Do you presume that Abdaladze was being pressured to move, or that he is moving to a worse paid contract with less opportunity for advancement?
It’s more likely his appearance for Georgia has raised his value and he’s moving for a better contract.
Where have I suggested they were eligible for other countries? When Zebo, Sexton and D Ryan left they weren't eligible to play for France.
Abdaladze is a nothing player for Leinster, I doubt it has any relevance to Kleyn at all.
I don't think there was much chance of RG staying anyway.
Have many other Leinster players moved while still under contract?
I could be way off but id imagine Leinster were under pressure from the IRFU to off load one of the NIQ tightheads on their books and they prioritised resigning Alalaota last month who's played the majority of games for Leinster this year over Vakh who played less than 300 minutes this season.
Vahk while not a front line player Alaalatoa is and there is no way the IRFU want 2 NIQ's in the same position potentially blocking young irish players development..
Is there any other situation at any of the proviences where there are 2 NIQ's in the same position?
He played less than 200 minutes (just). I suspect its more likely that Abaladze thought moving now was more beneficial for him and Leinster facilitated it rather than the IRFU pressuring them to move him on.
Absolutely this. I think Abdaladze only started his first game for Leinster this season, after 5 years in a pro contract. I don’t see it as that big a deal.
Both ideas are very plausible. Previously not too many players moved while still under contract but it is becoming a bit more common.
I just think it's also likely Leinster had to get approval from the IRFU to resign Alalatoa and part of that agreement was moving on Vahk sooner rather than later.
I don't see how munster hold onto 2 NIQ locks blocking the development of irish qualified players.
They were all active players who left for money though (I might be wrong on Ryan, I can't remember his last cap) so again different to the examples you gave of 4 players who might leave for more money if they don't think they'll be playing international rugby.
To be honest, I think I've simply missed whatever point you were making so this is probably going nowhere.
Milasinovich and Sutherland this season?
I don't suppose injury cover really counts though.
Good point, sutherland was signed on a short term deal shortly after Jack mcgrath was released.. But both suthetland and Milasinovich have left ulster so they could sign kitchoff for next season.
One of them is a tighthead and one's a loosehead. And one of them isn't NIQ.
The IQ Kleyn (who wasn't getting into the Irish Squads) was blocking the same players at Munster as the NIQ Kleyn will be.
The one thing that Rowntree has shown is of you're showing it in training you'll get rewarded so I really don't see it being as much an issue as a few posters are making it out to be. Especially as we won't have RGS forever.
I think he meant Toomaga-Allen and Milasinovich. They would be the exception where a provience has 2 Niq's in the same position. Both signed before marty Moore got injured I think. With Tom o tootle playing in the same position also
Milasinovich was IQ.
I suppose so. Ulster listed GM as ambipropstrous but never used him at LH. He was on the same side as JTA in any case but uncapped.
Connacht have a few pairings at centre and back row but AFAiK none of them capped so technically not NIE/NIQ
Milasinovich is irish Qualified. His father actually played for Ulster I think.
Milasinovich was ambipropstrous in the sense that he was equally hopeless on either side of the scrum.
Milasanovich is useless. I'd prefer giving Lasisi a run.
His grandfather. Norman MacFarland played for Ulster.
Crowley giving some insight into his kicking routine
Putting this in here as it affects the Irish world cup preparations
Looks like the hearing is going ahead with both Johnny and Leinster having questions to answer about misconduct following the HCup final
We'll just have to wait and see what level they bring potential sanctions under. Mid range and Sexton could be in trouble.
One thing he has going for him is his clean disciplinary record.
I don't think any of us know exactly what happened, so while it's a discussion point etc in reality it's pointless speculating (unless some here do know in which case PM me please!).
Importantly we can safely assume the Irish management know exactly what happened and will be planning accordingly.
Tbh, I could give a fcuk what happens Sexton or Leinster but I hope it doesn't impact on Ireland during the RWC.
I suppose we could call up Madigan 🤣
You don't score 16 tries in 26 games playing in the Top14 if you're mediocre. Zebo was many things but he was certainly better than mediocre.
Sexton’s Roy Keane moment.
I wonder if that's why he's been charged with general misconduct rather than under a specific regulation?
Pointless speculating too I suppose. Would hate to see him miss the World Cup. On a personal level no player has ever made me enjoy watching rugby more.
I'm sorry but what an idiot. Jesus Christ. For the last two years of this cycle we've been doing everything we can to keep him fit and in form in recognition of his importance to the team and he puts all that planning and hard work in jeopardy because he's too petulant to keep his mouth shut. That's as stupid and as selfish as you can get. Obviously I hope he gets off lightly but I wonder will the fans and journalists who slated Erasmus be as quick to condemn Sexton. Somehow I doubt it.
A jibe at fans is utterly needless.
