Rumour Mill

[Keith]

They actually gave ZK a two year deal?!?! This guy has the best agent in the world!

What an absoulute shambles of a situation from Leinster and the IRFU. Disgraceful.

[Ruckedtobits]

Indo says

A report in the French media is suggesting that Leinster and Ireland star Ian Madigan is close to agreeing a move to French side Bordeaux-Begles.

Madigan has been playing second fiddle to Jonathan Sexton this season at Leinster and with his IRFU soon to expire, speculation surrounding the Dubliner's future has been rife.
The 26-year-old has been linked with moves to Munster, Bristol, Harlequins and Montpelier but a report in L'Equipe suggests that Bordeaux-Begles have moved into pole position in the race for his signature.
The report cites numerous sources that say talks are at an advanced stage.

Bordeaux chief Laurent Marti confirmed that talks were ongoing but that there were a number of suitors interested in Madigan.
Sources say that French side are confident of getting their man after previously missing out on a deal for Australian international Matt Toomua, who signed for Leicester.

42 saying its almost a done deal

If we have to lose Mads, Bordeaux is probably as good a spot as he could have chosen. They love their sport; they have long historic connections with Ireland; they have a beautiful city; they have fantastic cuisine, transport, wine, culture and a direct flight to Dublin almost 10 months a year.

They also have a great stadium, great ambition and the tradition in rugby that makes them possible Top 14 winners. All in all, a very good rugby location for a young man with talent and appetite.

[simonokeeffe]

Apparently so on Zane, so there goes any new NIQ 3/4s (to replace Teo) but dont think that was happening anyway
be interesting if we get (let) an NIQ replacement for Madigan

seems unclear if NIQs are going down to 3+1 plus that would mean the 9 (more likely than the lock) would have to be a project and we'd have to have IQ replacements for Mads

[riocard911]

Indo says

A report in the French media is suggesting that Leinster and Ireland star Ian Madigan is close to agreeing a move to French side Bordeaux-Begles.

Madigan has been playing second fiddle to Jonathan Sexton this season at Leinster and with his IRFU soon to expire, speculation surrounding the Dubliner's future has been rife.
The 26-year-old has been linked with moves to Munster, Bristol, Harlequins and Montpelier but a report in L'Equipe suggests that Bordeaux-Begles have moved into pole position in the race for his signature.
The report cites numerous sources that say talks are at an advanced stage.

Bordeaux chief Laurent Marti confirmed that talks were ongoing but that there were a number of suitors interested in Madigan.
Sources say that French side are confident of getting their man after previously missing out on a deal for Australian international Matt Toomua, who signed for Leicester.

42 saying its almost a done deal

If we have to lose Mads, Bordeaux is probably as good a spot as he could have chosen. They love their sport; they have long historic connections with Ireland; they have a beautiful city; they have fantastic cuisine, transport, wine, culture and a direct flight to Dublin almost 10 months a year.

They also have a great stadium, great ambition and the tradition in rugby that makes them possible Top 14 winners. All in all, a very good rugby location for a young man with talent and appetite.

Whatever about the sporting aspect, from a business point of view to lose a home-grown fan-pleaser like Madigan is a PR disaster for the Leinster brand... Náire!!!

[Keith]

Apparently so on Zane, so there goes any new NIQ 3/4s (to replace Teo) but dont think that was happening anyway
be interesting if we get (let) an NIQ replacement for Madigan

seems unclear if NIQs are going down to 3+1 plus that would mean the 9 (more likely than the lock) would have to be a project and we'd have to have IQ replacements for Mads

This whole ZK situation just makes being forced to let go of Hines even more bizarre. Our recruitment policy needs to be seriously looked at and to be honest completely overhauled.

According to an Ulster poster on another forum with "inside information", the NIQ situation isn't going to change anytime soon and we'll still be allowed 5. There is no way they can even suggest changing this with the performance of the provinces this year.

[simonokeeffe]

Apparently so on Zane, so there goes any new NIQ 3/4s (to replace Teo) but dont think that was happening anyway
be interesting if we get (let) an NIQ replacement for Madigan

seems unclear if NIQs are going down to 3+1 plus that would mean the 9 (more likely than the lock) would have to be a project and we'd have to have IQ replacements for Mads

This whole ZK situation just makes being forced to let go of Hines even more bizarre. Our recruitment policy needs to be seriously looked at and to be honest completely overhauled.

According to an Ulster poster on another forum with "inside information", the NIQ situation isn't going to change anytime soon and we'll still be allowed 5. There is no way they can even suggest changing this with the performance of the provinces this year.

would still mean though we have to source a project halfback from somewhere

IRFU could really do with upping amount of central contracts, doesnt seem good idea to have (had) likes of Cronin, Reddan, Strauss, Ruddock, Jack McGrath on them

[rooster]

Apparently so on Zane, so there goes any new NIQ 3/4s (to replace Teo) but dont think that was happening anyway
be interesting if we get (let) an NIQ replacement for Madigan

seems unclear if NIQs are going down to 3+1 plus that would mean the 9 (more likely than the lock) would have to be a project and we'd have to have IQ replacements for Mads

This whole ZK situation just makes being forced to let go of Hines even more bizarre. Our recruitment policy needs to be seriously looked at and to be honest completely overhauled.

According to an Ulster poster on another forum with "inside information", the NIQ situation isn't going to change anytime soon and we'll still be allowed 5. There is no way they can even suggest changing this with the performance of the provinces this year.

To be more exact the hiring of NIQ players will still be same number but IRFU hold the purse strings and will dictate who we all get, I have heard that Leinster was turned down on a player as well as Munster and Ulster, internally provincial suits are unhappy with present situation and it will be a few lean years for all.
There is a lot going on behind the scenes but no one is under any illusions that the provinces are way down the back end of the system just above club level and miles away from Ireland in importance

[Ruckedtobits]

To be more exact the hiring of NIQ players will still be same number but IRFU hold the purse strings and will dictate who we all get, I have heard that Leinster was turned down on a player as well as Munster and Ulster, internally provincial suits are unhappy with present situation and it will be a few lean years for all.
There is a lot going on behind the scenes but no one is under any illusions that the provinces are way down the back end of the system just above club level and miles away from Ireland in importance

There is a lot going on behind the scenes, but it appears that is following the Welsh model. Let the National team be assisted and paraded to generate the money to pay back Aviva cost, but let the Provinces go screw themselves with inexperienced coaches and poor recruitment and a Performance Director who hides away from public scrutiny whilst he pulls all the strings in the background to ensure nothing impinges on National set-up.

Provinces need more support, not less.

[simonokeeffe]

we could always jettison Zane to allow for more elbow room, surely the union cant be too mad about us having 2 NIQ reserve fullbacks

[COYBIB]

Getting Big Ben to sign on for another year would be huge. He would become Irish qualified and if he was to play for the national team, that extra intergration and possibly more importantly extra money could be a key factor in keeping him around for the remainder of his career.

Given how good he is, the union should have some vested interest in keeping him here, so hopefully we can bang out a deal. Between himself, Henshaw and McCloskey, we'd have some great power and skill in the centre for the national team.

I wont hold my breath or get my hopes up, but I think there be a decent effort made to keep him here.

[simonokeeffe]

Getting Big Ben to sign on for another year would be huge. He would become Irish qualified and if he was to play for the national team, that extra intergration and possibly more importantly extra money could be a key factor in keeping him around for the remainder of his career.

Given how good he is, the union should have some vested interest in keeping him here, so hopefully we can bang out a deal. Between himself, Henshaw and McCloskey, we'd have some great power and skill in the centre for the national team.

I wont hold my breath or get my hopes up, but I think there be a decent effort made to keep him here.

would be great if he stayed but so many noises that hes leaving, hasnt been a peep out of him that he wants to stay, and if the union arent giving likes of Jack McGrath and Ruddock central deals then no way is he being lined up for one

[neiliog93]

Seems nearly 100% certain that Te'o will leave, sadly.

[Fred Funk]

It is more about the quality of the 5 overseas players than the quantity, if we had 3 of the 5 being top notch players, we would be competitive.
Could we strike a deal that would restrict the number of games these top players would play and therefore still give opportunities to youth.
Do you think the majority of the Provincial CEOs would be interested in the NZ model where budgets are topped up by private investment?
For me we need a Lock, Scrum half and a winger.

[Dave Cahill]

I doubt we'll get them, have a read of Joe Schmidts sorry, David Kelly's piece in the Indo today.

The reality is that Leinster is little more than a training camp for Team Ireland until 2017 at least

[Fred Funk]

I doubt we'll get them, have a read of Joe Schmidts sorry, David Kelly's piece in the Indo today.

The reality is that Leinster is little more than a training camp for Team Ireland until 2017 at least

Unfortunately this is true, very frustrating.

[riocard911]

"Team Ireland" would wanna get their heads out of their asses pretty damn quick, if they think uncompetitive provinces and underperforming international players are a recipe for success at Test level. I await with great interests the upcoming thoughts of David Nucifora on this matter.....

[Dave Cahill]

They'll think what they want to think and you'll think what you're told to think otherwise you hate Ireland and are a west brit shilling taking soup eating gombeen man

[riocard911]

They'll think what they want to think and you'll think what you're told to think otherwise you hate Ireland and are a west brit shilling taking soup eating gombeen man

Éirí as! Tiocfaidh ar lá!!!!!

[molloyjh]

"Team Ireland" would wanna get their heads out of their asses pretty damn quick, if they think uncompetitive provinces and underperforming international players are a recipe for success at Test level. I await with great interests the upcoming thoughts of David Nucifora on this matter.....

Isn't it great how a couple of bad months of rugby turns everything to s*** for some people. To hell with context or rational, sure didn't they say in the paper that we're all doomed.

The only province I'd be at all worried about right now is Munster. They just haven't been producing the talent they need to remain competitive. Ulster look like they could be getting back on track at the moment and Connacht had been doing well until this mental injury crisis hit. Leinster have had 1 game where the result was unacceptable. The Wasps game was only the second under Leo and co for almost all of the internationals in the squad that day. That doesn't explain the whole thing away but it does provide a little bit of important context, as does the fact that we had injuries to 4 of our first choice back line and then lost 3 forwards during the game.

Since then Leinster have gotten progressively better each week. Sure the results haven't gone the way we'd want, but the performances are improving. We still have a very good squad, albeit not as good as our hey day. And if the upward trend continues and Healy and Sexton continue to refind their form we'll be in a good place come next season.

This season was always going to be tough, but we're not dead yet. So take a breath, have a bit of patience and get behind the guys.

[simonokeeffe]

I doubt we'll get them, have a read of Joe Schmidts sorry, David Kelly's piece in the Indo today.

The reality is that Leinster is little more than a training camp for Team Ireland until 2017 at least

you got a link please?

cant find it on indo site