- Jerry Flannery (2001-3, currently stength and conditioning coach at Arsenal)
- Eoin Reddan (2001-3, 3 time Heineken Cup winner with Leinster and holder of international rugby's quickest injury)
- Tony Buckley (2004-5, now playing for Sale Sharks)
- Gavin Williams (2005-7, after which international Samoan debut and recent Stade Francais signing)
Not to mention the boomerang effect, whereupon those who were deemed surplus to requirements are shipped back to the feeder province:
It looked like the trend might have been bucked last year, with Connacht acquiring the services of accomplished Australian born outhalf, Dan Parks. Parks sensationally retired from international rugby immediately after a poor performance for Scotland against England in the 2012 Six Nations, and then went on to help Connacht to a famous victory against Biarritz Olympique in the group stages of the Heineken Cup. The all time PRO12 record points scorer has recently expanded his role to that of under 18s coach. Breakthrough Irish international lock Mike McCarthy put heed to any chances Connacht had of retaining home grown talent, and him and Fionn Carr crossed paths to and from Leinster. This transfer irked Connacht, accusing Leinster of "persistently targeting Connacht players in recent years".
Leinster had their own problems to deal with however, and with the loss of Jonny Sexton to big spenders Racing Metro 92 (already trying to make their money back before the season begins), Isa Nacewa to retirement (now dabbling in punditry) and Joe Schmidt to Ireland, they were always going to be in the market for replacements. Sexton's loss was going to be felt acutest, and despite Cian Healy's reassuring tweet (see right), another outhalf had to be high up on the list of priorities. Despite clamours to bring acclaimed Exeter Chiefs outhalf Gareth Steenson back to the Emerald Isle, Leinster have opted to sign newly promoted Newcastle Falcons pivot Jimmy Gopperth. The 29 year old Kiwi left Super 15 rugby in 2009 to fill the void left by Jonny Wilkinson's departure from Newcastle Falcons, and is a record holding kicker, possessing a solid all round game. Leinster fans will be hoping he can provide assists such as this one:
All this fades in comparison to the high profile signing of Springbok full back Zane Kirchner. Intended as a like-for-like replacement of Nacewa, Kirchner also can cover wing and outside centre (in November 2010 at international level opposite none other than fellow Leinster back Brian O'Driscoll), and has been immoveable at fullback for South Africa for the past 9 games, including another victory against Ireland in the recent autumn internationals. At only 29 years old, he takes to the field today for Super 15 outfit the Bulls in a semi-final against the Brumbies. Few have been to the Bulls' Loftus Verfeld Stadium in Pretorius and outplayed Kirchner, whoever the victor is they face the Chiefs in their home Waikato Stadium for the final next weekend. The number 15 is good under the high ball and a competent kicker out of hand. His attacking vision is sometimes called into question, and it should be noted that the Bulls play a brand of power rugby that relies heavily upon forward-orientated play. While obviously committed to embracing the high tempo Leinster gameplan, it will be interesting to see how new Leinster coach Matt O'Connor shuffles the Leinster backline, will for instance Rob Kearney be moved to a wing opposite his brother Dave to accommodate Kirchner?
Meanwhile Munster have been keeping quiet, if anything silently adding searing pace to their back division. Andrew Conway comes over from Leinster, most recently victorius on the right wing in the Amlin Challenge Cup final against Stade Francais, providing an assist for Sean Cronin's try. This week the services of South African speedster Gerhard van den Heever have been attained, with the winger due to link up with Munster in November after completion of the Currie Cup. Last season his region Western Province won the competition, and he will join previous Blue Bulls teammate CJ Stander in Munster. The 24 year old has pace to burn, and can cover a multitude of positions in the backline. Not only that, but at 6'3" and circa 100kg, he is in the mould of new age wingers such as George North. As fast or faster than new Touloun winger Bryan Habana, Munster will hope he contributes more than the last overseas prodigy - Will Chambers who managed one solitary try before returning to Australia... One thing is irrefutable, van den Heever has big boots to fill, hopefully he will improve his defensive game to emulate the retiring All Black top try scorer legend and Munster captain Dougie Howlett's bone-jarring hits. Munster coach Rob Penney will hope this new Springbok can complement Ireland stars Keith Earls and Simon Zebo as Munster look to build upon last season's semi-final defeat to French juggernauts Clermont Auvergne.
The real transfer coup may belong to long neglected Connacht however. This morning Chiefs took on a star-studded Crusaders in the Super 15 semi-final, and emerged victorious. Their captain is on his way to the Super 15 final, en route to Connacht. If Mike McCarthy is Connacht's loss, then Chiefs captain Craig Clarke is most certainly Connacht's gain. At 29 years old the 6'7" second row was monumental in captaining the Chiefs' 37-6 demolition of the Sharks in last year's Super Rugby final, and has signed a 3 year deal with the western province. Today he was instrumental again, securing a one point win over a Crusaders team packed with New Zealand names such as Dan Carter, Israel Dagg, Kieran Read and Richie McCaw to name but a few. The fact that Connacht coach Pat Lam is in a position to acquire the services of such a high calibre player speaks volumes about where Connacht are going, with other new signing Samoan international James So'oialo propelling Connacht rugby forwards. Hopefully So'oialo will be in the headlines for reasons other than most recently. Undoubtedly Connacht have a lot to look forward to, perhaps Craig Clarke might even bring tradition such as the Chiefs' own haka across the waters:
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