Players you admire from other provinces.

Amazotheamazing

In an attempt, futile perhaps, to reach across the interprovincial divide, how about posting about players from other provinces you admire or would like to see in playing for your province?

I'm from Munster and I'm going to leave out the obvious BO'D one simply because it should go without saying, but always had a lot of time for D'Arcy, not at his best yet, but he's a real team player, always looks to bring others into the game, sacrificed a bit his own creativity playing 12 to allow players around him be more creative, but how often does a halfbreak or pass from d'Arcy result in someone scoring down the far end of the pitch. I also admire the way he's dealt with setbacks, got over his wilderness years and injuries and the work he does for charity. Top guy and I'd love to see him in Munster.

From Connacht, I really admire Ray Ofisa for not letting the way Bradley runs the team et him down. OSmeone said he qualifies for Ireland this year, slightly surprised one of the bigger provinces haven't poached him.

From Ulster, you have to admire how Paddy Wallace has dealt with the long road he was forced down with injuries, being played out of position, and loss of form to get back into the Irish team for the Grand Slam, hope Trimble is learning a lot about bouncebackability from him.

And for the province that is the Exiles, the Murphy's at Leicester stand-out, Geordan for being a club hero and Johnny for working so hard at his game when guys who have nominal more talent fall by the wayside.

A lot of these guys I admire more than just being good or great players, they all seem to present a character we'd all like to see in our own provinces.

anonymous_joe

Ignoring the obvious:

At Connacht the Leinster boys. :P (Sorry. ^^)

I always liked the likes of O'Connor and Duffy. Cronin's solid too.

Ulster:

Some cracking players there tbh. Amongst the less mentioned, Botha's a great signing, while Pollock and Cave look like great prospects.

At Munster ignoring the famous lads, I'd rate Warwick highly, most of the others are all internationals and don't really need any explaining.

thomond2006

The entire Leinster team for winning the HEC.

Simple, to be honest.

MG

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

In an attempt, futile perhaps, to reach across the interprovincial divide, how about posting about players from other provinces you admire or would like to see in playing for your province?

Great idea for a thread.....we've had enough of the other stuff.

Munsterman as well so at Connaught I admire Gavin Duffy for going back there when he might have found a better deal elsewhere but also as a representative of a non Rugby county.

For Leinster and Ulster, I'd agree with you. I've heard a lot of good off field stuff about D'arcy and he's a fine on field player too. You have to admire anyone who's come back several time to rescue his career.

Paddy Wallace is another player I admire. Not many players who wait so long for a first cap, get messed around positionally and finally end up making it onto a Grand Slam winning team. He's also the forgotten man when speaking of the nunmber 10 shirt. Although he'll never be a great 10, he's been forgooten about as an outhalf and I suspect that he'll still play a role there next season. He's a fine player in many ways.

Accross the water I'm a big admirer of Simon Easterby. Terrific player - I notice he gave a character reference to Alan Quinlan too despite competing for the same Irish jersey.

funky penguin

Munster - DOC. The man is an unsung hero, and I can only presume this is because of being in POC's shadow. This partnership is amazing, and it takes two halfs to make a whole. And from what I hear of his off the pitch antics, I like him even more!

Ulster - Paddy Wallace. Remember when he played against the Pacific Islanders? I thought we had proper cover at 10. But he bounced back and formed a great centre partnership with Cave and earned his place on the starting lineup of the 6N's team 2009. It was unfortunate about the kncoks to the head (one is bad, two in a row is just unlucky), but you get the feeling he was an important part of that team mentality that won us the Grand Slam.

Connaught - This will probably seem cheesey, but I admire the whole Connaught squad. They are **** upon so much, yet they managed to beat their rival three provinces last year which IMO was a monumental feat and hopefully one that bodes well for the future, not only for Connaught rugby but for Irish rugby as a whole. Honestly there are times when I wish I was born in Connaught. (Mainly because I love Rugby tech jerseys :P ).

Sangre

Ulster - Ferris. Easily the biggest loss to the lions.

[Jackass]

Players I have a lot of admiration for from other provinces and would like to see at Leinster?

Ulster: Ferris
Connacht: Cronin, Keatley, Carr
Munster: The Bull (wouldn't nesecarrily like to see him at Leinster, but he's an absolute legend!), O'Callaghan, Wallace, Earls.

I have a lot of admiration and respet for the other provinces, particularly Munster and everything they've achieved, both on the pitch and off it, and it's something I'd love to see Leinster emulate...they have certainly led the way in Irish rugby.

Nukem

Heaslip for me - Remember that game against Bath away around 4 years ago. I was watching the match with one of his close mates and she reckoned he was the next great No.8 for Ireland and how right she was.

the guy is an awesome player and a gifted foot baller - just watched him set up a try for S.Williams against SA and it was a class offload.

Have to say really impressed with Cian Healy's performances in the last number of months and how Rob Kearney is probaly one of the best 15's in the world at the moment (M.Chelka please realise this and stop playing him outta position)

2040

Ulster: Ferris - he could become one of the best back rows in the world. i think he's close enough to it as is.

Leinster: Heaslip - class act.

RHunce

Ulster - always loved ferris and trimble, cant wait to see them both back

leinster - have to love Bod, darcy, kearny, heaslip

connacht - johnny o connor

mikedragon32

Earls is the player Leinster will come to fear, imho. He's absolutely exploded onto the scene this season and has the capacity to rip defences apart. David Wallace is outstanding too.

For Ulster, Ferris obviously is immense and was a bad loss for the lions.

I have to put my hand up and say that I actually haven't seen a Connaught game this season and haven't a clue about who's great/good/bad. Sorry lads.

Otacon

Leinster: GOD, Heaslip, Kearney, Sexton
Ulster: Best, Ferris
Connacht: Carr, Keatley

Orizio

Most of the Leinster team, and quite a few Ulster lads as well.

barneygumble

As an Ulsterman...picking two from each of the other provinces...

From Leinster Rob Kearney and Sean O'Brien
From Munster David Wallace and John Hayes
From Connacht Andy Dunne and Ian Keatley

mink_man

cian healy and stan wright!

Aidric

BOD & Jamie Heaslip from Leinster.

tughfc

i admire bob casey for leading london irish to where there are now and also admire people like geordan murphy!

d'Oracle

Dougie.

P_1

From Munster I really could talk up the entire team. Will limit myself to Flannery, Hayes, DOC, POC and Wallace.

From Ulster, Best and Ferris.

From Connacht, Jonny O'Concrete, Keatley and Carr.

Hon Mentions to the Exiles, Casey, Best, and Murphy.

d'Oracle

pithater1 wrote: »

Hon Mentions to the Exiles, Casey

Amen.

Max Power1

Im from Dublin,

From Munster - John Hayes, Keith Earls and David Wallace (does so much but is still underrated)

Ulster - Stephen Ferris

Havent seen a Connacht game in the last couple of years so i've no idea where they are at.

makker

As a hardcore leinster fan the player i most admire is Dave Wallace, serious ball carrier.

thomond2006

Nothing beat good ol' Dr. Phil at Thomond Park. :D:D

Cuchulain

Munster - Flannery and DOC just becasuse they seem like total messers but are as hard as nails on the pitch
Ulster - Ferris and Wallace
Connacht - Keatley, Ofisa and Fla's replacement Cronin.
Exiles - Good shout about Casey and also to the two Murphys at Leicester.

up them Schteps

Leinster: Rob Kearney
Ulster: Ferris

Exiles: Geordan Murphy. I always believed he would of started for Ireland back in the day if he played in Ireland.

Riskymove

up them Schteps wrote: »

Exiles: Geordan Murphy. I always believed he would of started for Ireland back in the day if he played in Ireland.

er..63 caps is pretty good

anyway

Leinster: Heaslip, Kearney, Cian Healy happily have them in Munster; also Rocky had a great season and a pity he is not staying around

Ulster: Ferris, a real powerhouse

Connacht: Keatley, really progressing and hope it can make it to big time

Cuchulain

Huh?

Riskymove wrote: »

Zzippy

Munster: Could pick any one of a dozen or so. Ignoring the internationals, who go without saying, I'd go for Mafi, love to have him in out team.
Leinster: As above. Picking someone less heralded - Stan Wright, unsung hero and solid as a rock
Ulster: Ferris - 23 and already one of the best backrows in Europe, can only get better
Exiles: Bob Casey and Geordan Murphy

Riskymove

Cuchulain wrote: »

Huh?

Huh? plus 1

I'll have to look into that, has no idea it was being posted