Western Force keen on O'Connor?

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18-06-19, 18:30
volvo

Western Force keen on O'Connor?

Western Force are keen to sign James O'Connor from Sale Sharks, according to Neil Fissler in The Rugby Paper.

The former Australia international has rarely lit up the Premiership since joining from Toulon on a three-year deal in 2017.

At the moment, the 28-year-old utility back is ineligible to play for the Wallabies as his 44 caps fall short of the 60 required for overseas players to be in the mix for selection.

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A move to the Force in Super Rugby would hypothetically open the door for a possible World Cup call, but that is highly unlikely considering he hasn't played for his country since September, 2013.

Sale are unlikely to be keen on offloading O'Connor as they look to increase the quality of their squad and spend close to the salary cap to compete for trophies next season.

Director of rugby Steve Diamond has brought in eight players so far, six of whom are South African - Jake Cooper-Woolley (Wasps), Rob du Preez, Akker van der Merwe, Coenie Oosthuizen (all from Sharks in Super Rugby), Lood de Jager (Bulls), Simon Hammersley, plus the loans of Dan and Jen-Luc du Preeze from Sharks.

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/sport...s-news-2988008
18-06-19, 18:31
volvo

Quote:

Originally Posted by volvo

Western Force are keen to sign James O'Connor from Sale Sharks, according to Neil Fissler in The Rugby Paper.

The former Australia international has rarely lit up the Premiership since joining from Toulon on a three-year deal in 2017.

At the moment, the 28-year-old utility back is ineligible to play for the Wallabies as his 44 caps fall short of the 60 required for overseas players to be in the mix for selection.

READ MORE
Premiership rumours and news - Bath coach 'an option' for Tigers, Alun Wyn Jones linked to Bristol, Sean Long joins Quins

A move to the Force in Super Rugby would hypothetically open the door for a possible World Cup call, but that is highly unlikely considering he hasn't played for his country since September, 2013.

Sale are unlikely to be keen on offloading O'Connor as they look to increase the quality of their squad and spend close to the salary cap to compete for trophies next season.

Director of rugby Steve Diamond has brought in eight players so far, six of whom are South African - Jake Cooper-Woolley (Wasps), Rob du Preez, Akker van der Merwe, Coenie Oosthuizen (all from Sharks in Super Rugby), Lood de Jager (Bulls), Simon Hammersley, plus the loans of Dan and Jen-Luc du Preeze from Sharks.

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/sport...s-news-2988008

Interesting . . . although they seem to have the impression we are still in super rugby.
18-06-19, 20:03
GIGS20

He's always been a prodigious talent, but had too much of the kurtley beale/will genia about him.

Has that been beaten out of him?
18-06-19, 21:08
wallabydarnd

Quote:

Originally Posted by GIGS20

He's always been a prodigious talent, but had too much of the kurtley beale/will genia about him.

Has that been beaten out of him?

No no no too many bad memories
No dickhead policy seems to be suiting us well at the moment
19-06-19, 05:37
SNOB

Quote:

Originally Posted by volvo;468232

Director of rugby Steve Diamond has brought in eight players so far, six of whom are South African - Jake Cooper-Woolley (Wasps), Rob du Preez, Akker van der Merwe, Coenie Oosthuizen (all from Sharks in Super Rugby), Lood de Jager (Bulls), Simon Hammersley, plus the loans of Dan and Jen-Luc du Preeze from Sharks.

[url

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/sport/other-sport/premiership-rugby-transfer-rumours-news-2988008[/url]

Quite a shopping list!
19-06-19, 12:10
Sheikh

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallabydarnd

No no no too many bad memories
No dickhead policy seems to be suiting us well at the moment

I recall that when he left we had Pocock, Hodgson & Brown at the TWF awards night, answering questions from the crowd. When O'Connor's name came up Hodgo had to physically stop Brownie grabbing the mike, leaving Pocock to try and find an acceptable answer; so I think the back-row certainly had a few views regarding O'Connor.

If O'Connor had been tearing up the Premiership, Top 14 or with the Reds when he came back for a year prior to the 2015 World Cup, then I might consider whether was worth the agro, but he hasn't been, so sod him. Yes, he's a versatile player, but with a number of issues and we don't need someone who could potentially ruin the club morale.