AC/DC live at River Plate.

I spend a lot of time in Scotland and Glasgow is easily the friendliest of the cities. Always have a good time when I’m out in the city. Yeah its got some rough areas, what city doesn’t.

My favouite bar is the Balmore in Possil 😉

Well my mercenary comment has well and truly bitten me on my fat props arse. Sexton has not renewed his IRFU contract…..

The Irish Rugby Football Union has been informed that Jonathan Sexton will not be renewing his contract to remain playing full-time in Ireland from the end of this season.
Philip Browne, IRFU Chief Executive, said: “We are very disappointed, as we know the Irish rugby public will be, that Jonathan Sexton will not be playing his rugby full-time in Ireland from next season.
“Johnny is a major talent and his full-time presence in Ireland will be missed, particularly by Leinster.

“We wish Johnny continued success with his career and he will receive all the support he needs over the next number of weeks in what we know was a very difficult decision for him.

“While we remained in the fight right up until the last possible moment to keep Johnny in Ireland with a very strong offer, ultimately, following negotiations with the player’s agent, we had no option but to take the decision that it would not be in the best interest of Irish rugby to chase the reported financial incentives being offered.

“The IRFU has made a commitment to, and been largely successful in, keeping as many Irish players as possible playing full time in Ireland.

“However, we have always recognised that some of our players will be targeted by overseas clubs with offers which, quite simply, are not within our orbit.

“While Johnny has made the decision to move on to a new club, the IRFU is fully committed, together with the provinces, to maintaining its programme of nurturing and retaining Irish rugby talent.

“We feel that the benefits of the careful and considered management of those players will allow us to maintain this policy.”

Leinster head coach Joe Schmidt said: “Naturally, I’m disappointed. I’ve really enjoyed Johnny’s input over the last few years and he has added tremendous value to the Leinster environment both on and off the field.

“The offer he has received is exceptional, even by French standards, but I know that it was still a tough decision for him.”

Modest like the man himself

Try Trailfinders

Not sure really. I made it as a demo piece in marquetry for the students on the course I teach on. Took me a while…
It did make me think about doing a whole series of classic album covers though…

You should. I think it looks fantastic. You could start production with Metallica’s Black album to ease you into it!

I’ve got some Leki Aluminium ones with a twist lock. Do the job fine. I don’t see the point in spending £80 or more on a set

Are you mad? Turn back now!

kayak is that table available to buy? if so where?

I can get sarries ulster tix no probs, although not on release yet. If you are stuck let me know

What match are you looking tix for?

My collie never liked ham if that helps

Good ULster Champ

http://www.gumbopages.com/food/irish/champ.html

Ewe must be kidding?

I have to agree with you there Tom. 800k rumoured for Sexton pa. A lot of average footballers would earn that in a month

Absolutely AA. Why don’t the Welsh regions have money from 6N and WC though

AA I was always under the impression that they got around 250k but I could be wrong.

Bod could have named his price back in the day I’m sure

If we can attract people to Belfast then surely Cardiff and Swansea shouldn’t be too hard!

Interesting article about revenue from ERC

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2013/0119/1224329046459.html

CFH he has avoided rugby threads since Ulster won at Thomond last year!

Also what about Tommy “Subway Ad-whore” Bowe?
Indeed. He’s gone so far downhill since leaving Ospreylia…!

Give the lad a break, he’s not playing at the minute and needs to pay the winter fuel bill in this cold snap! 😀

I should have phrased my question rather differently, BlindMelon, but I assume that you see the irony in saying this?:

BlindMelon – Member
Right enough Tom, you could name a number of mercenaries!!

when your main playmaker and star player is one of the same.

Although you might not be using it as an insult, it certainly sounds it.

Jon you are absolutely right about Ruan, Muller John Afoa etc. My original joke was not meant to be an insult, apologies. What I was trying to say, badly, was that most of the Irish players seem happy to remain in Ireland rather than take a trip to France. Even with the players based in ROI and the tax rebate they get after 10 years they could still earn a lot more in another league. I’m not sure how this would work for the NI based players, I can’t sen HMRC having a similar set up. I was under the impression that an Irish provincial player with a national contract earned around 250k a year but perhaps it is a lot more than that.

So how can WRU encourage more Welsh players to stay in Wales?

BlindMelon, what will Ulster do when Ruan Pienaar is injured? Because, let’s face it, he’s the only player in the team who knows how to play winning rugby.

They will play Paul Marshall as they did during the AI’s and probably continue to win like they did in the autumn. I disagree that he is the only one who knows how to play winning rugby. He is a wonderful talent but we now have strength in depth and can win ugly up front or with a bit of style in the backs. Just look at the injuries we have at the moment: Muller, Touhy, Ferris, Bowe, Marshall etc and we are still winning.

SUFTUM

Absolutely agree DM, if I was a pro player with a family to look after you would have to go with the Euros!!
Racing are rumoured to be chasing Sexton very hard, Irish papers mentioned 800k Euro per year

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2013/0115/1224328850601.html

Not really AA. Mercenary is about right. Ulster are very good at raising revenue from gates, sponsorship and corporate events. Remember they are the only fully professional team in Norn Iron. Also a certain golfer who landed a decent gig with Nike last week gives them a bob or two 😉

Lee Byrne? Don’t worry about it boss. At least my beloved Ulster are through and have avoided a trip to France. Sarries can definitely be taken then we would have a semi in Dublin

Right enough Tom, you could name a number of mercenaries!!

Condolences to all affected. Terrible news

What do you call a Welshman in the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup?

Nigel Owens

SUFTUM

Fingers crossed for a home QF for Ulster. Poor performance today but a win is a win!

SUFTUM

BOD dropped as Ireland Capt

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/28133.php

Album: Bon Jovi Slippery when wet
Single: Broken English, Coming on Strong

Fair enough TR, used to pubs like that in Norn Iron 😀

Thanks. I take it the schooner etc is wipe your feet on the way out territory?

Malmaison for food then a few in the Grill sounds like a plan

TR budget not that important tbh. Probably more upmarket the better

Maple syrup and banana

This should do the trick

Conrad is very nice, but pricy

I’d like to see Visser at 13 cause he can’t tackle!

I’d imagine Ronan will be getting a bit of time off!!