I am going back to the idea that RH will be going on the fact that he was supposed to do it before the Christmas but if he does it before the Ulster match that will deflate the crowd, the announcement will probably be made before the Leinster match. The slyRFU may not have influenced him in the end but they definitely have a say in the timing of the announcement.

Nucifora was “confident that Robbie will be playing his rugby in Ireland” but as to where: “That’s up to Robbie. That is probably something to touch on. I know that sometimes people think that we manipulate the system and tell people where they can play and that’s not the case. The players, when they are off contract, it is totally up to them to decide where to play.

Quote from article in today's Irish Times.

Have to say that it will show a lack of loyalty from Robbie if he decides to go. I agree with Mary Hinge, it's not too much to expect that a player who has benefited from the best the province has to offer should show a bit of loyalty in return.

Robbo wrote: Saw this elsewhere ripping the piss out the notion of him going to Munster.

That's hilarious!

Saw this elsewhere ripping the piss out the notion of him going to Munster.

Midlands rugby is a probably a complex thing in itself - although Robbie played rugby in Connacht all the way up, he played schools and club Leinster GAA. Not saying it's a major factor, but just pointing out it's not like he is from Clifden.

And if you want an indicator of how Leinster look at that region, look at how the Leinster branch was involved in the drama with West Offaly Lions being consumed into Leinster - yes the club is geographically based in Offaly but all the kids play schools rugby in Connacht and used to go play with Buccs. when there was no club rugby in the area. Connacht and Athlone/Buccs were putting money into that area from the early 90s when Leinster wanted nothing to do with it - nobody in Leinster cared a fig about it until they got a really good run going, despite having a number of other new clubs in that midland area to look after.

I know that's all club level rugby, but the coveting/strong-arming of rugby interests in that area is nothing new imo.

On connachta's point - if Madigan got a central contract, and if he was amenable to it, I think his style of play would actually fit Connacht more than Munster and I'd be ok with Henshaw going the other way - looking at it objectively I think Madigan would be worth more points to us in the long run. Not that it's on the table, but Carty still has a way to go, Ronaldson is doing great at centre, and McGinty's status is TBD for next year.

As I've said before, the really top players remain loyal to their provinces and haven't in the past moved. Paul O'Connell never looked like leaving Munster, Brian O'Driscoll never looked like leaving Leinster for Munster back in the mid '90's when Leinster were rubbish, and Rory Best has never looked like leaving Ulster. So why would Robbie leave. Particularly when he is one half of Ireland's future centre partnership with Bundee, and also why go play for a neophyte coach such as Cullen in a faltering team.

RogueXV wrote: Enjoyed this quote from Mick Dawson speaking on SOB extending his contract for another 3 years:

Leinster CEO Mick Dawson said, "Sean is a very important figure within the Leinster set up and we are delighted to have secured his services for another three years. He is a great example to kids out there playing rugby that the 'Leinster Pathway' system that we have in place and the effectiveness of same in identifying and nurturing home grown talent from grass roots in Tullow up to the very top level of our sport, is working."

I know in the end it will be Robbie's decision but this seems a little ironic when they are coveting one of Connacht's great examples to the kids in the province.

The nub of the issue is who is agitating for the move, Leinster or Robbie. If the latter then there's nothing to say really.

If we were talking about him moving to the Leinster of four/five seasons ago then I'd say "Good luck Robbie, I'm disappointed but I can absolutely see the sense in being in proximity to the ageing B'D/D'Arcy combo from a development point of view."

But now, sorry but they're a generation away from being a really top side again. Players 28 and older really have little scope for major improvement.and there's another core of experience heading out the door either summer 20156 or 2017

Fitzgerald Luke 13/09/1987 28

Healy Cian 07/10/1987 28

O'Brien Sean 14/02/1987 28

Te'o Ben 27/01/1987 28

Bent Michael 25/04/1986 29

Cronin Sean 06/05/1986 29

Kearney Rob 26/03/1986 29

McFadden Fergus 17/06/1986 29

Strauss Richardt 29/01/1986 29

Toner Devin 29/06/1986 29

Sexton Johnny 11/07/1985 30

Kirchner Zane 16/06/1984 31

Heaslip Jamie 15/12/1983 32

Dundon Aaron 22/06/1982 33

Nacewa Isa 22/07/1982 33

Triggs Hayden 22/02/1982 33

McCarthy Mike 27/11/1981 34

Boss Isaac 09/04/1980 35

Reddan Eoin 20/11/1980 35

Ross Mike 21/12/1979 36

They've one or two classy players, but a lot of ones that aren't any better than at any other province currently. Some who've gotten free rides in the National Squad simply because they pull on a blue jersey instead of a white or green one...

He would be a fool to go to Leinster unless the IRFU are forcing/lying to Henshaw to manufacture a move. There's a good 12-15 first team players on the move/slide/ready to retire, and Henshaw on his own is not going to make that into a good team.

Enjoyed this quote from Mick Dawson speaking on SOB extending his contract for another 3 years:

Leinster CEO Mick Dawson said, "Sean is a very important figure within the Leinster set up and we are delighted to have secured his services for another three years. He is a great example to kids out there playing rugby that the 'Leinster Pathway' system that we have in place and the effectiveness of same in identifying and nurturing home grown talent from grass roots in Tullow up to the very top level of our sport, is working."

I know in the end it will be Robbie's decision but this seems a little ironic when they are coveting one of Connacht's great examples to the kids in the province.

Accidentally Onside wrote: Ben Teo leaving Leinster for Worcester next year.....freeing up a spot in the centre #justsaying

Yep, it as reported a while back. Didn't anticipate a move to Worcester though.
Interesting choice, not much bigger than Galway really but they have a sugar-daddy in Cecil Duckworth who's built the club up from basically AIL level a couple of years back.

It is very much a case of writing on the wall for us and Robbie though...
If he's going he should just man up and confirm it, at least we'll all know where we stand in the bulsh*t wars going on.because of the vacuum..

If he goes then good luck to him, it's a crazy move in light of the last 18 months at Leinster, the O'Connor/Cullen era of Leinster rugby.
I seriously hope he's got a get out clause built in because they are a club with ageing leaders, inexperienced management team and a some seriously big holes to fill in a bunch of areas. If the HEC performances this season weren't a gigantic Red Flag for thim this season then I don't know what will be. Crazy as it is to say it, they completely lack any conviction with the ball

The merry go round with Eoin Griffin and Ben Teo moving would tend to suggest Robbie will leave. Really hope he does stay but at this stage it's looking unlikely.

salmson wrote:

connachta wrote: The war is over now. Let's face it and try to salvage Madigan out of this battle. Will be useful to have two consistant outhalf for the big European competition, with McGinty only on a 1-year-deal

Madigan? God no. There is no way a player who is not first XV for Ireland will get a central contract, and no way we can afford him out of our budget at well north of a quarter of a million a year. We could add 3 players to the squad for that type of money, he's way out of our price bracket.

Edit: reckon you're right about Henshaw though. My money is on Leinster announcing it a couple of days ahead of the New Year's game against them.

Sexton is getting older, probably too much for RWC 2019, Jackson can't be consistent on a serie of games, Keatley dropped off. I think Mad dog central contract with us woudn't be such a bad idea for IRFU

connachta wrote: The war is over now. Let's face it and try to salvage Madigan out of this battle. Will be useful to have two consistant outhalf for the big European competition, with McGinty only on a 1-year-deal

Madigan? God no. There is no way a player who is not first XV for Ireland will get a central contract, and no way we can afford him out of our budget at well north of a quarter of a million a year. We could add 3 players to the squad for that type of money, he's way out of our price bracket.

Edit: reckon you're right about Henshaw though. My money is on Leinster announcing it a couple of days ahead of the New Year's game against them.

The war is over now. Let's face it and try to salvage Madigan out of this battle. Will be useful to have two consistant outhalf for the big European competition, with McGinty only on a 1-year-deal

Ben Teo leaving Leinster for Worcester next year.....freeing up a spot in the centre #justsaying

I feel like Jirry was telling us two weeks ago that it was ready to be done, but we still haven't heard anything. I would not be surprised if he was convinced that his opinion compte beaucoup pour le IRFU, but he's increasingly frozen out by Nucifora and is under pressure for what passes as scoops in the fairly open and nondescript world of Irish rugby reportage.

Assuming Robbies agent hasn't been given any offers from abroad its a case of the IRFU offering a certain amount and Robbie either taking or leaving it. Once they get around the table things should be sorted fairly quickly either way as the provinces can't outbid each other.

I know each contract is different but they signed T'eo in August, they signed McCarthy in early December, they signed Sexton a year before he arrived! If a deal had been done I don't think Leinster would be able to sit on it and wait to announce it along with a bunch of renewals which tends to be their process.