The IRISH RUGBY thread

[Walter Cronc]

I think its more a case they weren't producing forwards, or those with a hard edge. The production line for backs has been pretty decent.

Kieran Campbell and Willie Anderson said the Academy were putting a big emphasis on producing more hard nosed forwards in the next few years.

[screenexile]

Jack McGrath to Ulster. Big signing. He won't get it all his own way though as Eric O'Sullivan has been excellent this season.

Ulster fast becoming Leinster B Team.  How come more emphasis is not being placed on Ulster developing their own players?

Strange statement . . . never something you'd hear about a soccer club. How many soccer clubs have 2/3 starter quality players for each position?? It's not how the market works if you're a professional side and have 2-3 players good enough to play in a first team in the same position then you're not going to be able to keep them all!!

As Nucifora has said Ireland is the priority and if Ireland can build that kind of depth for the international team then that will be better for the greater good of the Irish team. I'm sure Leinster get some kind of compensation for it so good luck to Ulster!!!

Having McGrath, Porter, Healy all playing first team Rugby at the top club level has to be a good thing.

[Dinny Breen]

I was unfortunate enough to see the video on Twitter of Leavy's leg being buckled in that ruck. Awful. He'll be doing well to come back from that.

ACL PCL Severe Hamstring tear and tore a bicep tendon in his knee. 15 - 18 months between surgeries and recoveries is the estimate.

[Tony Baloney]

I was unfortunate enough to see the video on Twitter of Leavy's leg being buckled in that ruck. Awful. He'll be doing well to come back from that.

ACL PCL Severe Hamstring tear and tore a bicep tendon in his knee. 15 - 18 months between surgeries and recoveries is the estimate.

Poor lad but still has age on his side.

[michaelg]

Jack McGrath to Ulster. Big signing. He won't get it all his own way though as Eric O'Sullivan has been excellent this season.

Ulster fast becoming Leinster B Team.  How come more emphasis is not being placed on Ulster developing their own players?

Strange statement . . . never something you'd hear about a soccer club. How many soccer clubs have 2/3 starter quality players for each position?? It's not how the market works if you're a professional side and have 2-3 players good enough to play in a first team in the same position then you're not going to be able to keep them all!!

As Nucifora has said Ireland is the priority and if Ireland can build that kind of depth for the international team then that will be better for the greater good of the Irish team. I'm sure Leinster get some kind of compensation for it so good luck to Ulster!!!

Having McGrath, Porter, Healy all playing first team Rugby at the top club level has to be a good thing.

Not sure what's strange about my statement.  Irish rugby is administered on a provincial basis and it's the responsibility of each province to develop and bring through players for the Ireland side.  If only one province is developing players and monopolising the limited number of spaces in the 4 professional teams, that's not a good thing. 

Also, although professionalism in rugby has been in place for the last couple of decades or so, playing for Ulster/Leinster/Munster & Connaught was the dream for many a player making their way in the game. Young lads starting out in school and club rugby in Ulster are arguably going to be more inclined to stick at it if there is a clear and achievable pathway to a professional career with Ulster.
 
Finally, the 4 provincial sides are not really the same as professional football clubs, given the 100+ years of representative rugby that has gone before the introduction of professionalism.  As is is the case in rugby as in football, however, fans also prefer and can identify with local players who have made it into the team.  For these reasons, more emphasis should indeed be placed on Ulster developing our own players, instead of relying on Leinster's cast-offs.

[Wildweasel74]

Been 20yrs since they won the cup. Where's the improvement in the team player development in that time scale. The Better Leinster men that the regular blow ins from south africa

[Walter Cronc]

Been 20yrs since they won the cup. Where's the improvement in the team player development in that time scale. The Better Leinster men that the regular blow ins from south africa

Think the days of 2nd rate Saffas are over. Another thing that Nucifora must take credit for. Bigger clubs than Ulster (Leicester/Bath) have struggled with the rigors of professional rugby. McFarland from the outset appears a top coach and potentially a future Irish coach if he keeps progressing the side.

[screenexile]

Ulster qualified this match against Leinster in a couple of weeks is going to be a complete ball of dung!!

Anybody want to buy 4 tickets off me at face value??

Thought not!

[manfromdelmonte]

Connacht seem to be producing good players and they wouldn't have a fraction of the schools rugby or club rugby that Ulster has

[Owen Brannigan]

Connacht seem to be producing good players and they wouldn't have a fraction of the schools rugby or club rugby that Ulster has

Part of the problem for Ulster is that its academy is serving the IRFU by taking in so many Leinster players to the exclusion of local talent.

[Walter Cronc]

If the quality of player isn't coming through in Ulster then they would be mad not to avail of players that don't make the Leinster academy - for example Timoney and O'Sullivan.

As stated before the issue has been primarily not producing forwards. The correct steps are being taken to address this which should bare fruit in the next couple of years. There is no doubt the Ulster academy are producing high quality backs - Balacoune, Little and Lowry to name a few.

[michaelg]

If the quality of player isn't coming through in Ulster then they would be mad not to avail of players that don't make the Leinster academy - for example Timoney and O'Sullivan.

As stated before the issue has been primarily not producing forwards. The correct steps are being taken to address this which should bare fruit in the next couple of years. There is no doubt the Ulster academy are producing high quality backs - Balacoune, Little and Lowry to name a few.

Some finish by big Bobby last night

[Walter Cronc]

If the quality of player isn't coming through in Ulster then they would be mad not to avail of players that don't make the Leinster academy - for example Timoney and O'Sullivan.

As stated before the issue has been primarily not producing forwards. The correct steps are being taken to address this which should bare fruit in the next couple of years. There is no doubt the Ulster academy are producing high quality backs - Balacoune, Little and Lowry to name a few.

Some finish by big Bobby last night

Unreal. He's some finisher. Darcy no slouch and he burnt him

[Aaron Boone]

Leinster quite shabby the last month by their own high standards. Toulouse have a toughie on Sunday night v Clermont, but are in great form to give Leinster a test on Easter Sunday.

[Insane Bolt]

Didn't get to see Munster game, but they were up against it. Leinster have it all to do tomorrow.