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Ross Byrne linked with shock move to Top 14
By Ian Cameron
Leinster and Ireland fly-half Ross Byrne has been linked with a potential move to France’s Top 14 this summer. Reports in French media suggest Montpellier are interested in signing the 29-year-old as they seek to strengthen their squad.
Byrne’s possible move to France comes as Leinster’s fly-half options have grown more crowded. Ciaran Frawley, who has started three of Leinster’s five URC matches this season, appears to be the preferred choice for the role.
Byrne has started just one game to date.
Rising talent Sam Prendergast is also highly regarded, with many tipping him as the future of the position for both Leinster and Ireland. Byrne’s younger brother Harry is also competing for the same spot.
While the IRFU system rarely loses top players to France, reports this weekend from Midi Olympique have linked Byrne with a move to Bernard Laporte's Montpellier.
The French big-spenders currently sit 12th in the Top 14 table, having won only two of their opening seven matches. They may well see Byrne as a seasoned player who could steady the ship for the 2022 Bouclier de Brennus winners.
Byrne has certainly been a consistent figure for Leinster but with the emergence of Frawley and Prendergast, he has found himself facing the prospect of falling down the pecking order at ten. In this context, the opportunity to join Montpellier may be an attractive option for St Michael's product, though a move to France would end his involvement at Test level, where he's earned 23 caps to date.
According to Midi's sources Byrne is open to the switch none-the-less. If he does leave Ireland he could be joined by some New Zealander star power in the halfback department, with MHR also reportedly interested in All Blacks scrum-half Finlay Christie.
Byrne has played 174 matches for Leinster to date - starting in 113 and scoring 1120. For Ireland, he has earned 23 caps, scoring 56 points, with all but four coming off the bench.
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Latest Comments
they are necessary
Go to commentsIn a Marvel superhero world, it's tempting to follow the "one man can save the world/code" narrative.
But trying to graft a champion pear tree onto an apple tree and expecting a massive harvest may not necessarily bear fruit .
My suggestion- instead, refertilise and invigorate the roots of the apple tree, turning green shoots and young branches into a stronger apple tree.
How?
Create a number of rugby scholarships, say 50 of $10,000 each for promising young rugby players.
This would be used to cover the expenses of playing overseas in the French, English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, NZ or South African premierships after next year's Lion's tour, or for time off work for high performance placements or special skills training.
The British and Irish Lions tour will see RA with available cash, and rather than invest in just a few players like Nathan Cleary, I suggest we develop our current Super Rugby, Australian U 20s, U 19s players where we have seen very promising results.
I would also suggest targeting established combinations, such as Teddy Wilson and Jack Bowen, who played together at U 20s, Easts Shute Shield and are in the Waratahs squad, to be playing at the same club and look to build future Gregan/ Markham combos.
The Wallabies need also to increase their front row depth and quality as Taniella Tupou body has it's own issues.
As we've seen on Dave Rennie's last Spring Tour, and in the recent Rugby Championship game against South Africa, without a highly functioning scrum, a team is pushing it uphill.
And where better for props and forwards to refine their craft than the Northern Hemisphere or South Africa.
Will Skelton, the Arnold brothers, Scott Sio, Angus Scott Young, and Lukhan are someexamples of forwards who have stepped up and thrived O/S.
Cricketers do it(Mike Hussey), actors do it(Guy Pearce, Mel Gibson, the Hemsworths, Margo Robbie etc), why not rugby players.
Travel broadens the mind, you leave your past identity behind, and start life with a blank slate. And get exposure to new players, coaches and systems that advance maturity.
And if the BIL beat us convincingly, a stint O/S would be a great thing to wipe the mental slate clean.
Having said that, Joseph Sualli has got rugby back into the headlines, so we'll take that, but some good on field wins and signs of further growth such as Joe Scmidt has producedwill certainly aid our rugby game.
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