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Exeter to sign one-time Ireland centre and a lock from Leinster - report
By Ian Cameron
The mini-exodus at Leinster is set to continue with a total of five players now linked with imminent moves away from the province.
Gerry Thornley in The Irish Times is reporting that Rory O'Loughlin is set to join Jack Dunne in signing for Exeter Chiefs in the Gallagher Premiership.
Rob Baxter's Exeter, who are known for their canny recruitments, have already seen the benefit of signing underutilized Irish centres, with former Ulster midfielder Ian Whitten enjoying a remarkable career in Devon. With Whitten now 34, Baxter may be hoping to strike gold once again.
Like Whitten - who won a couple of caps for Ireland on a summer tour in 2009 - O'Loughlin enjoyed an extremely brief Ireland carrer, earning just a solitary cap for Ireland back in 2017.
The 28-year-old has made 91 appearances for Leinster since making his debut back in 2016.
Young lock Jack Dunne has been linked with Exeter for some time now. The Chiefs are looking to fill the giant hole left that will be left with the departure of British & Irish Lion Jonny Hill, who is swapping Devon for Manchester and the Sale Sharks at the end of the season.
Leinster are also set to lose players on their western flank, with reports in Ireland suggesting Peter Dooley and Adam Byrne are set to sign on the dotted line in Galway. Bernard Jackman linked the prop and the winger with a move to Andy Friend's URC side in conversation with The42.ie.
Leinster utility forward Josh Murphy is already confirmed to be joining but Thornley writes that a fourth player is on the way: highly-rated former Ireland U20s star David Hawkshaw.
The 5'9, 86kg 10/12 has made eight appearances for Leinster, scoring 14 points.
RugbyPass understands that Exeter have also had a look at uncapped Leinster academy product Charlie Ryan. The 6’8, 115kg 22-year-old is coming off an academy contract at Leinster at the end of the season.
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The way Ratima has been treated he needs to look OS. Same with Perofeta and Love, Hothem too. Razor is a token coach. Gives debuts but very few mins. Also DM too. Just go earn millions elsewhere DM as all you get in NZ is bagging.
BB is coaches favourite and I say let him have BB right thru to the next 2 or maybe even 3 World cups.😁😁 Have JB outside him at 12...That just works so well.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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