O'Brien signs with IRFU

[TerenureJim]

Guys, SOB is gone, it's a done deal. Just accept it and move on.

+1

We won't be seeing Strauss for the rest of the season either!

Does seem to be fantastic news on Strauss as well I honestly hand on heart thought I had read in one of the papers that doctors/surgeons weren't allowing hime back into full contact this season. If he's progressed that quick it really does add some great go forward for business end of the season with SOB injured.

[blockhead]

Of course I knew all along that he would never leave the blue magic!

[paddyor]

Does seem to be fantastic news on Strauss as well I honestly hand on heart thought I had read in one of the papers that doctors/surgeons weren't allowing hime back into full contact this season. If he's progressed that quick it really does add some great go forward for business end of the season with SOB injured.

SOB out for the season. HEC/Rabo QF/SF/final a week too soon!

You heard it hear first.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I think they did say that TJ but I was always a bit sceptical myself. The minute he was found to be ill they just said he'd be out for the season, didn't actually put a time scale on it. Guess that's why we never signed that other hooker either.

Anyway, great news about SOB! And now like others have said its time to panic about everyone else again!

[Blue not red blood]

As we memorably sang that night in Cardiff,

Who can do it
Strauss Khan

Jaysus at this rate we will see Shaggy and Isa return for the Rest of season

[deco]

“I want to acknowledge the professionalism of all those involved, including the overseas clubs with whom I had discussions, and thank Leinster and the IRFU for their commitment to me. Finally a word about the Leinster fans because their “voice” represents an important consideration for players like me when it comes to making big career decisions such as this.”

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/i ... -1.1657298

[sid]

hand on heart

Seriously?

[mikey]

This is definitely one of those things known as A GOOD DAY..........

Absolutely f%~kin delighted.....

And Strauss on the bench - a Brucie bonus for sure

Happy Happy Happy

The shame is that the negotiations get played out in public with the various newspaper reports and statements - but I guess thats just Professional sport these days.

I wonder was he in Toulon this weekend gone at all?

And that quote Deco posted - SoB - what a feckin legend...........

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDTmdDhGO50

Look at him! How is some of that stuff even possible? We've been privileged to have him in blue at all, can't wait to see him back fit.

[TerenureJim]

hand on heart

Seriously?

Least someone spotted that one

[Exley]

Any word yet on the length of the deal?

[honeyec]

Any word yet on the length of the deal?

Two years. Til the end of the 2016 season.

[Lar]

Toulon dodged a bullet here. SOB = Ferris MkII

[CiaranIrl]

Toulon dodged a bullet here. SOB = Ferris MkII

Stay classy there Lar.

[All Blacks nil]

Toulon dodged a bullet here. SOB = Ferris MkII

I wouldn't mind him in our arsenal

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Toulon dodged a bullet here. SOB = Ferris MkII

Stay classy there Lar.

Just out of curiosity I just looked up Ferris' playing stats.

He's 28 and and made his debut in 2005...and has played 102 games for Ulster. Yikes.

[Oldschool]

Does seem to be fantastic news on Strauss as well I honestly hand on heart thought I had read in one of the papers that doctors/surgeons weren't allowing hime back into full contact this season. If he's progressed that quick it really does add some great go forward for business end of the season with SOB injured.

SOB out for the season. HEC/Rabo QF/SF/final a week too soon!

You heard it hear first.

So long as you heard it from sid we're happy.
Congrats to all concerned.
Hope Jamie stays too.

[ronk]

Toulon dodged a bullet here. SOB = Ferris MkII

Ferris was unlucky in that a knee was causing problems and he kept rushing back. You couldn't get the guy off the park even when he was seriously not right.

O'Brien is an abrasive back row who'll always have issues from time to time but should be okay as long as he doesn't have a big knee injury. Wallace, Leamy and Ferris have all been messed up by knee injuries.

[Lar]

Wasn't being in any way serious folks. Delighted about SOB. My humour clearly isn't to everyone's (or anyone's) taste.

And I think Ferris has been incredibly unfortunate with his injuries. I worried for his career prior to the last World Cup but he had a decent run of it for a while after the RWC11 and I thought his worst was behind him. Sadly that doesn't appear to have been right. Admire the way Ulster and the IRFU are standing by him. Monster of a player if he can regain full fitness.

[Mickado]

hand on heart

Seriously?

Least someone spotted that one

I rang a mate when I heard the news about Struass, his first reaction was "holy heart!".

He's not clever enough to have planned a pun that good though...