Signings

[leinsterforever]

It'll be interesting to see what, if anything, happens on this front over coming seasons.

Tomane and Fardy's contracts are up after this season, and Lowe will qualify for Ireland in October or November 2020, so technically there'd be space for a full quota of NIQs to be signed.

It's pretty cool for Munster that they have World Cup winners de Allende and Snyman coming in. If Leinster were to get a World Cup winner, I myself would probably like it to be Pieter Steph du Toit. Ruddock is quite injury-prone, and Josh Murphy hasn't really been shooting the lights out, to use an Eddie O'Sullivan-ism, and I don't particularly fancy Deegan as a blindside. Plus it'd be useful to have a forward who could bring massive physicality against Saracens.

Some relevant questions over NIQ signings: do the IRFU still want no NIQ (or at least no NIE) props coming in? - and what's going to happen to the "project player" scheme now that the residency period has gone up to five years?

Current squad (taken from MI's thread):

LH Prop(4)
Cian Healy(31) - Signed central 2yr contract in 2019
Ed Byrne(25) - Signed contract in 2017
Peter Dooley(25) - Signed contract in 2018

Michael Milne(20) - Academy Yr 2

TH Prop(6)
Michael Bent(33) - Signed contract in 2018
Tadhg Furlong(26) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2018
Andrew Porter(23) - Signed contract in 2017
Vakh Abdaladze(23) - Signed contact in 2018

Jack Aungier(20) - Academy Yr 3
Tom Clarkson(19) - Academy Yr1

Hooker(5)
Sean Cronin(33) - Signed contract in 2018
James Tracy(28) - Signed contract in 2018
Bryan Byrne(25) - Signed contract in 2019
Ronan Kelleher(21) - Signed contract in 2019

Dan Sheehan(20) - Academy Yr 2

Lock(7)
Scott Fardy(35) - Signed 1 yr contract in 2019
Devin Toner(33) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2017
Ross Molony(25) - Signed contract in 2018
James Ryan(23) - Signed contract in 2017

Jack Dunne(20) - Academy Yr 2
Ryan Baird(20) - Academy Yr 2
Charlie Ryan(20) - Academy Yr1

Backrow(13)
Rhys Ruddock(28) - Signed contract in 2018
Tony Ryan(27) - on wc trial
Jack Conan(27) - Signed contract in 2019
Josh Van Der Flier(26) - Signed contract in 2018
Dan Leavy(25) - Signed contract in 2019
Josh Murphy(24) - Signed contract in 2019
Will Connors(23) - Signed contract in 2018
David Aspil(23) - wc trial
Max Deegan(22) - Signed contract in 2019
Caelan Doris(21) - Signed contract in 2018
Scott Penny(19) - Signed contract in 2019

Oisin Dowling(22) - Academy Yr 3
Brian Deeny(19) - Academy Yr 1
Martin Moloney(18) - Academy Yr 1

Scrumhalf(4)
Jamie Gibson Park(27) -Signed contract in 2019
Luke McGrath(26) - Signed contract in 2019
Rowan Osborne(23) - wc trial
Hugh O'Sullivan(21) - Signed contract in 2019

Patrick Patterson(20) - Academy Yr 2

Outhalf(5)
Jonathan Sexton(34) - Signed central 2 yr contract in 2019
Ross Byrne(24) - Signed contract in 2017
Ciaran Frawley(21) - Signed contract in 2019

Harry Byrne(20) - Academy Yr 2
David Hawkshaw(19) - Academy Yr 2

Centre(9)
Joe Tomane(29) - Signed 2 yr contract in 2018
Robbie Henshaw(26) - Signed 3yr central contract in 2019
Rory O'Loughlin(25) - Signed contract in 2017
Garry Ringrose(24) - Signed contract in 2018
Conor O'Brien(23) - Signed contract in 2019
Jimmy O'Brien(22) - Signed contract in 2019

Gavin Mullin(21) - Academy Yr 3
Tommy O'Brien(21) - Academy Yr 3
Liam Turner(20) - Academy Yr 1

Back Three(12)
Rob Kearney(33) - Signed 1 year central contract in 2019.
Fergus McFadden(33) - Signed contract in 2019
Dave Kearney(30) - Signed contract in 2019
James Lowe(27) - Signed 3yr contract in 2017
Barry Daly(26) - Signed contract in 2017
Adam Byrne(25) - Signed contract in 2017
Cian Kelleher(25) - Signed contract in 2019
Hugo Keenan(23) - Signed contract in 2019
Jordan Larmour(22) - Signed contract in 2018
Jack Kelly(21) - on temp WC contract

Michael Silvester(21) - Academy Yr 2
Aaron O'Sullivan(19) - Academy Yr 2

[wixfjord]

A quality NIQ hooker would be first on my list, someone who would be around for two years and allow Kelleher to develop alongside.

The other concern is if Dev and Fardy both go we're left with Molony as our oldest lock. Great talent funnel there but not much experience.

I don't think we need a blindside personally.

[Flash Gordon]

A quality NIQ hooker would be first on my list, someone who would be around for two years and allow Kelleher to develop alongside.

The other concern is if Dev and Fardy both go we're left with Molony as our oldest lock. Great talent funnel there but not much experience.

I don't think we need a blindside personally.

Agree on lock. I'm a bit more relaxed on hooker. Byrne is a fine player, Tracey is better than his form has shown.

If Sexton goes, our oldest outhalf is 24 and there are kids behind, albeit very talented kids. Given his ability to play in multiple positions I wonder if Madigan is worth a shot. Would be good for Ireland too.

We could probably use another experienced backrower too. That Jordi Murphy looks alright.

[blockhead]

A quality NIQ hooker would be first on my list, someone who would be around for two years and allow Kelleher to develop alongside.

The other concern is if Dev and Fardy both go we're left with Molony as our oldest lock. Great talent funnel there but not much experience.

I don't think we need a blindside personally.

Joseph Dweba-Cheetahs. Faster and more explosive than Cronin.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

A quality NIQ hooker would be first on my list, someone who would be around for two years and allow Kelleher to develop alongside.

The other concern is if Dev and Fardy both go we're left with Molony as our oldest lock. Great talent funnel there but not much experience.

I don't think we need a blindside personally.

Joseph Dweba-Cheetahs. Faster and more explosive than Cronin.

Are they not still called Saracens?

[blockhead]

A quality NIQ hooker would be first on my list, someone who would be around for two years and allow Kelleher to develop alongside.

The other concern is if Dev and Fardy both go we're left with Molony as our oldest lock. Great talent funnel there but not much experience.

I don't think we need a blindside personally.

Joseph Dweba-Cheetahs. Faster and more explosive than Cronin.

Are they not still called Saracens?

[Twist]

A quality NIQ hooker would be first on my list, someone who would be around for two years and allow Kelleher to develop alongside.

The other concern is if Dev and Fardy both go we're left with Molony as our oldest lock. Great talent funnel there but not much experience.

I don't think we need a blindside personally.

Joseph Dweba-Cheetahs. Faster and more explosive than Cronin.

Are they not still called Saracens?

Splendid


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[Serb]

Joseph Dweba-Cheetahs. Faster and more explosive than Cronin.

Was very impressed by him in the games I’ve seen him in this season. He’s only 24 and uncapped by South Africa so potentially a project player, though I’d imagine SA will look to cap him sooner rather than later — he looks quality.

[Gearzbox2]

A quality NIQ hooker would be first on my list, someone who would be around for two years and allow Kelleher to develop alongside.

The other concern is if Dev and Fardy both go we're left with Molony as our oldest lock. Great talent funnel there but not much experience.

I don't think we need a blindside personally.

Didn’t realize Cronin had died or vanished into thin air with all this talk of a new hooker is a must...whatever about his form or whatever his role in Ireland has been, he’s been consistently excellent the last 2 years so I don’t see why people on here want him on the scrap heap so quick
Kelleher looks like a top prospect who could push soon to start but imo Cronin has plenty left too to give to Leinster

[blockhead]

A quality NIQ hooker would be first on my list, someone who would be around for two years and allow Kelleher to develop alongside.

The other concern is if Dev and Fardy both go we're left with Molony as our oldest lock. Great talent funnel there but not much experience.

I don't think we need a blindside personally.

Didn’t realize Cronin had died or vanished into thin air with all this talk of a new hooker is a must...whatever about his form or whatever his role in Ireland has been, he’s been consistently excellent the last 2 years so I don’t see why people on here want him on the scrap heap so quick
Kelleher looks like a top prospect who could push soon to start but imo Cronin has plenty left too to give to Leinster

Calm down Gearzbox2. We're just future proofing. Nugget can't go on forever.

[Peg Leg]

A quality NIQ hooker would be first on my list, someone who would be around for two years and allow Kelleher to develop alongside.

The other concern is if Dev and Fardy both go we're left with Molony as our oldest lock. Great talent funnel there but not much experience.

I don't think we need a blindside personally.

Agree on lock. I'm a bit more relaxed on hooker. Byrne is a fine player, Tracey is better than his form has shown.

If Sexton goes, our oldest outhalf is 24 and there are kids behind, albeit very talented kids. Given his ability to play in multiple positions I wonder if Madigan is worth a shot. Would be good for Ireland too.

We could probably use another experienced backrower too. That Jordi Murphy looks alright.

I agree with this. If we're to make one signing it should be the Barrett family.

[wixfjord]

A quality NIQ hooker would be first on my list, someone who would be around for two years and allow Kelleher to develop alongside.

The other concern is if Dev and Fardy both go we're left with Molony as our oldest lock. Great talent funnel there but not much experience.

I don't think we need a blindside personally.

Didn’t realize Cronin had died or vanished into thin air with all this talk of a new hooker is a must...whatever about his form or whatever his role in Ireland has been, he’s been consistently excellent the last 2 years so I don’t see why people on here want him on the scrap heap so quick
Kelleher looks like a top prospect who could push soon to start but imo Cronin has plenty left too to give to Leinster

Will you relax for feck sake! It's hardly blasphemy to be talking about how we succession plan for a guy who'll be 34 before the end of the season and will be out of contract.

[wixfjord]

If Sexton goes, our oldest outhalf is 24 and there are kids behind, albeit very talented kids. Given his ability to play in multiple positions I wonder if Madigan is worth a shot. Would be good for Ireland too.

Would signing a 31 year old who has struggled to start ahead of the likes of Callum Sheedy and Simon Hickey in recent years be a good signing? Not even making the bench for Bristol at the moment.

I think Madsers ship has sailed and given the money he's likely on in the UK and the talent he'd be blocking here I'm not sure it'd be a good move for anyone, never mind for Ireland.

[neiliog93]

Sarries will probably have to offload some of their big names. Fardy will be 37 by the end of next season if he gets another renewal (unlikely) - Will Skelton has trimmed down a lot and would give us some meat on the tight-head side of the second row, something we need (especially with Dev heading heading into his mid-30s). Another high profile option might be Patrick Tuipuluto, he'll be fourth choice lock for the ABs for the foreseeable future and is a real beast of an athlete.

I also agree re Dweba, absolutely outstanding player.

I think given his younger age and the fact he is hitting form now, Tomane will likely get a renewal.

[neiliog93]

Leone Nakarawa might be getting sacked by Racing, who are also 13th in the Top 14...

[ronk]

Age profile of the back 3 means that may be an area than needs strengthening in the next few years. We have depth now but could change fast.

Kearney×2 and McFadden in 30s.

[Serb]

Age profile of the back 3 means that may be an area than needs strengthening in the next few years. We have depth now but could change fast.

Kearney×2 and McFadden in 30s.

We have Cian Kelleher now so we’re sorted for the next decade.

[Flash Gordon]

If Sexton goes, our oldest outhalf is 24 and there are kids behind, albeit very talented kids. Given his ability to play in multiple positions I wonder if Madigan is worth a shot. Would be good for Ireland too.

Would signing a 31 year old who has struggled to start ahead of the likes of Callum Sheedy and Simon Hickey in recent years be a good signing? Not even making the bench for Bristol at the moment.

I think Madsers ship has sailed and given the money he's likely on in the UK and the talent he'd be blocking here I'm not sure it'd be a good move for anyone, never mind for Ireland.

He's 30 so probably has 3 or 4 good years left, the point is that he plays 3 positions and plays them well, an Isa role if you will. I see that Carbery is out for the foreseeable and we are going into the 6 Nations with Sexton who is often injured and a fairly big gap behind him. Of course, Ross Byrne Or Carty might take that opportunity but Joe didn't judge them good enough thus far.

From Leinster's point of view I suppose there is a counter argument that our system has enough depth to compete in the Pro 14 without imports.

For the Champions Cup, I'm not sure there is any position held by an Irish player that I'd want replaced if everyone is fit, though we could always use a bit of depth in positions we ship injuries like backrow and center.

Wonder if Ian Madigan will look back on his career and judge whether he made the right choices?

[Jonny tight lips]

If we managed to get another year out of Fardy I’d be happy which might be an easy sell to the IRFU with us providing viable options at 6 and lock to the National team.

If we could get a truly world class 9 or maybe stronger cover for Healy that would be great but don’t see it happening. Just because Munster go out and sign a few lads dosent mean we have to. It’s nice to see them shopping abroad instead of the leinster first team.

[joooooe]

Just because Munster go out and sign a few lads dosent mean we have to. It’s nice to see them shopping abroad instead of the leinster first team.

This sums up this thread for me. With the exception of tight head prop Munster could put out an all non-Munster XV and the further we get from that the better. Don't get me wrong, there is a place in the team and the coaching staff for a couple of quality imports (Lowe, Nacewa, Fardy, Contepomi, Le Roux,...) but if we have viable internal options we don't have to go and buy in talent.