Robin Copeland set to join Munster next summer?

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/cardiff-blues-star-robin-copeland-6386236

Reports from Wales online suggest that Robin Copeland has already agreed to join Munster in the summer from the Cardiff Blues. Good news for him as it would certainly boost his chances of one day getting Ireland caps.

Loss for Cardiff? Gain for Munster?

One thing is for sure, since being dropped from the Leinster academy his rise from obscurity has been impressive:

Leinster academy->St Marys->Rotherham->Cardiff blues->Munster(?)

The Blues could potentially lose Warburton and Halfpenny along with Copeland and Bradley Davies at the end of the season, not looking good right now.

IronMike wrote:The Blues could potentially lose Warburton and Halfpenny along with Copeland and Bradley Davies at the end of the season, not looking good right now.

Its a real pity because right now the Blues are good enough to beat European heavyweights like Toulon but might struggle if the exodus continues.

Great signing.

Heaslip is in fantastic form but behind him there are not a lot of options at 8 - Wilson and Coughlan are playing well but are well into their 30's so he could have a big future for Ireland, and certainly strengthens Munster's back row.

Is Copeland any good?

profitius wrote:Is Copeland any good?

MOTM in Cardiff Blues win v Toulon this year. Blues fans seem to like him.

He played very well against Ulster too (or did I dream that one?) - he's been the standout player in the few occasions I've watched the Blues recently.

Is he not mainly a 6? I dont think he'd be in Munster first choice back row anyway, with POM, TOD and Stander/Coughlan

Golden wrote:Is he not mainly a 6? I dont think he'd be in Munster first choice back row anyway, with POM, TOD and Stander/Coughlan

You never know. In any case guys Irish qualified players that arent first choice often get more game time than their more established competition.

profitius wrote:Is Copeland any good?

Better than Ruddock junior  

Real shame, ha been consistently the bets Blues player this year. Real big loss, i hope you can keep hold of Bradley, Sam and Leigh though but it all looks very unlikely.

There are tons of quality backrowers at Munster, he should join Connacht instead.

With Copeland signing it means Munster will let a few players leave. It looks like Lualala is leaving and I expect a few backs and backrows to go too.

Taffineastbourne wrote:

profitius wrote:Is Copeland any good?

Better than Ruddock junior  

Ruddock junior could be nailing down the number 6 jersey for Leinster. Been impressive lately!

By Ruddock junior I think he means Ciaran Ruddock

He's a great player. He should only join Munster if he can be guaranteed a shot at the Ireland team, because he's more than good enough and that is where his heart is set.

The Saint wrote:He's a great player. He should only join Munster if he can be guaranteed a shot at the Ireland team, because he's more than good enough and that is where his heart is set.

Nobody can be guaranteed a shot.  But playing in Munster would be be enough of an honour for now surely?  But it's a pity that he comes to them (if true) in the middle of the fall-out from the HEC crap.  That's a sour taste as nobody wants to see Welsh sides lose and lose players.  Not good for them or the Pro12.

Copeland has achieved what he set out to do and that was to join an Irish province. That is the reason he went to Cardiff instead of going to an AP side so he could be watched more closely by the provinces.

Very smart on his part.

Seems he played in the back row with Sean Dougall in Rotherham for a season.

The Saint wrote:He's a great player. He should only join Munster if he can be guaranteed a shot at the Ireland team, because he's more than good enough and that is where his heart is set.

He has a shot the same as everybody else but he will have to earn selection first
Not least by getting into the Munster team

My heart was set on playing for Ireland doesn't mean I deserved a shot

Bottom line - no guarantees other than a chance to prove himself

Official now, Regions can't even keep their "non Welsh" star, sad.

That said i don't think he is that good, he would need to improve his rucking and particularly his tackling if he wants to get much game time at Munster.

Is he replacing Stander?  I think his contract is finished with Munster after this season.

Doesn't have to seeing as Copeland is IQ

I know that, but I am just wondering why Munster would sign Copeland when they have an abundance of 8s. Coughlan, O'Mahony, Stander and Butler. With Stander being a fantastic talent there.  Maybe he is going to leave after his contract is up this season.

Clearly O'Mahony is being considered primarily as a 6 now too.

Something strange up with Stander - despite a storming start for Munster he's never quite established himself. A bit of a waste really.

I think this is a very good signing. Coughlan is 33 and Copeland has every oportuntity of nailing a starting spot in the Munster back row from next season.

He's a far better player than O'Mahoney imo and has been a one man tour de force for the Blues at times this season.

Yeah, whilst saying 'hes been the blues best player' isnt a ringing endorsement by any means he has been the only consistent provider of gainline success we've had since Molitkia/Rush were in our back row in their prime.

Very, very sad to see him go, very effective ball in hand. In a back row with POM and an other(preferably someone good on the deck) he'll do very well.

Copeland can play at 6 as well.

POM will miss big tracks of the season
Coughlan is 33
Is Butler good enough?
Stander has never establish himself

When you look at their entire cover for 6/8 are they really top heavy?

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I know that, but I am just wondering why Munster would sign Copeland when they have an abundance of 8s. Coughlan, O'Mahony, Stander and Butler. With Stander being a fantastic talent there.  Maybe he is going to leave after his contract is up this season.

Clearly O'Mahony is being considered primarily as a 6 now too.

Theres an abundance of backrows in general. I presume they're going to let a few go, could be as many as 3 or 4.

geoff998rugby wrote:

The Saint wrote:He's a great player. He should only join Munster if he can be guaranteed a shot at the Ireland team, because he's more than good enough and that is where his heart is set.

He has a shot the same as everybody else but he will have to earn selection first
Not least by getting into the Munster team

My heart was set on playing for Ireland doesn't mean I deserved a shot

Bottom line - no guarantees other than a chance to prove himself

Haha fair. I guess he'll get his shot at Provincial rugby then. From what I've seen he's good enough to get in the Munster team.

He won't replace POM and he won't replace TOD as a 7 so its going to be tough.
He has to get ahead of both Coughlan and Stander

Is stander going to be kept on. Penney doesn't seem to be a big fan (basing on selections). If we have to cut our cloth and go half-inching from other provinces then the likes of him (unlikely) or Heenan would go down a treat

His brother on the move

Another man of the match performance away to Glasgow last night. Blues are going to miss him.