Should we?COYBIB wrote:Will we be able to retain all the talent we bring through, both in the back-row and in general? (thinking Sexton/Carbury/Byrne riches also).
"Old & Busted"
Heaslip & SOB
The latter has barely played for us over the past few seasons. The former apparently carrying an injury that will have to bemanaged thru the twilight of his career. Neither cost us anything but keeping them could impede our ability to keep their successors as they approach their prime.
"New Hotness"
Van Der Leavy & Conan
Racked up a lot of MOTM awards last season and tries on account of largely injury free seasons and not making the test 23. Injury permitting, I think Conan is the most likely to have an extended run in green, followed by leavy and then VdF. I think VdF could be a very important player for us, like Jennings.
"Forgotten Men"
Murphy & Ruddock
Both RWC, 6N & SH touring test vets, neither have managed to nail down a test 23 spot. Top players nut not quite "top top" in the parlance of Grauniad writers. Always been a fan of Ruddock(see signature). Thought his injury pock-makred seasons play in 13-15 would see him really lay down a marker for test honours and thought his chance had paseed with the emergence of the new hotness last season. Finished the season v strongly IMO (steps in contact way more) so not quite writing him off. Never been a huge fan of Mr Versatile, his best performances in the past few years seem to have come in green.
Tomorrows Men:
Max Deegan & Caelen Doris
Former U20 JWRC player of the year, gets promoted to a senior contract after a year in the academy...needs to be looked into. Haven't seen Doris play yet but got some great reviews for the U20 6N so eager to see what he can do. The coaches seem to be pushing them forward a bit and they know a bit more than we do
"All yours Ulster"
Peadar Timmins
A bit snide maybe, but I can't see how he breaks into that team. Let him finish his degree and cut him loose. Conor Oliver has made a fist of things at Munster.
I'm not saying I'd like to loose Heaslip and SOB, I'd hate to come up against them in the HEC or PRO14. But if Heaslip shuffled off ala POC next season I'd be okay with that. Much as I like SOB, he's been an IRFU player for 3 years at least....how much would we lose? I think the core of our backrow will be the middle 5 for the bulk of the next3 years........so we should probably act that way. We need to keep some space for the lads coming thru too.