Rumour Mill

[mildlyinterested]

Ah well, next man up.

Thanks for the memories Jack, I hope whatever incentive the IRFU gave you to move will be worth it.

[the spoofer]

Leinster's statement on his departure will take a bit of parsing!

[bronxbull]

I know we got Sean Cronin and Rob Henshaw from Connacht but this really seems like one way traffic AWAY from Leinster recently.
I understand that we have been producing players at an astonishing rate and that only so many players can play for Leinster, usually around the 50- 55 mark in any given season.

The reason we have been so successful is that we have had such healthy competition for places.
None of these players decided off their own bat to leave because they weren't getting game time.
The IRFU have made these decisions and even though it is understandable to 'spread the wealth' for the sake of the national team it doesn't mean we have to like it as Leinster Season ticket holders.
Seanie is nearing the end and looking for a last payday..he owes us nothing and would struggle to make our team next year.
Jordi, Joey and Jack would all be in the running for a completing another double with Leinster if they hadn't left or announced that they were leaving.

We are not losing academy guys here...

Well we are probably losing a few of them as well....

[the spoofer]

Nucifora has no idea of provincial loyalty.He's an Aussie who looks on teams as franchises. He could kill the golden goose.

[mildlyinterested]

Nucifora has no idea of provincial loyalty.He's an Aussie who looks on teams as franchises. He could kill the golden goose.

He has an interest in weakening leinster. simple fact.

[Keith]

For years we worried about the big money clubs in England and France taking our best players away from Ireland, who'd have predicted it would be the other provinces as the main culprits!?

[mildlyinterested]

For years we worried about the big money clubs in England and France taking our best players away from Ireland, who'd have predicted it would be the other provinces as the main culprits!?

well when the other provinces can't remain competitive without help from leinster..

[blockhead]

Sign for Ulster or you're not going to the World Cup Jack.
Explains Kilcoyne getting a runout in the 6N.

Remember that funny video at the end of last season? Can anyone stop Leinster?
Turns out the IRFU are doing their very best to acheive that very thing.

[wixfjord]

Explains Kilcoyne getting a runout in the 6N.

Nah I'd say Jack's awful form would explain that better.

[Leoslovechild]

What effect will this have on Eric O sullivan...was quietly impressed with him on Saturday..Jack may not have it easy there

[allezlesverres]

As an ulster fan obviously I'm delighted with this signing. When I saw Jack sitting on his own at the game on Saturday I was pretty sure the rumours were true and his signing was going to be announced this week (Ulster always announce big new signings after a disappointing result). I'm sure there is more to this move than we are presently seeing. From one of Leo's interviews (back when this move was first rumoured) it sounded like there was some disharmony in the team involving Jack although Leo was very discreet and just said something to the effect that "we don't talk about those things in public". If that's the case it could explain his dip in form and his desire to move. He's got plenty of mates in the Ulster squad I'd imagine, so maybe it's a partly personal, partly professional move.

I totally understand the Leinster fanbase annoyance at this move. We were livid when Isaac Boss moved to Leinster and with the greatest of respect to Boss, he's no McGrath.

[bails]

Confirmation that Jack McGrath moves to Ulster next season.

First and foremost, thank you and best wishes to Jack for all he has done for Leinster over the last number of years. He he has been a great player for us and we will miss him greatly.
I hope things work out for him in Ulster, as I am sure they will as he has plenty of years of top quality rugby to enjoy.

I am extremely dissappointed with a Leinster hat on.
Of course I respect the right of any player to move on or choose another Club.

But I cannot say I like this movement of players whilst under contract. I understand in this case, it is a Central Contract with IRFU, but how is any province supposed to manage player development/succession when players appear to be allowed to break the contract when it suits them.

A less than satisfactory effect of cross Province movement .

[bails]

by Dave Cahill » April 2nd, 2019, 10:18 am

You'd really have to question what Cullen and Lancaster are doing that has made Leinster such a poor work environment that three top international players decided entirely of their own volition to leave the club in the space of a year. In every other sport successful clubs have to beat players wanting to join them off with sticks. But at Leinster, the most successful club in Europe, the current European and Pro14 champions, players seemingly can't wait to make the decision wholly themselves to leave.

Jeez Dave there is a lot to unpack there

Its like the French reading comprehension in the Leaving Cert - pick out the key words

All a bit cryptic for me Dave !

[bails]

As an ulster fan obviously I'm delighted with this signing. When I saw Jack sitting on his own at the game on Saturday I was pretty sure the rumours were true and his signing was going to be announced this week (Ulster always announce big new signings after a disappointing result). I'm sure there is more to this move than we are presently seeing. From one of Leo's interviews (back when this move was first rumoured) it sounded like there was some disharmony in the team involving Jack although Leo was very discreet and just said something to the effect that "we don't talk about those things in public". If that's the case it could explain his dip in form and his desire to move. He's got plenty of mates in the Ulster squad I'd imagine, so maybe it's a partly personal, partly professional move.

I totally understand the Leinster fanbase annoyance at this move. We were livid when Isaac Boss moved to Leinster and with the greatest of respect to Boss, he's no McGrath.

There is one huge difference between Boss and McGrath.
Boss didn't break a contract to come and play for Leinster, he saw Ruan Pinnear had been signed and as was his right he didnt sign a new contract with Ulster, instead he moved to Leinster
Jack McGrath has a further year left on his contract, but between him and IRFU they have shown that contracts are worthless.

How can clubs plan for future properly if players are breaking contracts and walking whenever they choose.

[backrower8]

As an ulster fan obviously I'm delighted with this signing. When I saw Jack sitting on his own at the game on Saturday...

He wasn't sitting on his own. He was, probably deliberately, one row back from where the camera was always going to go to Jonny Sexton and two rows back from other squad members. My guess is he didn't want to feature in those shots if he could so he gave the Director/cameras less to dwell on by siting in a row further back.

[Logorrhea]

As an ulster fan obviously I'm delighted with this signing. When I saw Jack sitting on his own at the game on Saturday...

He wasn't sitting on his own. He was, probably deliberately, one row back from where the camera was always going to go to Jonny Sexton and two rows back from other squad members. My guess is he didn't want to feature in those shots if he could so he gave the Director/cameras less to dwell on by siting in a row further back.

It was clear to me he was sitting on his own so the other Leinster players could hear him quietly cheering for his Ulster mates. Thats the only reason he would sit on his own.

Cant really argue with Jack wanting to go. He's given us enough. The manner and frequency with which contracts are being adjusted is worrying though. I'm sure the rest of the provinces dont have a problem with it as they will continue to benefit, but it is a little worrying.

[ronk]

You'd really have to question what Cullen and Lancaster are doing that has made Leinster such a poor work environment that three top international players decided entirely of their own volition to leave the club in the space of a year. In every other sport successful clubs have to beat players wanting to join them off with sticks. But at Leinster, the most successful club in Europe, the current European and Pro14 champions, players seemingly can't wait to make the decision wholly themselves to leave.

Sean O'Brien, Jack McGrath, Jordi Murphy and Joey Carbery. Who don't you rate?

The supporting cast is strong enough too in Nick McCarthy, Noel Reid, Ian Nagle and Tom Daly.

The scary thing is that it somehow could be a lot worse. We arent even out of the woods yet, there are still renewals not confirmed.

[Dave Cahill]

Sean O'Brien, Jack McGrath, Jordi Murphy and Joey Carbery. Who don't you rate?

If I told you who I forgot was leaving I'd have to spend the night in the shed

[LeRouxIsPHat]

It's bad enough sitting beside a normal sized human in the Aviva, not surprised they stayed away from a prop. Although it was freezing so...

[Oldschool]

Best of luck to him.

It's fairly frustrating to see the kind of squad depth we had last season gently being eroded.

IRFU can't have Leinster dominant.

Must weaken leinster to the benefit of their Munster rivals.

Fixed