Following on from here
New Munster chat thread folks. warning deserved there. https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=109477571#post109477571
interesting to see how this plays out
Yes, that could be true but as I've said Ben has hedged his bets on International rugby and now that he hasn't made the Irish squads again he's decided to try Scotland.
I hope Ben's career takes off something like Tommy Seymour
Given the lack of options at 10 ahead of him. Blair Kinghorn being a prime example. I would say he has a far better chance with Scotland. I really hope it works out for him.
He could have gone to Ulster or Connacht and been guaranteed game time. Though I don’t think it would necessarily have lead to an Irish call up.
Can Munster refuse to release Healy during the 6 nations?
No
He couldn't have gone to either, seeing as neither offered him a contract.
No, only the player themselves could turn down the call up.
This is true. You seem quite certain of that?
Munster can recall him on the rest weekends as the French and English clubs do with their Scottish players.
Again that’s true but it’s not what the poster was asking. Though him being in camp would Scotland on the non game weeks, would affect Muster too much.
There are two URC game weeks the week after the first two weeks of the 6N - 17th/18th Feb, and then again 3rd / 4th of March, while the next round of URC fixtures then is the week after the 6N finishes.
If Sexton has recovered in time, then you'd imagine Crowley would be released back to get some game time for Munster in those weeks between Rounds 2 & 3 of the 6N. If he hasn't, then they could find themselves short at 10 if all three of Carbery, Crowley & Healy actually find themselves in the international 23s for Ireland and Scotland.
I'm pretty sure that's what was reported in the last day or 2.
Edit: Yep, Murray Kinsella alluded to it:
How long would changing nationalities even take? If they've only started going through the process this month surely he wouldn't be registered as Scottish in time to play in the 6Ns and unable to be called into camps.
It was in one of the The42 articles, I think I may have posted a link.
yeah ulster and connacht didnt offer him anything, as they are precluded from improving on what munster were offering him.
There's no process for him - he's not waiting on eligibility. His mother is Scottish, he's always been eligible for a call up for them.
John Cooney's situation is different - while his father is Scottish and he is as qualified for Scotland as Healy is, he is not eligible until 3 years have passed from his last cap for Ireland (23rd Feb 2020), so he won't be eligible for Rounds 1 & 2 for Scotland in this championship (assuming he decides to declare for them).
He isnt changing nationalities. He has always been eligible through his mothers family.
They're precluded from improving, but they could've matched the offer, and he'd have been further up their depth chart with a move. WHich might've been attractive to Healy.
Murray Kinsella seems to suggest they didn't.
I would really doubt though that this was because Connacht and Ulster didn't rate him, or didn't think he was good enough to challenge for starts. Both clubs would have been very well aware if Healy was determined to pursue the international option in Scotland, and there would have been little point in making him an offer.
Healy's agent would be utterly negligent if this wasn't the case.
It amazes me that neither showed any interest given their current depth at outhalf.
But he's played for Ireland at U20 level. Unless it's different than football there you'd still have to go through the process of requesting a switch from Ireland to play with Scotland.
The eligibility rules are defined on if he'd either played internationally for Ireland, played 7s for Ireland or played for the "next most senior" international side for Ireland. Given an Irish A side or XV had played against the Maori and the NZ A selection, I can't see how the U20s would be deemed the next most senior side.
I think he's immediately eligible based on his mother being born there.
Ulster should have offered a contract. Healy would really fit our style.
It is different to soccer. 20s is not a capture side for Ireland. Its only if you play for senior international side in a fully capped game or for Irelands second capture side which currently is the A team in a game against another 2nd capture side that stops you playing for another nation.
No I get that playing U20s doesn't prevent him from playing with Scotland but even the likes of Jack Grealish who was born in England and only played U21s with Ireland had to request a switch with fifa and get paperwork sorted before he could play with England.
i agree that they didnt offer him anything??
im pointing to a quite substantial reason why they didnt offer him anything.
they couldnt make him an improved offer
Michael Bent arrived and played for Ireland before ever playing for a province.
by all accounts Healy was quite vociferous that it was munster or abroad.
seeing as neither connacht or ulster are allowed offer him more than munster were offering, then whats the point?
i severely doubt neither province wouldnt have been anything but delighted to take him in
I was under the impression that they could offer more. If there was an outside offer.
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