Surely he wouldn't touch England with a bargepole after the way he was treated back in 2015?
Well it's surely either that or a head coaching gig in the Prem.
Not sure either are a step up (in terms of risk, at least) from an assistant coach with Ireland...?
Felix Jones is leaving SA for a job in England. Seemingly he was shortlisted for Leinster as well. Aled Walters is also joining England.
https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/former-ireland-international-felix-jones-to-join-englands-coaching-staff/42411278.html
So all things considered it looks most likely that he's taking a HC role with a prem club..
A head coach role in the Premiership seems far more realistic. No matter what its a step down but ultimately if he feels his family are settled its a sacrifice worth making.
Not really sure a head coaching deal at a premiership club is a step down from an assistant role at international.
An ostensible head coach of an international team is moving to be a senior coach at a club team in a week after all...
"At a premiership club" is perhaps the key caveat.
Aside from the handful with sugar-daddy support (and he could well be heading to one) the scope to challenge for major honours is quite limited.
Sure, there are problems there. I just don't see how it's a step down - it's a head coaching role instead of an assistant one (assuming any of this is true)
It is when A. its an international side as big as Ireland and B. judging on the last 12 months or so how unstable some premiership clubs are. If you asked me this question 4 years ago I would possibly have agreed but with what we know now and given how good Ireland are now I think it has to be considered a step down.
It doesn't have to be a step up or down, if it's what he wants then it's what he wants.
Natural time for him to move on and if his family want to be in England its a no brainer. He had a profound impact on this Irish team over 3 years, won a grand slam so for him the question is whether Ireland will continue to improve or whether he wants too dedicate more years to a reset. It doesn't have to be a promotion for it to be a good idea and the right thing to do.
Which is what I said from the beginning if you scroll up😉
You'd wish Catt all the best if it is true. Much maligned at the start of Farrell's tenure (and I include myself in that), it's pretty phenomenal the extent to which it turned around, to produce probably the best attack I've ever seen Ireland have in my lifetime?
Whoever comes in has a tough act to follow.
Could be in for a rough few years with the transition at Leinster and Catt leaving.
Bundee nominated for World Player of the Year. Won't win it, as the winner will likely come from the RWC winning team, but nice to have that recognition nonetheless.
Really played with his heart and soul for Ireland this year, he was up there with the players I was most gutted for at the end of that NZ match.
If we progressed he'd certainly have been in the running for the World Player of the Year, he was phenomenal for us in all our games.
Andy Farrell is nominated for coach of the year and Hugo Keenan for try of the year (Vs France) as well.
Of the 3 Irish nominations I can only see Keenan still in the running - our lack of progress in the RWC would be a black mark v Farrell, though I can't see Foster in the running, even if NZ win the RWC
He's been brilliant and I don't understand the rush by some to move him on after the WC because of his age.
The talk of moving him on post world cup may come from his contract situation. He is on a central contract due for renewal at the end of this current season where he just had a 1 year extension.
Will he get a new central contact?
If he doesn't can connacht match what he could get in France or Japan??
Yeah, I suspect it's more a case of he will move himself on.
I wouldn’t dismiss the idea of the lions tour as a last hurrah for Bundee.
There were a couple of issues internally with Connacht last season and if these have been repaired with the new coaching staff, I would think Ireland would offer him another year
Well that- a perfectly legitimate line of thinking, but I think in a lot of cases some wanted to move on from just because they wanted a shiny new toy in the team.
Anyway, hopefully he gives it another season as this one, but if not I'd still keep him around for the 6Ns.
Out of the 4 players, he was the best in his position by some distance. Only Savea has matched him in terms of performance imo.
Of course he'll be offered a central contract extension. He's Ireland's best player and one of the best in the world at present form, imagine the optics for the IRFU if he wasn't rewarded for it. Especially considering Connacht don't see too many central contracts their way.
We all know the IRFU don't think in 4 year cycles anyway and they'll see Aki as an asset to have for the next couple of Six Nations.
Hope your right. He certainly would be well deserving of a central contract extension.
He should be but Im sure plenty of French clubs will be after him, ROG was signing his praises the other day and having him as a backup to Danty would be some squad addition for La Rochelle. Not just his play, his ability to motivate the team, deal with ref etc. ROB seemed really impressed
At least for the next 2 years he will be prime to play 12 for Ireland and we usually break this up into 2 year and then look at World Cup after that, would be great for some of the young 12 to learn for Aki as well
Bundee signed on to end of 24/25 season
That shuts down that conversation.
Well that's good news.
