The new rule doesn't come into effect for three and a half years so will have no immediate effect on player recruitment from the Southern Hemisphere for the Pro12 or Premiership. What will lead to more 18-20 year olds coming up is the French decision to only select French passport holders (which is effectively bringing in the rule a whole WC cycle early). Some of the French clubs already have sub-academies in SA and Fiji.

Thornbury is that guy. He is simply enormous. I watched a video of him leaving the dressing room to play a match and he was the only one that had to stoop to get out the dressing room door. On top of that he is physically well built as well, as compared to Devin Toner who one might look upon as slightly gangly. As I understand it he is a couple of inches taller than Toner also which makes him an incredibly tall man. The hookers will be happy to have him in the lineout

FACECUTTR wrote: Is it 4 now and 1 project or 5 and 1 ? I can't remember. I'm sure we will hear more before the week is out.
Normally somebody on here has the inside track on guys the branch are talking to but it's very quiet. Wether that's a good or a bad thing remains to be seen.

Definitely think it's a good thing with them places available also we might see the project player diminishing a little given the new ruling or else we will see recruits of much younger 18 - 20 given the 5 years now.

Is it 4 now and 1 project or 5 and 1 ? I can't remember. I'm sure we will hear more before the week is out.
Normally somebody on here has the inside track on guys the branch are talking to but it's very quiet. Wether that's a good or a bad thing remains to be seen.

Accidentally Onside wrote: Spotted the lads at preseason?
Would the big unit be thornbury?

If the new recruits are coming from NZ it would probably be after the NPC season.

So our squad for the current season has 3 NIQ's Marnitz , Stacey and Dawai. How many does that leave us to be able to bring in ?

Spotted the lads at preseason?
Would the big unit be thornbury?

If the new recruits are coming from NZ it would probably be after the NPC season.

We bought an enormous second row unit. otherwise things looking somewhat bare in the cupboard this year.

My apologies it does

I was certain when I first read that it said 'Macginty can prepare for life under Lam' but now it says madigan.....most likely I read it wrong :pinch:

I still stand by my assertion that nothing Gav says can be trusted though!

You mean this interview? www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/internati...s-in-green-1.3112763
He says Madigan is going to Bristol.

In Gavin cummiskys interview with AJ Gav said that AJ had signed for Bristol.....hadn't seen that reported anywhere else, and Cummisky is an incompetent goon so he's either wrong or said something he shouldn't have, but if AJ is moving on I'd say Bristol would be a better bet.

Sale have signed James O Connor , I wonder if the rumours about Marnitz are true would that open up the possibility of a return for AJ?

Poor pre-season from a signings point of view so far

sportsnewsireland wrote: Think its due to his tweet that people think he is going

marnitz boshoff‏Verified account @marnitzbos Jun 4
Just decide what you REALLY want and don't stop until you get it! #StartFresh #EveryDay

Certainly no ambiguity there.
That definitely means he's off.
That or he's decided he's having freshly squeezed orange juice for breakfast every morning and no-one is going to stop him.

This week apparently . After the game tomorrow he has a break for a bit.

clanman wrote:

sligsup wrote: When is preseason beginning?

I think KK is supposed to be arriving next week for a 2 week stay so I assume some players will return to training, normally they get 4 to 5 weeks off

Good stuff, just say Aly Muldowney tweeting they were back and Denis in some Cyro Chamber in Roscommon saying he was getting ready for ore season so was suspecting it not to be to far away.

sligsup wrote: When is preseason beginning?

I think KK is supposed to be arriving next week for a 2 week stay so I assume some players will return to training, normally they get 4 to 5 weeks off