Buer wrote: » Insane to give a kid that money. Whatever about rugby, they've no idea how he'll develop as a person. He might go on the beer for the next few years and even after that, he could go the way of Gordon D'Arcy and get his head together or go the way of Gavin Henson and his career could completely fall apart. The entire Leinster academy would be on less money than that, I would be guessing.
Clegg wrote: » Marcus Smith has signed a new contract with Harlequins worth 230k per annum before performance related bonuses. He's 18.
Buer wrote: » The entire Leinster academy would be on less money than that, I would be guessing.
OldRio wrote: » Deary me. Another step towards EPL soccer money.
irishbucsfan wrote: » And in the grander scheme of things it's not a huge investment in someone who could become an elite player in the most important position on the pitch during that contract. He COULD become a tw*t but the onus is on his employer to protect their investment and keep him on the straight and narrow.
Squidgy Black wrote: » According to Jonny Holland's ama Academy contracts here are usually only around 10k so more than likely yeah
awec wrote: » Am I not right in thinking that while academy contracts are rather modestly paid in Ireland the players get many non-monetary benefits that makes them roughly comparable with the academy contracts in England? Anyway, I suspect it won't be long until this sort of thing is more common place. It won't be long until they are waving big contracts under the noses of promising Irish players.
thomond2006 wrote: » I hope Smith has his head on his shoulders. There's plenty of examples of exceptional talents who got too much too soon.
Bridge93 wrote: » A needed discussion. Rock has been dying on its feet for a few years now
Bridge93 wrote: » Yeah i really have no idea what they do apart from try improve the link to the school. It really is tough. I really think the Blackrock College name is a deterrent for those from other schools to play there beyond school but don't think that can be changed. Just have to find another method of recruitment there. They used to survive even with that problem as a lot of the cream from the school went up to Stradbrook but in the last decade it's dried up massively. Now they've limited bodies coming through the door from anywhere. When you see the relative success of other past pupil clubs there is something integral going wrong given the size of Blackrock the school. They can talk all they want to students but I feel unless the kids are involved prior to leaving 6th year they will continue to flow to other clubs, usually Lansdowne, UCD and Old Belvo. What I would do, regarding attracting the kids from within Blackrock first, would be to heavily link the Blackrock 4th year teams to the rugby club. The best fourth years will be up with the House (senior team for 4th/5th years) teams but there are still about 40/50 lads playing what they call Colts rugby. These teams often end up playing in the social senior leagues and cups as they are too small and young to compete with other senior teams as the better 4th years are elsewhere. Instead of playing this level of rugby, which is fine for those who wish to play social rugby, the rugby club should be targeting the 20/25 lads in the Colts who want to play competitive rugby. Let these guys play club rugby for the year and have them back for the senior cycle come 5th year. The school ban on club rugby makes sense for some but not all and harms playing numbers long term. How you target the top players I'm not so sure. Those outside the bubble of blackrock is even harder for me to think of something. But something dramatic needs to happen or there's every chance they could fold as a club
Clegg wrote: » Billy Vunipola has fractured his forearm. They haven't said how long he'll be out for but he'll miss at least the first few 6N games.
Yeah_Right wrote: » I've heard that an issue at Blackrock club was their refusal to pay players. It meant a lot of the top players from the school went to other clubs. Apparently that's changing as they've realized they want be competitive and won't get back to the top level without paying the players.
The Lost Sheep wrote: » I dont believe that tbh.https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/fergus-slattery-survival-of-amateur-rugby-is-a-real-concern-1.2542698 They called for paying in the game to be cut but they were some of the worst culprits for paying players over the years. They can be competitive and get back to the top level without paying players if they were cleverer with their recruitment and links to younger players
Yeah_Right wrote: » Its what I've been told by some friends involved with the club.
Clegg wrote: » Multiple media outlets are now saying Bully Vunipola will miss the entire 6N. Awful news for him on a personal level. He's been plagued by injuries over the last two years.
Stheno wrote: » Yeah I read he's out for ten weeks, he must be sickened Apparently England are short of back row options
irishbucsfan wrote: » Well they already are waving contracts under the noses of Irish players. Even lads from Dundalk as absolutely incredible as that sounds.
Dog Botherer wrote: » Yeah, with Haskell likely to cop a ban and Vunipola and Hughes out, could well see Itoje at 6, Robshaw 7, and A.N. Other at 8. Sam Simmonds or Jack Clifford would be most likely, short of a callup for Ben Morgan, which is very unlikely.Back Row is definitely an area of weakness for England when Vunipola is out.
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