The RaboDirect PRO12 Top 5 Signings Of The Season

The Pro12 is a league that is just starting to blossom. You may not think that due to the number of players heading to France, but attendances are at an all-time high, exposure is increasing through T.V deals and a number of big names have headed to Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy this season. Here we take a look at five of the best.

 

Zane Kirchner

In Kircher, Leinster have found a like-for-like replacement for Ica Nacewa. He has scored over 100 points in Super Rugby, been capped 24 times by South Africa and would be considered the biggest attacking threat in most sides. The fullback is a deadly counter-attack runner and the rest of the league will have to be wary when they send high balls over his way.

He has big boots to fill at Leinster but he will surely become a fan favourite at the RDS Arena like his other Southern Hemisphere comrades; Brad Thorn, Rocky Elsom and of course, Nacewa. At 29 years old, Kirchner still has a few years left in him and when he returns back to South Africa, Leinster will have certainly exhausted all the skill and finesse out of him.

 

Gethin Jenkins

After spending an unhappy season in the south of France with Toulon, Gethin Jenkins is back in his rightful Cardiff Blues jersey. He comes back with his reputation somewhat tarnished after being injured for most of his time abroad, and people may have forgotten that he is Wales’ most-capped front-row and a Lion on three separate tours.

So the rest of Rabo better watch out as the big man will have a point to prove and any team who attempts to say otherwise will probably find out the hard way. He is one of the best scrummagers in the league and is a huge asset to a team that finished in a disappointing ninth place last season. Gareth Baber and Cardiff Blues fans will be hoping that the 32 year olds talent hasn’t diminished since leaving and that he is still the big ball carrier and influential figure that he once was.

 Craig Clarke

The signing of Craig Clarke shows just how far Connacht have come and highlights the damage they may inflict on other teams this season. With back-to-back Super Rugby titles, not just as a player but as captain, Clarke brings a wealth of experience and talent to an Irish province that needs just that.

He is considered one of the best locks of his generation and is unlucky never to have made it to the senior All Black side, despite being a Super Rugby regular for the last eight years with the Chiefs, Crusaders and Hurricanes. At over six-and-a-half foot, Clarke will be the main man in the lineout and hopefully he will bring his Southern Hemisphere offloading and flair to Ireland.

 

Jimmy Gopperth

It’s safe to say that Jonny Sexton has left some pretty large boots to fill after leaving Leinster for France, and Matt O’Connor will be hoping that Jimmy Gopperth is the man to slip into them with ease. The Irish province have been sensible in their recruitment of the Kiwi; he’s a solid kicker and has the passing ability to give Leinster’s exciting backline a chance to fulfil their potential.

Gopperth has been excellent at Newcastle for the last four years, scoring over 700 points in 70 games including two years as top-scorer in the Premiership and he also has a wealth of Super Rugby experience to call upon. No doubt he will be among the points this season with his new club and with his inability to fluster and his calm influence, Leinster will be hoping for successive league titles.

 Brendon Leonard

Maybe not the biggest signing that springs to mind, but Brendon Leonard is a huge coup for Zebre, who finished bottom of the pile in their first season in the PRO12. The Kiwi scrum-half has been capped 13 times by his country and has scored twice. He is still only 28 so there is plenty left in the tank and he will be looking to prove a point that the Italian side aren’t there to just make up numbers.

Another player with heaps of Super Rugby experience, Leonard too has helped the Chiefs to successive league titles and has scored 80 points over six years for them. He loves to run with the ball and exploit weak defences and Graham Henry once described him as “the best attacking scrum-half in Super Rugby”. Quite a compliment. 

 Honourable mentions go to; Kris Burton, Matthew Rees, Gerhard van der Heever, Leone Nakarawa, Andrew Conway and John Barclay.