Just read in yesterdays Midi-Olympique in France that moves are afoot to bring BOD to Toulouse. Contacts are understood to have been made using Trevor Brennan Leinster connections. They wish to strengthen due to the injury to Garbajosa and the retirement of Ntamack. An awful lot of money may be offered.
Now as a Munster supporter, I´d have only one problem with that i.e it would make Toulouse even better and I don´t particularly want that.
However for Irl it might be good as BOD is one of the few players that can go abroad and not lose his Irish place. It would also help bring forward new talent at Leinster in that position -outside centre- Quinlan for example which would be of long term benefit to the IRL team.
If I was a Leinster fan, I´d be very worried.
FMS
< http://www.irishrugby.ie/images/spacer.gif> Re: Brian O´Driscoll a Toulouse?
Date Posted: 04 Nov 2003 14:54
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Cuchulainn, make him financially secure? BOD is paid extremely well and has more endorsements in Ireland than problably any other sports start. Boots, Pads, Reebok Gear, Papers, Washing podwer, drinks, etc...
I think he has no financial worries for life, and if he went to France he would be out of the eye of the Irish. I don´t know, but if I was him I wouldn´t mind the way things are.
MCORK
< http://www.irishrugby.ie/images/spacer.gif> Re: Brian O´Driscoll a Toulouse?
Date Posted: 04 Nov 2003 14:45
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Oggy - would i be right in thinking you´re talking about POC there?
There is a difference though. POC is starting out on his career and has only recently secured his place in the Irish XV. He´s certainly making a name for himself now though but he may not feel inclined to leave munster straight away.
It´s hard to believe BOD is only 23, he´s been around for ages and is a house hold name in rugby terms. He might fancy something new in terms of climate, culture etc.
Top 16 rugby in France is quickly becoming the Serie A of world rugby with hosts of players from England, Austrailia etc joining recently. The celtic league doesn´t compete yet in terms of spectacle or prestige -maybe someday.
He may fancy this and i´m sure the money would be better. Toulouse is a Rugby mad town where matches are always shown live on TV in front of full stadia. The hard dry ground in the SOF would also suit his game.
The IRFU who contract BOD might also see this as an opportunity to offload one of its highest paid stars and still have hime available to Ireland.
I´ve no idea whether BOD would be interested in such a move or not although one thing is certain if I wanted a move, the south of France would certainly apeal more than say England.
Cuchulainn
< http://www.irishrugby.ie/images/spacer.gif> Re: Brian O´Driscoll a Toulouse?
Date Posted: 04 Nov 2003 13:23
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BOD is a class act and I suppose you can´t blame the young man for looking to secure his financial future.
Will miss him at Provincial level, but I hope you are right regarding his availability for Ireland.
Good luck BOD.
Liam
< http://www.irishrugby.ie/images/spacer.gif> Re: Brian O´Driscoll a Toulouse?
Date Posted: 04 Nov 2003 13:12
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Hope he doesn´t go cause if he did I think it would be the start a load of other people deciding to up and leave. Who do people think the big European clus will try and target? POC is defintely going to be on a number of wish lists.
oggy