Nanks here until 2029.

That frees up an NIQ slot next year, as well Alatoa's and presumably Harrison's. Between the potential post world cup big name signings and our young lads having 1 more year of development, we could have a serious squad next year.

I know it’s only the start of the season and he will see more game time but surely a move to Ulster would have been much better we crying out for another good loosehead. Then again he probably didn’t fancy a move to Ulster .

Article refers to Jonathan Roche of the Stormers.

Now it is a Rugbypass piece, light on detail and I feel like Fissler has put out a lot of these out in recent years - vague transfer rumours, agent driven, of little substance, purely contract negotiations - but occasionally they come to pass.

Anyone have thoughts on Roche & his potential as a good signing for an Irish province?

Bit of a different question, heading up to Ulster Leinster at the end of April for a stag.

Looking for a restuarant near Ravenhill that'd do the job for 10/11 lads within walking distance of Ravenhill.

This is aimed predominantly at Leinster fans since they're the ones that have had to play them the most in recent years, but why does no one seem to treat them with the same dislike that we treat Saracens with? They have broken the salary cap and abused image rights exactly the same for multiple years, and would have been sent down to the pro d2 through points deduction if not for the limits to what the disciplinary board could actually punish them with (which ended up being a measly couple million euro). Either from pundits or fans, there never seems to be the same distaste towards them.

When Leinster have been beaten in the late stages of the Champions cup by them, was there no feeling of anger at being beaten by a team that's just straight up cheating? As an Ulster fan, when we played them back in 2022 and narrowly lost over 2 legs, knowing what I know now I can't help but feel we've been beaten by a team that's only as strong as it is through dubious means (see also, cheating).

I'm aware that this does come across as a bit salty, but I'm genuinely curious as to why this never gets talked about.

James Mccnabbney David McCann Dan Kelly cathal forde Alex usunov Evan O’Connell Thomas ahern

Morning after the first round of games in Europe, how happy are we, thoughts etc? Spoilers obviously, but the results are hidden. Farrell most likely has the November squad selected, but who put their hands up? Anyone who seems good but just needs a run of games?

MUNvRAC: Munster 33 - 25 Racing 92

CLEvLEI: Clermont Auvergne 23 - 48 Leinster, Leinster take a BP for scoring 3+ more tries than their opponents.

CONvSAR: Connacht 45 - 36 Saracens

ZEBvULS: Zebre Parma 21 - 40 Ulster, Ulster take a BP for scoring 3+ more tries than their opponents.

There’s still some games to be played by other teams today but the provinces are done until December. Round 2:

• Leinster v Sale Sharks 12 Dec 17:30 @ Laya Arena. Sale played Glasgow already.

• Bristol Bears v Munster 12 Dec 20:00 @ Ashton Gate. Bristol played Stormers already.

• Exeter Chiefs v Connacht 13 Dec 13:00 @ Sandy Park. Exeter play Toulouse later.

• Ulster v Aviron Bayonnais 12 Dec 13:00 @ Affidea Stadium. Aviron Bayonnais play the Toyota Cheetahs later.

We return to the URC next week:

Leinster v Munster 24 October 18:00 @ Aviva Stadium

Connacht v Zebre 23 October 19:45 @ Dexcom Stadium

Vodacom Bulls v Ulster 24 October 12:45 (our time) @ Loftus Versfeld

Good week for lads to show up this weekend 21st should be interesting

It doesn't seem like 3 years ago, already. I'm still not completely over the All Blacks game. I've watched it once since it happened, just over the summer.

How do you think we will fare. It would be bloody typical for Scotland to finally get one over on us.

What needs working on over the next 12 months? The scrum is obviously something we need to at least keep upright. We need to figure out our maul Defence, and we need the spot kicking to be in and around 80% be it Jack or Sam. We also need to be better able to defend offloads, and contested kicks. And maybe use these more ourselves.

I do like that Sam is working on his technique. Hopefully it beds in before the 6N.

This will be the last Hurrah for a lot of these lads, and I think they'll leave nothing out there; I also think Farrell will have a trick or two up his sleeve. However, I think France and South Africa are pretty much unbeatable -- at least by us.

I can see France winning the whole thing, and I'd be happy with that. Getting tired of the SA/NZ dominance & Arrogance.

does anyone else think that a set u20s team would be very beneficial for each province. not a selection team picked from clubs from all around, but a genuine academy team similar to the LOI. training most days, best of the best coaches. great training facilities.

the only problem i see with this would be facing the same opponents too often which is why maybe it could be two teams per province. like north and south or the city and outside that. so like a dublin team and a team for the rest of leinster. however i would rather it just be the the traditional 4 provincial teams.

have i missed a major detail of why this wouldn’t be good?

The squad for the november nation’s championship northern series will be announced in 1 week from now.

It’s now squad prediction season and it’s a pretty early autumn squad announcement date just like last year

What is everybody’s hot takes for the upcoming season?

My one is I think Matthew Devine will be in the Ireland wider training squad for the six nations, the stats of points scored when he’s on vs off are staggering.

What’s everyone else’s?

Bold indicates injured

Italics indicates academy

I think Munster have the makings of a good squad here. 2 good players in each position. Backs are obviously a problem with all the injuries. The drop off can be quite steep after the first 2 players

Edit: Added some more academy players

Ulster have not won a match in the URC since March, yet are on 8th points.

Munster have a set piece.

Leinster have a new stadium!

Connacht letting bonus points slip.

Same format as usual: tackles made and metres carried counted in 5s, defenders beaten counted in 2s via Superbru Fantasy with dominant tackles via RugbyPass.

Criteria for selection: https://www.reddit.com/r/irishrugby/s/q4CZz9JybS

Connacht

1. Shamus Hurley-Langton (Back Row) - He put in 5 tackles, carried 20m with dynamism, power and aggression whilst getting the better of 2 defenders. An OK cameo from him.

2. Cian Prendergast (Back Row) - He put in 10 tackles (1 dominant) and carried 35m with dynamism, aggression and power. An OK game from him.

3. Seán Jansen (Back Row) - He put in 15 tackles (1 dominant), got a turnover, carried 20m with good power and aggression whilst getting the better of 2 defenders to score his try. A good game from him.

4. Cathal Forde (Midfield) - He put in 5 tackles (3 dominant), carried 90m and got an assist. A good game from him.

Ulster

1. Tom O'Toole (Prop) - He won a scrum against his own sides put in, carried 10m and broke the line. An OK cameo from him.

2. Tom Stewart (Hooker) - He put in 10 tackles (2 dominant) and carried 10m. An OK game from him.

3. James McNabney (Back Row) - He carried 25m with aggression, power and aggression whilst getting the better of 2 defenders and breaking the line. A decent cameo from him.

4. David McCann (Back Row) - He put in 10 tackles (2 dominant), stole 2 line-outs, carried 35m with power, aggression and dynamism whilst getting the better of 2 defenders to the break the line and also scoring a try. A great game from him.

5. Matthew Devine (Scrum-Half) - He got a turnover and assist whilst also improving the ruck speed and management of the game towards Ulster's favour with also having nice box kicks. A decent cameo from him.

6. Jacob Stockdale (Back 3) - He carried 70m, broke the line 3 times and got the better of 2 defenders each times for both his tries. A good game from him.

7. Robert Balacoune (Back 3) - He put in 5 tackles got a turnover, carried 50m, broke the line twice and got past 2 defenders both times with giving a nice pass to Stockdale on his shoulder to assist his 2nd try.

8. Ethan McElroy (Back 3) - He carried 40m, broke the line, got past 6 defenders and gave a nice assist for McCloskey for the equalising try. A good game from him.

Munster

1. John Hodnett (Back Row) - He put in 5 tackles, carried 15m and broke the line. An OK cameo from him.

2. Alex Kendellan (Back Row) - He put in 5 tackles, got a turnover, carried 5m, kicked a 50:22 and got a brace. A great game from him.

3. Dan Kelly (Midfield) - He put in 10 tackles, carried 55m, broke the line after a great line ran to get past 2 defenders to score his try. A great game from him.

4. Ben O'Connor (Back 3) - He carried 55m, broke the line and got past 6 defenders. A good game from him.

Leinster

1. Scott Penny (Back Row) - He put in an outstanding 20 tackles (3 dominant) and got a turnover. A superb defensive game from him.

2. Oliver Coffey (Scrum-Half) - He carried 15m and broke the line whilst having nice ruck speed and passing from the hand and kicks. A decent game from him.

3. Sam Prendergast (Fly-Half) - He put in 5 tackles (1 dominant), carried 70m, broke the line three teams, got past 2 defenders and had 2 assists with good game management also and a decent kicking game which got him MOTM.