LEINSTER HAVE REMAINED tight lipped on reports suggesting they are on the verge of signing a scrum-half from Super Rugby outfit the Hurricanes.
24-year-old Jamison Gibson-Park has been heavily linked with a move to the province over the weekend as Leo Cullen looks to bolster his resources ahead of next season.
With the future of Isaac Boss and Eoin Reddan, both of whom are in the latter stages of their career, still uncertain, Leinster have been in the market for a scrum-half.
But backs coach Girvan Dempsey yesterday insisted the speculation was premature and no deal has been done just yet.
“We are constantly looking at our squad and trying to recruit. I mentioned it a couple of weeks ago, we’re always looking at the profile of the squad and trying to recruit,” he said at Leinster HQ on Monday afternoon.
“It’s something we can’t divulge at this moment in time as nothing has been finalised in any sort of signings.
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“We’ve got a lot of guys over the line in terms of contract negotiations over the last couple of weeks and I would imagine we’d be in a position to finalise new signings over the coming weeks.
Boss is 36 this year. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
“I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: Isaac Boss and Eoin Reddan, their age profile, both are performing well for us, but there are contract negotiations going on and we want to see what they want to do.
“We are looking at that position, certainly. We are always looking at other players that can add value and experience to the group because it’s important to have that across the board if we want to compete in Europe.”
For now, however, the focus remains on finishing the season strongly as Leinster settle into preparation for the weekend’s top of the table inter-pro against Connacht.
With Pat Lam’s side sitting pretty at the summit of the Pro12, Dempsey is under no illusions of the task facing Leinster on Saturday.
“They’ve been playing some super rugby this season so far, it’s always a tough place to go and play,” he continued. “They score a lot of tries so it will test our defensive record.
Dempsey speaking to the media yesterday. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
“We know it’s going to be a huge test, a huge ask and the Sportsgrounds will be hopping at the weekend and there will be great anticipation of the game.
“They’re very organised and playing some attacking rugby. They challenge you in every aspect of the game. It’s going to be loud and vocal and it’s going to be a challenge for us.
“These next two weekends will sort out a lot.”
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'Nothing has been finalised' - Leinster remain coy on signing of Kiwi scrum-half
LEINSTER HAVE REMAINED tight lipped on reports suggesting they are on the verge of signing a scrum-half from Super Rugby outfit the Hurricanes.
24-year-old Jamison Gibson-Park has been heavily linked with a move to the province over the weekend as Leo Cullen looks to bolster his resources ahead of next season.
With the future of Isaac Boss and Eoin Reddan, both of whom are in the latter stages of their career, still uncertain, Leinster have been in the market for a scrum-half.
But backs coach Girvan Dempsey yesterday insisted the speculation was premature and no deal has been done just yet.
“We are constantly looking at our squad and trying to recruit. I mentioned it a couple of weeks ago, we’re always looking at the profile of the squad and trying to recruit,” he said at Leinster HQ on Monday afternoon.
“It’s something we can’t divulge at this moment in time as nothing has been finalised in any sort of signings.
“We’ve got a lot of guys over the line in terms of contract negotiations over the last couple of weeks and I would imagine we’d be in a position to finalise new signings over the coming weeks.
“I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: Isaac Boss and Eoin Reddan, their age profile, both are performing well for us, but there are contract negotiations going on and we want to see what they want to do.
For now, however, the focus remains on finishing the season strongly as Leinster settle into preparation for the weekend’s top of the table inter-pro against Connacht.
With Pat Lam’s side sitting pretty at the summit of the Pro12, Dempsey is under no illusions of the task facing Leinster on Saturday.
“They’ve been playing some super rugby this season so far, it’s always a tough place to go and play,” he continued. “They score a lot of tries so it will test our defensive record.
“We know it’s going to be a huge test, a huge ask and the Sportsgrounds will be hopping at the weekend and there will be great anticipation of the game.
“They’re very organised and playing some attacking rugby. They challenge you in every aspect of the game. It’s going to be loud and vocal and it’s going to be a challenge for us.
“These next two weekends will sort out a lot.”
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