I'd imagine so, but hope we don't lose his influence off the field around the place.Fireworks wrote:It looks like they are wrapping him in cotton wool at the moment just to have him ready for a few big games. He could potentially only have 4 more games for Leinster with semi's and finals in europe and the league.mildlyinterested wrote:I'd be surprised if he was here next season in a playing role, I hope to god he is here in an off the field role though.neiliog93 wrote:BOD said in commentary on Sunday that "it's not officially confirmed yet, but Nacewa is likely retiring at the end of the season". To me, that's insider knowledge and essentially equals "he's definitely retiring but it hasn't been announced yet", possibly because of the way Leinster tend to announce most arrivals, renewals and departures in one batch.
It will be sad to see him go but another year might be too much for him physically.
Inside Centre if/when Nacewa Retires
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- Leo Cullen
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Re: Inside Centre if/when Nacewa Retires
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Re: Inside Centre if/when Nacewa Retires
Playing 12 tonight for UCD, certainly has skill level but seems to be destined for the wing at the moment.A16 wrote:I’m surprised Tommy O’Brien has barely been mentioned yet. Obviously he can play anywhere from 11 to 14 and he’s able to slot in seamlessly to any position with ease. The fact that he has the intelligence and the skill level to do so is very encouraging. From what I’ve seen, he plays just about as good in each position, although I’m a fan of him at 12. There may be concerns over whether he’s big enough but I see no reason why he can’t do a very good job there if required. I don’t see his long term position being 12, he’s probably someone who will be able to cover any position we need him to when we need him to, so he’s definitely a viable option at 12.
But listed him as being an option for a reason, could easily see him maturing into a player who could play at a high level at either 12 or 13.
Re: Inside Centre if/when Nacewa Retires
Would certainly confirm what I heard a couple of months ago.neiliog93 wrote:BOD said in commentary on Sunday that "it's not officially confirmed yet, but Nacewa is likely retiring at the end of the season". To me, that's insider knowledge and essentially equals "he's definitely retiring but it hasn't been announced yet", possibly because of the way Leinster tend to announce most arrivals, renewals and departures in one batch.
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- Mullet
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Re: Inside Centre if/when Nacewa Retires
Jimmy O'Brien looks a very sharp runner with the 7s, and Tommy O'Brien looks an excellent prospect. But they look more physically suited to 13 and 13/wing respectively. I'd be putting all the eggs in the Conor O'Brien basket, with McFadden, Reid and maybe Frawley providing cover as necessary
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Re: Inside Centre if/when Nacewa Retires
Would Larmour be an option at centre? His footwork is so good and he's great at getting through traffic.
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Re: Inside Centre if/when Nacewa Retires
Frawley looks a likely one but could play in a number of positions.
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Re: Inside Centre if/when Nacewa Retires
Frawley seems to me to have the physique, hands and smarts to be very good at 12. Not much sense in totally overlapping with Carberry’s a d not covering the inside centre “gap”.neiliog93 wrote:Frawley could be a long-term option, but he seems to be being groomed for the 10/15 role a la Carbery.
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Re: Inside Centre if/when Nacewa Retires
Tommy is too small to be a top level 12. "D'Arcy made it at 12" isn't a comeback either, it's a different era now.A16 wrote:I’m surprised Tommy O’Brien has barely been mentioned yet. Obviously he can play anywhere from 11 to 14 and he’s able to slot in seamlessly to any position with ease. The fact that he has the intelligence and the skill level to do so is very encouraging. From what I’ve seen, he plays just about as good in each position, although I’m a fan of him at 12. There may be concerns over whether he’s big enough but I see no reason why he can’t do a very good job there if required. I don’t see his long term position being 12, he’s probably someone who will be able to cover any position we need him to when we need him to, so he’s definitely a viable option at 12.
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Re: Inside Centre if/when Nacewa Retires
Olding might be available...
Re: Inside Centre if/when Nacewa Retires
What level is top level?neiliog93 wrote:Tommy is too small to be a top level 12. "D'Arcy made it at 12" isn't a comeback either, it's a different era now.A16 wrote:I’m surprised Tommy O’Brien has barely been mentioned yet. Obviously he can play anywhere from 11 to 14 and he’s able to slot in seamlessly to any position with ease. The fact that he has the intelligence and the skill level to do so is very encouraging. From what I’ve seen, he plays just about as good in each position, although I’m a fan of him at 12. There may be concerns over whether he’s big enough but I see no reason why he can’t do a very good job there if required. I don’t see his long term position being 12, he’s probably someone who will be able to cover any position we need him to when we need him to, so he’s definitely a viable option at 12.
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Re: Inside Centre if/when Nacewa Retires
is Tommy smaller than Nacewa or Rory Scannell?neiliog93 wrote:Tommy is too small to be a top level 12. "D'Arcy made it at 12" isn't a comeback either, it's a different era now.A16 wrote:I’m surprised Tommy O’Brien has barely been mentioned yet. Obviously he can play anywhere from 11 to 14 and he’s able to slot in seamlessly to any position with ease. The fact that he has the intelligence and the skill level to do so is very encouraging. From what I’ve seen, he plays just about as good in each position, although I’m a fan of him at 12. There may be concerns over whether he’s big enough but I see no reason why he can’t do a very good job there if required. I don’t see his long term position being 12, he’s probably someone who will be able to cover any position we need him to when we need him to, so he’s definitely a viable option at 12.
he is taller than both and has plenty of time to physically mature.
Re: Inside Centre if/when Nacewa Retires
There's no way you can deem being 6ft and 89Kg at the age of 19 as already being too small for top flight rugby at 12. He's already taller and heavier than some of the (recent) greats in the position.
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Re: Inside Centre if/when Nacewa Retires
If Nacewa was missing for the scarlets match, i'd say they'd move Ringrose to 12 and start ROL at 13.. so that might be the answer.
Inside Centre if/when Nacewa Retires
Yeah I completely agree, he’s not even that small for someone who’s being ruled out as not having enough size to play in that position. Besides, the whole point of this is finding a back up to Henshaw/replacement for Nacewa when he retires. So O’Brien should be more than good enough for Pro14 and Champions Cup games and I don’t see his size being a problem.ChrisUppy wrote:There's no way you can deem being 6ft and 89Kg at the age of 19 as already being too small for top flight rugby at 12. He's already taller and heavier than some of the (recent) greats in the position.
Last edited by A16 on April 6th, 2018, 11:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
Inside Centre if/when Nacewa Retires
A16 wrote:Yeah I completely agree, he’s not even that small for someone who’s being ruled out as not having enough size to play in that position. Besides, the whole point of this is finding a back up to Henshaw/replacement for Nacewa when he retires. So O’Brien should be more than good enough for Pro14 and Champions Cup games and I don’t see his size being a problem.ChrisUppy wrote:There's no way you can deem being 6ft and 89Kg at the age of 19 as already being too small for top flight rugby at 12. He's already taller and heavier than some of the (recent) greats in the position.
Re: Inside Centre if/when Nacewa Retires
Rory Scannell is built like a brick (5'10", almost 100 kg), I don't want Tommy O'Brien to risk losing some of his agility (arguably his best asset) for the sake of being able to handle the collisions at 12.
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Re: Inside Centre if/when Nacewa Retires
Is there anything to be said for playing him at scrumhalf?Dave Cahill wrote:Bye Bye Ian, Sayonara Joey, Hello Ciarán
Re: Inside Centre if/when Nacewa Retires
He's not small enough.curates_egg wrote:Is there anything to be said for playing him at scrumhalf?Dave Cahill wrote:Bye Bye Ian, Sayonara Joey, Hello Ciarán
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Re: Inside Centre if/when Nacewa Retires
He's more a 13 than a 12 but he can play a few different roles.ronk wrote:Olding might be available...
Think he's played OH and FB at Pro12 level.
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