ummm, wrote: Does anyone know if Ben Botica is any good? He strikes me as the kind of player we would target. He's riding the pine at Harlequins, has a good kicking percentage, can play 10 and 12 and would have the kind of southern hemisphere mentality that would aid our back play.

I haven't seen much of his this season, so maybe he's not exactly ripping up trees, though. But at least after being in the UK for two years we know he's not about to sod off with homesickness!

On last year's form he would have been worth a look

He has been woeful this year though. Would make ROG look like Schalk Burger with his defensive displays, mainly at 12.

A major reason why Scarlets beat Quins in the Stoop. Scott Williams ran through him like he wasn't there all day. He's been out of the team the last few weeks and Quins have improved markedly

Does anyone know if Ben Botica is any good? He strikes me as the kind of player we would target. He's riding the pine at Harlequins, has a good kicking percentage, can play 10 and 12 and would have the kind of southern hemisphere mentality that would aid our back play.

I haven't seen much of his this season, so maybe he's not exactly ripping up trees, though. But at least after being in the UK for two years we know he's not about to sod off with homesickness!

salmson wrote: replacement for Dan

Regarding Dan, I asked him on Sunday if he'd do one more year, and he said "hopefully".

I'd love to see him stay on in some way, and I believe from the word go there was a coaching role in mind. Maybe a playing coach role next year, with his game time reduced. Either way, I agree that we need a new option at 10. Ronaldson has been decent, so maybe Miah will have to go?

We could probably use another 8 but not sure that role couldn't be better filled by SOB 2.0 or another academy player. You have to imagine there is something wrong between Munster/Penney and Stander considering how little gametime he's seen and replacing a fit Stander with a just back TOD is another example of this. Outside of a personality clash where Stander is genuinely faultless I can't see how he has been ignored without reason.

Porterbelly wrote: Stander is in the Munster A team for the weekend. Obviously something up there

We should really be hot on his heels

Might be just Tommy O'Donnell's available. Not convinced back row is as pressing as some of the ares we need to strengthen (replacement for Dan, lock, centre).

Stander is in the Munster A team for the weekend. Obviously something up there

We should really be hot on his heels

Anyone else hear Gav Duffy's interview yest on OTB where he listed young players recently signing new contracts and mentioned griffin by name? Read on another forum that he did the same during another interview. a slip of the tongue twice or is this just wishful thinking? If this was a done deal why not announce it?

Would LOVE to get our hands on Stander. He had a tough first season with injury etc but he'd coming into form and I think he's going to be a serious player in the coming seasons.

rumor is stander could be off and coughlan likely wont last past his current contract..

but yeah he could have been used in any of the three provinces..

Robin Copeland off to Munster!? Am I the only one who thinks this is a bad move for him? They already have POM, Coughlan and Stander who can play there. Surely us or Ulster would have made more sense?

www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-...bin-copeland-6386236

Wasn't bad tonight for Grenoble in the last 30 minutes, even if the whole team collapsed

Shane OLeary on the bench for Grenoble today. Would he be on our radar as he has not yet declared for Canada?? On an academy contract with Grenoble.

30 and Over
Michael Swift[36] - retirement?
Dan Parks[36] (coach role?)- retiring.
Frank Murphy[33] - hasn't done enough for another contract gone.
Gavin Duffy[32] - another contract but only a year.
John Muldoon[31] - another contract.

25 - 29
Miah Nikora[29] - going.
Brian Murphy[28] - Lam doesn't seem to rate him so you'd assume he'll go.
Paul O'Donohue[27] - hopefully stays.
David Nolan[26] - assuming he isn't on big money so might be given another chance.
Mata Fifita[26] - is versatile across the row and cheap so keep him.
Kyle Tonetti[26] - can't see him being kept.
Rodney Ah You[25] - hopefully stays.

Anyone 24 or under should be kept.

Not a huge amount on that list, apart from academy, that you would be breaking the bank to keep. Muldoon, Rodney!!!, heffernan and parks in a player/ coach role perhaps depending on how rest of season pans out for him and pat.
Some of others will be kept because of budget limitations of course.

its_phil wrote:

Bayern wrote: The ginger Sean O'Brien is 6'4, realistically he isn't a lock at the highest level.

He seems more suited to 6/8.

I think if we were smart would try to make him into Ireland and Connacht's version of Dan Lydiate.


hope Layden can get a run of injury free time and rediscover his form, what a player.

6'4 is plenty tall for a second row at the highest level. If you could see how well he runs a lineout and reads opposition ball you would agree too. Good spring to match. He'll drift between backrow and secondrow for a while but he will be a secondrow

the list of second rows who are under 195cm tall and are playing international rugby is very short.. hell below 198cm and the list is still pretty short..

top class locks are generally 198cm and taller..

once again, I think he will be best suited at 6... where he can still be used effectively in the lineout

Bayern wrote: The ginger Sean O'Brien is 6'4, realistically he isn't a lock at the highest level.

He seems more suited to 6/8.

I think if we were smart would try to make him into Ireland and Connacht's version of Dan Lydiate.


hope Layden can get a run of injury free time and rediscover his form, what a player.

6'4 is plenty tall for a second row at the highest level. If you could see how well he runs a lineout and reads opposition ball you would agree too. Good spring to match. He'll drift between backrow and secondrow for a while but he will be a secondrow