Was Craig Clarke signed under Elwood or Lam?

He was a big signing for us at the time. I felt one of the biggest we've ever had.

Such a shame it didn't work out.

I think Lam was signed in January and Bundee was announced in April. If we're expecting Keane to be the one that attracts signings he'll need more than a few weeks. We also need to keep in mind that Lam was not working at the time so could give his full attention to any potential scouting whereas Keane can't do that. I expect Ruane will probably go out to NZ when there is a break in the Super Rugby schedule and meet up with Keane on a scouting mission.

So, March is coming, the new coach is signed, and no evidence of the least rumour of newcomer...

Good to see Nucifora pushed on Womens selections. Womens teams are all amateur, with small pool of players for both 15s and 7s, so some players are essential to both. Six Nations dates were fixed before Los Angeles 7’s so juggling players to both wasn’t an option. Sene and Alison Miller had to be released to 7s. His explanation that because the pool is small, pre-national level doesn’t give a true reflection of ability, selecting newbies to national team is the only way to test both skill and metal. Thought he was pushed hard considering that we got the win and a few more players in the mix for August.

Not sure he went down all that well. Was it me or was there bitterness propelled in his direction all night. Poor guy is unloved. And if you were to give an opinion (which would not be a good idea) , he saturates munster, he maintains leinster, he messes with ulster, and the the guys he refers to as 'over there' he has abandoned. And it was nice to see that the ladies team are not his fans either

Not sure where to put this but apparently Nucifora is on Against the Head tonight for those of you at home.....

Darragh wrote: Triggs has had a fine season but he is 35 now. I agree he would be a good addition but it depends on who and what Keane wants to bring in too.

I think Cathal Marsh turned us down before so not sure he brings much to the table. He is effectively 4th choice at Leinster now however. May depend on what we do with Crosbie?

Leinster have a crazy amount of talent coming through that academy. Porter and Ryan are only in year 1 and straight to senior contracts. Got to hope Nigel is all over who and what is possible that either Leinster don't want or players who actually want to play some games. Tom Farrell looks like a young man with the ability to kick on if we keep him here. There have to be a few more!

A lot depends on Keane's requirements but jaysus Leinster have some conveyor belt. I think it's ok to be jealous!!

From what I've seen of Marsh he doesn't seem cut out for top level rugby, no way he'd be an upgrade on O'Leary or Crosbie.

Right on cue here's a very helpful post on the Leinster forum forum.leinsterfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=24703

Look at that depth at back 3! Crazy to think they were worried who was gonna replace Fitzgerald, Kearney etc. a season or 2 ago. Wonder would Larmour fancy a crack at Niyi or Matt's starting spot..

Triggs has had a fine season but he is 35 now. I agree he would be a good addition but it depends on who and what Keane wants to bring in too.

I think Cathal Marsh turned us down before so not sure he brings much to the table. He is effectively 4th choice at Leinster now however. May depend on what we do with Crosbie?

Leinster have a crazy amount of talent coming through that academy. Porter and Ryan are only in year 1 and straight to senior contracts. Got to hope Nigel is all over who and what is possible that either Leinster don't want or players who actually want to play some games. Tom Farrell looks like a young man with the ability to kick on if we keep him here. There have to be a few more!

A lot depends on Keane's requirements but jaysus Leinster have some conveyor belt. I think it's ok to be jealous!!

connachta wrote:

Mark Mostyn wrote:

Accidentally Onside wrote:

By my reckoning Kearney, McCarthy, Nagle and Triggs are yet to sign new deals, Triggs would be perfect for our tighthead lock role but we don't know if Keane will want a playmaking second row..

I'm 100% against the idea of signing Triggs. Won't bring more than Stevenson.
Ok for one of Nagle/Kearney, even if I'd prefer Keane to bring his ex-player Lepa

Triggs has probably been Leinster's 2nd best lock this season, but he's getting on so his performance levels are surely going to fall off plus he'd only be a very short term solution so I agree.

Nagle/Kearney would be good replacements for Stevenson/Qualter as IQ backup, with more potential to break into the first team.

If we're signing a SH lock I'd really rather a more experienced option who could basically do what Cannon does in the lineout while adding more grit and physical presence around the park. Or someone like Fatialofa or Fifita from the Hurricanes if Keane wants a playmaking second row

Mark Mostyn wrote:

Accidentally Onside wrote:

By my reckoning Kearney, McCarthy, Nagle and Triggs are yet to sign new deals, Triggs would be perfect for our tighthead lock role but we don't know if Keane will want a playmaking second row..

I'm 100% against the idea of signing Triggs. Won't bring more than Stevenson.
Ok for one of Nagle/Kearney, even if I'd prefer Keane to bring his ex-player Lepa

Mark Mostyn wrote:

connachta wrote: Ian Fitzpatrick is the only one from Leinster Academy Year 3 who hasn't got a senior contract for next season.
Thoughts?

Don't know much about him but I'd rather we backed Gaffney and Brennan

he is a winger

connachta wrote: Ian Fitzpatrick is the only one from Leinster Academy Year 3 who hasn't got a senior contract for next season.
Thoughts?

Don't know much about him but I'd rather we backed Gaffney and Brennan

Accidentally Onside wrote: Leinster sign up another batch of young players, seven in all: Byrne, Carbery, O'Loughlin, McCarthy, Porter, Ryan and Timmins.

Was really hope we'd have been in for Porter, animal of a prop, but even at 3rd choice he'll see plenty of game time with with McGrath and Healy away with Ireland. Ryan and Carbery also class but they'll be knocking on the door to be first choice sooner rather than later so they were never going to move on.
Disappointing to see player who would make a real impact somewhere else happy to spend so much time on the bench, but at the end of the day they are coming from the local academy so fair play to Leinster for getting it so right in that regard.

Seven in....anyone know who's going out? Think Mick McCarthy is off to France but not heard too many more out, Timmins would suggest a backrow will be moving.....but didn't think any of them were out of contract this year.

The optimist in me would like to think Porter signing a senior deal means it's more likely we could get Dooley.. Although he signed a new deal in January 2016 it would be strange if that was only for one season.

A couple of ITK posters on the Leinster forum are concerned that Deegan not getting a senior deal with Ryan and Dooley means he's on the move..

Trying to think who they're releasing that might be of interest to us.. Ed Byrne maybe? He'd be a big risk with his injury history though he's back now.

By my reckoning Kearney, McCarthy, Nagle and Triggs are yet to sign new deals, Triggs would be perfect for our tighthead lock role but we don't know if Keane will want a playmaking second row..

In the backrow think Murphy and Leavy are out of contract, both would be amazing signings IMO. Ryan and Ruddock too but we have no need for a 6.

Don't think we'd have any interest in Cathal Marsh..

Not really sure who's out of contract of their backs, Dardis maybe? Barry Daly? Tom Daly and Noel Reid signed contracts last year so they probably have another year to run

Leinster sign up another batch of young players, seven in all: Byrne, Carbery, O'Loughlin, McCarthy, Porter, Ryan and Timmins.

Was really hope we'd have been in for Porter, animal of a prop, but even at 3rd choice he'll see plenty of game time with with McGrath and Healy away with Ireland. Ryan and Carbery also class but they'll be knocking on the door to be first choice sooner rather than later so they were never going to move on.
Disappointing to see player who would make a real impact somewhere else happy to spend so much time on the bench, but at the end of the day they are coming from the local academy so fair play to Leinster for getting it so right in that regard.

Seven in....anyone know who's going out? Think Mick McCarthy is off to France but not heard too many more out, Timmins would suggest a backrow will be moving.....but didn't think any of them were out of contract this year.

Ian Fitzpatrick is the only one from Leinster Academy Year 3 who hasn't got a senior contract for next season.
Thoughts?

Darragh wrote:

Porterbelly wrote: Tadhg Beirne, the 2nd row at the Scarlets would be a very astute signing for us. He's been brilliant for them this season, not sure what his contract situation is though.

Think he re-signed with the scarlets....?

I think there was an option in Beirne's contract but hadn't heard he'd re-signed.

Edit:
www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/how-a-f...87-detail/story.html

Seems likely he'll be staying with them.