Contract renewals

[johng]

With McFadden signing, there are 22 left with contracts expiring in May (By my reckoning) Plus the 6 year 3 Academy

Special Cases
O'Driscoll
Cullen

Venerable warriors in the home straight of their careers. Will they? Won't they? If they do they will be welcome with open arms.

Top Players
Sexton
Healy
Kearney
Fitzgerald
Ross
Strauss

People we should do all within our power to keep. Nuff said.

Tier 2
O'Malley
Ryan
Toner
Roux
Cronin
McGrath

Cronin sounds like he's staying. Which is good. Losing VDM probably means McGrath is gonna get a gig. I'd like to keep the other 4 too

Year to year
Goodman
Browne
Carr

Depends on who else is leaving I suppose. Any of them could get another year….or not.

Younger Players
Cooney
Flanagan
Macken
T Sexton

I'd keep all these if possible.

Academy Year 3
Coghlan-Murray
Hudson
Marshall
Murphy
O'Connell
Reid

Can see at least 4 if not 5 of these getting kept. Especially Marshall given our needs in the Row.

[johng]

You could argue things like. Strauss and Cronin should be in the same tier. Macken has more potential than say, Jack McGrath. And perhaps several other things. That's just the way they broke down in my head.

[suisse]

That's quite a collection of contracts. You have 3 Lions (BOD, Kearney and Luke) and another 2 who will be (Sexton and Healy), plus 3 more who might sneak in depending on form, injuries, luck (Ross, Strauss, Cronin).

Macken aside, I haven't seen any of the academy players live but of those senior staff out of contract, only Carr and Goodman look dispensable. I'd keep the rest.

We look very strong at hooker if Cronin stays, and it is nice one has been developed here

[AdamK]

Plenty of rumors that Carr is going back to Conn. Think that'd suit all parties imo.

[Peg Leg]

What yr is Marty Moore in?

[cormac]

What yr is Marty Moore in?

2nd year

[cormac]

In one of the articles in today's Irish Times Schools Rugby supplement (think it's the one on Girv), it mentions that Adam Byrne has been promoted to the Academy.

[Donny B.]

In one of the articles in today's Irish Times Schools Rugby supplement (think it's the one on Girv), it mentions that Adam Byrne has been promoted to the Academy.

Nice.

[simonokeeffe]

will he be missing wolfpuppies games with that cast though?

[neiliog93]

We can't really afford to lose too many of those players really, especially as BOD will almost definitely retire. Cullen seems keen to stay on another year based on interviews, and as great as he's been for Leinster, I think it's a shame as he's really slowing down and is 35 now. Prefer to see him go out while still on a high.

Carr will depart to Connacht, hopefully Morris returning from Leicester (although I accept the second part isn't likely, despite Mick Dawson's comments when he left). Maybe the year after next when his contract has run out?

I reckon all the academy graduates will get some type of contract too.

[waterboy]

Didn't Morris sign a new 2 year deal with Leicester the other week?

[simonokeeffe]

We can't really afford to lose too many of those players really, especially as BOD will almost definitely retire. Cullen seems keen to stay on another year based on interviews, and as great as he's been for Leinster, I think it's a shame as he's really slowing down and is 35 now. Prefer to see him go out while still on a high.

Carr will depart to Connacht, hopefully Morris returning from Leicester (although I accept the second part isn't likely, despite Mick Dawson's comments when he left). Maybe the year after next when his contract has run out?

I reckon all the academy graduates will get some type of contract too.

Morris re-signed with Leicester, him for Carr would have been a good swap
Having Hudson injury free will be handy too

[goreyguy]

In order of priority:
1. Sexton(central)
2. Healy(central)
3. Ross(central)
4. Kearney(central)
5. Cronin(central)
6. Fitzgerald
7. Strauss
8. McGrath
9. Toner
10. Roux

Obviously doesn't include either Leo or Bod who either will retire or give it one more year.
Honestly think Cronin has moved ahead of Strauss at the moment. Ross ahead of Kearney because still significant questions about Bent/Hagan.
Think Fitzgerald can force a central contract based on how he performs in the next few months. VDM is gone, essential to resign McGrath and get O'Connell onto a development contract.

Ryan is almost surplus to requirements, think he would be better off getting regular time somewhere else but really injuries have been his biggest problem. But avoiding injury is also a skill that is required to be a professional athlete. Some are inherently better than others at this though. Excited about Jordi's future.
Cooney hopefully will be resigned along with Macken, both are making good improvements this year.
Cant see SCM continue as he has been missing all year but its hard to predict what will happen with him, Hudson and Reid.

[simonokeeffe]

Would Strauss not be central contract now as recognised 2nd choice hooker?

[cormac]

Would Strauss not be central contract now as recognised 2nd choice hooker?

Reckon he's in line for one alright. At the moment Rory Best is the only hooker on a central contract after Flannery's retirement, so either Cronin or Strauss have a chance to be promoted to one.

[simonokeeffe]

Cronin just resigned with Leinster so am assuming not even IRFU dumb enough to give 3rd choice hooker a central deal but not not second choice

[Donny B.]

Cronin just resigned with Leinster so am assuming not even IRFU dumb enough to give 3rd choice hooker a central deal but not not second choice

He has? Did I miss an announcement on this?

[ronk]

Re-signed?

[johng]

All 22 of Leinsters players have re signed. Mostly for less money as they love the club so much.

(Just for you Cormac)

[cormac]

All 22 of Leinsters players have re signed. Mostly for less money as they love the club so much.

(Just for you Cormac)

Great stuff. I'll be very disappointed if this doesn't turn out to be true.