Gordon D'Arcy signs international contract (Leinster) till 2014

thomond2006

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/26404.php

Deserves his Leinster contract but this means he'll play for Ireland till he's 34, when he has been on a downward slide for 2 years. Great news for Leinster fans though.

JustinDee

thomond2006 wrote: »

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/26404.php

Deserves his Leinster contract but this means he'll play for Ireland till he's 34, when he has been on a downward slide for 2 years. Great news for Leinster fans though.

If he's playing well enough, he'll be picked.
According to certain posters here, the ERC comps are the standard-bearers, so if he's playing well at ERC level, he'll be playing well for Ireland . . . surely . . .

Cpt_Blackbeard

Crazy decision. Worse than the decision to give DOC his central contract, but probably better than the decision to give Leamy his.

The central contracts are quite clearly given out on merit of past contributions to the national team and have nothing to do with current age/form/ability.

shuffol

JustinDee wrote: »

If he's playing well enough, he'll be picked.
According to certain posters here, the ERC comps are the standard-bearers, so if he's playing well at ERC level, he'll be playing well for Ireland . . . surely . . .

ERC comps should be the standard bearers even though they've essentially been ignored by the current management. That said if a player is playing like a drain at international level his provincial form shouldnt prevent him from being dropped, its fairly simple really.

Anyway if HEC form is what decides these things then only one 12 should be on a central contract, Paddy Wallace.

bilston

thomond2006 wrote: »

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/26404.php

Deserves his Leinster contract but this means he'll play for Ireland till he's 34, when he has been on a downward slide for 2 years. Great news for Leinster fans though.

That's pretty good reward for his performances in the Six Nations...of 2007...

irishbucsfan

I just don't understand

shuffol

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne said: "Gordon is a wonderful servant for both Ireland and Leinster and this is proof of his undoubted talent that was indentified at a very early age. I am delighted that he has committed himself to playing in Ireland and is another indicator of the successful policy of keeping as many of our top players here so that they can continue to contribute to the success of both Ireland and the provincial teams.

This just doesnt make sense.

Kristopherus

They should have shoved him off to Connacht. He's on a downward spiral.

I am pie

This is the problem with the national team? Who makes this decision?

No accountability, no danger of losing their job if it goes wrong. Effectively aul Gordon is picked for the NZ tour. Why ? Should we not move him on and look to blood new talent, recognise the handful of guys who are playing better in his position this year.

Crazy. The IRFU set up is so out of touch with reality it is ridiculous. Pure old boy network.

Arrgh.

Fishooks12

Kristopherus wrote: »

They should have shoved him off to Connacht. He's on a downward spiral.

Please, did you see the shift he put in yesterday? His tackle at the end is the reason Leinster are in the final

He's not the force he was internationally so I don't agree with the 2 year extension in that aspect but it's good news for Leinster

Kristopherus

Fishooks12 wrote: »

Please, did you see the shift he put in yesterday? His tackle at the end is the reason Leinster are in the final

He's not the force he was internationally so I don't agree with the 2 year extension in that aspect but it's good news for Leinster

He could do a power of good in Connacht. 1 good tackle dosen't make him the player he was 3yrs ago. IRFU have a policy of offloading the just-out-fo-academy players to Connacht. A good mixture would do them no harm. But then this is the IRFU and we all know what their attitude towards Connacht is:(.

bilston

Meanwhile the IRFU procrastinate over Fitz...you know the 24/25 year old Lion as opposed to the 32 year old international who while playing well for Leinster hasn't had a good game for Ireland that I can remember in the last 12 months.

Tox56

Kristopherus wrote: »

He could do a power of good in Connacht. 1 good tackle dosen't make him the player he was 3yrs ago. IRFU have a policy of offloading the just-out-fo-academy players to Connacht. A good mixture would do them no harm. But then this is the IRFU and we all know what their attitude towards Connacht is:(.

That was his one most important tackle, but he was tackling everything that moved yesterday.

Fishooks12

Kristopherus wrote: »

He could do a power of good in Connacht. 1 good tackle dosen't make him the player he was 3yrs ago. IRFU have a policy of offloading the just-out-fo-academy players to Connacht. A good mixture would do them no harm. But then this is the IRFU and we all know what their attitude towards Connacht is:(.

He would do a power of good to Connacht, so would BOD, but it ain't going to happen. He's an integral player for Leinster, no one is claiming he's the player he was three years ago but he's still vital to Leinsters defense and was immense defensively yesterday

its_phil

Kristopherus wrote: »

He could do a power of good in Connacht. 1 good tackle dosen't make him the player he was 3yrs ago. IRFU have a policy of offloading the just-out-fo-academy players to Connacht. A good mixture would do them no harm. But then this is the IRFU and we all know what their attitude towards Connacht is:(.

IRFU: "Hey you 32 year old with a nice settled life in Dublin currently starting and doing well for the best team in Europe, pack your bags your going to Connacht"

Seriously? Why would he leave his settled life in Dublin to join a team in the lower reaches of the league for less money and not much prospects of winning anything? If D'Arcy was ever to leave Leinster it would be to France for a payday not Connacht.

Not agreeing with the central contract, but it's good for Leinster.

Please stop with the "poor us" crap. Things are getting better out west and you can see that with the signing of Faloon, White and Park but some fans just dont know when to stop asking for more.

leftleg

The only reason connaught are playing in Europe next year is because of "that" tackle; You should be saying Thanks Gordon; it seems you cant satisfy everyone though:mad:

Macy0161

Kristopherus wrote: »

He could do a power of good in Connacht. 1 good tackle dosen't make him the player he was 3yrs ago. IRFU have a policy of offloading the just-out-fo-academy players to Connacht. A good mixture would do them no harm. But then this is the IRFU and we all know what their attitude towards Connacht is:(.

Never really got why they haven't done this. They'll let them sign Parks for experience, but the likes of Stringer should be pushed in that direction rather than be fringe players in their final few years. It's a win win - the older players get the chance to play HEC and maybe push themselves back into international contention, whilst Irish rugby benefits from their experience bringing on the younger players. The whole attitude to connacht is such a missed opportunity for Irish rugby.

Tox56

leftleg wrote: »

The only reason connaught are playing in Europe next year is because of "that" tackle; You should be saying Thanks Gordon; it seems you cant satisfy everyone though:mad:

Strictly speaking, Leinster could have lost yesterday and Connacht qualify through Ulster winning the Final.

CatFromHue

Macy0161 wrote: »

Never really got why they haven't done this. They'll let them sign Parks for experience, but the likes of Stringer should be pushed in that direction rather than be fringe players in their final few years. It's a win win - the older players get the chance to play HEC and maybe push themselves back into international contention, whilst Irish rugby benefits from their experience bringing on the younger players. The whole attitude to connacht is such a missed opportunity for Irish rugby.

Stringer will be Munster's second choice scrum half next season. They need him.

its_phil

leftleg wrote: »

The only reason connaught are playing in Europe next year is because of "that" tackle; You should be saying Thanks Gordon; it seems you cant satisfy everyone though:mad:

No Connacht are playing in the Heineken Cup next year.

Can we get off Connacht and focus on D'Arcy

justsomebloke

Kristopherus wrote: »

He could do a power of good in Connacht. 1 good tackle dosen't make him the player he was 3yrs ago.

no, but the money that will be generated for the IRFU by that one tackle means he has paid his own way;)

Monty Burnz

shuffol wrote: »

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne said: "Gordon is a wonderful servant for both Ireland and Leinster and this is proof of his undoubted talent that was indentified at a very early age. I am delighted that he has committed himself to playing in Ireland and is another indicator of the successful policy of keeping as many of our top players here

Yeah, where was he going to go, a couple of years from retirement and his tax back?

Great, great player and servant - but limited resources need to be used wisely.

Macy0161

CatFromHue wrote: »

Stringer will be Munster's second choice scrum half next season. They need him.

It was just as an example of the type of player - looks like it next season, but this season he was that surplus to requirements that Munster let him go on loan.

MungBean

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Crazy decision. Worse than the decision to give DOC his central contract, but probably better than the decision to give Leamy his.

The central contracts are quite clearly given out on merit of past contributions to the national team and have nothing to do with current age/form/ability.

Not really. Darcy is starting 12 for the best team in Europe and there isnt too many stepping up to take his shirt there or from anywhere else, DOC was second choice at Munster and has two others that should be ahead of him internationally.

IRFU need Darcy even if he doesnt start for Ireland, he's an essential backup. DOC though is more of a hindrance to the international setup considering the talent he's keeping out by being kept around.

totallegend

Monty Burnz wrote: »

Yeah, where was he going to go, a couple of years from retirement and his tax back?

Great, great player and servant - but limited resources need to be used wisely.

Unless I've missed something, we have no idea how much resources are being spent on D'Arcy.

There is a perception that all central contracts are as lucrative as the ones that Heaslip and Sexton (allegedly) signed a year or two ago. They're not.

I would be shocked if D'Arcy's new contract didn't involve a reduction in his salary...

Clegg

The decision makes sense as Leinster don't have that many options at 12.

Hopefully Mc Fadden will step his game up and become a viable alternative to D'arcy.

flyswatter

2014? He'll be well over the hill by that stage, he hasn't been very good in a while now.

Otacon

Clegg wrote: »

The decision makes sense as Leinster don't have that many options at 12.

Hopefully Mc Fadden will step his game up and become a viable alternative to D'arcy.

I don't think many would disagree with his Leinster performances and a continued Leinster contract.

However, he has been offered a central contract.

Cpt_Blackbeard

MungBean wrote: »

Not really. Darcy is starting 12 for the best team in Europe and there isnt too many stepping up to take his shirt there or from anywhere else, DOC was second choice at Munster and has two others that should be ahead of him internationally.

IRFU need Darcy even if he doesnt start for Ireland, he's an essential backup. DOC though is more of a hindrance to the international setup considering the talent he's keeping out by being kept around.

Just because we don't have the same riches at 12 as we do at 4, doesn't mean that D'Arcy is worth his central contract. With a better coach, Wallace would be leagues ahead of him and Downey would have his nose ahead too.

I'm not defending the decision to extend DOC's contract, but it was signed 1.5 years ago when he was still first choice for both province and country. He then went on to have a top 6N in 2011 after he signed the extension. Even now DOC is still performing reasonably for Ireland, and although he isn't up to his previous standard's and there should be players ahead of him, he is not a weak link in the national team. D'Arcy is.

DOC slowed down after his contract extension. D'Arcy has slowed down season's before this contract was signed.

Clegg

Otacon wrote: »

I don't think many would disagree with his Leinster performances and a continued Leinster contract.

However, he has been offered a central contract.

I meant to write Leinster and Ireland. D'arcy has been poor at international level since 2010 and Wallace should really be starting in front of him.

It comes down to Mc Fadden I think. Get ahead of D'arcy and he should be in contention for the Irish jersey.

wicklowwonder

Can anybody name all the players on central contracts?

I presume:
Healy, Best, Ross, DOC, POC, Donnacha Ryan, Ferris, Heaslip, Leamy, Sexton, Earls, Bowe, Darcy, BOD, Kearney, David Wallace, Paddy Wallace(?), Luke Fitz

Is that it 18? I heard before SOB is still on Leinster's books. I presume TOL had one as well? Reddan and Boss signing with Leinster means we have no centrally contacted scrum half as isn't Murray still on Munster's books?

errlloyd

The IRFU doesn't pick the team, the manager does. That manager has been picking Darcy on the team consistently. In the eyes of management Darcy is the best inside centre in the country. And quite frankly, with the way him and O Driscoll made Fofana and Rougerie anonymous yesterday, I'd agree.

bilston

wicklowwonder wrote: »

Can anybody name all the players on central contracts?

I presume:
Healy, Best, Ross, DOC, POC, Donnacha Ryan, Ferris, Heaslip, Leamy, Sexton, Earls, Bowe, Darcy, BOD, Kearney, David Wallace, Paddy Wallace(?), Luke Fitz

Is that it 18? I heard before SOB is still on Leinster's books. I presume TOL had one as well? Reddan and Boss signing with Leinster means we have no centrally contacted scrum half as isn't Murray still on Munster's books?

Trimble is on a central contract as well and I would have thought that ROG is still on one. Bowe isn't but will be from next season.

wicklowwonder

bilston wrote: »

wicklowwonder wrote: »

Can anybody name all the players on central contracts?

I presume:
Healy, Best, Ross, DOC, POC, Donnacha Ryan, Ferris, Heaslip, Leamy, Sexton, Earls, Bowe, Darcy, BOD, Kearney, David Wallace, Paddy Wallace(?), Luke Fitz

Is that it 18? I heard before SOB is still on Leinster's books. I presume TOL had one as well? Reddan and Boss signing with Leinster means we have no centrally contacted scrum half as isn't Murray still on Munster's books?

Trimble is on a central contract as well and I would have thought that ROG is still on one. Bowe isn't but will be from next season.

I forgot all about ROG my mistake. With him playing above international standard and all!

Yeah I ment for next season that's why I included Bowe and left TOL out of the main group. Trimble deserves one of course forgot about him as well.

Surely there is room for a few more?

CIARAN_BOYLE

wicklowwonder wrote: »

Can anybody name all the players on central contracts?

I presume:
Healy, Best, Ross, DOC, POC, Donnacha Ryan, Ferris, Heaslip, Leamy, Sexton, Earls, Bowe, Darcy, BOD, Kearney, David Wallace, Paddy Wallace(?), Luke Fitz

Is that it 18? I heard before SOB is still on Leinster's books. I presume TOL had one as well? Reddan and Boss signing with Leinster means we have no centrally contacted scrum half as isn't Murray still on Munster's books?

Court has one as well, so does ROG

Zzippy

its_phil wrote: »

IRFU: "Hey you 32 year old with a nice settled life in Dublin currently starting and doing well for the best team in Europe, pack your bags your going to Connacht"

Seriously? Why would he leave his settled life in Dublin to join a team in the lower reaches of the league for less money and not much prospects of winning anything? If D'Arcy was ever to leave Leinster it would be to France for a payday not Connacht.

Not agreeing with the central contract, but it's good for Leinster.

Please stop with the "poor us" crap. Things are getting better out west and you can see that with the signing of Faloon, White and Park but some fans just dont know when to stop asking for more.

Two posters in the thread suggested sending D'Arcy to Connacht, I don't think either of them are Connacht fans. The fact Kristopherus wrote:

They should have shoved him off to Connacht

suggests he is writing from the perspective of a fan from another province.

Stop seeing "poor us" posts where there is no evidence of that. BTW I agree we need to improve on our own, and recruit the players we need, not the players other province's fans think are past it but would still do a job for Connacht.

And back on topic, I think D'Arcy is still doing a job for Leinster (more defensively than in attack these days), but fail to see why he got an international contract. He has 2 years left at club level but I can't see him still starting and performing for Ireland in 2 years time.

wicklowwonder

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

wicklowwonder wrote: »

Can anybody name all the players on central contracts?

I presume:
Healy, Best, Ross, DOC, POC, Donnacha Ryan, Ferris, Heaslip, Leamy, Sexton, Earls, Bowe, Darcy, BOD, Kearney, David Wallace, Paddy Wallace(?), Luke Fitz

Is that it 18? I heard before SOB is still on Leinster's books. I presume TOL had one as well? Reddan and Boss signing with Leinster means we have no centrally contacted scrum half as isn't Murray still on Munster's books?

Court has one as well, so does ROG

Has Court one? I didn't include him as I presumed for some reason he hadn't I was counting Hayes as having one up until he retired?

I think the IRFU should have a policy that once the players gets to 32 or so they review the central contract annually. Thing is Darcy, BOD, POC, DOC won't leave Ireland and miss out on the tax break they will get when they retire and once a player is dropped from international team he can move onto a provincial contract, that could be a two year contract is the province sees the player as part of a two year plan etc.

bilston

wicklowwonder wrote: »

Has Court one? I didn't include him as I presumed for some reason he hadn't I was counting Hayes as having one up until he retired?

I think the IRFU should have a policy that once the players gets to 32 or so they review the central contract annually. Thing is Darcy, BOD, POC, DOC won't leave Ireland and miss out on the tax break they will get when they retire and once a player is dropped from international team he can move onto a provincial contract, that could be a two year contract is the province sees the player as part of a two year plan etc.

Court might have one. When his new contract was announced it wasn't entirely clear as to whether it was a central one or not, certainly I can remember some debate.

The IRFU have actually cut the number of central contracts in the last year or so. It wouldn't surprise if we got to the stage where there are only a handful of centrally contracted players, ie POC, BOD, Sexton, Kearney and Ferris (or whoever big name players will be in 5 years time) with the rest on bigger provincial contracts.

totallegend

I think we all need to relax on the central/provincial contract issue. When we don't know the sums involved, it's a pointless argument, players on 'provincial' contracts are still pulled from their squads to attend national training sessions, are still subject to the 'player welfare' system and so forth.

So what difference does it make, other than the sums of money involved, which we're not privy to.

MungBean

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Just because we don't have the same riches at 12 as we do at 4, doesn't mean that D'Arcy is worth his central contract. With a better coach, Wallace would be leagues ahead of him and Downey would have his nose ahead too.

I'm not defending the decision to extend DOC's contract, but it was signed 1.5 years ago when he was still first choice for both province and country. He then went on to have a top 6N in 2011 after he signed the extension. Even now DOC is still performing reasonably for Ireland, and although he isn't up to his previous standard's and there should be players ahead of him, he is not a weak link in the national team. D'Arcy is.

DOC slowed down after his contract extension. D'Arcy has slowed down season's before this contract was signed.

3 years for DOC at the time was madness, 2 years for Darcy considering he's the best of our limited options in his position and given that his form hasnt continued to decline but he has regained some. I wouldnt have put him on a central contract and I wouldnt have him that far ahead of Wallace but compared to DOC's 3 year extension its a good deal.

wicklowwonder

totallegend wrote: »

I think we all need to relax on the central/provincial contract issue. When we don't know the sums involved, it's a pointless argument, players on 'provincial' contracts are still pulled from their squads to attend national training sessions, are still subject to the 'player welfare' system and so forth.

So what difference does it make, other than the sums of money involved, which we're not privy to.

It means they are not on the books of the provinces. For example if Darcy and Luke F are on Leinster books next year we may see Leinster not offer 3 maybe even 4 younger players full contracts which would be a shame. Realistically IRFU fund provinces as well but they still have a wage budget and the less they spend on star players the more they can spend on the young lads coming up or drafting in a big name replacement like Thorn on a short term deal.

Am I losing my mind or had D'Arcy not come out of the central contract system when he signed his last contract?

irishbucsfan

Deleted User wrote: »

Am I losing my mind or had D'Arcy not come out of the central contract system when he signed his last contract?

Yes he had

irishbucsfan

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Yes he had

This is baffling so

padser

Jazlyn Cold Watchdog wrote: »

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Yes he had

This is baffling so

Not really - classic KIdney rewarding of form.........

andrewdcs

on the old "money thing" hearing about Fitz, ROG, BOD et al being asked to drop significant sums, one wonders how many of the IRFUs management and staff were asked for 30% wage cuts.....

rake, muck, worms everywhere.:rolleyes:

CouchSmart

Delighted for him. Considering he seems to be a nailed on starter in DK teams for the last 3 years it's shocking that he was ever forced out of the central system. Must've been costing the union heavily in match fees? Moan all you want about form central contracts are there to keep probable squad players for Ireland at home - don't think anyone can argue D'Arcy's not a probable starter.

All that said I still remain absolutely baffled by the central contract system. Does it guarantee players places? Do we really think our depth is that crap that we only reward x amount of players with these international contracts? It's such a mixed message to be sending to young guys/guys on the outskirts. Imagine if the provinces had HEC contracts, eh?..

Also worrying giving a 32 year old a 2 year contract 1 year into a 4 year World Cup cycle but that's just a personal thing as I really think we need to adopt the 4 year cycle thing that all the best teams do.

Morf

He's 32, not 33.

Dangerous Man

We all know what the problem is and it isn't D'Arcy.

Aidric

Lost for words..

profitius

D'Arcy is being picked all the time so deserves it in that sense.

It does highlight the disadvantage of central contracts. The centeral contract means hes now almost a nailed on dquad player for 2 more years. Just look at Paddy Wallace making the match days squads when Kidney had no intention of playing him. Nothing against Paddy Wallace, he should have got more games IMO.