Oh don't get me wrong in the Munster or Ulster choice for him he made the right choice, but the whole thing started as a means to solve an outhalf shortage at Ulster, it ended by Munster signing a 5th no 10, already having 2 guys who have played 10 for Ireland (Scannell played 10 when Carbery was injured last summer), not exactly great work by the IRFU, in terms of doing a job to help a province they f**ked over by disposing of their homegrown 10, along with another 10/12 option. It begins to look more and more like there is 2 teams that are being favoured over the other two, Munster are now thanks to the IRFU going to have a new lock/back row, and no. 10, along with Farrell joining them last year.

I think anyone would choose Munster over Ulster
It seems they are on a manager a season,
Fell into the champions cup next year,
Loosing a lot of big name players,
Soft pack.
"ulster are a basket case"

Munster are 1 to 2 years ahead of Ulster.
Build a better relationship with the no1 9 in Ireland
I think he made the correct decision for his career.

Fingers crossed we get a quality player from it

MulMan wrote: TBH the way Joe has talked about this move is really p***ing me off, to more or less orchestrate the move and then come out and say he's had nothing to do with it, is he so arrogant as to think we'll believe the crap he spins us, he's a great coach but a bullsh*t merchant too. If I was an Ulster fan I'd be even more annoyed than I am, for a team with 4 current outhalves and Scannell as cover they really didn't NEED a 10 just because the guys they had weren't working doesn't mean they should have been allowed bring in someone else, and then we have to suffer Munster fans ranting about how the system is against them. I have nothing against Carbery but there's a part of me that hopes this deal goes sour, and that Ross Byrne moves into number 2 position for Ireland, because some Munster fans think it's their god-given right to be at the pointy end of things in Europe and that when their players leave the IRFU should have made sure it didn't happen, them saying too that it's best for Irish Rugby, the party who has benefited most here is Munster let's not get confused about that. RANT OVER.

TBH the way Joe has talked about this move is really p***ing me off, to more or less orchestrate the move and then come out and say he's had nothing to do with it, is he so arrogant as to think we'll believe the crap he spins us, he's a great coach but a bullsh*t merchant too. If I was an Ulster fan I'd be even more annoyed than I am, for a team with 4 current outhalves and Scannell as cover they really didn't NEED a 10 just because the guys they had weren't working doesn't mean they should have been allowed bring in someone else, and then we have to suffer Munster fans ranting about how the system is against them. I have nothing against Carbery but there's a part of me that hopes this deal goes sour, and that Ross Byrne moves into number 2 position for Ireland, because some Munster fans think it's their god-given right to be at the pointy end of things in Europe and that when their players leave the IRFU should have made sure it didn't happen, them saying too that it's best for Irish Rugby, the party who has benefited most here is Munster let's not get confused about that. RANT OVER.

You'd kinda assume that part of the deal with getting a free Carbery was that they have to release one of their current 4.

Given his circumstances I don't think Keatley would be too keen on moving to Ulster. Don't really understand why people would be against Keatley. He gets found out at the top level but hes a proven performer at next level and without wishing to turn it into another Carty thread for me he's a better option.

OK he left us for Munster but I don't blame him. He was stagnating and playing full back in some games and honestly we didn't really look to be going anywhere fast.

salmson wrote: Would Keatley to Ulster not make the most sense, it being that Leinster and Connacht have two good outhalves each, and Ulster have none?

Don't You Mean Ulster have no experienced Outhalves ? Just my opinion but I think Johnny McPhillips has been very good since he's been give a chance and I really think he's a good prospect but they do need some experience to help him develop and sending Keatley north would probably be a good move for both. But Connacht still only have two dependable outhalves (Assuming Horowitz is the real deal). Bill Johnston would be a good addition as third choice OH IMO.

And Henshaw of course.

salmson wrote: Would Keatley to Ulster not make the most sense, it being that Leinster and Connacht have two good outhalves each, and Ulster have none?

I think the IRFU owe it to Ulster to send him north, seeing as they nerfed the Jantjies deal.

Would Keatley to Ulster not make the most sense, it being that Leinster and Connacht have two good outhalves each, and Ulster have none?

He's IQ and competing with Carty/Horwitz may be better for him than Carbery/JJ
I'd take him back with pleasure to finally get an experienced 10 not injury-prone

If Keatley stays south, one of JJ/Blayendaal may be available. IQ who can cover 10, even if 2nd choice, aren't many, I won't be too demanding. Except if Horwitz is a real deal as 10 of course.

Carty is better than Keatley.

connachta wrote: So, Keatley back to Connacht in 2019?

No thanks from me, he allowed his head to be turned far too early in his career.
And that had a major impact on his time down south, when with us he was progressing (with consistent game-time) to be a leading light.

Me, I prefer some loyalty in my players. Not lads who come down to us, do two years and fkec off at the first fluttering of eyelashes from a new suitor...(e.g.Hago, Keatley and Kearney..)

So, Keatley back to Connacht in 2019?

I really want to see Brodie throwing lineouts now, the extra height on an average hooker would surely help keep the ball in the right place basically from the start, no arc required???

I think young Reece could be a great signing and when he serves up competition to Niyi, Healy, Kelliher, and Scholes for the wing spots or indeed TOH, Leader that's great.
It's also great that we have Horvitz into compete at 10 and Godwin at 12/13. Hopefully this will bring out the best in lads like Carty, Ronaldson, and Robb. Let's face it - outside of Bundee and Marmion, none of our backs are nailed on certain starters if we were playing a Pro14 final tomorrow.

Accidentally Onside wrote: Getting strange up here in this thread :dry:

People need something to debate when we have no matches being played (me included). It's going to be a long three months, but it can be quite funny.
Remember a few seasons back when a new player was spotted in some training photos, and people went into overdrive trying to discover who we signed. It ended up being Pat's son doing some training with us to make up numbers