Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread X: [****]

Heymans

Former Former wrote: »

This line of thought seems to be based on the idea that a pro/semi-pro AIL is a new idea. It's not; it was tried, it failed.

When was it tried. If NZ can manage a Mitre 10 then surely we can manufacture something similar. We need more depth in player pool.

troyzer

Heymans wrote: »

When was it tried. If NZ can manage a Mitre 10 then surely we can manufacture something similar. We need more depth in player pool.

It works in New Zealand because rugby is the number one sport. The Mitre 10 cup is like our All Ireland football championship.

You can't compare.

Stainalert

Former Former wrote: »

This line of thought seems to be based on the idea that a pro/semi-pro AIL is a new idea. It's not; it was tried, it failed.

There has never officially been a semi-pro AIL. The AIL originally was a very successful breeding ground for future professional players & Internationals some of whom are still playing for Ireland today.

Unfortunately the AIL has been largely ignored by the IRFU with minimal publicity until very recently where the IRFU have sought to reinvigorate the competition and have it more closely aligned with the professional teams. Whilst original IRFU proposals were flawed and rejected (rightly by clubs) there is lots of behind the scenes the talk going on in relation to the AIL and how it can change for the better.

Stainalert

Former Former wrote: »

This line of thought seems to be based on the idea that a pro/semi-pro AIL is a new idea. It's not; it was tried, it failed.

Heymans wrote: »

Haven't you seen field of dreams? Build it and they will come - I believe some investment in stadia and contracts to put it on TV would allow those players to be paid some money for playing and actually be semi acceptable at what they do. If France/England/New Zealand (Mitre 10) can do it why can't we?

100% agree with you and with the AIL clubs a lot of the basic building blocks are already in place.

Burkie1203

What sort of team can we cobble together for Friday

Dooley Tracy bent Molony Kearney Fardy Murphy Deegan

JGP Reid DK COB ROL Byrne Larmour


Bench will be first 8 STH to arrive

Burkie1203

What sort of team can we cobble together for Friday

Dooley Tracy bent Molony Kearney Fardy Murphy Deegan

JGP Reid DK COB ROL Byrne Larmour


Bench will be first 8 STH to arrive

troyzer

Burkie1203 wrote: »

What sort of team can we cobble together for Friday

Dooley Tracy bent Molony Kearney Fardy Murphy Deegan

JGP Reid DK COB ROL Byrne Larmour


Bench will be first 8 STH to arrive

Would they not bring Lowe back into the mix? He's been off for a month.

molloyjh

Burkie1203 wrote: »

What sort of team can we cobble together for Friday

Dooley Tracy bent Molony Kearney Fardy Murphy Deegan

JGP Reid DK COB ROL Byrne Larmour


Bench will be first 8 STH to arrive

The dream is still very much alive!

Burkie1203

troyzer wrote: »

Would they not bring Lowe back into the mix? He's been off for a month.

Lowe is doing the OLSC Q&A 30 min after game.

arsebiscuits1

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Lowe is doing the OLSC Q&A 30 min after game.

I saw that. But it's plenty of time to get showered etc.

I still think he will play.

Sure the internationals have all sorts of Q&As in the corporate boxes after games in the Aviva

stephen_n

Stainalert wrote: »

There has never officially been a semi-pro AIL. The AIL originally was a very successful breeding ground for future professional players & Internationals some of whom are still playing for Ireland today.

Unfortunately the AIL has been largely ignored by the IRFU with minimal publicity until very recently where the IRFU have sought to reinvigorate the competition and have it more closely aligned with the professional teams. Whilst original IRFU proposals were flawed and rejected (rightly by clubs) there is lots of behind the scenes the talk going on in relation to the AIL and how it can change for the better.

There was very much a semi-pro AIL in the 1990’s and a lot of clubs have never recovered fully financially from it. The damage is still being felt by most clubs. I would personally feel that experiment had a direct impact on the demise of junior rugby in this country. Instead of drawing people towards the game it disenfranchised members of the clubs.

ArmchairQB

Burkie1203 wrote: »

What sort of team can we cobble together for Friday

Dooley Tracy bent Molony Kearney Fardy Murphy Deegan

JGP Reid DK COB ROL Byrne Larmour


Bench will be first 8 STH to arrive

Byrne Twins, Frawley, T Daly, Keleher if Tracy is with Ireland this week?

The Lost Sheep

Heymans wrote: »

Quite interesting that they are starting a pro league over there. I think you will find America being the new Connacht to Leinster players that don't make the grade. Does anyone think there might be merit in following suit with either 1/2 extra pro teams in Ireland or looking at working with Eir sports and the IRFU to get the AIL up to semi pro standards with better investment in Stadia TV etc.?

It will be for plenty in all provinces who cant make the grade here.
There isnt room for more pro teams in Ireland and nothing for them to play in. Investment in stadiums for AIL clubs would be a waste as you would be better spending money on player retention and then improving coaching/playing standards.

troyzer wrote: »

Nobody goes to AIL matches as it is, Eir are hardly going to put it on the box.

Attendance at games doesnt mean tv coverage shouldnt exist.

Heymans wrote: »

So there's not enough TV money by and large. If our populus was bigger would there be potential for better TV contracts or is it only interest and playing numbers that dictate the willingness to fork out for televising a season? I know we are a pauper of a nation but the sport has to be more popular now than at any other time. Investment in the deepening of player quality by making a League semi pro would be the way to go. I know money doesn't grow on trees but the IRFU have to be making a heafty profit at the moment. Courses and camps for young players isn't the only way to invest - having an attractive League to play in will give those young players incentives to play beyond U18's into adulthood. I sometimes wonder if the IRFU are getting it right with their initiatives and wonder about getting those in higher levels out of there to allow some young blood in and shake it up a little.

The league is attractive enough for plenty to keep them playing but problem for many is bridging gap to adult rugby from youths/schools. 20s can be great for small number of clubs but otherwise is poor. Links for many from school isnt great and its very hard to retain players after 18/19 years of age in clubs if they have been in a rugby school and have no connection to a club.

troyzer wrote: »

I'm heading to an AIL game on Saturday before the USA game, I'll be shocked if there's more than 20 people watching.

You can't offer that to Eir and expect a sizable offer, enough to make a semi pro league viable.

At best, Eir MIGHT be willing to show the big games or highlights for free for a year or two to gauge interest.

Ive been to hundreds of AIL games and never seen that few.
The top divisions get significant enough crowds and tv coverage would/should help increase that. A regular highlights package would be better at first.

troyzer wrote: »

Because it is. You can't artificially grow interest by throwing money at it. Most of the AIL teams already have brilliant facilities, step inside the Lansdowne/Wanderers or Wesley club house and you'll see that. Even the smaller Dublin clubs like Clondalkin have good facilities.

If interest in rugby leads to an increase in AIL following, then the IRFU can start looking more closely at it. Maybe it isn't a bad idea to offer it to Eir for free and see if they're willing to slip a highlights package into their Pro14 coverage.

I wouldnt say most AIL teams have brilliant facilities. But what do you deem as brilliant. Lansdowne/Wanderers/Wesley all have grounds on provincial/national stadiums/former stadiums. Slight bit different to most clubs.

Heymans wrote: »

When was it tried. If NZ can manage a Mitre 10 then surely we can manufacture something similar. We need more depth in player pool.

We dont really have similar and funding it would be a waste when money better spent on keeping more people playing than paying the few already playing and may be getting money to play already

Stainalert wrote: »

There has never officially been a semi-pro AIL. The AIL originally was a very successful breeding ground for future professional players & Internationals some of whom are still playing for Ireland today.

Unfortunately the AIL has been largely ignored by the IRFU with minimal publicity until very recently where the IRFU have sought to reinvigorate the competition and have it more closely aligned with the professional teams. Whilst original IRFU proposals were flawed and rejected (rightly by clubs) there is lots of behind the scenes the talk going on in relation to the AIL and how it can change for the better.

League was breeding ground for future pros and still is but with provinces playing more and having academies its role has changed

Richie_Rich89

I'd say they'll try to fit Lowe in so he gets to play in front of his parents, who are over visiting him

so...

9. O'Sullivan, 21. McCarthy (no JGP)

or

4. Molony, 5. Kearney; 19. Dowling/Dunne (no Fardy)

Squatter

Burkie1203 wrote: »

What sort of team can we cobble together for Friday

Dooley Tracy bent Molony Kearney Fardy Murphy Deegan

JGP Reid DK COB ROL Byrne Larmour


Bench will be first 8 STH to arrive

Is Doris injured?

Kevski

I would guess something along the lines of

1. Dooley
2. Tracy
3. Bent
4. Molony
5. Kearney
6. Doris
7. Murphy
8. Deegan
9. JGP
10. Reid
11. Lowe
12. O’Brien
13. Daly
14. A Byrne
15. D Kearney

16. B Byrne
17. E Byrne
18. Abdaladze
19. Dowling
20. Penny
21. O’Sullivan
22. H Byrne
23. Frawley

If Fardy plays then Lowe might drop out with maybe Larmour coming in at FB and Kearney moving to the wing. I think JGP needs to play this one though.

Richie_Rich89

Can people stop suggesting Murphy or Doris be selected at openside please. I find it offensive.

ZadeMeen123

Scott Penny to start on Friday

Angellover45

Interesting to see Liam Turner, David Hawkshaw and Michael Milne training with the senior squad this week, wondering if they will get a run this weekend, seem to be exciting prospects

foxyladyxx

Angellover45 wrote: »

Interesting to see Liam Turner, David Hawkshaw and Michael Milne training with the senior squad this week, wondering if they will get a run this weekend, seem to be exciting prospects

Heard Turner was recovering from a shoulder injury. I don't think he will feature.

LostArt03

Angellover45 wrote: »

Interesting to see Liam Turner, David Hawkshaw and Michael Milne training with the senior squad this week, wondering if they will get a run this weekend, seem to be exciting prospects

they won't get a run this weekend bar playing AIL.

given how many players are missing, they've brought in the extended academy to train with whoever is around this week.

Scott Penny will get a run though.

arsebiscuits1

Richie_Rich89 wrote: »

Can people stop suggesting Murphy or Doris be selected at openside please. I find it offensive.

Not exactly swimming with options there though

I'd personally like to see Scott Penny there but we currently have 3 injured 7s and 1 on Ireland duty

stephen_n

Doris for openside, would be good to see how he converts.

Heymans

Angellover45 wrote: »

Interesting to see Liam Turner, David Hawkshaw and Michael Milne training with the senior squad this week, wondering if they will get a run this weekend, seem to be exciting prospects

Of the three most excited to see Milne. Is he playing loosehead still?

LostArt03

Heymans wrote: »

Of the three most excited to see Milne. Is he playing loosehead still?

no, has been playing tighthead since the end of celtic cup and has struggled.

Clegg

Penny thrown in at the deep end. Big test for Keenan and Frawley too.

15. Hugo Keenan (2)
14. Adam Byrne (41)
13. Conor O’Brien (5)
12. Noel Reid (105)
11. James Lowe (19)
10. Ciarán Frawley (4)
9. Nick McCarthy (31)
1. Peter Dooley (52)
2. James Tracy (75)
3. Michael Bent (110)
4. Ross Molony (69)
5. Scott Fardy (29) CAPTAIN
6. Josh Murphy (12)
7. Scott Penny (0)
8. Caelan Doris (4)

16. Bryan Byrne (30)
17. Ed Byrne (28)
18. Vakh Abdaladze (3)
19. Mick Kearney (40)
20. Max Deegan (27)
21. Hugh O’Sullivan (3)
22. Jimmy O’Brien (0)
23. Jack Kelly (0)

LostArt

I'd just like to distance myself from this LostArt03 imposter

arsebiscuits1

Pack should be able to steer us home. Should be hoping for a decent set piece and tight game.

Ospreys could rip that backline to pieces

P.Walnuts

Deegan can't be happy with that, his form has been patchy to say the least though

LostArt03

P.Walnuts wrote: »

Deegan can't be happy with that, his form has been patchy to say the least though

can't complain based on his most recent performance.