Apology accepted Rossie.

Firstly id like to apologise for my post last night on this topic. I had a few too many in me at the time of posting so again sorry.

I have seen Peter Borlase play for Munster on a few occasions just after he signed a couple of seasons ago. He came with a big rep and was considered to be the long term replacement for the bull at that time. Everytime the scrum engaged he went up, down or in. In fact he was such a shambles that munster had to use buckley again and we all know what he is like.
At the time of posting i didnt know the extent(stil dont) of rodgers injury but it would appear he is going to be out for a while.
I would have prefered if we had signed Ryan or even Cotter on loan as they both have shown some scrummaging potential. I am not an expert in front row techniques in fact far from it but i am an avid fan of all aspects of the game and as a coach in a different code i like to pay ttention to the smaller details of a game.
The abiding principle(im told)for any prop is to adapt and overcome and the unwritten rule is that its not illegal if the ref doesnt blow the whistle. Buckley, Borlase, Archer and Rodney are poor scrummagers because they fail to adapt to the opposition tactics at scrum time. Botha, Ross,Afoa and imo Loughney are good scrummagers because they do adapt quickley. It doesnt always work out that way and sometimes good scrummagers get their asses handed to them but most of the time they overcome whatever is thrown their way or at least find a way to survive.
I hope Borlase and indeed rodney prove me wrong but the evidence points to more of the same.

Ah feck, missed it before the edit

ummm, wrote:

Packie wrote:

ummm, wrote: Whatever the point of this signing, Maguire has been named on the bench for the Glasgow match, so there must be some faith in him.

there could be another reason he's there, think about it

Could you be more specific?

edit : nevermind

Packie wrote:

ummm, wrote: Whatever the point of this signing, Maguire has been named on the bench for the Glasgow match, so there must be some faith in him.

there could be another reason he's there, think about it

Could you be more specific?

Nope,can't think of a reason why a prop would be on the bench.

_nobody_ wrote:

connachtexile wrote: I'm actually happy to have Borlase for a few reasons. Firstly with his signing and Parks coming in it shows that management are aware of the weak points in our team and are trying to rectify them. Is Parks and Borlase the answer maybe/maybe not.

I think this is the major point. Last year I felt we signed payers for the sake of signing them. Look at the number of backrows we have which is one position I feel we have youth coming up. The likes of TJ Anderson and Grace are not seeing much gametime. We also have the two Conneelys and McKeon.

They are at least making signings in positions that are needed.

I could understand the back row signings easily enough, we have had both Ray & JO'C on the physio table quite a lot in recent years and you have to have the lads signed and available to be able to use them even if they don't get the games subsequently. This goes back to the Connacht A / AIL issue though...

ummm, wrote: Whatever the point of this signing, Maguire has been named on the bench for the Glasgow match, so there must be some faith in him.

there could be another reason he's there, think about it

Whatever the point of this signing, Maguire has been named on the bench for the Glasgow match, so there must be some faith in him.

connachtexile wrote: I'm actually happy to have Borlase for a few reasons. Firstly with his signing and Parks coming in it shows that management are aware of the weak points in our team and are trying to rectify them. Is Parks and Borlase the answer maybe/maybe not.

I think this is the major point. Last year I felt we signed payers for the sake of signing them. Look at the number of backrows we have which is one position I feel we have youth coming up. The likes of TJ Anderson and Grace are not seeing much gametime. We also have the two Conneelys and McKeon.

They are at least making signings in positions that are needed.

Rossie, how on earth would you know ?? have you attended all the training sessions and every game that he has played in to make that judgment ?because I certainly have not seen enough of him and a lot of other players to make a comment like that!
If he is no good, (your comment) why was he given a 2 year contract and why was he selected for the Irish under 20s who in fact won the grand slam in that year.
You are obviously an officinado in the dark arts of what goes on in the front row so I bow to your supperior knowledge and experience!.

I'm actually happy to have Borlase for a few reasons. Firstly with his signing and Parks coming in it shows that management are aware of the weak points in our team and are trying to rectify them. Is Parks and Borlase the answer maybe/maybe not.

Borlase had a good career in NZ and I will happily give him the benefit of the doubt until I see otherwise. As for Loughney I think he could be a good TH but could be a very good LH. Would rather see him be a specialist then a jack of all trades. Is it hard on Maguire? Yes but Maguire is what 22? In propping terms he's a babe with 10/15 years ahead of him injury permitting.

Apparently the biggest gripe at Munster was he scrummaged fine but didn't do enough around the Park. If he gives our backs a solid platform then I for one will be happy to have him. He can be a pillar in rucks and I'm sure he can lift fine. Definite Linkball signing!

I can only imagine this loan is because we need it. Maybe Dave's injury isn't responding to treatment as quickly as the medics would like?

From Borlase's point of view, this looks like he's very much in the last chance saloon, which might give him the kick in the pants he needs to show what he has got.

In the end it's no skin off our nose, we're not obliged to play him. If he can't get past the THs we have then tough titty.

English is the first language on this site Rossie!

he is no good, same as rodney.

no good at all, th is not about size and power its about technique. most top ths are around 6ft and 100/115 kg atm. we have a decent th in r loughney. munster want 2 no f borlase is worth a contract when we need! 2 no if rodney is worth one.

ConnachtCows wrote:

Greendragon wrote: Why not put trust in our young props ? we have size and we have power, what we do not have is a enough tighthead props that have enough gametime under their belts to warrent a starting place.What has Maguire done for him not to get game time ? he was on the bench at Cardiff and not used (again)how on earth does Eric expect him to improve with zero game time ?
He is not the only player in the squad with this problem Moore would also be lacking game time and out of the equasion if Murphy did not have an operetion on an injury !! there are also quite a few others in the squad that are screaming out for game time. But as the saying goes if your face fits !!!!
In my opinion we don't need him, he's not setting the world alight at Munster is he ???? as matter of interest was he playing in the A fixture against us a few months back ?

Maybe the players just aren't good enough?

How would we know we haven't seen enough of them.I don't suppose Eric and co have propped against them either.