ComeAllWithin

Rugby => ComeAllWithin Board => Topic started by: honkytonk on Monday 11-Feb-2019, 16:28*

Title: Obrien to Irish....in Dec!!!
Post by: honkytonk on Monday 11-Feb-2019, 16:28*
So as expected, SOB joins Irish, but not until December.  Due to the RWC.  Got me thinking about next season.  Could play a bit of havoc with some squads not having players available.  Am I right in thinking the season is starting later next year???
Title: Re: Obrien to Irish....in Dec!!!
Post by: Fearless Fred on Monday 11-Feb-2019, 16:55*
The season will start roughly the same time as normal, but the European competitions will shuffle the early rounds later. The only reason why the Prem started early in 2015 is that World Rugby stipulates that the domestic season of the host country  can't overlap with the pool rounds of the RWC. When we won in 2011/12, some folks from other boards suggested that our flying start to the Premiership was because we had very few away at the RWC (although we went unbeaten domestically until losing to Sarries at Big Game).
Title: Re: Obrien to Irish....in Dec!!!
Post by: Brown Bottle on Monday 11-Feb-2019, 18:51*
Quote
When we won in 2011/12, some folks from other boards suggested that our flying start to the Premiership was because we had very few away at the RWC (although we went unbeaten domestically until losing to Sarries at Big Game).

Some on our board did too. Fact is Tigers comfortably won the last part of the season after a dreadful start. But we won the final, which is what matters.
Title: Re: Obrien to Irish....in Dec!!!
Post by: Banstead Quin on Tuesday 12-Feb-2019, 12:46*
Smart move by the not nots, bringing in that experience half way through the season. But, if he remains an international, they won't see much of him, will probably only play 6 GP games. Still probably the same amount of league games that the Irish first XV play now!!!
Title: Re: Obrien to Irish....in Dec!!!
Post by: TomBuckQuin on Tuesday 12-Feb-2019, 13:11*
I think O'Brien's international career will be tailing off post-WC tbh - Ireland have been developing other, younger options there. That's presumably the logic Irish are running with as well. Good signing for them but he is past his rollicking best of a few years ago.