Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

Robbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123425518#Comment_123425518

I don't get why our back 3 often look like they've never played on our 4G pitch when they struggle under high balls or weird bounces. If I was in charge of skills, I'd be making it rain down so much heavy artillery on those lads in whatever weather, they'd think they'd wandered into the Battle of the Somme.

Zeugnis

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123425568#Comment_123425568

I wonder how long that contract is for. It confuses me a bit, Andrew Smith showed a much broader range of skills than Chay yet management had no enthusiasm for him this season.

I have nothing against Mullins but haven't seen him do anything but walk in tries that required a minimum of finishing. Meanwhile I recall one game where Smith won 3/4 turnovers.

CowboyTed

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123426081#Comment_123426081

Yep… it should be bread and butter for these guys… They should be sick of kicking the ball back and forth (I have for got the training game for it..)…

BTW, I think Fardy was made the skills coach earlier this year…

Every back (and odd forward) should know how to kick a ball on that surface and know how it reacts in the wind…

CowboyTed

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123426125#Comment_123426125

Smith has a far more expansive skill set… But in the Wilkson era his face didn't fit… This was highly frustrating and some players have said privately that there was little to no communication why…

There are player pissed about this and felt demeaned by the experience… There is a professional courtesy to tell a player why he is not picked and what he can improve so he could get picked.

Sorry, that is not good enough…. The player can disagree but at least they can be transparent and honest…. This is the bit I feel for the players, they deserve a hell of a lot more respect than that…

ElisaAtWar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123425439#Comment_123425439

My sentiment exactly, not that you wish for my support

ElisaAtWar

signing up Jack for another year says it all really for our aspirations

CuriousCucumber

Considering half the time we're arguing that we're wasting the potential of possibly our best team ever, resigning Jack and DOC means very little without the coaching ticket in place.

We saw what Pat Lam was able to do with potentially inferior players. Getting the right coaches in is more important, in my eyes at least, than the right players.

It still baffles me, that we never tried getting in new skills coaches after the success of 2016

CuriousCucumber

Bundee and Mack both in the Lions squad

Savage

EachSmallChime

Apparently, both players will receive between £80,000 and £100,000 to tour, and Connacht Rugby will receive the same amount for each. https://www.thetimes.com/article/25a86614-b924-47b6-81da-7b61170e1a24

testtech05

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123428869#Comment_123428869

Great for the 2 lads, Finlay probably a bit unlucky to miss out too.

FACECUTTR

Id Imagine he is an injury away from making the plane. Great news on Bundee and Mack

Robbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123428991#Comment_123428991

I'd say that Finlay is taking his boots with him on his summer holidays and will take the opportunity to visit the relatives in Canberra.

Mr Tickle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123428991#Comment_123428991

I believe Fagerson is carrying an injury too. If he was named it probably means that he's likely to be recovered on time, but still, there's hope for Finlay yet.

Strand1970

Furlong Lucky to make the cut. But wouldn't be surprised if Finlay was involved at some stage

FACECUTTR

The Connacht Eagles matchday squad has been named for tomorrow's IRFU 'A' Interprovincial Championship clash with Munster Rugby at Creggs RFC (k/o 2pm).

Niall Murray captains the side from the second row, while Pro players Temi Lasisi, David O'Connor and Oisín McCormack are also included.

15. Harry West

14. Cian Brady

13. Daniel Hawkshaw

12. John Devine

11. Josh O'Connor

10. Sean Naughton

9. Chris O'Connor

1. Temi Lasisi

2. Matthew Victory

3. Fiachna Barrett

4. David O'Connor

5. Niall Murray (C)

6. Max Flynn

7. Oisín McCormack

8. Eanna McCarthy

16. Mikey Yarr

17. Billy Bohan

18. Ben Griffin

19. Sean O'Brien

20. Bobby Power

21. Charlie Keane

22. Joey Tierney

23. Kelvin Langan

24. Oisin McKey

b.gud

With 2 Lions Connacht have the same amount of Lions as Wales, and more than Munster (1) and Ulster (0)

FACECUTTR

Who would have thought that 10 years ago

CowboyTed

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123429042#Comment_123429042

If we get Finlay we have more players than Wales…. We are tied at the moment.

b.gud

https://www.connachtrugby.ie/news/sam-gilbert-joins-connacht-rugby/bp3419/

Sam Gilbert signed from the Highlanders. He's a goal kicking fullback

testtech05

I'm surprised there has been no comms from the club confirming which players are leaving at the end of the season, I assume they will be having some sort of a presentation to them at the game tomorrow evening as they usually do.

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123431121#Comment_123431121

Wow, that's a great signing!!

Sorry to lose him from the Highlanders. He's a great tee kicker, and a very useful utility back.

He's played 10, 12, wing and 15 for significant periods.

testtech05

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123431131#Comment_123431131

Sounds like exactly the kind of addition we are crying out for.

KBurke85

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123431125#Comment_123431125

I believe it's being announced today

AccidentallyOnside

Won't pretend to know anything about him but you don't get 50 super rugby caps for an NZ franchise without having something about you.

Says he's a utility back who kicks, if he can catch a high ball then we should start building his statue now as that will fill a lot of gaps for us.

SqueakyKneecap

Must be replacing Cordero so. Nice to get positive news anyways. Fullback has been a tricky position for us and I think Hansen is better on the wing.

Former Coach

Just what the doctor ordered. We don't seem to have been able to settle on a 15 this season so he looks like a great fit. It's a bonus that he can also kick and play other positions.

ShineyShiney

Looks like a decent signing 👍

FACECUTTR

That looks like a very good bit of business.

Zeugnis

Team for Connacht v Edinburgh

15. Santiago Cordero (20)
14. Shayne Bolton (24)
13. Hugh Gavin (9)
12. Bundee Aki (149)
11. Finn Treacy (6)
10. JJ Hanrahan (27)
9. Ben Murphy (14)
1. Denis Buckley (263)
2. Dave Heffernan (217)
3. Finlay Bealham (217)
4. Josh Murphy (37)
5. Darragh Murray (37)
6. Cian Prendergast (85) Captain
7. Conor Oliver (95)
8. Sean Jansen (24)

16. Dylan Tierney-Martin (56)
17. Peter Dooley (52)
18. Jack Aungier (86)
19. Oisín Dowling (76)
20. Paul Boyle (114)
21. Caolin Blade (208)
22. Cathal Forde (50)
23. David Hawkshaw (42)

SqueakyKneecap

Departures confirmed:

Santiago Cordero
JJ Hanrahan
Adam McBurney
Piers O’Conor
Conor Oliver
John Porch
Andrew Smith

From the above I guess we'll have 4 scrum-halves on the senior books as it means Reilly is staying (signed a 2 year deal back in 2023). Seems a bit silly to me.