Babbling 'brook

Meritocratic is the word EPRC use when they want to mess something up. It shouldn't be used unironically on this site. Gibson Park has been announced for a central contract too. Long term there should have been a drop in central contracts the problem (such as it is) is that there are too many strate...

Leo already did. And saying another word before the game would put more people off, which would make him the incompetent one. They're not going to change it now, but if you give them a bloody nose they'll retaliate when they get a chance. As long as he stay quiet, it's win win. Poor attendance and e...

FtD wrote: ↑April 17th, 2024, 3:06 pm Let's hope we can send him off by letting him be the one to go up and collect a couple of trophies this year.

You can probably tell from my avatar how much I'd like to see that happen.

If the IRFU scale up part funded contracts, we'd have the strongest case for the bulk of them.

They need to stop looking for shortcuts and loopholes.

Central contracts are in no way intended as a subsidy or reward (to provinces). A central contract is where Nucifora negotiates contracts directly with strategically important players rather than leaving it to the provinces. If Sexton asked for more money and was told no, it should (& was) be on...

It was corrected to Murphy in replies. Also Lasisi.

Are you now or have you ever been.... a legend

Thought it was time for a thread.

Matfield has big (BIG) praise for our Joe.

https://www.planetrugby.com/news/victor ... tion-packs

I think the point (when pushed) for a lot of the contract qouta believers is that yes Leinster players should be offered contracts after they have filled their quota but it should be accompanied with a move to a province were a contract vacancy exists. They either take it or leave it. I’m not sayin...

Cutting Billy Burns to save money and signing Aaron Cruden would be even more Ulster.

Or they could double down on making central contracts more obscure and stop having to deal with nit-picking bullshit. Ultimately I care that we have players like Sheehan and Gibson Park, it doesn't actually matter to me whether their salaries are attributed to Leinster or the Irish team or whether t...

Absolutely. But I want them to be well run (us) rather than badly run and always needing help (Welsh regions). Connacht's turnaround was tied to more direct control by the IRFU. I don't think Munster are there, but the fact they chafing against the Irish teams interests is something that the IRFU ca...

Gerry breaks down central deals: https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2024/04/17/blue-bloods-irfu-national-contract-system-will-continue-to-load-the-dice-in-leinsters-favour/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter reveals JGP going to get bumped up. Nobody told Gerry that we were going to sign...

Oh dear. I remember hearing stories about Foley and players too.

It's not something you want a lot of.

Whatever happened to the needing-to-do-the-right-thing-for-my-family trope?

It's a nice statement. Positive about Leinster and Bath.

by Colmodon Agree with this. Jackman was talking about the potential Jordie signing on the 42 and said he thought other provinces need more budget. In principle I don't really disagree, but I just don't really understand what they would do with that budget? What does another million get for Ulster ...

Despite the claim above that he was released early because he needed knee surgery, he played a couple of AIL games for Young Munster post being released by Munster too. Interesting. Not the first time I've heard false stories to make decisions look more palatable. (I'm not accusing any posters in a...

mildlyinterested wrote: ↑April 17th, 2024, 9:26 am ROC saying Jared Payne heavily linked with a move to Ulster as Head Coach.

Makes sense that they'd go for him. Things fell apart a bit when he left and it's a good time for him to be looking to step up.

Hawkshaw has 8 starts at 13 this season.

artaneboy wrote: ↑April 16th, 2024, 9:43 pm
So, what’s Leinster’s annual budget?

What would you like it to be?

Given the extent to which we provide the bulk of the Irish team our finances are hopelessly intertwined. Our budget is just an accounting decision.

Cool.

Now let's just hope that Rowntree doesn't get himself sacked in a year. It's not just players they'd poach.