Interesting there have being rumours swirling around that a NZ centre was signing with most people (me included) assuming that it was Michael Collins because of the name. Shame we didn't get him but that makes another U20 NZ captain coming to Ireland. I'd say the U20's NZ must be worried about who they give the armband to next. :lol:

I assume Munster think this signing is "in the best interests of Irish rugby"?

rossie wrote: Munster sign 23yr old flyhalf tyler blyedenhaal from crusaders on 3 yr deal. I guess its robs parting gift! Lol.

Hanrahan to 12 for Munster and Ireland, maybe?

Munster sign 23yr old flyhalf tyler blyedenhaal from crusaders on 3 yr deal. I guess its robs parting gift! Lol.

It seems like the likely answer alright but isn't that almost a tacit admission that they don't intend on competing next year? Or they don't expect to be able to compete, which is almost the same thing?

They need to replace Laulau so he's the best available in a shallow transfer year. The signing season isn't over yet so we'll have to wait and see.

connachtexile wrote:

Its a one year deal too. Its almost bizarre tbh.

It feels like a holding pattern until after the World Cup when some of the bigger names come on line.

It seems like the likely answer alright but isn't that almost a tacit admission that they don't intend on competing next year? Or they don't expect to be able to compete, which is almsot the same thing?

I wonder if the looming RWC is starting to factor into teams recruiting strategy? You can usually expect a fair bit of movement especially from senior SH players once it is completed. Maybe after missing out on Bundee they didn't see anyone out there that they wanted to commit to longer than 1 year including Downey (he probably wanted 2 years) in hopes of getting better next year.



It took me so long to write my two sentences you beat me to the punch Connachtexile.

Its a one year deal too. Its almost bizarre tbh.

It feels like a holding pattern until after the World Cup when some of the bigger names come on line.

Its a one year deal too. Its almost bizarre tbh.

swift4prez wrote: Munster sign Australian centre Andrew Smith

Underwhelmed by this one, presumably as a like-for-like for Downey...

Height: 1.94 m
Weight: 104 kg

Munster sign Australian centre Andrew Smith

Shame a good player who never had a clear run without injury otherwise cold have pushed for more international honours. Who else do Munster have who can play 7 apart from Dougall and TOD?

menacethedenis wrote: Niall Ronan has been forced to retire due to injury

I saw that. Sorry for him, a good solid player.

Paper says he is going back to Drogheda to set up a business.

Niall Ronan has been forced to retire due to injury

FACECUTTR wrote: Munster did have them rattled but they lacked impact sub's to kick it up a level.

The loss of o mahoney and ryan had a major bearing on the game imo. That and keatleys careless ball placement for the penalty to go ahead and the decision to go into the corner. Doc not rolling away was unforgivable at this level and his experience.

So what then? Give up?

The best (older) players are going to France already, more money will not necssarily encourage more, but just that quality will replace quality at a higher cost. Available money creates inflation. It doesn't necessarily create incremental quality.English soccer league shows that.

The real threat is that provinces lose top players, but that will either for journey squad member or top elite a la Sexton. If we remain reasonably competitive we will retain best Irish players. Pat Lam has shown you canstill get good imports also.

It is harder, but I would argue even harder for PRL clubs.

But there is no reason to be despondent.