Rumour Mill

[mildlyinterested]

Sean Cronin headed to Bristol if rumours are true.

[johng]

Sean Cronin headed to Bristol according if rumours are true.

Wow. That would be a sickner

[jimbobjoe]

Sweet Jebus I hope that isn't true

[mildlyinterested]

wait and see if true, would explain absence from Ireland squad... this is his last chance at a big payday and bristol are offering silly money.

so on a few levels it would make sense.

[bronxbull]

He has been a great addition to Leinster but with a young family and serious money potentially available you can see why an offer like that would turn his head if this is true.

It is a position in the front row where, unlike both prop positions, we perhaps are a little short of world class players.

[neiliog93]

Explains absence from Ireland squad and with his contract up at the end of the season we'd been speculating about him moving away. He's 32 at the end of this season and with Best likely to soldier on to the 2019 RWC, had no prospect of a central contract until 2020, when he'd be 34 and potentially usurped by Niall Scannell. Financially for him, it does make sense. He's been playing really well and has a unique skill set, so is a serious loss for us and Ireland. If he is going, I wish him the best.

[blockhead]

Bad news if true, he's been a great servant for us. Scored some memorable tries too, especially in finals. If it's his last big payday then who could begruge him his golden nugget.
Not an area of great strenght for us atm, hopefully some academy lad will come through.

[neiliog93]

If he does leave, I wouldn't mind a nice NIQ hooker to replace him (presumably Isa is retiring from playing at the end of the season, would be turning 37 by the end of the 2018-19 if he got another renewal). Look up Akker van der Merwe, similar type of hooker to Cronin in terms of dynamism but shorter and heavier physically and probably has better set-pieces. Little prospect of South African selection and still only 26.

[mildlyinterested]

If he does leave, I wouldn't mind a nice NIQ hooker to replace him (presumably Isa is retiring from playing at the end of the season, would be turning 37 by the end of the 2018-19 if he got another renewal). Look up Akker van der Merwe, similar type of hooker to Cronin in terms of dynamism but shorter and heavier physically and probably has better set-pieces. Little prospect of South African selection and still only 26.

Wouldn't get my hopes up tbh.

[wixfjord]

Tracy and Strauss as our two senior hookers would be a bit of a disaster alright. The main thing going for us at hooker at the moment is not necessarily quality, but some level of depth. Cronin leaving would really reduce that.
We'd definitely need an NIQ.

Could see himleaving alright, his circumstances fit the profile of a guy who, logically, probably should if the Bristol offer is big.

Hopefully Ronan Kelleher might live up to his promise and come through.

[Gearzbox2]

Hope Cronin stays, was really playing great stuff this time last year until hammy blew out and then had the neck issue
Slow start this year over injuries but seems to be re gathering some of that form and at 31 defo has plenty left in tank and overall when in form is by far our best option at 2
Has been such a great servant so here's hoping he stays....

[LeRouxIsPHat]

If this is true then the guy I'd be after would be Rhys Marshall. He'll continue to get lots of game time with Munster when Scannell is fit but I reckon he'd start for us and would really suit our style of play. Don't see it happening, but I'd look into it.

I love watching Cronin play so hope this isn't true, but if it is then it would probably be a good time for him to go. When his pace goes then so does his value, he's not a guy who'll be able to play effectively until he's in his late 30's IMO. Just a pity that he wouldn't hang on until the World Cup.

[wixfjord]

If this is true then the guy I'd be after would be Rhys Marshall. He'll continue to get lots of game time with Munster when Scannell is fit but I reckon he'd start for us and would really suit our style of play. Don't see it happening, but I'd look into it.

I love watching Cronin play so hope this isn't true, but if it is then it would probably be a good time for him to go. When his pace goes then so does his value, he's not a guy who'll be able to play effectively until he's in his late 30's IMO. Just a pity that he wouldn't hang on until the World Cup.

That's a good point about his speed. It really is the cornerstone of his game.

[simonokeeffe]

I hope he stays bigly, Strauss not long for us either

But if he goes I say it again

Niall Annet

IQ, 90 mins from his home, and Leinster going more places than Worcester

[mildlyinterested]

I hope he stays bigly, Strauss not long for us either

But if he goes I say it again

Niall Annet

IQ, 90 mins from his home, and Leinster going more places than Worcester

Yeah but is he any good?

[CiaranIrl]

Niall, Scannell, Rhys Marshall, Kevin O'Byrne, Mike Sherry, Duncan Casey

That seems to be the Munster depth chart at Hooker right now. Something's gotta give there, surely? They've plundered enough of our team this last few years.

[mildlyinterested]

Niall, Scannell, Rhys Marshall, Kevin O'Byrne, Mike Sherry, Duncan Casey

That seems to be the Munster depth chart at Hooker right now. Something's gotta give there, surely? They've plundered enough of our team this last few years.

Casey is AIL player and always injured.
Sherry is one injury from retirement.
Scannell not going anywhere.
O'Byrne is decent but not good enough to poach.
Marshall is good. But no out of contract anytime soon

[blockhead]

Niall, Scannell, Rhys Marshall, Kevin O'Byrne, Mike Sherry, Duncan Casey

That seems to be the Munster depth chart at Hooker right now. Something's gotta give there, surely? They've plundered enough of our team this last few years.

Casey is AIL player and always injured.
Sherry is one injury from retirement.
Scannell not going anywhere.
O'Byrne is decent but not good enough to poach.
Marshall is good. But no out of contract anytime soon

Hartley?

[Peg Leg]

Well im hoping Cronin stays.

[mildlyinterested]

What if MIC had not mismanaged McGrath and Cooney.... What if