Well there can be no complaining if there are a load of Leinster players included in the 23 with that coaching team!
As a Munster fan I've felt the pain of leaking tries more than most here but it should also be remembered that under the same coach we were the best defensive team in the league.
to be honest, we had at 1 stage, 21 players injured. This has been a freak of a season.
When the right players were available, we had the meanest defence in the league.
Shame Flannery and Jones are outside the system currently
In the most respectful possible way, is Leamy not mince? I thought Munster's defence had been a serious issue this season?
Summer Tour coaching staff confirmed
But at the same time, he left in 2013, that's 12 years ago at this point, which sort of proves how rare it really is for someone to leave when they're close to the national team.
Actually, Ian Madigan might be a better comparison; he was second choice for Ireland and left in the full knowledge he was ending his test career but (allegedly) was offered stupid money by Bordeaux.
Yeah fair enough there was a different structure in place when Sextn left.
I was using it as an example
He still left.
Just a difference in opinion re Crowley, I wasn't in the "I was never in doubt he'd leave" viewpoint.
As I said we are not privy to negotiations & like was pointed out in the Sexton move, a below par offer,something said in a heated discussion, direction of a club etc could sway a move abroad
By his account they offered him something like 5k€ over his previous contract when he wasn't the Irish starter.
Some genius in the IRFU took it upon themselves to "test" the market to see if the key players would actually leave and got it very badly wrong would be my reading.
What was the offer?
He was also offered a deliberately desultory and insulting contract for reasons that escape all logic. I don't think whatever bright spark came up with that plan is still handling contracts at the IRFU and we haven't seen such a scenario come close to playing out again.
Yes, April fools.
Sorry, it's not even a good one…
The Sexton scenario was utterly, utterly different because he knew he could go abroad and still play for Ireland, as indeed any Ireland player could at that time.
As soon as IRFU told him he had to come home or be cut from the national side, home he came.
Crowley leaving was always a very long shot, not least because it's highly unlikely the numbers being floated for his salary at Leicester were remotely realistic.
Would you have had the same no doubt re Sexton leaving for Racing?
It's not really a comparable situation. The Sexton scenario will go down as utter rank incompetence by the IRFU and I doubt we will see such stupidity again.
Alot of it was prob agent driven as you say to get the best deal possible.
They are paid relative to what pro rugby generates.
Its not comparable to soccer as it doesn't have the audience that has.
There will always be an outlier player on big money but generally they are paid well within the financial structure of the game.
I wouldn't have said there was no risk in Crowley leaving, we are not privy to negotiations.
April fools day joke?
Speaking of faintly ridiculous things, Squidge just put out his Lions picks, and how he picked a 13 from Leinster I'll never know.
Twas sarcasm. I was never in any doubt as to whether he'd leave or not, same way that I didn't think Sam Prendergast was going to travel to Connacht. All the back and forth in the media with Irish players is faintly ridiculous, as ultimately any player that wants to play for their country won't leave, so people here and in the media hyperventilating about his treatment, and how it could make him leave, always struck me as way over the top.
Crowley has always seemed to me as someone that absolutely loves playing for Munster, and has a real connection with the Munster faithful. He's also well able to compete for starter in the Ireland team, so yeah, in my opinion, it was never in doubt.
I do genuinely believe that players should absolutely go through with the media charade though, as their playing career is so short, and they need to maximise their gains while they still can. At the end of the day, these guys aren't all that well paid for what they put themselves through.
Was not sure if this was an Aprils fools! I didn't hear that. Great news all round!
Seeing as he signed a Leinster contract last week, I'm gonna say that's unlikely.
Shocked?
or Fooled?
New CC for Prendergast incoming...
Shocked, etc.
Fair play to the youngster, hope he got a good deal out of them.
Gerry Thornley is reporting that Jack Crowley has signed a new deal with Munster.
No, I'm not. I first saw Munster play in 1967. Its just I was expecting the usual kick back when praising Crowley.
Wrong thread
Watching Leinster v sharks, Frawleys no outhalf !!!!!
It was a major pity Casey got injured for the 6N, he looks like a guy ready to step up to the next level.
Crowley was excellent today.
Crowley and Casey made the game for Munster.
Crowley was top in decision making & execution, varied the game beautifully. Also shows the importance of Casey who was outstanding, a strong 9 makes life easier for 10
nobody says "it was only connacht", anymore.
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