Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Burkie1203

https://twitter.com/Mcossalifrancis/status/1386646052707741705?s=19

Former Former Former

Burkie1203 wrote: »

https://twitter.com/Mcossalifrancis/status/1386646052707741705?s=19

Wtaf?

I don't know if that's Glasgow or Worcester but either seems ridiculously unlikely

bilston

Burkie1203 wrote: »

https://twitter.com/Mcossalifrancis/status/1386646052707741705?s=19

Glasgow or Worcester?

bilston

That tweeter appears to be a Worcester fan.

So he'd give up Leinster and Ireland to play for Worcester.

They'd have to be offering an obsence amount of money. Best paid player in the world stuff surely.

sebdavis

bilston wrote: »

That tweeter appears to be a Worcester fan.

So he'd give up Leinster and Ireland to play for Worcester.

They'd have to be offering an obsence amount of money. Best paid player in the world stuff surely.

He won’t go to Worcester to slog it out at bottom of Premiership. South of France or Worcester :-)

Squidgy Black

Same reporter is linking Sione Vailanu and Owen Williams with Worcester, I think this is more of a personal wishlist than anything

mfceiling

sebdavis wrote: »

He won’t go to Worcester to slog it out at bottom of Premiership. South of France or Worcester :-)

You can't feed Wexford cattle in England or France.

Buer

sebdavis wrote: »

He won’t go to Worcester to slog it out at bottom of Premiership. South of France or Worcester :-)

People thought the same about Rico Gear, Ben Te'o, Chris Latham and Francois Hougaard.

The Inbetween is mine

Tbh, as soon as Leinster announced they were signing Michael Alaalatoa the alarm bells started ringing
I had been wondering if it was Porter moving to Munster, which would have made sense from the IRFU's perspective ....well...at least more sense than losing Furlong from the Irish game, which is looking a little bit worrying now

Will await confirmation as players being linked to other clubs is not uncommon during negotiations. Would be a big loss for Leinster, would he still be picked for Ireland however I wonder?

sydthebeat

Deleted User wrote: »

Will await confirmation as players being linked to other clubs is not uncommon during negotiations. Would be a big loss for Leinster, would he still be picked for Ireland however I wonder?

he shouldn't in my opinion.

treat it as a years sabbatical... blood new guys.

sebdavis

Buer wrote: »

People thought the same about Rico Gear, Ben Te'o, Chris Latham and Francois Hougaard.

Not really a list of names that should be included with Furlong now are they?

A couple of lads looking for a big pay cheque to retire on.

Squidgy Black

sebdavis wrote: »

Not really a list of names that should be included with Furlong now are they?

A couple of lads looking for a big pay cheque to retire on.

Te'o at the time was a huge signing. Was called up to the England squad before he made it to Worcester and then made it into the Lions squad at the end of that season.

aloooof

sebdavis wrote: »

Not really a list of names that should be included with Furlong now are they?

A couple of lads looking for a big pay cheque to retire on.

To add to Squidy's comment, T'eo was 28 when he signed for Worchester, the same age as Furlong is.

TRC10

To be honest, if Furlong wants to go abroad for a big pay check for a couple of years, it wouldn't be the end of the world. Leinster and Ireland have Porter who is well able to step up for a couple of years as first choice Tighthead. Then we'll get Furlong back to play for the World Cup. So if he was to go for 2 years it's perfect timing.

And Porter would have 2 years under his belt as Ireland's first choice Tighthead. It would also be an opportunity to blood O'Toole, Salanoa, Knox or Aungier and really build some depth.

bilston

No matter how you paint it, losing Furlong would be a devastating blow to Ireland. He's Ireland's best player.

If he isn't the best TH in the world, then he isnt for off it. This would be like losing Paul O'Connell at his peak for 2 years.

sebdavis

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Te'o at the time was a huge signing. Was called up to the England squad before he made it to Worcester and then made it into the Lions squad at the end of that season.

Jones wanted Te'o and he would of signed for anyone to get into an England jersey. AS you said yourself he was with England before his new club.
https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/ben-teo-showing-hints-of-regret-over-worcester-move-104256
Didn't any other English team want to sign Te'o? I didn't hear any rumours at the time, he had to play in Premiership of course to play for England

Teferi

TRC10 wrote: »

And Porter would have 2 years under his belt as Ireland's first choice Tighthead. It would also be an opportunity to blood O'Toole, Salanoa, Knox or Aungier and really build some depth.

I appreciate the ambition, but most (all?) of these boys are still finding their feet in the provincial game. Someone like Salanoa is 12 months off being a regular for Munster, let alone Ireland. We're a little bit light at TH if we lose Furlong.

Buer

sebdavis wrote: »

Not really a list of names that should be included with Furlong now are they?

A couple of lads looking for a big pay cheque to retire on.

Chris Latham was the only guy over 30 in that list. Hougaard was 28 and starting for SA when he started with Worcester. Rico Gear had just wrapped up his NZ career at 29. Te'o was 29 and had just been called into the England squad. All at their physical peak.

None are at the level Furlong and of course they all moved for the cash but none of them were looking for their retirement move.

awec

I really doubt this is true, just the usual contract time kite flying by a player.

sebdavis

TRC10 wrote: »

To be honest, if Furlong wants to go abroad for a big pay check for a couple of years, it wouldn't be the end of the world. Leinster and Ireland have Porter who is well able to step up for a couple of years as first choice Tighthead. Then we'll get Furlong back to play for the World Cup. So if he was to go for 2 years it's perfect timing.

And Porter would have 2 years under his belt as Ireland's first choice Tighthead. It would also be an opportunity to blood O'Toole, Salanoa, Knox or Aungier and really build some depth.

The concern was Porter was fairly flogged when Furlong was injured. We do have Marty Moore who seems to have been forgot since his return. A good man for a scrum. For me he would be the automatic back up to Porter while the other players try to step up.

He hasn't been around the squad for a while so it would seem Ireland management don't rate him

bilston

awec wrote: »

I really doubt this is true, just the usual contract time kite flying by a player.

The most likely explanation

Teferi

I'm sure it is part of negotiations, but his agent could have picked somewhere a bit more glamorous than Wocester.

sydthebeat

awec wrote: »

I really doubt this is true, just the usual contract time kite flying by a player.

not coming from the player....

the only mention of this is from a worcester fan, who is musing on other signings as well

TRC10

Teferi wrote: »

I appreciate the ambition, but most (all?) of these boys are still finding their feet in the provincial game. Someone like Salanoa is 12 months off being a regular for Munster, let alone Ireland. We're a little bit light at TH if we lose Furlong.

No I agree. I'm not saying any of them should be parachuted to 2nd choice or anything like that. But Porter was brought into the squad in 2017 after only a handful of substitute appearances for Leinster and he was behind Bent and Ross. Someone like Moore or Bealham would be the backup to Porter in the short term. But it would be an opportunity to bring in one of the young lads like we did with Porter in 2017.

Dubinusa

Furlong might leave! Who would blame him? His earning potential is high right now. I think France would be his best option. But, if the IRFU are low balling him it's likely he go to whoever will pay him what he's worth.
Porter would be an adequate starter. The back up would be troublesome. I would go with Moore as the reserve. Then there's Bealham and O'Toole. It's not ideal, but Furlong needs to take care of himself financially.
Tight head is fairly good for Ireland. There's good depth atm.
Porter
Bealham
Moore
T.O.T
And some lads for the future.
Aungier
Clarkson
Knox
Salanoa
Although, I think Aungier is the best of the prospects.
Best of luck to Furlong, whatever he decides.

hahashake

If he was offered 2x his salary for a year or 2 with the chance to return for the RWC, it wouldn't matter too much if it was a top club on the Med or a Worcester. He would have to take it seriously, athletes lives are short.

That being said, I doubt he goes anywhere.

VANG1

Can’t see him leaving, lf he owns a farm he can’t be too much in need of going for money. Can’t see why anyone would leave a club like Leinster where he’s well looked after

salmocab

Dubinusa wrote: »

Furlong might leave! Who would blame him? His earning potential is high right now. I think France would be his best option. But, if the IRFU are low balling him it's likely he go to whoever will pay him what he's worth.
Porter would be an adequate starter. The back up would be troublesome. I would go with Moore as the reserve. Then there's Bealham and O'Toole. It's not ideal, but Furlong needs to take care of himself financially.
Tight head is fairly good for Ireland. There's good depth atm.
Porter
Bealham
Moore
T.O.T
And some lads for the future.
Aungier
Clarkson
Knox
Salanoa
Although, I think Aungier is the best of the prospects.
Best of luck to Furlong, whatever he decides.

There’s not good depth at TH there’s 2 quality players then a drop off. I’d have taken Bent over everyone else you mentioned from a scrummaging point of view.

Former Former Former

Teferi wrote: »

I'm sure it is part of negotiations, but his agent could have picked somewhere a bit more glamorous than Wocester.

Mind games.

Agent: "David, are you really willing to let one of your best players go to WORCESTER?"

Nucifora: "Jaysus you're right, I'd be mortified. Here's a huge wedge of cash"