily start for Connacht or Ulster's first string backrows. Dominic Ryan is a very useful squad player but again, he'd be higher up the food chain somewhere else. If two were to leave, it'd free up more opportunities for Max Deegan too. Would hate to lose Dan Leavy which has been rumoured.

The production line isn't a problem in the backrow. Perhaps at hooker and centre there aren't many coming through the system but everywhere else seems loaded with prospects.

On the subject of rumours, Adam Ashley Cooper would be very useful. Leinster are threadbare in midfield and he could slot in there or at wing while internationals are away. Rory O'Loughlin's injury last night means Leinster could be down to just Noel Reid to cover 12 and 13.

 

[Groundhog]

You'd have to think a guy like Dan Leavy who arguably had more promise than Van Der Flier, Conan or Murphy at under 20 level wouldn't be happy with anything but outright starter and vying for caps. There's pressure from above and behind for a lot of guys in the Leinster squad, and moving looks sensible, but for a lot of these guys they'll want to win tournaments and soon, so you can understand why they'd be reluctant to move as well because that won't be happening up north this season or the next and Connacht have regressed badly, will have a new unknown coach next year and have not updated their quickly figured out game plan at all.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Leavy has played 18 times this season as a 22 year old including 4 European games. Won his first international cap too. Jamie Heaslip is turning 34 next season and Sean O'Brien has a chequered injury history so he'll likely get a ton of game time next year too. As you say, he's not winning trophies if he goes to Connacht or Ulster. If he goes to Munster, does he immediately get ahead of Tommy O'Donnell or is it a time share? Stay at Leinster and he's future captaincy material. Much of that could have been said of Dominic Ryan a couple of years ago though and with hindsight, Ryan would have been better off leaving then.

I'd hate to see Leinster lose Dan Leavy. It'd be the most disappointing departure from the squad since Andrew Conway moved to Munster as he was breaking into the first team.

Reportedly Donnacha Ryan isn't getting offered an international contract but rather a provincial one. Means he's taking a pay cut. Gives credence to the rumour that Racing Metro are in for him since he's playing the best rugby of his career and at 33 this is his last big contract. Would be a loss for Ireland too as right now he's a nailed on starter.

 

[munstermuffin]

On Donnacha Ryan he will get a Munster deal with IRFU top ups. It's just negotiations on who pays what.

On backrows for Leinster BG8 To think some Leinster people worry because of fear of losing some lads which are the rumours doing the rounds.

Snoop I agree you need depth but is it possible guys like Conan and Leavy see it as they should be higher up the line. Like if everyone is fit they know they won't be in 23. Like I know it rare and agree they've all got great game time.
I don't know does international thoughts or contract value come in to it?
Again I'm only saying what are the rumours.

 

[Groundhog]

Leavy has played 18 times this season as a 22 year old including 4 European games. Won his first international cap too. Jamie Heaslip is turning 34 next season and Sean O'Brien has a chequered injury history so he'll likely get a ton of game time next year too. As you say, he's not winning trophies if he goes to Connacht or Ulster. If he goes to Munster, does he immediately get ahead of Tommy O'Donnell or is it a time share? Stay at Leinster and he's future captaincy material. Much of that could have been said of Dominic Ryan a couple of years ago though and with hindsight, Ryan would have been better off leaving then.

I'd hate to see Leinster lose Dan Leavy. It'd be the most disappointing departure from the squad since Andrew Conway moved to Munster as he was breaking into the first team.

Reportedly Donnacha Ryan isn't getting offered an international contract but rather a provincial one. Means he's taking a pay cut. Gives credence to the rumour that Racing Metro are in for him since he's playing the best rugby of his career and at 33 this is his last big contract. Would be a loss for Ireland too as right now he's a nailed on starter.

You certainly have a point, but Heaslip has just signed a new contract and is bulletproof in his injury profile. Seanie has a bad injury history, but when he's fit he's parachuted into the team because he's world class. He has so much quality around him and it's very difficult to keep ahead of the backrow talent pack at Leinster. One setback and you'll have someone gunning for your jersey (which is the formula for a great team by the way, but I digress). Leavy has got a lot of gametime for the province given his age, but if he moves to Ulster he could be a big fish in a smaller pond. He has some security in his position and probably the limelight. For the record I think he'd make the grade at the top level for Leinster if he stayed, but from his point of view there's some definite logic in moving.
On Ryan, I think it's pretty dissapointing he's not offered a central contract, because he probably has more in him at 33 than Bowe did at 30 when he was offered a central contract. Losing him would be pretty sickening for us, because beyond himself and Kleyn we have lots of depth, but none of near the same quality of Ryan. That said, the IRFU are probably looking at who else we have coming through, his injury profile etc. I would hold nothing against Ryan if he left. He owes Munster and Ireland nothing.

 

[munstermuffin]

On Donnacha Ryan lads. It's a central contract in everything but name.
On Leinster backrows the issues are this.
1. Are they happy being 5/6/7 on prcking order
2. Are they happy with contract.
3. Are they happy with their prospects of international caps
4. What are their ambitions in terms of what role do they want in a team or how much do they back themselves.

Every player is different and beat of luck on what they do decise