Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

Jump_In_Jack · 19-06-2025 12:53PM

The Connacht Academy intake for next season hasn't been announced yet, but would this be a fair squad breakdown by position for next season? 41 senior and 8 academy.
Also picked a possible championship 23 as potentially the strongest possible matchday squad.
In which positions might Lancaster begin to select the younger options, and phase out the older options?
Where would be the best position to look for recruitment into the academy?
I think with just 5 dedicated locks, plus Murphy as additional cover, and no locks in the academy, that should be a focus.
Also, looks a little bit light on the wing, and will be missing Hansen with Ireland duty. Ralston and Jennings can cover wing, and presumably West also could do a job there if required.

Edit: Apologies for format of the table, on PC it looked fine, on mobile it messed it up.
Just put it in as a screenshot instead as can't figure out how to insert a table, it used be easier to do that before.

eagle eye · 19-06-2025 02:07PM

You need to fix that for the phone.

CowboyTed · 19-06-2025 02:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123559219#Comment_123559219

I think that is why I was saying our expectations are more firmly in the ground…

When a manager feels under pressure, he takes less risks, less likely to use the young lad and stay with the tried and trusted… Pete had this problem big time…

Stu should have the space to take those risks and he is lucky, Connacht like see new talent.. They will forgive the scoreboard if they see a promising new player get his wings and performs… It seems to be in the Connacht Culture, we get excited when we see Hugh coming through… We want to see John Devine get his start and we would talk about that after the game more than the score… Connacht fans really want to see what Sean Naughton is made off and compare that to Jack Murphy.. Same for Harry West, and we rejoice in what we see from Finn Treacy…

Maybe it is the underdogs in us… Maybe because we are closer to the team than most other supporters (away supporters can't are usually surprised at seeing player in Murty's after the game and there approachability)…

So to look at the a previous post, maybe Connacht are less focused on the result of the game but how we play and is there promise coming through…

eagle eye · 19-06-2025 02:28PM

There's the hope that we have gems in the academy and we can become much better if they break through. That's part of it.

realhorrorshow · 19-06-2025 02:39PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123560298#Comment_123560298

You're missing Jordan Duggan.

Jump_In_Jack · 19-06-2025 02:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123560878#Comment_123560878

Don't know how I messed that up! Thanks, updated now.

Zeugnis · 19-06-2025 04:02PM

Post deleted, I must have been asleep…

realhorrorshow · 19-06-2025 05:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123560298#Comment_123560298

A lock would be great, but I can't think of any available, unless we pick someone up straight from school. I thought we might go for Mahon Ronan, was he made the cut at Leinster. I had high hopes for Brian Walsh but that ship has long sailed unfortunately.

I think we need a hooker and a tighthead also. I wonder if we went for Lee Fitzpatrick and forced Leinster into taking him straight from school.

Rafabio DaSilva · 19-06-2025 05:39PM

I don’t love our options at #7 if SHL is injured. Makes the releasing of Oliver all the more frustrating.

eagle eye · 19-06-2025 07:05PM

If Buckley holds his spot he'll pass Swift this year in caps.

I think Swift he has the fifth most caps for any Irish province. Muldoon is no.1 and I don't think his record will ever be beaten.

Shannon views · 19-06-2025 09:07PM

Liam McNamee Mas from Carrick-on-Shannon has been selected for Spain u20s for the world Cup. He was with Galweigan u20s last year but was injured for most of the season. Qualifies for Spain under the parentage rule. Going into 2nd year in NUIG.

6' 7", athletic, good ball carrier and tackler. Plays 2nd row. Was on the Connacht juniors this year. Seems to have slipped the net with Connacht at underage level as he was out of rugby during 4th and 5th year in Sligo Grammar.

Shannon views · 19-06-2025 09:07PM

Liam McNamee Mas from Carrick-on-Shannon has been selected for Spain u20s for the world Cup. He was with Galweigan u20s last year but was injured for most of the season. Qualifies for Spain under the parentage rule. Going into 2nd year in NUIG.

6' 7", athletic, good ball carrier and tackler. Plays 2nd row. Was on the Connacht juniors this year. Seems to have slipped the net with Connacht at underage level as he was out of rugby during 4th and 5th year in Sligo Grammar.