Transfer Rumours?

liam12989

Has anyone heard of any possible transfers?
I know or Boss and Ed going to leinster..
Anything else? Few of leinster academy to ulster connacht perhaps?

pickarooney

Strong rumours that Stade Français will be transfer-banned next season.

PhatPiggins

pickarooney wrote: »

Strong rumours that Stade Français will be transfer-banned next season.

Heard/read that too. Finacial irregularities and all that.

Kind of handcuffs Cheika in his first season

Otacon

Crappy way to have to start your tenure there alright.

Someone put the idea of McFadden and Earls playing together in my head so you can guess what transfer I am dreaming of!

Kev37

I think they would be brilliant together come to think of it.

PhatPiggins

Kev37 wrote: »

I think they would be brilliant together come to think of it.

They score a bucket of tries together, might concede a few though.

shawpower

Can't really say that McFadden is better than what Munster already have. He's done well enough for us when Drico has been away, and certainly needs more gametime to see how he developes. But if I were a Munsterfan, I can't say I'd be happy with those two in the centre, and certainly not in a big HEC game.

A Connacht mate of mine suggested that McFadden would benefit from a spell over in Galway. The point being that he'd learn how to graft as a centre, rather than having an armchair ride in 75% or more of games. That grafting would help him raise his game overall. Given how anonymous he was for us at the weekend when the team overall were playing poorly, he might have a point. Wasn't able to create anything when the team were struggling.

Kev37

PhatPiggins wrote: »

They score a bucket of tries together, might concede a few though.

Dont know about that McFadden has come on leaps and bounds defensively and Earls has improved a lot in the 6N. Johnne Murphy and McFadden coming into the starting line up for Munster would be excellent for Irish rugby.

chupacabra

shawpower wrote: »

Can't really say that McFadden is better than what Munster already have. He's done well enough for us when Drico has been away, and certainly needs more gametime to see how he developes. But if I were a Munsterfan, I can't say I'd be happy with those two in the centre, and certainly not in a big HEC game.

I would kill to have McFadden in the team alongside Earls. They would be a seriously potent combination.

shawpower

chupacabra wrote: »

I would kill to have McFadden in the team alongside Earls. They would be a seriously potent combination.

You'd genuinely have him in ahead of Mafi and DeV? I'm a bit surprised. Maybe he just suffers unfairly by comparison to D'Arcy and BOD.

PhatPiggins

shawpower wrote: »

You'd genuinely have him in ahead of Mafi and DeV? I'm a bit surprised. Maybe he just suffers unfairly by comparison to D'Arcy and BOD.

DeVilliers going back on Safari at the end of the season and Mafi a certifiable lunatic.

shawpower

PhatPiggins wrote: »

DeVilliers going back on Safari at the end of the season and Mafi a certifiable lunatic.

LOL

Forgot DeV was leaving. McF is probably the best of the non-international Irish centres I suppose.

It'd be interesting to see if Leinster let him go (presuming they have any say). Drico can't play for ever, but with talent like Macken coming through, they might decide that McFadden isn't required?? I'd be surprised though. As mentioned, he isn't the full article, but he is constantly improving and extra game time will help that too.

Luckycharm

shawpower wrote: »

LOL

Forgot DeV was leaving. McF is probably the best of the non-international Irish centres I suppose.

It'd be interesting to see if Leinster let him go (presuming they have any say). Drico can't play for ever, but with talent like Macken coming through, they might decide that McFadden isn't required?? I'd be surprised though. As mentioned, he isn't the full article, but he is constantly improving and extra game time will help that too.

Wouldn't it nice for Munster to finally develop an irish centre instead of getting an SH Import.

Was not that impressed with Macken with the Under 20's he might be big at under 20's but he will be average size at Pro level.

bamboozle

wasnt there talk of wilkinson going from connacht to Munster.

i'd say if Boss is coming to Leinster Paul O'Donoghue and Chris Keane will be offski.

Hype710

On these threads I've heard O Donohue to Connacht and D Kearney to Ulster - any truth in these?

[Jackass]

There's not a hope of McFadden going unfortunately. He's very much front line for Leinster. He's not that young in terms of development, he's 23, so he's well on his way, but Munster will be his 14th game for Leinster this season, so he's seeing plenty of game time. I think if he wasn't behind the likes of Dricco and D'Arcy, and Contepomi last couple of seasons (especially when D'Arcy was injured and Sexton at 10) he'd be flying right now.

His future is as a 12 in my opinion. He will never replace BOD until BOD is 47 and decides to retire (hopefully), but he has a good boot, can goal kick, and is a very simular style to D'Arcy, whilst also, the 13 jersey at international level looks like Fitz or Earls or Bowe or someone will step in there. Great player though, only really starting to get recognition this season, but powerful, strong runner and solid as a rock. Freaky how simular in fact he is to D'Arcy imo.

As for exits from Leinster, I have it on good authority (and in no way shocking) that Chris Keane, Malcolm O'Kelly and Girvan Dempsey will all be retiring at the end of the season.

With the signing of Boss I wouldn't be shocked to see O'Donohoe move to Ulster or Connacht, seeing as the last scrum half we sent up to Ulster was a bit of a disastor after big billing, so will be a big test for him...

I also believe that there'll be a certain "use em or lose em" approach to academy players from now on, so if they're down in 3rd or 4th choice in the squad for a position, they'll be shipped off to a province that needs them...which may well result in a handful of young Leinster players departing at the end of this season in order to get as many players game time as possible.

Hence heavy Conway involvement in squads Macken may also get some game time next season too, and they're now giving Ruddock and Ryan a lot of squad time in order to hold on to the most promising players...but Leinster seem to be cherning out A LOT of backrow players these days...Ruddock, Jones, McLoughlin, O'Brien, Heaslip ... I'd be happy enough with that as the squad backrow options next season. I would have said time to say good luck to Keogh, but he seems to have picked up some great form of late.

Isa Nacewa and Stan Wrights contracts are both up at the end of this season, but would be surprised if they both didn't stay. CJ Van Der Linde will (hopefully) not get the 1 year extension option on his contract taken by Leinster and be sent home, and McCormack might be about to call it a day too, which would leave only Healy, Wright and Ross as props in the squad, so might need to bring someone in (Hagan back from Connacht perhaps, or promote McGrath from Academy) .. Second row, opitons will be Cullen, O'Donoghue, Hines, Toner & Hogan which is strong enough.

half backs, Boss and Reddan & Sexton & possibly Berne...centres O'Driscoll, D'Arcy, McFadden, O'Malley, Macken ... back 3 Fitz, Keogh, Horgan, Nacewa, Kearney, Conway.

Can't see any major signings for Leinster. Possibly a front row if CJ goes and a 10 / 12 combo player if Berne isn't around (not sure on contract details).

There is definitley an attitude though of giving more and more academy players a chance and more game time...next season Leinsters squad may well be about half academy players and a good few shipped off too. I'm glad this is the approach being taken, as there are so many exciting players coming through and the impact the ones who have just come through have made is immense and international recognition is unprecidented for the youth coming through at the moment. Exciting times. Roll on the second golden generation of Irish rugby...let's hope they can emulate and surpass the last one.

LeeroyJones

I heard through the grapevine (a grapevine that has been right in the past on occasion) that Cheika is eager to take McFadden to Stade with him. I'd be happy with that so long as we could take him back in 2 years!!

[Jackass]

:eek: Didn't hear that!! I'd be very surprised if he was let go though, he's seeing plenty of rugby, and I'd be very surprised if he wanted to go, as he's broken into the Irish squad (if not 22 yet).

durkadurka

bamboozle wrote: »

wasnt there talk of wilkinson going from connacht to Munster.

i'd say if Boss is coming to Leinster Paul O'Donoghue and Chris Keane will be offski.

I told yez all months ago that keane's retiring!

profitius

[Jackass] wrote: »

I also believe that there'll be a certain "use em or lose em" approach to academy players from now on, so if they're down in 3rd or 4th choice in the squad for a position, they'll be shipped off to a province that needs them...which may well result in a handful of young Leinster players departing at the end of this season in order to get as many players game time as possible.

....

There is definitley an attitude though of giving more and more academy players a chance and more game time...next season Leinsters squad may well be about half academy players and a good few shipped off too. I'm glad this is the approach being taken, as there are so many exciting players coming through and the impact the ones who have just come through have made is immense and international recognition is unprecidented for the youth coming through at the moment. Exciting times. Roll on the second golden generation of Irish rugby...let's hope they can emulate and surpass the last one.

With the academys (Leinster especially, its up to the others to catch up) developing more and more high quality players I reckon irish rugby will go from strength to strength. People talk about this being a golden generation and its downhill after but looking at underage teams it seems theres more quality being developed.

I'd imagine Connacht especially will benefit from all these young players who find their path blocked in the other provinces. With squads improving all the time theres only so many places in a squad to fill and the 'leftovers' will be of higher standard then before. Connacht is also producing players themselves. Tiernan O'Halloran looks to be a certainty to get capped and the U20 wing/center Griffen looks another player with a good future.

irishbucsfan

LeeroyJones wrote: »

I heard through the grapevine (a grapevine that has been right in the past on occasion) that Cheika is eager to take McFadden to Stade with him. I'd be happy with that so long as we could take him back in 2 years!!

Won't happen. McFadden is seen as one of the top young centers in Ireland, and is probably the best uncapped back we have. He's not going to abandon his hopes of being capped by moving to Stade (who by all accounts will probably be restricted from signing him anyway). Leinster won't let him go anywhere, he's one of the most valuable backs in the squad.

I heard CJ will be staying, but from a very bad source. Also heard that POD will consider a move to Connacht from a better source.

PhatPiggins

LeeroyJones wrote: »

I heard through the grapevine (a grapevine that has been right in the past on occasion) that Cheika is eager to take McFadden to Stade with him. I'd be happy with that so long as we could take him back in 2 years!!

I dont think Stade will be allowed to sign players next season so Cheika will have to work with the existing 127 professional players they have on the books.

irishbucsfan

PhatPiggins wrote: »

I dont think Stade will be allowed to sign players next season so Cheika will have to work with the existing 127 professional players they have on the books.

:eek:

ALH-06

[Jackass] wrote: »

With the signing of Boss I wouldn't be shocked to see O'Donohoe move to Ulster or Connacht, seeing as the last scrum half we sent up to Ulster was a bit of a disastor after big billing, so will be a big test for him...

I presume you're talking about Willis? He was looking very promising for a while, just had really bad luck with injuries. I heard he broke his leg recently - that's probably it for him now, it'd be very hard to break into the squad again after that...

I still don't understand why Boss is being signed by Leinster? I heard it said that somehow Reddan might not be able to play for much longer, so if this is true it makes sense. But I haven't heard any more about this... If there's no truth in this though, it seems like a ludicrous decision to sign Boss. He's doing well at Ulster and POD is making progress at Leinster. I see no reason to ship him off to Connacht (where so many players have gone in pursuit of game time but only have completely disappeared off the radar) and have two of Ireland's international SHs playing at the same club. Why?

[Jackass] wrote: »

There is definitley an attitude though of giving more and more academy players a chance and more game time...next season Leinsters squad may well be about half academy players and a good few shipped off too.

What source are you getting this from? Very promising if true. Good for our younger players and good for our older players.

Amazotheamazing

Macken and David O'Callaghan are rumoured to be moving to Ulster. Leinster are trying to sign either Nagle or Foley from Munster according to the rumourmills.

ALH-06

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Macken and David O'Callaghan are rumoured to be moving to Ulster. Leinster are trying to sign either Nagle or Foley from Munster according to the rumourmills.

Leinster will be slow to let Macken go but it makes sense to... But Ulster? They have a fair few young centres up there needing game time as well, don't know if that's the best destination for the lad...

Connacht should do a spring-clean and clear out all the below average foreign journeymen from their ranks and put these young Irish into a team alongside the likes of Murphy, Duffy, Cronin, Muldoon. It'd be the making of some great players, and perhaps a great side.

Imagine a Connacht side with Macken, Conway, O'Malley, Ruddock et al - it'd be a tough education but they could settle, develop and start doing a lot of damage...

Amazotheamazing

ALH-06 wrote: »

Leinster will be slow to let Macken go but it makes sense to... But Ulster? They have a fair few young centres up there needing game time as well, don't know if that's the best destination for the lad...

Connacht should do a spring-clean and clear out all the below average foreign journeymen from their ranks and put these young Irish into a team alongside the likes of Murphy, Duffy, Cronin, Muldoon. It'd be the making of some great players, and perhaps a great side.

Imagine a Connacht side with Macken, Conway, O'Malley, Ruddock et al - it'd be a tough education but they could settle, develop and start doing a lot of damage...

I think it's going back to what was said above about using players or losing them. I don't think Ulster actually need Macken, but they probably need him more than Leinster. Munster are going to lose their young second rows too by the looks of it. Will be amazed if we manage to hold on to all our hookers and scrumhalves too.

ALH-06

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

I think it's going back to what was said above about using players or losing them. I don't think Ulster actually need Macken, but they probably need him more than Leinster. Munster are going to lose their young second rows too by the looks of it.

Where is this information coming from? And what has happened to suddenly induce the IRFU to initiate this policy?

It obviously makes sense as far as the actual development of players is concerned, but surely it could lead to massive consequences for the provinces if they're forced to let go of some of their most promising young players. Would Munster be the force they are today had ROG or POC been transfered somewhere else at a young age...? And how would Leinster have felt if BOD had been snatched away from them as a weedy 19 year-old, and became the player he is today somewhere else?

It's been suggested before but perhaps some kind of annual or biennial loaning system could be employed to better regulate how much game time younger players get, and where... This new 'Use them or lose them' strategy I'm hearing about would be a lot less unfair on the provinces (professional, competitive entities that they are) if so...

Amazotheamazing

ALH-06 wrote: »

Where is this information coming from? And what has happened to suddenly induce the IRFU to initiate this policy?

It obviously makes sense as far as the actual development of players is concerned, but surely it could lead to massive consequences for the provinces if they're forced to let go of some of their most promising young players. Would Munster be the force they are today had ROG or POC been transfered somewhere else at a young age...? And how would Leinster have felt if BOD had been snatched away from them as a weedy 19 year-old, and became the player he is today somewhere else?

It's been suggested before but perhaps some kind of annual or biennial loaning system could be employed to better regulate how much game time younger players get, and where... This new 'Use them or lose them' strategy I'm hearing about would be a lot less unfair on the provinces (professional, competitive entities that they are) if so...

I guess the provinces get first refusal on who they bring through. I'm not sure I necessarily agree with it fully, I would rather Munster worked on producing our own backs then sign Leinster's surplus, similarly, I'd rather we kept our forwards but that's just greed on my part I guess.

JustinDee

ALH-06 wrote: »

Where is this information coming from? And what has happened to suddenly induce the IRFU to initiate this policy

It is just speculation.

thomond2006

Ollie Smith is moving to Quins.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12546_6068299,00.html

Not sure about the pic. :P

Soane Tonga'uiha is involved in a tug of war between Saracens and Northampton.

danthefan

Heard on the terrace last weekend Macken is going to Ulster.

Had also heard Leinster were looking at unnamed Munster academy forwards.

dromdrom

It will be very very interesting to see who Conor O'Shea Brings over to Harlequins, lot of talk of the Carr making the trip to the Stoop .

Before starting rumours please look at players contracts. Brett Wilkinson, Sean Cronin, Jamie Hagan, Ian Keatley and Fionn Carr are all contracted to Connacht for next season.

Crash

Borders no.2 wrote: »

Before starting rumours please look at players contracts. Brett Wilkinson, Sean Cronin, Jamie Hagan, Ian Keatley and Fionn Carr are all contracted to Connacht for next season.

Pff, where's the fun in that?

danthefan

danthefan wrote: »

Heard on the terrace last weekend Macken is going to Ulster.

Had also heard Leinster were looking at unnamed Munster academy forwards.

I would highly doubt that tbh.He is so young going anywhere will hamper him and Schmit has already said he has been watching him.

thomond2006

MUNSTER back-row Nick Williams is understood to be in advanced negotiations with the Ospreys regarding a possible switch to Wales.

Williams joined Munster from the Auckland Blues at the start of last season having impressed regularly in the Super 14. However, his time with Tony McGahan's men has been dogged by injury and fitness issues and he has made just nine starts for Munster in two seasons with four further appearances off the bench.

He is said to be in contract talks with the Ospreys although a move to the lucrative Japan league is also an option. Williams' fellow Kiwi Jeremy Manning is also expected to leave the province at the end of the season.

- Hugh Farrelly
Irish Independent

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/williams-set-for-switch-2122306.html

I'm not surprised he's leaving, more surprised if it's the Ospreys he is negotiating with, given their backrow depth.

Cardiff Blues have said they are in the market for a number eight with Xavier Rush off to Ulster.

Risteard

thomond2006 wrote: »

I'm not surprised he's leaving, more surprised if it's the Ospreys he is negotiating with, given their backrow depth.

Cardiff Blues have said they are in the market for a number eight with Xavier Rush off to Ulster.

Tiatia will be 39 in June, so I'm presuming he'll retire or else won't be involved much.

thomond2006

Risteard wrote: »

Tiatia will be 39 in June, so I'm presuming he'll retire or else won't be involved much.

Yes, I think he's part of the coaching group already.

I doubt Williams will break into a backrow that has Collins, Holah and Ryan Jones.

Risteard

thomond2006 wrote: »

Yes, I think he's part of the coaching group already.

I doubt Williams will break into a backrow that has Collins, Holah and Ryan Jones.

Going on what we have seen this season, I'd say he has a better chance breaking in there than here. Munster management seem to rate Coughlan above him and he'll get little gametime staying here, plus it frees up space for our academy players so I'm in favour of it tbh.

testicle

I wonder will they manage to keep him off the drink.

thomond2006

Risteard wrote: »

Going on what we have seen this season, I'd say he has a better chance breaking in there than here. Munster management seem to rate Coughlan above him and he'll get little gametime staying here, plus it frees up space for our academy players so I'm in favour of it tbh.

+1

danthefan

He was such a useless signing, I can't understand why anyone else in Europe would want him tbh.

Is he fit at the moment?

bamboozle

Risteard wrote: »

Going on what we have seen this season, I'd say he has a better chance breaking in there than here. Munster management seem to rate Coughlan above him and he'll get little gametime staying here, plus it frees up space for our academy players so I'm in favour of it tbh.

coughlan is 29 or 30.
i'd be expecting to see munster announce a major back row signing for next season. my guess is George Smith.

Maybe after William's 2 year holiday in Ireland he'll have some bit of interest in playing next season

Risteard

danthefan wrote: »

He was such a useless signing, I can't understand why anyone else in Europe would want him tbh.

Is he fit at the moment?

On the bench for today (one of two No.8 which mystifies me) so I presume so. He never got a run of games together and ended up similar to Cullen. I think he showed glimpses at times of what he could do, but never managed to deliver it consistently.

bamboozle wrote: »

coughlan is 29 or 30.
i'd be expecting to see munster announce a major back row signing for next season. my guess is George Smith.

True, but Coughlan should be able for to go for at least two more years and with extra games in the Magners League we could see guys like Peter O'Mahoney break through who, by judging on the 'A' match reports, seems a great prospect.

thomond2006

Risteard wrote: »

On the bench for today (one of two No.8 which mystifies me) so I presume so. He never got a run of games together and ended up similar to Cullen. I think he showed glimpses at times of what he could do, but never managed to deliver it consistently.

Didn't he have shoulder reconstruction surgery before coming over here?

It is Cullen all over again.

[Jackass]

I don't think anyone would say he was a good signing tbh..

What's the craic with Munsters NIQ quota? Will they have the space for a NIQ back-row signing? Aren't they already over the quota? It's hard to keep track with all these stop gap 3 month deals and the likes going on...

thomond2006

I don't feel we need one but I expect the MB to announce the signing of a NIQ back rower if Williams' departure is confirmed.

George Smith has played 6, 7 and 8 at test level, would be the perfect candidate. He will be 30 in July so there's 3-4 years left in him at least.

Is this Alan Quinlan's last season?

PhatPiggins

danthefan wrote: »

He was such a useless signing, I can't understand why anyone else in Europe would want him tbh.

Is he fit at the moment?

He has been poor but was a standout player in the S14 so I can see another team taking a punt on him.

thomond2006

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/irish/8600815.stm

Ulster have confirmed that full-back Clinton Schifcofske has departed by mutual consent and has returned to rugby league with Celtic Crusaders.

The former Queensland Reds star was due to make his Super League debut in the postponed Crusaders game against Harlequins last Thursday night.

The 34-year-old joined Ulster on a two-year contract in May 2008.

He has been hampered by a chronic shoulder problem and was ruled out for the rest of the season.

Schifcofske joined Ulster as an attacking goal-kicker, but never rose to the heights expected of him.

With his contract not being renewed at the end of the season, Schifcofske asked for an early release which was granted.

He crossed codes at the end of 2006 after a 10-year career in rugby league where he scored 1,604 points in a National Rugby League career with Parramatta and Canberra.

In his first rugby union game for Australia A, the hard running full-back
scored a personal tally of 23 points and overall had a kicking success rate of almost 80 per cent.

Meanwhile, the IRFU has granted Ulster two more professional contracts to boost their squad due to the increase of games in the Magners League with the inclusion of two Italian teams.

An Ulster spokesperson said that they are in the process of trawling for top-class players at half-back and lock.

2040

PhatPiggins wrote: »

He has been poor but was a standout player in the S14 so I can see another team taking a punt on him.

Was he really though?

He'll be perfect for the Hairspreys. He and them share common values: passion, commitment, enthusiasm and a great work ethic. Best of luck to him.