Transfers rumours

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Jamie Hagan returning to Connacht from Leinster with his tail between his legs (Sunday Times, Ireland edition).

Tom Donnelly to Leinster from the Crusaders (2+2=5 rumour on MF.com forum).

 

[big ginger 8]

Jamie Hagan returning to Connacht from Leinster with his tail between his legs (Sunday Times, Ireland edition).

Tom Donnelly to Leinster from the Crusaders (2+2=5 rumour on MF.com forum).

Doubt Hagan is true what with White leaving Leinster and going to Connacht.

Donnelly is possible. Not the best signing though. Good enough player but not what we need.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Meh, Hagan has had a rough time of it over here. That said, it'd be a shame to see him go. It was a full season before Mike Ross really started to show his full worth for Leinster, same for Stan Wright. I suppose the fact that he was 3rd choice as opposed to 2nd for much of the season must have been very disheartening for him. While I'd like him to stay, I could completely understand his reasons for leaving. Being overtaken by Archer and Loughney in the Ireland stakes must have been horrendous.

As for Donnelly, I'd take him if we had to chance to sign him. Remember, we're losing both Browne and Thorn this summer, both of whom have been excellent for us imo. As of the moment we'll be starting next season with Leo, Toner, Flanagan and Denton. Flanagan is very raw, Leo is seriously pushing on at this stage and Denton is probably going to be of the same level as Browne if we are very lucky. Some one else is most certainly needed and there are very few top locks out there at the minute. In light of this, it's disappointing that the Leinster branch didn't go after Richie Gray when it became apparent he was on the move. Imagine him and Toner at the set piece....pwar!

Word is we're also in the market for a utility back.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

It's going to be very hard for Leinster to top their achievements of this season (I left the Pro 12 final with 3 minutes to go. We won, right?). What I'd like to see next season is the rapid development of players in the backrow and backline mirrored by development of tight five players. If Jamie Hagan goes back to Connacht, he'll compete with Nathan White to start and it will be good for Ireland. In Mike Ross and Michael Bent, Leinster will still have two Irish tightheads as their Heineken Cup players while it'll push Martin Moore and Tadhg Furlong closer to first team action. I'd prefer to see Hagan stay and push on but wouldn't stand in his way if he wanted to return to Connacht and Leinster got something out of it.

If Hagan does stay, I'd be very willing to loan Martin Moore out west for a season to give him some more game time as Nathan White's back up, with Ronan Loughney backing up Brett Wilkinson. Whether Connacht would want that or not is another issue.

In light of this, it's disappointing that the Leinster branch didn't go after Richie Gray when it became apparent he was on the move.

Perhaps they did and Gray rejected the move. I doubt it but it's possible!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Perhaps they did and Gray rejected the move. I doubt it but it's possible!

People are literally fighting in the streets to sign for Sale, take your cynicism elsewhere!

 

[Feicarsinn]

It's going to be very hard for Leinster to top their achievements of this season (I left the Pro 12 final with 3 minutes to go. We won, right?). What I'd like to see next season is the rapid development of players in the backrow and backline mirrored by development of tight five players. If Jamie Hagan goes back to Connacht, he'll compete with Nathan White to start and it will be good for Ireland. In Mike Ross and Michael Bent, Leinster will still have two Irish tightheads as their Heineken Cup players while it'll push Martin Moore and Tadhg Furlong closer to first team action. I'd prefer to see Hagan stay and push on but wouldn't stand in his way if he wanted to return to Connacht and Leinster got something out of it.

If Hagan does stay, I'd be very willing to loan Martin Moore out west for a season to give him some more game time as Nathan White's back up, with Ronan Loughney backing up Brett Wilkinson. Whether Connacht would want that or not is another issue.


Perhaps they did and Gray rejected the move. I doubt it but it's possible!

I'd be very much in favour of holding onto Hagan. In Bent we have an unknown quantity. While we've heard some good press about him, Darwin his dismissed this as Taranaki bias and says he's quite average. We could have another Borlase on our hands for all we know. Were Ross to pick up a knock, I wouldn't want to be left with just Bent and two young lads. In my opinion, Hagan and Ross should share the first team duties next season, with Bent and perhaps Moore stepping in when the two starters are away with Ireland.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Yeah, I suppose I'm conflicted between what i think is best for Ireland and what's best for Leinster. What's best for Leinster is holding onto Hagan. He played 18 times last season (with 9 starts) and saw 653 minutes of game time so he's no mug. What's best for Ireland is seeing talented Irish players get as many opportunities as possible in big games. While Hagan had a disappointing season, he's still a talented player and a potential international. What it comes down to is what the player himself wants. There's no point keeping an unhappy player if he wants out.

 

[big ginger 8]

If he is second choice next year he'll play almost every Rabo game.

 

[coonor]

As for Donnelly, I'd take him if we had to chance to sign him. Remember, we're losing both Browne and Thorn this summer, both of whom have been excellent for us imo.

When was this announced? I didn't think he was leaving, or was he just on a short term contract?

Losing Hagan would be very bad. A bit more game time and coaching and he could be a solid player, however that's to high a risk to take without having any backup, especially if Bent does not live up to the medias hype.

I would also love to see Flanagan given more responsibility but of course a sufficient backup is also needed and Donnelly would be a pretty good signing. It would be nice to have a more long term solution.

 

[Draggs]

Barry Davies doesn't have a club.
Big boot on old Bazil.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-set-to-confirm-signings-1-3915485

Niall O'Connor, Rob Herring and Jacques Botes to Ulster. Squad filler mostly but Ulster lack depth beyond a very strong first XV so they'll prove good additions. Except for O'Connor because he's muck. In Ferris, Wilson, Henry, Botes and youngsters Henderson, Birch and Joyce, Ulster's backrow situation looks a lot better than the season just gone. They're a flyhalf away from contending for top honours in my opinion- I read a stat that Ulster won just one game out of seven (the HC semi final) with Paddy Jackson starting at 10 in 2011/12

• 25 Sep 2011 @ Ospreys [L, 32-14]
• 30 Sep 2011 @ NGD [L, 22-9]
• 14 Apr 2012 @ Connacht [L, 26-21]
• 20 Apr 2012 vs Leinster [L, 8-16]
• 28 Apr 2012 vs Edinburgh [W, 22-19] HEC SF
• 05 May 2012 @ Munster [L, 36-8]
• 19 May 2012 vs Leinster [L, 42-14] HEC F
• http://dementedmole.com/2012/05/22/ulster-a-season-at-the-brink-or-a-place-at-the-top-table/

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I've always rated Jacques Botes quite highly. He isn't a youngster anymore but still a very dependable loosie. A good option for the bench of a top outfit.

Hmm, I chose Racing Metro as my 'off-shore' team to support two years ago because of Steyn and I like their emblem and of course as a WP supporter any team with blue and white hoops on the jersey gets at least a little 'spill-over' support. I'm starting to follow Ulster with the host of SA expats and.... nah, I suppose I'll stick with the Parisians. I hate Saracens (the rugby team) and Ulster are starting to take it too far IMO just like Sarries; a few Saffa's and I like the flavor, too many and I start to think that WP or the Free State could have done with a few of those SA players.

 

[Draggs]

Botes leaving?
I am in bits. A true quality player.
If he has an Irish grandparent, he'd be an instant starter on the openside.

 

[big ginger 8]

Leinster have been given permission to talk to a NIQ secondrow any thoughts who we'll get?

 

[Draggs]

Leinster have been given permission to talk to a NIQ secondrow any thoughts who we'll get?

Colin Meads, went to school with Brad Thorn.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Ali Williams is doing the rounds at the moment.

Most likely it will have to be someone from New Zealand. I can't see any Ozzies moving this close to the Lions tour and the South Africans are going through something of a rebuilding period at lock. Williams would probably be okay for a year, then try bring Caldwell home.

 

[big ginger 8]

Williams has been really poor since he's come back hope it's not him.

 

[Darwin]

Williams has been really poor since he's come back hope it's not him.

I hope it is. The sooner he leaves NZ rugby, the sooner he will be gone from the AB's so we can get a better lock in the team

 

[Peat]

Come on Stormer. Join the Red Hand Gang. We've only got five Saffas and two Kiwis, nothing like Sarries. Plus, we can actually attack.

Pleased about Botes - although I think this is a stopgap with us lining up a serious operator for next year - clueless but ok about Herring (it's depth on a six month trial, we'll take it), believe I've made my feelings clear about NOC.

Snoopy - Take a look at the teamsheet for the non HEC games and you'll realise swiftly enough why we lost those; won't take much time as you don't need to read past number 8.

On the losing Hagan thing - Leinster should be playing Furlong as much as they can next season.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Snoopy - Take a look at the teamsheet for the non HEC games and you'll realise swiftly enough why we lost those; won't take much time as you don't need to read past number 8.

On the losing Hagan thing - Leinster should be playing Furlong as much as they can next season.

Agreed on all counts. However, with respect to Jackson, it's hard toargue that Ulster were poor with him at flyhalf the two times they played Leinster and against Edinburgh in the HCup with close to full strength teams. It's also unarguable that the Ireland u20s look a hell of a lot better with JJ Hanrahan at 10 than they did with Jackson.

As for Leinster's tighthead props, apparently Michael Bent won't arrive until November. Given Mike Ross will likely miss the opening 3 or 4 games due to IRFU player management, that leaves Jamie Hagan as the only senior tighthead. For that reason I can't see him leaving at this stage but it affords Leinster the opportunity to give Tadhg Furlong and Martin Moore shots off the bench.