Babbling 'brook

Am I alone in thinking that Kilcoyne's unreliability in the scrum makes him a bit of a non-runner at Test level? Think I'd prefer to see Buckley and Dooley on this tour. Presumably they'll take three tightheads? Michael Bent is probably in pole position to nab the third spot, although Conor Carey l...

I know nothing will stop the trolls - I'm not a fan of the ignore button but threads are pretty unreadable with shite like this being posted continuously Two quarter finals Munster - 4 NIQ in 23 (2+2 - Taute, Bleyendall, Marshall, Sailli ), 1 Residency Qualified (Stander), 1 IQ developed elsewhere (...

Its fairly obvious trolling (and boring at that) but there really isn't much difference when it really boils down to it A quick look at the European stats - Leinster have given 14 starts in this European campaign to NIQs - Munster have 16 - Munster have more sub appearances but on average Munster ha...

Andrew Conway; Darren Sweetnam, Francis Saili, Jaco Taute, Ronan O’Mahony; Tyler Bleyendaal, Duncan Williams; James Cronin, Rhys Marshall, Stephen Archer; Dave O’Callaghan, Billy Holland – capt.; Jean Deysel, Conor Oliver, Jack O’Donoghue. Replacements:Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan, Donn...

Andrew Conway; Darren Sweetnam, Francis Saili, Jaco Taute, Ronan O’Mahony; Tyler Bleyendaal, Duncan Williams; James Cronin, Rhys Marshall, Stephen Archer; Dave O’Callaghan, Billy Holland – capt.; Jean Deysel, Conor Oliver, Jack O’Donoghue. Replacements:Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan, Donn...

Can't see J Ryan getting there although I'd argue he is better than Lee and Sinkler. If Nel isn't pickjed (and its hard to argue that he should be) then it'll probably be Lee because Gatland Can't see AWJ and Johnny Gray not being selected How does Toner keep being omitted from these lists, he's gua...

Thye Ryan wanting out thing was first reported by Kinsella. There's no conspiracy to shame the player. While there has been general surprise and dismay in Ireland at news of Ryan’s exit, it’s understood that the lock has previously considered leaving Munster and even initiated discussions with the ...

.... What it does bring to light is the limitations of central contracts, and the problems that can arise from investing too much in the wrong player - I don't agree with Heaslips contract for example, and Bowe afaik has a contract through to June 2018 which is mad to think about now. No It doesn't...

Am I wrong in understanding that the difference here is the irfu will not sanction more than s 2 year contract but that R92 are offering 3yrs? Could well be - hasn't been reported but wouldn't surprise me (and would backup ROG claim re valuing experience) - there is a huge amount of speculation bei...

Am I wrong in understanding that the difference here is the irfu will not sanction more than s 2 year contract but that R92 are offering 3yrs? Could well be - hasn't been reported but wouldn't surprise me (and would backup ROG claim re valuing experience) - there is a huge amount of speculation bei...

.... What it does bring to light is the limitations of central contracts, and the problems that can arise from investing too much in the wrong player - I don't agree with Heaslips contract for example, and Bowe afaik has a contract through to June 2018 which is mad to think about now. No It doesn't...

Kearney's contract was renewed in November 2014 when there was no sign of talented fullbacks coming through Payne/Zebo/Olding??? I can understand why they would have backed Kearney tbh although a 2 year contract might have made more sense ( I don't see a whole lot of sense in players contracts bein...

He's been fantastic particularly in light of what has happened this year. That said the likes of Bleyendaal, Sweetnam, Ryan, Scannell x2 didn't come from nowwhere - they were developed over the last couple of years. Shame whats happening but its probably a once in a lifetime chance for him to do wha...

Lot of guff flowing around on this - from all sides - simple fact is that we don't know One thing that puts a lot of doubt on those IRFU reports though - the suggestion that if he had negotiated in November a central contract was on the table but now it isn't - hard to believe thats not rubbish - hi...

Scoreline kind of flatters us even allowing for the dodgy try - big game from Williams and thought zebo was good at fb. Really not sure how good we are but great to be back in semis and going well in league. Huge credit to coaches notably nienaber

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@paddyor Most of those you mention were fairly well tied to Ireland because of their tax back situation. I remember everyone being amazed that Peter Stringer headed off (he obviously knew what was going to happen). There was no one to replace John Hayes up to the time he retired. Remember Bent bein...

If he was in the IRFU's plans, they would have offered him a central contract (which Munster could have topped up). One of the main selling points to keep people in Ireland is the carrot of international rugby. Not offering a central contract does not mean that he's 'out of the IRFU's international...

Oh and wrt ROG and his statement regarding coaches in Ireland not valuing experience, that is utter tosh. If anything they place an emphasis on experience at the expense of talent. See ROG, J Hayes, Bowe, Boss, Tiquiri etc It's pretty bizarre. Saying that the value experience more in France than in...

Oh and wrt ROG and his statement regarding coaches in Ireland not valuing experience, that is utter tosh. If anything they place an emphasis on experience at the expense of talent. See ROG, J Hayes, Bowe, Boss, Tiquiri etc Strange post and kind of missing his point I think 1. Valuing experience - I...

Pretty sure it wasn't confirmed - the talk was that there was a pre-contract signing and that the deadline for that to go live was approaching in the next week or so. Wouldn't be surpised if thats why it was being openly addressed in the media by Munster - trying to attract the balance that they nee...