Rumor on replacement for Rocky

Profiler

Right first thing, this is one that I can't substantiate with anything concrete at all. I was told this by a person who is involved in the set up at Leinster and who is not one for gossip and hearsay.

However I have been told that the Leinster Branch have made an approach to Sergio Parisse with a view to bringing him to the club as Rocky Elsom's replacement.

Please don't shoot the messenger and even if this is total bovine excretion, I for one got a kick out of the story.

Stev_o

That would awesome in the sense that it's f*cking Perrise but crap for Sean O'Brien and possibly Heaslip.

hello_there_jim

i giggled long time when i saw this!
can you seriously see parisse playing in ireland next season? I think not!

Jello

Why would we sign one of the best 8's in the world and play him at 6?

hello_there_jim

Stev_o wrote: »

That would awesome in the sense that it's f*cking Perrise but crap for Sean O'Brien and possibly Heaslip.

parisse is no.8 which is why they wouldnt bring in him as they have heaslip! if anyone it has to be a finished article flanker!

RuggieBear

well tbh i can see where you are coming from Jim but I had the same initial reaction when i heard elsom was being connected with leinster...so while it's probably a longshot it's not as if the branch don't contact these types of guys' agents all the time to sound out if they'd be open to moving.

But indeed why sign another 8 when we have a half decent one and all.

Stev_o

hello_there_jim wrote: »

parisse is no.8 which is why they wouldnt bring in him as they have heaslip! if anyone it has to be a finished article flanker!

Parisse has played 6 for Stade alot with Leguizamon at 8 this season.

Profiler

Stev_o wrote: »

Parisse has played 6 for Stade alot with Leguizamon at 8 this season.

Stade have also signed James Haskell for the 2009/2010 season.

Its an interesting one.They have alot of money available and obviously want a world class player and a huge name,they dont come much better.

Whether he would leave stade and his French girlfriend is unlikely though.

NickNolte

I think Leinster would need to look elsewhere for a replacement for Rocky. I'd be happy enough if they gave Sean O'Brien the position to be honest but Parisse would be a good buy for No 8... if we needed one.

[Jackass]

Peter Clumsy Aftershave wrote: »

On the flip side, she could move with him and be living in Dublin next season...and probably be floating around the RDS on match day.

I fully endorse and support this initiative.

Unless Heaslip can bring equal or better quality as the above to the RDS, he should be dropped.

Plus, you know, she may be going out with a millionaire world rugby male model superstar, but I'd still fancy my chances.

moby2101

[Jackass] wrote: »

On the flip side, she could move with him and be living in Dublin next season...and probably be floating around the RDS on match day.

I fully endorse and support this initiative.

Unless Heaslip can bring equal or better quality as the above to the RDS, he should be dropped.

Plus, you know, she may be going out with a millionaire world rugby male model superstar, but I'd still fancy my chances.

..LOL... EXCELLENT....Post of 2009

Dev7

What about bringing in somebody like Neil Best?

danthefan

Parisse would be a savage signing, can be just as effective from 6 and has played a good bit there. Can't see it though.

On the other hand we're the European champs, a decent offer and it would be hard to say no really.

bleg

this was no doubt started by the same "parisse to munster" people before munster signed williams this season...

anonymous_joe

bleg wrote: »

this was no doubt started by the same "parisse to munster" people before munster signed williams this season...

I've no idea if it's true or not, but certainly this season, one of the biggest teams in the NH is short a top class back row, and Stade have a lot of 'em.

I don't expect us to sign Parisse tbh, but Leinster and Munster are technically capable of competing for players of this calibre.

thomond2006

So Munster will have Nick Williams and Leinster will have Sergio Parisse.

OH MY GOD :mad::mad:

danthefan

thomond2006 wrote: »

So Munster will have Nick Williams and Leinster will have Sergio Parisse.

OH MY GOD :mad::mad:

Bit like Leinster having the Heineken Cup and Munster having the ML



Edit - the Parisse thing is nonsense by the way, not going to happen. It's actually been unofficially reported the Leinster branch haven't given up on Elsom yet.

themont85

I personally think we should give him these terms which i thought of for Rocky to stay.

-Enough 50 euro notes to fit into those Kennliworth motors Astras the players get.
-Complimentary Leinster bumper sticker for the Astra.
-First dibs on the women in Club 92, Coppers or some other sweatbox frequented by Leinster players.

Tim Robbins

NickNolte wrote: »

I think Leinster would need to look elsewhere for a replacement for Rocky. I'd be happy enough if they gave Sean O'Brien the position to be honest but Parisse would be a good buy for No 8... if we needed one.

It's all about having four decent back rowers, for competition, squad rotation and injury cover.

I think we have three (Jennings, O'Brien, Heaslip) but need four.

ch2008

I recall an interview Heaslip did this year where he said he makes more breaks for Ireland because Elsom has that responsibility at Leinster. he wasnt happy about it but went with the Team decision. Perhaps he is now looking to move to 6 and pick up the role that Rocky used to occupy.

Podge_irl

ch2008 wrote: »

I recall an interview Heaslip did this year where he said he makes more breaks for Ireland because Elsom has that responsibility at Leinster. he wasnt happy about it but went with the Team decision. Perhaps he is now looking to move to 6 and pick up the role that Rocky used to occupy.

He could and has perfectly occupied that role from eight. He's about as much an out and out eight as you are going to get, I can't see him every playing anywhere else except in an emergency.

I honestly can't see Parisse coming to Leinster. I'm sure they could easily afford him, but he doesn't strike me as the type of player they're going to want.

ironingbored

Podge_irl wrote: »

I honestly can't see Parisse coming to Leinster. I'm sure they could easily afford him, but he doesn't strike me as the type of player they're going to want.

What type of player? The type who has excelled for club and country and been one of the best and most athletic backrowers in the world over the last five years.

He would be a smashing signing. Great in the loose, lineout, scrum and kicks DG's as well.

anonymous_joe

Podge_irl wrote: »

He could and has perfectly occupied that role from eight. He's about as much an out and out eight as you are going to get, I can't see him every playing anywhere else except in an emergency.

I honestly can't see Parisse coming to Leinster. I'm sure they could easily afford him, but he doesn't strike me as the type of player they're going to want.

He's not an out and out blindside. That's my problem. Otherwise he'd actually fit in well - great work rate, strong, fast, good tackler, great in the loose and a good attacking threat.

He's also probably Stade Francais' best player, so not sure why they'd let him go.

holidayhere

danthefan wrote: »

Parisse would be a savage signing, can be just as effective from 6 and has played a good bit there. Can't see it though.

On the other hand we're the European champs, a decent offer and it would be hard to say no really.

He's my favourite at this stage.
Money talks, plus he has a chance of winning something next year.

bleg

i'll eat my hat if parisse moves anywhere next season.

Podge_irl

anonymous_joe wrote: »

He's not an out and out blindside. That's my problem.

More or less my point. He's too similar to Heaslip I think. The backrow options next year are Jennings, Heaslip, O'Brien and McLaughlin. An out and out 6 is what is missing from that line-up.

madds

I'm hearing a whisper that Ferris is being looked at? Anyone heard anything about this?

zAbbo

madds wrote: »

I'm hearing a whisper that Ferris is being looked at? Anyone heard anything about this?

I doubt that will happen, it would cause a huge rift if Leinster poached Ulster's best player.

[Jackass]

Realisticly, I think Neil Best would be the best signing to cover the absence of Rocky.

Sean O'Brien is excellent cover for Rocky and Heaslip and Jennings are superb also (as Jennings slips into the classic "Gleeson" void in Irish rugby - the best out and out 7 in the country can't get within a sniff of an Irish squad). Best would bring the number to 4 of excellent back row players and there's a fair bit of versatility there in that O'Brien can play accross the entire back row, Jennings can play 6 or 7 and Best, while an out and out 6, has played to some effect in a 7 jersey before.

I'd be happy with that signing. The REAL attention should be given to the second row and who's going to come in. The cover there is thin and the quality is good, but there is much room for improvement. Second row and to a lesser extent hooker are Leinsters week points. (although you wouldn't know it at times )

Backup 10 is required also, which unfortunately looks like it's going to be filled by Burne. (Ready Zzabo?) I think we should have worked very hard to get Keatley back to the province and have 2 excellent options at 10.

Stev_o

The Ruddocks have already signed for Leinster so chances are one of them will go into the development in role for both 2nd row and backrow.

ALH-06

[Jackass] wrote: »

Backup 10 is required also, which unfortunately looks like it's going to be filled by Burne. (Ready Zzabo?) I think we should have worked very hard to get Keatley back to the province and have 2 excellent options at 10.

I don't know if an OH duo of Keatley and Sexton would be best for Leinster right now. I don't think Keatley is ready for this level yet - I'd give him one more full season of ML rugby with Connacht before seriously considering him as a contender for Heineken Cup OH.

Sexton is still developing as well, which explains why they're bringing in someone with experience (Berne) to cover for him. I would've preferred a better quality player than Berne, but he'll be a useful squad player, and hopefully his presence will prove beneficial to Sexton.

bigbadben

ALH-06 wrote: »

I don't know if an OH duo of Keatley and Sexton would be best for Leinster right now. I don't think Keatley is ready for this level yet - I'd give him one more full season of ML rugby with Connacht before seriously considering him as a contender for Heineken Cup OH.

Sexton is still developing as well, which explains why they're bringing in someone with experience (Berne) to cover for him. I would've preferred a better quality player than Berne, but he'll be a useful squad player, and hopefully his presence will prove beneficial to Sexton.

I think Berne is a good signing for Sexton. Like all good OH's Sexton is ego driven and signing Berne is pretty much saying to Sexton "that you're the man and we dont need a big name out half because thats you" .