Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

seanin4711

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123565707#Comment_123565707

he was like rocky chasing the chicken for most of last season, except rocky caught the chicken eventually.

seanin4711

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123573577#Comment_123573577

Thank you for the objective review of this guys performances last season

lavrenti

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123583338#Comment_123583338

Agree entirely with realhorrorshow. Cordero for us was a horror show.

ShineyShiney

Congratulations to Josh, he's had a great season and deserves the call up. From a Connacht perspective it's great to see guys who take the chance for game time get the reward their performances deserve.

ConnemaraExile

Does anyone think that having a coach of the calibre of Lancaster could help attract Carbery home from France?

Maybe he was just saying it to get leverage over Bordeaux, but in the interview where he mentioned he was English eligible, he also didn't rule out the possibility of playing in Ireland again in the future.

He's only 29, and with Farrell likely leaving in 2027, and it wouldn't be impossible for him to start making Irish squads again, if only as a squad option cause he can also cover full back.

Wonder where we are with recruitment? Are we done or? There doesn't seem to have been many rumours, but another good signing would really add to the buzz after hiring Lancaster.

FACECUTTR

I'd take him in a heartbeat. 10 and 15 cover.

Normally they say recruitment is finished in a statement like they did with the coaching ticket so there must be at least 1 more in the pipeline.

Strand1970

Carbery to connacht, well maybe if we have a very good season coming. Don't see why he would leave France at the moment. Playing with some of the best French players, GOOD weather and class local wine. I would be delighted if Carbery did come as I reckon that would put us as the no2 province in the rankings.

KBurke85

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123585025#Comment_123585025

For the upcoming season I’d say the recruitment is largely done. Theres belt tightening going on at all the non eastern provinces. Humphreys said in an interview during the week some of the 7’s players will be offered trials so we may get some one there but there isn’t money there for a Carbery unless Willie Ruane won the lotto

lavrenti

Frawley on an incoming season-long loan is likely to be the last piece of transfer business.

Strand1970

I would be over the moon to have Frawley even on loan for a year

FACECUTTR

Is that from a source or just speculation? Would it not leave leinster short with R Byrne leaving and Prendergast main stage with ireland. Harry Byrne hasn't got the best injury record either.

ShineyShiney

I think we might be finished with signings. No info just a feeling.

On another note Under 20's kick off tomorrow with 4 of our 25/26 academy players on the match day squad. Bohan, Power, McCarthy and new addition Mikey Yarr.

cson

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123588223#Comment_123588223

They might see Charlie Tector as the #3 option behind Prendergast and Byrne?

lavrenti

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123593309#Comment_123593309

And Caspar Gabriel as 4th.

CowboyTed

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123593888#Comment_123593888

I think he is 5th…

Prendergast, Byrne, Frawley, Tector…

CowboyTed

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123593309#Comment_123593309

Charlie has best look at Frawley and then get himself out of there… His road is limited there, he is only 4 years younger than Frawley who is not being played at his optimal and you are going down the same path…

Tector could have a good shot of being number one in Connacht or Ulster before the end of a season.. At this point in his career (and the two years previous) he needs game time… He needs to start in his best position.. Hard to know if he can still play 10 at professional level

CowboyTed

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123586844#Comment_123586844

Connacht might have first pick here if we are quick… Connacht have developed recently 7 players (Mullins, Smith…) into professional 15 team players…

Seriously would love to see more of Terry Kennedy, I gifted player in 7s… I know he is 28 but a joy to watch, high Rugby IQ(he is presently playing 7s in India)…

Here is the shopping list…

https://www.ultimaterugby.com/match/new-zealand-7%27s-vs-ireland-7%27s-at-stade-de-france-27th-jul-2024/95657/lineup

FACECUTTR

Group for the 25/26 Challenge cup is:

Ospreys

Zebre

Montpellier

Montauban

Black Lion (Georgia)

Connacht

Not sure who we don't play in the group.

Rugbyf565

wonder if mack feels guilty

cson

Why should he?

He said what he said and faced the consequences. Obviously Busby doesn't believe those consequences were material enough for the offence, but that's an issue between him and the Disciplinary Panel (which were Welsh and Saffa btw).

CowboyTed

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123597371#Comment_123597371

I don't think Mack was directing it at Chris personally.

When I looked back at the game, Chris was given very little support by the TMO and linesmen… I say he was very frustrated with them, I would have been… The Scrum calls against Buckley were from the lineman and the TMO call on the Jodie hit on Bundee… Maybe, Chris saw a bit of that at half time but was furious when he saw the whole game again.

He was left holding the bag on these pretty bad decisions… Maybe he was kind of agreeing with Mack a bit…

He was then left defenceless for days after Mack's comments. The press directed those comments at Chris (more than Mack did)…

I think system was lacking on this incident, Mack reacted badly and paid for that…

Robbo

That type of post raises serious questions…and those questions are:

• Will the autobiography make it in time for the Christmas market?
• Who's the ghostwriter?
• Is Kimmage available at short notice?
• Did you indeed, have the last laugh?
• What's your corporate rate and what can this teach us about leadership for our sales off-site?

2025Connacht

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123597371#Comment_123597371

Mack Hansen was obviously in the wrong in how he put his points across in a public forum. IMO Wilkins was more at fault for allowing it to happen. If he wanted to get these points across he should have taken it on the chin himself.

I suppose people are often complaining about the stale generic nonsense that is regurgitated in every post match interview so seeing someone veering off course from that was a break from the norm.

Whether his ban should have been longer or not is irrelevant really as the IRFU have consistently shown over the years that they will exploit whatever loopholes are needed in this regard. I've seen full on assaults being downgraded for frivolous reasons.

I appreciate that rugby holds itself in higher esteem than other sports when it comes to respect for referees but what realistically does he want to happen at this stage.

He's obviously being very poorly advised by the people around him. In particular using LinkedIn which is intended for recruiting to have a go at his former employer is not exactly something that'll endear you to your next employer.

He could have got across his frustration without throwing the toys out of the pram. For example he could have said he didnt want the framed photo and would put it up for auction for a local charity or something.

eagle eye

He's no loss, refereeing is better without him. I don't be buying anything relating to him. Good riddance is all I have to say.

kita99

Congratulation to Darragh Murray. Be stronger than other locks.

b.gud

Allan Temple Jones appointed head of athletic performance. Most recently he was the head coach of the women's 7s team and prior experience is athletic performance positions with the Irish 7s teams and the Sharks in SA. Also spent 10 years as S&C coach for the Springbox 7s

https://www.connachtrugby.ie/news/allan-temple-jones-appointed-head-of-athletic-performance/bp3459/

ionadnapóca

Friend is also enthused by the coaching ticket under Lancaster of Collie Tucker, John Muldoon and Rod Seib, the attack coach from the Brumbies who is already in Galway and furthering the Canberra/Connacht link.

“He (Seib) is understated. He goes about his business but builds lovely relationships and rapport with players. He has a very sharp attacking mind and I think he’s going to be great.

“Ambition, belief, community are the three words they use, and during my tenure there, Willie was really strong on nailing down this Connacht style, which I love. Connacht play an open style of football that’s ambitious and potentially a little bit risky.

“But here’s the key thing. The indoor facility is great, but don’t stop training that style outside, because that’s your point of difference.”

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2025/07/08/we-agreed-this-kids-really-good-andy-friend-on-his-role-in-the-mack-hansen-success-story/

lavrenti

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123616742#Comment_123616742

Wonderful article. Thanks for posting. Andy Friend was wonderful for Connacht rugby.

ShineyShiney

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123622099#Comment_123622099

Andy was the right man at the right time for Connacht imo.

FACECUTTR

7 tries for the 4 Connacht players on the ireland team v Portugal yesterday. Gavin 2, Prendergast 2, Bolton 2, and Murphy 1. Portugal were very poor. Nowhere near the standard they showed in the WC.