Babbling 'brook

goreyguy wrote:John Madigan was pulled by Munster as they feared the frequency in games during the JWC would cause him to have a set back with his Osteitis Pubis... after he missed most of the season with it

Why did they let him be picked in the first place then? Strange one.

I just don't know why the provinces do not announce the signings, including academy. Blade is overage for 20's last year, Ruddock does not rate him seemingly. All the provinces should be able to announce signings.

goreyguy wrote:rumour is that Ian Fitzpatrick has been offered an academy spot along with Ringrose.. Peter Robb has not yet been offered one apparently.

Also rumoured that Timmins has been offered an academy spot, something I don't really understand.

Why, don't you rate Timmins then?

I think that LI will be in a position to pay the going rate in the English League. They have new investment and growth plans like everyone else. No one will compete with the French wages, but by our structures and English wages, I would say that they would be able to compete financially. They were l...

One of the things that I really think we should steal a march on is our relationship with London Irish as a club. I know that it is not everybody's fav club but the way that I look at it is this..... We do have lots of good young players, we do have bigger numbers in most Irish age grade teams, we c...

I think that they will sell it out no matter where it is. I do agree with JA tho, it would be fitting and fantastic if it was two Irish provinces at the Aviva. Bring it on !

I think most people do tend to post when they disagree with a post rather when they do agree with it ! So you will always get conflicting interests and opinions. I always remind myself that we all want the same thing, support the same team. At least most of us do !

32-20 win for the Ireland U19's today v France. Good win.

Can't really see any of the schools lads in that team getting straight into the academy, Loughman being the most likely. McVeigh and Cleary will certainly have to prove it at under-20 level. Heffernan and Murphy are both pretty talented but I think they have an increased chance at academy spots thi...

Great read, Thanks. Different times for sure, loved reading that.

Also made me think of travel and how much easier it is now, I wonder what it would have cost to get to Milan for that game in '95?

Time for ewe to drop it alright.

simonokeeffe wrote:

MadiganSquareGarden wrote:

simonokeeffe wrote: I heard Ulster are signing John waters

Has a look of Sebastien Chabal about him alright.

both play for the highlights

In their Hair !

I watched Brewer play quite a few times and am in the "yet to be convinced" camp. I always feel for him that he has the name and thus more hype that goes with it. He does have size but for me not the skills, especially to be a 13. Everytime I have watched him play he has dropped lots and h...

Cleary is talented alright, but i seriously doubt he will go straight in given the depth at centre. Is Cleary a professional outhalf? i'm not sure. Will likely have to test himself at u20 level to get into the academy like most players who join the academy. I am not sure that Cleary is a profession...

Fergal Cleary is a very versatile player, can play centre or Fly Half. I would have him ahead of Ross Byrne anytime. Byrne is a good player, but very one dimensional. Cleary is a better all round player for me.

Ruckedtobits wrote:Well done to irishrugbyua.

Good blog and good research. Worth the read

Just read the bog as well. Great stuff, well written and very informative. Thanks.

True, Toulon know it too English academies tend to be quite small but would love to see/know if eg same problems in Ulster, Munster etc Anecdotally, sure they're having injury problems. As to injury rates, I wouldn't know. It's tough for the better English academies because of the problems due to t...

He's a Big, big talent

The Irish 19's will be an interesting squad. That year group are talented. Lots of good lads like Ross Byrne and Billy Dardis playing a year up with the 20's might be brought down for that game.

Have the Irish U20's or U19 squads been named yet?