FORMER CONNACHT OUT-HALF Craig Ronaldson is currently training with his native Leinster as he steps up his recovery from a serious knee injury.
Ronaldson, who has been sidelined since last October after suffering knee ligament damage against Leinster at the Sportsground, left Connacht after six years at the end of last season.
Currently without a professional contract, the 29-year-old is working his way back to full fitness and has linked up with Leo Cullen’s squad at UCD with a view to shortly returning to All-Ireland League action with Lansdowne.
Ronaldson, who was part of Connacht’s Pro12-winning squad, is also providing Leinster with additional out-half cover in the absence of Ciarán Frawley, who is currently sidelined after ankle surgery.
Having joined Connacht in 2013 after impressing for Lansdowne, Ronaldson played close to 100 times for the western province but missing most of last season with that serious knee injury damaged his chances of a new contract at the Sportsground.
Speaking to The42 in May, Ronaldson — who can also play in midfield — said that he has ‘unfinished business in the game’ and he would be ‘fairly annoyed with myself if it was the last time I was on a professional rugby pitch. I’ve a lot more to give.’
With Johnny Sexton away at the World Cup, Ross Byrne and his newly-capped younger brother Harry are Cullen’s options at out-half at the start of the Pro14 season.
Following back-to-back bonus point wins over Benetton and Ospreys, the defending Pro14 champions welcome Edinburgh to the RDS on Friday evening [KO 7.35pm, eir Sport/Premier Sports].
Meanwhile, Leinster have confirmed the Celtic Cup final will take place at Energia Park this Sunday, 13 October.
Noel McNamara’s ‘A’ side, who finished top of the table with seven straight wins, will face Ulster ‘A’ in the 2019 decider at 3pm.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Could they not just try and use their academy to fill the gaps? No point trying to develop them if you’re not going to give them a go when the spot in the squad allows for it.
@Jim Demps: year god sake Leinster that 20 year old Harry Byrne is too old, need to blood some of the younger guys!!!
@Jim Demps: Leinster have used their Academy. Harry Byrne is year 2 and has played both games so far this season. I’d have thought you knew that?
@John Molloy: he does, this is a mixture of Jim’s peculiar sense of humour coupled with having a go at certain Leinster supporters on the 42 you’ve had a go at Munster for getting in foreign players or players from other provinces.
@John Molloy: difference this time tho is Leinster have no intentions of bringing Craig into the squad as it clearly states that in the article. Conor Kelly or Cormqc Foley would step up from the academy/A team if anything was to happen to Harry or Ross. Plenty of depth at 10. Those two have a Celtic cup final to concentrate on tho for the time being.
@Ian Verdon: Yeah it’s all about managing assets. Ronaldson has basically come in as a sparring partner to be used up and spat out. The upside for him is he’ll get himself up to full fitness. The younger lads behind Harry Byrne are a few years off the pro game so it’s best to let them develop with the A’s in the Celtic Cup or the AIL. No point having them defending the 10 channel with Joe Tomane et all running down their neck. There’s zero upside
@Jim Demps: you have a problem with letting a player rehab and try get his career back on track while he can provide cover if needed , with Frawley who is injured and Harry Byrne has played in the first 2 league games the academy has provided a fantastic amount of cover at 10 when you add in Ross and that black haired lad, you know the one the full back can stand in at ten, what’s his name he dropped down a level since he left. I think he’s been injured since he’s left Leinster and currently on holidays in Japan.
@Chris Mc: no issue with it whatsoever. I think it’s great. just pointing it out for some of the hypocrites Chris. My original comment is actually a copy and paste from that article on Munsters potentially making a short term signing. Have a flick down through the comments and see if you can spot yourself.
https://the42.ie/4783188
@Eddie Hekenui: Ah I know that and Jim well knows there’s not a side on this planet that if their first 3 choice 10’s were injured or missing they wouldn’t get someone in short term with experience of the league etc to fill in when they’re away.
@Jim Demps: Full troll. They are clearly helping him get his fitness back.
@John Molloy: every piece that man comments on he has a nack of taking the comment section over with some row rising trolling. Now that Leinster are back playing he will troll and hate all day.
@Jim Demps: 1. NIQ journeyman v Leinster born player. 2. He’s only training with the squad, hasn’t been given a contract. 3. Leinster have used their academy (Harry Byrne) and the recent academy graduate (Frawley) is injured. But continue to be as bad as any troll on this place all the while claiming to be above it. Hypocrite.
@Jim Demps: you should probably just focus on munster
@Jim Demps: massive difference in this and munster signing so call short term stop gaps when you have say like 4 or 5 scrum half’s on the books.
@Ian Verdon
Ian have I read it wrong ? It is a not a good thing that Leisters helping a player who needs help :: I just don’t understand why a poster would have go at Leinster for doing that unless he has a problem with the club
I am not being difficult just can you see it
@Martin His op is more a slight on the number of Leinster supporters who had a pop at Munster for potentially getting in some short term cover whilst their players were away at the wc. I never had an issue with Munster doing so but what I will say is that this instance is v different as if Ross got injured we would be without our first 3 oh’s. Munster got two Sr call ups,2 br, 2 wing & 2 prop call ups(the rest were single figures) The two fr, Sr & br players play in different positions so they’re only losing one in each position in the depth charts. So it’s not comparable imo. If Munster don’t feel they have the depth & the youngsters they have in the academy are not ready I have no issue with them getting in an experienced head or two short term.
@Ian Verdon: that makes sense. Apologies Jim, didn’t get that one at all.
@jim demps – Munster having to make a short term signing? Sure can’t they just dip into their academy – you know the one ? It’s run in UCD.
He is awful. Not even an AIL player, there is a reason Connacht let him go.
@blindside: That’s funny seeing as in his last year he was top point scorer and was voted best player in the AIL when he lead Lansdowne to the title.
@blindside: He was good. He wasn’t the best ten, but he did a good job at 12. Used to be a very reliable kicked as well, which helped when Carty wasn’t great at that. Injuries didn’t help him unfortunately, but he served the province well and won the Pro12.
@blindside:
That is very harsh, he had some really good seasons for us, he was injury ravaged in the last two. I wish him well and there is nothing wrong with grabbing a bit of experience instead of playing young lads that are not ready yet. It also adds to the experience some of these young lads can goto and have a chat… Nothing wrong with this…
@blindside: Nonsense. Ronaldson was a very good player and had huge potential at Connacht before injury derailed his progress. Would slot nicely into most PRO14 squads and any AIL team would be licking their lips at the chance of having him. Wouldn’t be a bad idea for Leinster to sign him to cover 10/12. If he stays injury free, could do a job for 4-5 years still.
@blindside: utter and complete balderdash. The guy’s has been ravaged by injury these last 3 seasons. However, before that he was a key player for Connacht in a small squad, filling in at 10 when needed but being an excellent second five-eighths at 12 under Pat Lam. In my opinion he never got the credit he deserved for his performances in the Pro12 winning season, playing inside Bundee and outside of McGinty/Carty/O’Leary, giving a tactical kicking option off his left.
Good luck to the chap, I hope he gets fit and is picked up by a club, he will always be welcomed back by the fans at the Sportground.
@blindside: Connacht let him go due to his injury profile, nothing to do with being not good enough. Lam utilized him as a second 5/8th and he flourished there. He was an excellent kicking option, the year we won was great at 10 and 12. Hope it works out and would take him back at Connacht without hesitation
@The Culk: He’s got Major League Rugby written all over him. RUNY, Seattle or NOLA will probably sign him, the league is growing incredibly quickly.