Babbling 'brook

First game in the aviva was played 10 years ago the other day. Munster-Connacht 0-68 Leinster-Ulster Teams were Leinster/Ulster team 15. Sam Coghlan Murray (Leinster) 14. Craig Gilroy (Ulster) 13. Alex Kelly (Leinster) 12. Luke Marshall (Ulster) Captain 11. Andrew Boyle (Leinster) 10. Paddy Jackson ...

I think M1 was going from 12/13 to 18/19 as his 7 seasons. (cause he mentioned 19/20 as being 8 ) So last year of Joe. 2 years of Matt and 4 years of Leo. MOC feels like more than 2 seasons. He was sacked for something that van Graan did this year. In hindsight, it was the right decision not to giv...

More Pro14 rumours, but this one would be very interesting if true. From Rapport an Afrikaans newspaper The Cheetahs and Southern Kings to be replaced by the Stormers, Bulls, Sharks and Lions in a Pro16 tournament as soon as next season 2020/21. CVC could be behind this, would make sense to them, m...

More Pro14 rumours, but this one would be very interesting if true. From Rapport an Afrikaans newspaper The Cheetahs and Southern Kings to be replaced by the Stormers, Bulls, Sharks and Lions in a Pro16 tournament as soon as next season 2020/21. CVC could be behind this, would make sense to them, m...

Glad all you guys are so optimistic. TBH I'm not but I hope it works out for Connacht. I'm not optimistic that Connacht will be challenging for the pro14 for a while but I think they're doing the right thing. They're gambling on potential talent while possibly lowering the wage bill at the same tim...

blockhead wrote: ↑

July 13th, 2020, 11:00 pm

The IRFU and Rugby Players Ireland (RPI) have agreed on a 10 per cent salary reduction and a 10 per cent salary deferral, both for the period from July 1st to December 31st, 2020 for players earning in excess of €25,000 per annum.

That's very little considering the hit the IRFU are taking.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2020%E2%80%9321_Pro14_transfers Just looking at the munster ins and outs. It's been a good transfer window. De Allende for Arnold and Snyman for DOS are big upgrades. Knox and Salanoa are replacing Parker and injury hit Scott so that's another area upgraded. N...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2020%E2%80%9321_Pro14_transfers If you look at the Connacht ins and outs, on paper it might not seem like much difference in terms of talent but I think those signings will rejuvenate the squad. They seem to have let go the 'do a job at pro14' level players ma...

Talent is one thing but you must also be able to use it. Sticking with BOD and McCaw, they were both very consistent and determined etc so they were very driven to keep improving themselves and to win. Based on empirical evidence they also have fairly high IQs which gave them an edge in terms of rea...

Chris Cosgrave’s is one of the best place kickers I’ve ever seen for someone his age, arguably a better place kicker than Jonny Sexton, if you’ve been watching him play in cup the past few years I’m sure you’d agree with me, he was better than most senior cup kickers at Junior Cup level, I remember...

I thought Joe McCarthy would get in now. He looks a big talent.

The above is based on just the HCup squad - below is the % of Leinster players in the full squad in that and all the following seasons 08/09 = 66% 09/10 = 63% 10/11 = 72% 11/12 = 65% 12/13 = 63% 13/14 = 64% 14/15 = 69% 15/16 = 72% 16/17 = 73% 17/18 = 76% 18/19 = 79% 19/20 = 83% Interesting to see t...

PRO14 set for €130m cash injection as CVC acquire 28% of league Cian Tracey May 22 2020 11:49 AM The PRO14 have confirmed that an investment deal with CVC has been completed. CVC are the same guys who invested heavily into formula one.... CVC owned F1 between 2006 and 2017, when it was taken over b...

Cian Tracy suggesting that van Graan will be letting a high number of players go at the end of this season, much as he did at the end of last season [link: https://twitter.com/CianTracey1/status/1262134781040607240 ]. Last season it was - Stephen Fitzgerald, - James Hart, - Ian Keatley, - Bill John...

Keith wrote:Connacht have been really smart here. Not only are the players they've signed already quality but they are still young enough to improve with consistent game time.

Rumored to be signing Wootton from munster also. Good move for all involved if that's true.

I dont see being a small 9 as a disadvantage at least in terms of attack. They are lower to the ground and usually quick off the mark. Craig Casey scores loads of tries because he is so quick off the mark. Also they've less bulk to carry around.

Beaumont wins ......and 6N & Autumn internationals income will not be dividied out to keep SH unions solvent just yet. I read that the NZRU have over $100m in reserve. I don't know if it's NZ dollar or US. They make more money per year than any of the Celtic unions so it's a bit rich of them to be ...

I read that BT sport's might be dropping the premiership and the premiership are expecting a lot less TV money with their new contract. Also, the RFU have a 4 year deal to give the premiership £25m every year. After that it's dependant on RFU finances and the RFU are expecting a massive drop in reve...

Bernard Jackman on 42.ie podcast advocating a big splurge on signings from abroad to strengthen Connacht. I appreciate it's a great time to get value in market but I'd rather money be kept in CCROs/development/homegrown players contracted elsewhere if money is going to be tight for IRFU/Connacht Th...

It looks promising. If it results in 1 less player in the defensive line then it will be a success. Having 8 subs should be the next thing they tackle. If only 5 subs were allowed it would mean subs mainly being there in case of injury and every player needing to last 80 min which means fitter, smal...