Belfast isn't a million miles away. Could still live in Dublin alot. Would be similar to likes of POM who live in Cork but are full time based in Limerick.
Belfast is less than 2 hours away at the moment. It'll be 6 hours away when the border wall goes up at the end of next month!
Maybe (I don't believe there will ever be a border) but that is a seperate issue. I'm sure for the extra €100k or so Jack will happily sort some arrangement.
I imagine he's been speaking to Fekitoa and Savea who've basically put him off, apparently he's signed a pre-contract to join for 3 years so Boudjellal wouldn't take to kindly to him backing out if that's the case....
I honestly wouldn't understand it. What Muff is saying does make sense but based on talent and potential he's the second best prop in the country after Healy, his current poor form is circumstantial, mostly due to injury. Unless he's not a fan of the coaching he's getting in Leinster and Macfarland impressed him I think its a massive risk for little to no reason.
Well there is 2 sides to it. 1 as you point out Byrne and to a lesser extent Dooley have been very good.
But as being seen now he is seen as the 3rd best. Like think about it if you had to give 1 of 20 contracts out would he be in that 20. In current scenario I'd say he wouldn't be in the top 30. Yes you can say that form is down to injury etc. But at same time this is a cut throat business and if he doesn't pick it up he will suffer.
We're losing too many players. It's not at all realistic to weaken your squad every year and expect to compete at the top level in Europe.
Again you're missing the point. His deal is up in May 2020. He doesn't want to drop from a national contract.
I acknowledged that, I don't think leaving Leinster and giving up guaranteed knockout rugby helps. (He could be giving up European rugby if things go south up there) Right now, at this very instant he wouldn't get a national contract but that's not how negotiations work either and is probably more reason not to force a move north. He needs to be second choice for the RWC for any shot at a central contract and then he needs to be putting pressure on Healo, he basically needs to consistently elevate his form for the next 18 months, I don't understand how moving north in a turbulent RWC year where he won't get a pre season with them aids that at all, at all.
Yes but you're missing my point. His contract will be sorted by next January. To really force his way in to getting a national contract he needs to show serious form in big games. Now in that window, He won't get a chance in the run in to this season. In the RWC he could be 3rd choice and potentially may miss out impressing. Then back in Europe he may or may not break in again but noone knows.
I get what you're saying, it just doesn't make sense to me. What you've described is more or less betting everything on a three month period with an Ulster team that he's not familiar with.
More so he goes to Ulster he's guaranteed to be a starter and a higher classed leader in the squad. Would have more bargaining power come negotiations.
2 points on that Snoop though.
