Leinster Team Talk Thread (Love you Furlong time)

Yeah was great for us and its really disappointing he couldn't finish up with Leinster on his own terms.

Murray Kinsella also saying that essentially the IRFU weren't willing to provide the PONI top-up, or at a level way lower than previously.

That left the ball in Leinster's court. The province would have had to foot nearly all of the bill if Lowe had been extended on similar terms to his last deal.

Given how few games he's been available to Leinster the last few seasons, it's fully understandable IMO why Leinster felt they should be getting more IRFU support for this re-signing, especially as Andy Farrell has been vocal about wanting to keep Lowe in the mix (and he started the last two games he was available for Ireland).

Even without CC changes I don't think Leinster would have offered a two year deal here, and probably not on his current salary.

The IRFU have a mechanism to facilitate his re-signing, i.e. the PONI system, but chose not to pull that lever for whatever reason.

It was inevitable that Leinster and the IRFU were going to come to a head sometime soon, it's just a shame that the result had to be the loss of an absolutely iconic player, and perhaps my personal all time favourite.

IRFU actively hindering the only province that has done its job in the least decade is very funny.

Still maintain that Humphreys should have been sacked for employing his grossly incompetent mate to ruin our u20's.

Regardless of the (IMO) many missteps since he got the job, I actually maintain he had done nothing to warrant getting the position to begin with. His prior record in sports administration was no better than mixed at the most charitable assessment of it.

Whether people liked or loathed David Nucifora - at least he came in as an unimpeachable neutral in an Irish rugby context, and with a stronger CV IMO.

Given he'd almost certainly remain in Ireland squads, you're looking at a situation where Leinster would be financially subsidising Ireland. Wonder how Farrell feels about this.

Shambles from the IRFU.

Would love another province to sign Lowe

Leinster are rotting from the inside under Cullen

They’ll probably sign a NIQ. A Saffer…..

Jesse Kriel come on in for a bit of R&R

This is from the 42.ie article.

The province would have had to foot nearly all of the bill if Lowe had been extended on similar terms to his last deal. That’s despite the probability that Lowe would be carefully managed leading into the World Cup, therefore bringing into question the value for Leinster. In the end, he was offered significantly reduced terms by Leinster.

It’s understood that Lowe did not feel that the terms were reflective of his quality.

This is what I posted during the week that was blithely dismissed as "moaning":

The concern for Ireland is this; if Leinster have to divert more of their cash into previously centrally contracted players, there must be less available to pay the second tier of Leinster players, we're agreed so far. However, the second tier of Leinster players is also a bulk supplier to the national squad.

So what happens then? Either those players 1) suck up a lower wage, 2) they move abroad, or 3) they go to a different province. If 2) happens, then there is a distinct loss to Ireland.

So the plan rests on people doing the same work for less money, which is always a sure-fire bet, right?

Whether it was moaning or not, I was spot on.

Some Irish people will be delighted with this outcome. One in the eye for Leinster, Lowe on the way out, a spot opening up in the Ireland squad for another player who couldn't get a jersey on merit up to now.

But what happens if more players go the same way?

I really hope I'm wrong, but it feels like Irish Rugby is going the wrong way.

Connacht look to be rebuilding nicely but can't really say the same about the other three. IRFU are making some questionable decisions as well.

I've very little optimism for the next world cup.