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United Rugby Championship

Ross Byrne linked with shock move to Top 14

By Ian Cameron

3 hours ago

Ross Byrne of Leinster during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Leinster at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. (Photo By Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

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.

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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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Comments on RugbyPass

MakeOllieMathisAnAB 1 hour ago

Cautious Robertson 'has to produce wins more than next generation players'

Arrogance is a good thing in that case. The ABs have five games including the 3 of England, Ireland, france in the space of 15 days.

If they win, as we expect them to, that puts a touch of gloss on an otherwise very poor season so far, and shows they have learned some their lessons, and are trending in the right direction for sure.

If they lose, it’s back to the drawing board and figuring out why. They lost twice against the Boks and while that hurts, there were positives to be built on.

So ‘arrogance’ isn’t the insult you think it is.

Makes your losses hurt a bit more maybe as Ireland found out in the quarter final last year, but it can also set your attitude to that of champions.

55 Go to comments

MakeOllieMathisAnAB 1 hour ago

Cautious Robertson 'has to produce wins more than next generation players'

It would be better for the teams he played for results wise for him to smash opposition forwards.

But I must admit I love the idea of this giant athlete going missing for an entire game, only pop up and completely pole ax some poor wee fella half his size and half the time getting a card for it.

55 Go to comments

JWH 1 hour ago

Cautious Robertson 'has to produce wins more than next generation players'

Wishful thinking. 'Oh, they would've won if they had scored more points and stopped the other team from scoring!'

On paper this, on paper that. On paper, France got knocked out in a QF at a home WC. Doesn't tell the full story, does it? On paper, France lost to Argentina. On paper, France is 4th in the world. On paper, NZ beat England twice this year, one more time than France. That was without Frizell or Mounga or Roigard, and Mounga is the best 10 in the world right now, followed by Russell, then Marcus Smith, then Ntamack.

55 Go to comments

SC 2 hours ago

Cautious Robertson 'has to produce wins more than next generation players'

If only Finau had the balls to hit forwards as hard as he hits much smaller 10s.

55 Go to comments

RedWarrior 2 hours ago

Cautious Robertson 'has to produce wins more than next generation players'

Remember England's last match in Twickenham was the win over Ireland. The crowd played a massive part in that. NZ won't be able to "manage" this match (that was one of Ireland's mistakes) they will have to play to an exceptionally high standard and win the hard way. If they underestimate them in any way this will go wrong.

I would agree that the hardest match may well be France, because although they might get a win in Dublin a heavy physical toll will be taken.

If NZ lose to Ireland then they have little chance in Paris. France always believe they are better than Ireland and if Ireland win, France will want to win by more. In 2021, when Ireland won in Dublin, France pulverized them. France fell asleep and let NZ back in before pulling away again. But if Ireland show the way by beating them, then they are in serious trouble. My gut is also that France have regrouped with a real focus on Nations Cup 2026, and Australia 2027. We will see.

55 Go to comments

SC 2 hours ago

Asafo Aumua compares pressure of lineout throwing to goal-kicking

Taukeiaho was very good in 2022 but he regressed in 2023. Who knows whether he will be a test calibre player in 2025.

2 Go to comments

RedWarrior 3 hours ago

Cautious Robertson 'has to produce wins more than next generation players'

Seriously, the 2023 RWC lead into the 2023/2024 URC/Prem which lead into the summer Internationals. Players were tired, but players are rested now.

Loads of talent coming through for Ireland but you're right ,NZ will turn up and win the three games, just like the good old days, sure its the All Blacks?

Seriously, dying to see the 4th best team in the world turn up like the heroes they are and demolish all before them! Or else maybe we'll get a bit of realism and humility after this series (Razor seems a realist) and the significance of the 2022 Ireland series loss will finally sink in.

55 Go to comments

RedWarrior 3 hours ago

Cautious Robertson 'has to produce wins more than next generation players'

NZ are NOT AS GOOD as Ireland, and probably NOT AS GOOD as France. On neutral ground. You are playing against them in their home stadium. NZ is their hardest matches (except for England) so they are putting most of their prep into planning to beat NZ. NZ can't reciprocate because their preparation is split at least 3 ways.

England also believe they 'owe' NZ one. Their last match in Twickers was their milestone win over Ireland. NZ will feel the jeopardy, pressure and oppression once that starts.

Your dice roll (luck) won't be enough. Given NHs major improvements in recent years it does smack of arrogance for NZ still to expect to turn up, play the 3 games and believe they will probably slam them. Arrogance or optimistic foolishness maybe?

55 Go to comments

MakeOllieMathisAnAB 3 hours ago

Cautious Robertson 'has to produce wins more than next generation players'

Yeah that’s what teams are supposed to do when they get beaten; learn their lesson and get better lol.

The ABs respect everyone. Can’t win games if you don’t. can’t get much more respectful than preparing for 18 months to play a team in a knockout game that might not even happen.

55 Go to comments

RedWarrior 3 hours ago

Cautious Robertson 'has to produce wins more than next generation players'

They beat Argentina with their C team. Lost narrowly when a few players were sent home. They would have beaten England by 20+ (without Dupont and Ntamack) only for a lapse where England scored 3 tries either side of H/T. On paper France's squad is stronger than in '23: NZ's weaker.

Optimism won't help you in Paris (or Dublin, London).

To win the three matches, you will need to be more than on a par with your opponents. You'll need to be significantly better. NZ are not even on a par.

55 Go to comments

Andrew Nichols 3 hours ago

Asafo Aumua compares pressure of lineout throwing to goal-kicking

Like on his first shift in black , sadly he hasnt

impressed on his return. We have badly missed Taukeiaho.

2 Go to comments

Derek Murray 3 hours ago

The rugby world is concerned about Australia but signs of recovery are palpable

Please explain.

What has Australia sown?

17 Go to comments

RedWarrior 3 hours ago

Mark McCall chuffed Saracens beat a style 'unique in world rugby'

Pat Lambe must be one of the best attack coach in the world. Connaught win a Celtic League comprehensively with relatively inferior players but with an attack no-one could live with. Leinster and Ireland looked at this and learned.

1 Go to comments

Wally 3 hours ago

The Gloucester verdict as Charlie Atkinson heads back to Leicester

Need to consentrate on Defence. and instigate and Defence plan that the whole team conform to! Lead by an older, expienced head!! and it shows in result!?? Come on Glaws!

1 Go to comments

RedWarrior 4 hours ago

The Borthwick message to England 14 days out from All Blacks game

The quality of the Premiership is up again this year. Bristol and Saracens was a classic among several high quality games. England still have Felix Jones who will be extremely useful for the NZ and SA games.

6 Go to comments

RedWarrior 4 hours ago

The Borthwick message to England 14 days out from All Blacks game

I think England, Ireland and France will happily take you up on that. It Italy topple Argentina, I'd be a little cautious there too. You're ranked #3 in the world, probably 4th or 5th team. A little humility required.

6 Go to comments

RedWarrior 5 hours ago

Cautious Robertson 'has to produce wins more than next generation players'

"The All Blacks shouldn't use copouts like that."

But that's part of the problem. NZ are now #3 in the RWC. They may even be the 4th best team. France and SA have already played development teams and lost. But NZ losing and claiming any mitigation for sit is a 'copout'?

55 Go to comments

RedWarrior 5 hours ago

Cautious Robertson 'has to produce wins more than next generation players'

I think you are misinterpreting me. We thought we had earned the 'respect' you mean by comprehensively beating NZ in the 2022 test series. We also behaved honorably after both our test wins there. Our views on NZ have changed as our improvements have earned only disrespect from NZ. We view them as arrogant and entitled much as we used to view England. So unlike in 2019 and 2023 I believe we will specifically prepare for NZ in RWCs going forward.

55 Go to comments

RedWarrior 5 hours ago

Cautious Robertson 'has to produce wins more than next generation players'

Ireland always show respect: win or lose. Not so with NZ. That is something they need to learn in November and also in reality in a RWC elimination match. I think Ireland will bring in the same mentality as the Durban victory. Win or lose, NZ will be limping into Paris.

55 Go to comments

RedWarrior 5 hours ago

Cautious Robertson 'has to produce wins more than next generation players'

Almost Everybody regresses a little after a RWC even SA. NZ have regressed. The 6N was the first tournament right after the RWC. Ireland beat France by 21 points which is usually a scoreline that France beat NZ by.