TRANSFER RUMOURS!!

[Dave]

Sure why not contracts are broken all the time. They mean nothing anymore. He might be homesick for his new home and also because covid.

IRFU could have offered all players early release if they wanted.

Jonny telling porkies about finances not being an issue?

[damianmcr]

Sure why not contracts are broken all the time. They mean nothing anymore. He might be homesick for his new home and also because covid.

IRFU could have offered all players early release if they wanted.

Jonny telling porkies about finances not being an issue?

No idea but by all accounts zero player contract renewals have started for next season and we could see a few big name departures.

[justinr73]

They are supposed to start in January.

[Lurgan Lad]

Think the elephant in the room is IRFU's finances, if they are as bad as they appear to be I imagine they are open for business on anyone under contract. I'm not seeing us having a stronger squad next season than this.

[richardt84]

Think the elephant in the room is IRFU's finances, if they are as bad as they appear to be I imagine they are open for business on anyone under contract. I'm not seeing us having a stronger squad next season than this.

I’ll be sympathetic to the IRFU on that one as long as other provinces are equally impacted. It’s one thing losing players due to contract renewals but it’s quite another if we are the only province who lose players contracted beyond the end of this season.

I’d agree on not expecting as strong a squad next season but surely clubs right across the board, with a few exceptions, are having to tighten their belts to some degree?

[Dave]

Correct me if I'm wrong but the irfu were given a significant lump of cash from the Irish government. I don't know if it's enough to keep everything afloat without gate receipts but there is also TV money and sponsorship. Petrie tweeted that finances were not an issue with Coetzee leaving. That was down to the player and the other team.

If Cooney and Coetzee are both leaving we will find very difficult to replace them with similar quality. Cooney's replacement has to be IQ. I don't think there is anyone better but perhaps that's just me. Coetzee is the best all-round backrow NIQ we have ever signed, in my view. We have now let him leave to a league rival. I reckon we should put all our effort into the Challenge Cup this year with hopefully Hendo/Addison back from injury at the right time.

[nonplussed]

SO 2 folks have been bandied about re: Marcel's replacement. Fez mentioned Bill Mata in dispatches, while another is a Brumbie backrower with decent pedigree. anyone heard anything, or will we just get another Campbell Feather for our sins.

[kingofthehill]

SO 2 folks have been bandied about re: Marcel's replacement. Fez mentioned Bill Mata in dispatches, while another is a Brumbie backrower with decent pedigree. anyone heard anything, or will we just get another Campbell Feather for our sins.

Mata is not coming to ulster. Ferris about a month behind that news.

[nonplussed]

So the Brumbie then?