My brother was sitting with Craig when, after the world cup, Leo supposedly rang to see where his contract with Munster was at!
The provinces owe nothing to each other. It’s up to the IRFU to do what’s best in individual cases and for greater good of the game
Alex Wooton is on a one year loan deal from Munster to Connacht. That type of deal should be facilitated more for the likes of Hawkshaw, Scott Penney, Jack Crowley etc
Apples and oranges surely? Casey is getting game time at Munster. How many outhalves have Leinster on the books? How many can get significant game time? Maybe three? Same with the lad behind Healy at Munster, he’s not getting a look in, he’d be better off getting games with Connacht surely.
Also, it’s not happening naturally so surely the IRFU need to make it happen. There appears to be a borderline crisis at 10 and the young players with potential are stuck back in the queue.
Some need the push too from above. They won’t go of their own accord even when might be in best interests. have been sold on the dream of playing for their home.rpovince and even tasted it that the thought of January in the sportsground can’t be seen past for its real value.
That’s why loan deals make sense as you’re not giving up on the dream. Still, as you say, the lure of home is strong, with the likes of Cian Kelleher willing to be a bit part player at Leinster instead of a more regular starter with Connacht.
Can go the other way too. Do brilliant at Connacht and then practically beg to go back to Munster like Sean cronin only for the dopes to say no.
Him.and Henry Slade are two class 13s to be fighting for that Lions starting jersey
If that was the case, you’d imagine both Leinster and Ireland would have swapped them around?
There was always 5 provinces historically. Time the IRFU introduced Midhe and used it as a developing province that the other 4 all have a steak in. You can leave some of the old hands finish their career there to help guide and develop young lads… but have a substantial amount of young talent loaned out to them.
Mash or fries?
This was before the potato was introduced to Ireland
Henshaw was already an established international when he left Connacht. A lad like Hawkshaw is maybe 5th choice at best for Leinster at the moment with no clear path to more game time in the short term at least being stuck behind Sexton, the Byrne brothers and Frawley. Sexton will probably play for another couple years for Leinster even though he’s held together with sellotape at this stage.
Cullen’s only lookout is Leinster which is fair enough but also why these decisions should be taken out of the hands of head coaches. Too many talented young players stewing away getting the odd game every couple months when they should be getting exposed to a higher level of competitive rugby on a regular basis. If Cullen fears he will lose the player altogether make it a season long loan or a 2 year loan.
Wonder is there something more radical.whereby any young player put on a senior contract has to play X amount of mins in senior comp or another province can take up his contract?
Doesn’t mean he has to take up the option but could sharpen the focus on having to give experience or he may get snaffled. Equally, could take some.of the reliance off the top players who are forced to rest more to keep young talent at the province.
IRFU Centralise contracts at the top end. Would more of hands on approach at the bottom end/new.contracts be that far a leap? Takes control away from self interest of the provinces a bit too
I don’t disagree with the rationale of moving players between provinces from an Irish perspective or even in terms of the benefits to individual players - I was just pointing out that Cullen is basically doing his job by trying to retain as much talent as possible at Leinster (or at least having the decision as to what to retain or let go)
It seems to be increasingly taken out of the hands of the provincial coaches anyway with Nucifora etc. While that perspective may look fine and dandy from the likes of Galway/Limerick/Belfast at the moment as they are net beneficiaries and there is little sympathy for Cullen or Leinster that tune might change.
As @Thomas_Brady has astutely pointed out, one of the real issues is that there is only 4 provinces. So at out-half you have Sexton, Byrne x 2, Frawley, Carbery, Burns and Carty and then Crowley/Hanrahan etc. Even if all were fit it’s a squeeze to get all good gametime at 4 provinces.
Well, I think henshaw is better at 13 but I don’t think ringrose can play 12 and that puts paid to swapping them. There is also the fact that as I said, I know fuck all about it so am probabky completely wrong.
I don’t think that 12 gets the best out of henshaw though. Schmidt even had a look at him at 15 again but abandoned it.
Are we still pretending Leo is in charge?
Oh cool. Work away so.
What a shocking atttiude. Typical of the Johnny come lately franchise types
They’re competitors. They’ve no benefit in strengthening a competitor.
Ah would you stop 
The benefit is surely in developing their players by getting game time into them?