menacethedenis wrote: Thornley was on Off The Ball last night rolling back on his '99% done' proclamation from a few weeks ago. Sounded more like 50/50 now and he doesn't believe the IRFU are putting any pressure on him whatsoever.

The IRFU do not have to do the hard sell on this other than point out the obvious advantages of being at Leinster. If he's on a central contract he's still going to get more money through sponsorships if he's in Dublin. He'll be playing with more of his national teammates on a weekly basis including Sexton. He'll have more access to the national coaching setup and them to him. Even a Leinster on the downs will likely secure Champions Cup rugby every season where it will be an annual struggle out west. Even a shy lad would pick living in Dublin over Galway for at least 2-3 seasons.

Only things going for Connacht are 1. Pat is the best Provincial coach in Ireland ATM and he's got Connacht on the up and 2. any loyalty Robbie might have toward Connacht and the pride of playing in the Green jersey.

If I were him I'd really like to hear what the Leinster Board and, to some extent, the IRFU plan to do to get Leinster back to challenging for European hardware.

I would say it is 50/50 too. But he is just a young lad. Bright lights and big city would have to be appealing to him. He is not thinking about representing connacht on a lions tour and i am sure he has seen the improvement first hand under Pat. He could probably make another 100k a year by being based in the east. If you read between the spin I think it is down to him at this stage. His family will support whatever he decides and we should wish him well if he goes. But I do hope he stays. ...

I do think he'll leave but you never know. There is obviously work being done in the background to try to convince him to stay.

I don't buy into the 'Good luck to him' if he goes sentiment. If he goes, I'll be bitter about it. It's completely up to him so no point making excuses about the IRFU.

Thornley was on Off The Ball last night rolling back on his '99% done' proclamation from a few weeks ago. Sounded more like 50/50 now and he doesn't believe the IRFU are putting any pressure on him whatsoever.

phatguerilla wrote:

connachta wrote:

menacethedenis wrote: This is a professional sport. Sadly, loyalty does not come into it. Players have a very limited timeframe (particularly in a sport as attritional as rugby) in which to maximise their potential and earnings. The fact is he can make far more money at Leinster via sponsorship and if he believes his game will benefit and improve from being there (we obviously don't agree) and that he has a chance of winning leagues and cups, why wouldn't he go? It's not the end of the world. I'd hate to lose a player of that calibre but let's be honest, how often have we seen him the last couple of seasons between international duty, IRFU mandated resting and injury? I'd expect Pat would be pushing hard to get someone coming the other way too, Ringrose and Reid are quality and have bags of potential, they can't be happy about his mooted move either. I also agree that the Madigan thing isn't too far-fetched. He would definitely suit our style of play. AJ may not be staying, Jack is still learning and Craig is a better centre for me. If Madigan wants to stay in Ireland, and was centrally contracted it could happen.

Yeah the real question is will we able to attract one of Madigan, Reid or Ringrose.

I don't think any of these would improve our squad/gameplan to a significant degree - Ok madigan's kicking is exceptional but apart from that he is not a 10 to take the lead. Reid is a failed 10 and on a turnstile in defense, Ringrose is too raw, might as well stick with Parata who has been fantastic for us this season.

I know its petty but if Henshaw leaves I would not want to see him picked again this season barring injury to all other options (which is fairly likely). I'd prefer to see Robb get a chance to continue his growth and TOH to establish himself as our first choice 15.

Sorry to disagree, but if Henshaw leaves, with McSharry concussions, we simply can't afford to play the biggest european Cup with just Griffin signed. Simple as that
Reid, Ringrose aren't perfect but decent back-ups, or even one of the numerous unused Ulster boys, like Olding or Arnold

Disagree for Henshaw too, has to be played any single minutes available. Robb and Parata won't massively benefit from 5 or 6 added pro12 games in April, anyway

lol that was probably me. I don't think its that ridiculous, he's out until what, mid january anyways, then away for 8-10 weeks due to six nations and rest weeks, so we'll barely get to play him again as it is if he leaves. Would prefer other promising centre partnerships are explored rather than disrupting next seasons squad when we get him back for a couple of games. Besides this time we do have options, is not like having 2 and a half locks to pick from.

phatguerilla wrote:
I know its petty but if Henshaw leaves I would not want to see him picked again this season barring injury to all other options (which is fairly likely). I'd prefer to see Robb get a chance to continue his growth and TOH to establish himself as our first choice 15.

Sorry but that is ridiculous - remember someone said something similar about Mick Kearney last season
We're trying to qualify for Champions Cup - we have play our best players available

connachta wrote:

menacethedenis wrote: This is a professional sport. Sadly, loyalty does not come into it. Players have a very limited timeframe (particularly in a sport as attritional as rugby) in which to maximise their potential and earnings. The fact is he can make far more money at Leinster via sponsorship and if he believes his game will benefit and improve from being there (we obviously don't agree) and that he has a chance of winning leagues and cups, why wouldn't he go? It's not the end of the world. I'd hate to lose a player of that calibre but let's be honest, how often have we seen him the last couple of seasons between international duty, IRFU mandated resting and injury? I'd expect Pat would be pushing hard to get someone coming the other way too, Ringrose and Reid are quality and have bags of potential, they can't be happy about his mooted move either. I also agree that the Madigan thing isn't too far-fetched. He would definitely suit our style of play. AJ may not be staying, Jack is still learning and Craig is a better centre for me. If Madigan wants to stay in Ireland, and was centrally contracted it could happen.

Yeah the real question is will we able to attract one of Madigan, Reid or Ringrose.

I don't think any of these would improve our squad/gameplan to a significant degree - Ok madigan's kicking is exceptional but apart from that he is not a 10 to take the lead. Reid is a failed 10 and on a turnstile in defense, Ringrose is too raw, might as well stick with Parata who has been fantastic for us this season.

I know its petty but if Henshaw leaves I would not want to see him picked again this season barring injury to all other options (which is fairly likely). I'd prefer to see Robb get a chance to continue his growth and TOH to establish himself as our first choice 15.

menacethedenis wrote: This is a professional sport. Sadly, loyalty does not come into it. Players have a very limited timeframe (particularly in a sport as attritional as rugby) in which to maximise their potential and earnings. The fact is he can make far more money at Leinster via sponsorship and if he believes his game will benefit and improve from being there (we obviously don't agree) and that he has a chance of winning leagues and cups, why wouldn't he go? It's not the end of the world. I'd hate to lose a player of that calibre but let's be honest, how often have we seen him the last couple of seasons between international duty, IRFU mandated resting and injury? I'd expect Pat would be pushing hard to get someone coming the other way too, Ringrose and Reid are quality and have bags of potential, they can't be happy about his mooted move either. I also agree that the Madigan thing isn't too far-fetched. He would definitely suit our style of play. AJ may not be staying, Jack is still learning and Craig is a better centre for me. If Madigan wants to stay in Ireland, and was centrally contracted it could happen.

Madigan won't come to Galway, no chance especially with interest from other more glamorous locations..

The Henshaw thing for me is really that I want Robbie to be the first Connacht squad member since Ciaran Fitzgerald to be named in a Lions Squad [1983], the lift it would give to Connacht Rugby would be huge and major endorsement of all the work put in over the last couple of seasons....

RonanL wrote:

mikey wrote: .He grew up watching the glory days of Leinster and Munster and probably dreamt of wearing a blue or red jersey.....he'll be gone by the summer.

I've frequented this forum for many years, and I don't think there's ever been a thread with more nonsense posts. He probably dreamt of wearing a blur or red jersey? Seriously?!

And the conspiracy theories about the IRFU forcing the media to run stories or else. Is it that hard to believe that the decision really is Robbie's? If he goes, then I'll assume he decided he can make more money being a Leinster player than a Connacht one. Simple as.

The decision is his and I have believed since I read an interview his father gave last year that he is going and wants to go to Leinster. If that's his choice fair enough. Best of luck to him. All I am saying is that the IRFU don't want to come out as being seen to be trying to influence him to go to Leinster so are getting their PR spin in ahead of the signing being announced. There is a perception in the other provinces that the IRFU is more favourably biased towards Leinster (whether this is correct or not is questionable).

It'd be totally naive to believe that journalists aren't influenced by the IRFU in what they want them to write if they want the stories they need in the future. Ever wonder why the Irish team is named 100% correctly in the paper the morning before the team is officially announced.

Sorry that might be over the top but I particularly despise blatantly false PR bullshit which this undoubtedly is imo. Where were all these lads when the hard questions needed to be answered after our pathetic capitulation to Argentina.

mikey wrote: .He grew up watching the glory days of Leinster and Munster and probably dreamt of wearing a blue or red jersey.....he'll be gone by the summer.

I've frequented this forum for many years, and I don't think there's ever been a thread with more nonsense posts. He probably dreamt of wearing a blur or red jersey? Seriously?!

And the conspiracy theories about the IRFU forcing the media to run stories or else. Is it that hard to believe that the decision really is Robbie's? If he goes, then I'll assume he decided he can make more money being a Leinster player than a Connacht one. Simple as.

menacethedenis wrote: This is a professional sport. Sadly, loyalty does not come into it. Players have a very limited timeframe (particularly in a sport as attritional as rugby) in which to maximise their potential and earnings. The fact is he can make far more money at Leinster via sponsorship and if he believes his game will benefit and improve from being there (we obviously don't agree) and that he has a chance of winning leagues and cups, why wouldn't he go? It's not the end of the world. I'd hate to lose a player of that calibre but let's be honest, how often have we seen him the last couple of seasons between international duty, IRFU mandated resting and injury? I'd expect Pat would be pushing hard to get someone coming the other way too, Ringrose and Reid are quality and have bags of potential, they can't be happy about his mooted move either. I also agree that the Madigan thing isn't too far-fetched. He would definitely suit our style of play. AJ may not be staying, Jack is still learning and Craig is a better centre for me. If Madigan wants to stay in Ireland, and was centrally contracted it could happen.

Yeah the real question is will we able to attract one of Madigan, Reid or Ringrose.

As others have said in previous posts,it matters not one jot what we,the supporters want or think.RH like, any young lad,sees the grass greener far away.He grew up watching the glory days of Leinster and Munster and probably dreamt of wearing a blue or red jersey.....he'll be gone by the summer.
But he'll look back and wished he stayed,as many who travelled that road have found out,the grass ain't always greener .

Got to love the spin and the nod and a wink culture. Bullshitometer is spiking reading this blantant spin. The IRFU know its a done deal to Leinster but don't want the feeling out there that they don't have Connacht's back therefore ask their buddies in the media to include this nonsense or risk not getting future stories.

This is a professional sport. Sadly, loyalty does not come into it. Players have a very limited timeframe (particularly in a sport as attritional as rugby) in which to maximise their potential and earnings. The fact is he can make far more money at Leinster via sponsorship and if he believes his game will benefit and improve from being there (we obviously don't agree) and that he has a chance of winning leagues and cups, why wouldn't he go? It's not the end of the world. I'd hate to lose a player of that calibre but let's be honest, how often have we seen him the last couple of seasons between international duty, IRFU mandated resting and injury? I'd expect Pat would be pushing hard to get someone coming the other way too, Ringrose and Reid are quality and have bags of potential, they can't be happy about his mooted move either. I also agree that the Madigan thing isn't too far-fetched. He would definitely suit our style of play. AJ may not be staying, Jack is still learning and Craig is a better centre for me. If Madigan wants to stay in Ireland, and was centrally contracted it could happen.

green13 wrote: Nucifora was “confident that Robbie will be playing his rugby in Ireland” but as to where: “That’s up to Robbie. That is probably something to touch on. I know that sometimes people think that we manipulate the system and tell people where they can play and that’s not the case. The players, when they are off contract, it is totally up to them to decide where to play.

Quote from article in today's Irish Times.

Have to say that it will show a lack of loyalty from Robbie if he decides to go. I agree with Mary Hinge, it's not too much to expect that a player who has benefited from the best the province has to offer should show a bit of loyalty in return.

This is from today's Indo. Bit more in it re Robbie and Connacht than the IT article.

As for Robbie Henshaw, Nucifora says that the decision on whether he stays at Connacht or moves to Leinster is up to the player himself. The performance director has begun negotiations with the Connacht star's representatives. While the prevailing winds seem to point to a move east, it is understood that the union's preference is for the home-grown star to remain in Galway.

"That's up to Robbie. Sometimes people think that we manipulate the system and tell people where they can play and that's not the case. The players, when they are off contract, it is totally up to them to decide where to play," he said.

"As much as we would like to influence them, we don't have that right. If they choose to play in any one of the four provinces that is up to them. Ultimately, he will make a rugby decision.

"Connacht are putting their best foot forward to be able to put a deal out there to keep Robbie there, and they can't do much more than perform on the field and they're doing a damned good job of that at the moment. They've continued to improve. They've been at the right end of the table for quite a number of weeks.

"Pat (Lam) is doing a great job with the group of young blokes he's got out there, and I'm sure when players are making those decisions Robbie will look at that, and he'll decide whether his future lies best in Connacht or somewhere else."
Looks like the ball is firmly in Robbies court so.