Jerry Collins signs for Toulon

vladimirtheass

Toulon have announced on their web-site this morning that Jerry Collins has signed a three year deal with the club. Planetrugby reports that he is the first of 15 recruits to the club this summer with Dan Carter likely to follow, 15!!It'll be very interesting to see whether Toulon can win the Top 14 next season as they will be the only big team with championship ambitions with no European competition commitments.

Unfortunetly Munster just couldn't compete financially, and lets face it life style wise too, Toulon is on the Med!It was never a runner anyways IMO. Personally, and this is pie in the sky stuff, I'd love to see Ryan Kankowski in the Munster team next year but that'll never happen. It'll be interesting to see what back rower Munster sign, if any. They may feel that O'Sullivan, coughlan and Ronan can provide adequate cover for Leamy, Quinlan and Wallace. I feel we need a fourth prover back rower to retain the Heineken Cup next year.

Stev_o

vladimirtheass wrote: »

Toulon have announced on their web-site this morning that Jerry Collins has signed a three year deal with the club. Planetrugby reports that he is the first of 15 recruits to the club this summer with Dan Carter likely to follow, 15!!It'll be very interesting to see whether Toulon can win the Top 14 next season as they will be the only big team with championship ambitions with no European competition commitments.

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Considering they are loosing something like 10 or so very decent players it ll even itself out and id presume that they would try win the Challenge Cup to get a good seed for the HC in two years time ala Clermount.

Just wonder how they ll get on against the big sides now in French rugby as the only real decent sides they meet in D2 was Agen and Racing Club Metro.

marco_polo

Not 100% sure if we need another backrow or not I suppose the new coach will have to make that call after assessing the squad. To have a better chance at winning the HEC again next year perhaps another top class back row would be ideal, but I wouldn't be too bothered either way.

If we don't sign anyone it will send a really positive message to the backup members of the squad syuch as N. Ronan, J'O'Sullivan (if he can stay fit) and J. Coughlan.

[Jackass]

It's a quality backrow ye have already, imo the real engine of the Munster team, it's amazing to see the work they get through.

A signing of the quality of a Jerry Collins in your squad also would make Munster practically impossible to play against.

zAbbo

vladimirtheass wrote: »

Unfortunetly Munster just couldn't compete financially, and lets face it life style wise too, Toulon is on the Med!It was never a runner anyways IMO.

You're right, it was never a runner, nothing to do with finances anyway.

Whatever about Howlett signing in the twilight of his career, Collins is in his prime.

I'd hate to see Collins at Munster, or any more foreign imports into positions where homegrown talent can be nurtured.

Stev_o

zAbbo wrote: »

You're right, it was never a runner, nothing to do with finances anyway.

Whatever about Howlett signing in the twilight of his career, Collins is in his prime.

I'd hate to see Collins at Munster, or any more foreign imports into positions where homegrown talent can be nurtured.

Well Collins hasnt been having the greatest season of his life at the moment

il gatto

Surely Howlett is at his peak? Just achieved greatness with the AB's try scoring record. He's 29. Surely that's his prime?
I'm glad an Irish Province didn't sign Collins. I think we're at about saturation as to what we can absorb without totally scuppering the national side.
I also would've thought Munster's biggest worries at the moment were developing a couple of props. The Bull could get injured and Marcus "stupid penalty" Horan is up and down lately. Puciariello is 33. Buckley is big but he can't play both sides. Second row is covered o.k. in comparison. imo, of course.