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Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

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connachta

fatgav wrote: »

With the Champions Cup seedlings confirmed today, and Connacht fourth from the Pro12, it means Connacht will play Northampton/Leicester and Stade Francais/Clermont in the pool stage next year

This is on the assumption that the format for the draw and tournament doesn’t change, but the dates announced today for the fixtures correspond to last season, as it was initially planned

Wow 1st time ever I have this draw as playable for QF qualification!

Lost Ormond

Greg McGrath moving from Leinster
https://twitter.com/IndoSport/status/1405508714572959747

Bazzo

Lost Ormond wrote: »

Greg McGrath moving from Leinster
https://twitter.com/IndoSport/status/1405508714572959747

Yeah Jackman had the scoop on it a while back. Decent cover, and definitely needed.

connachta

Bazzo wrote: »

Yeah Jackman had the scoop on it a while back. Decent cover, and definitely needed.

He's signed to cover himself both Kenny and McAlister
A final one, and a starting player, has to come for Buckley, for 6 months as medical joker at least, October to March
Could save 50K euros when Buckley comes back for the final 3 months, if we're very short for money.

macslash

Hadn't been on a few days and saw all the posts! Was positive Cronin had signed. Good to see us get a prop in, though we badly need another

Utopia Parkway

macslash wrote: »

Hadn't been on a few days and saw all the posts! Was positive Cronin had signed. Good to see us get a prop in, though we badly need another

I think (and hope) that we'll get another prop in. The McGrath signing seems more like a squad/utility signing rather than someone you'd expect to start games most weeks.

Bazzo

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

I think (and hope) that we'll get another prop in. The McGrath signing seems more like a squad/utility signing rather than someone you'd expect to start games most weeks.

McGrath is definitely tighthead/emergency loosehead cover. We only had 3 tightheads and I don't think there are any in the academy. Bealham is also in or around the national squad.

I'm fairly certain we're still chasing Cronin or if he's not coming alternative options at loosehead.

FACECUTTR

Bazzo wrote: »

McGrath is definitely tighthead/emergency loosehead cover. We only had 3 tightheads and I don't think there are any in the academy. Bealham is also in or around the national squad.

I'm fairly certain we're still chasing Cronin or if he's not coming alternative options at loosehead.

connachta

+2

If not Cronin, I'd be ok with Dylan Smith from Lions/Stade Français. He knows how to handle South Africans scrummaging/refereeing

connachta

McCormack starting for Ireland u20
Very good as we're short for pure high-level n°7
Could start a few next year along Butler and Oliver

100% Connacht centre pairing too
Robb has to have a big big season to stay...

Wegians89

connachta wrote: »

McCormack starting for Ireland u20
Very good as we're short for pure high-level n°7
Could start a few next year along Butler and Oliver

100% Connacht centre pairing too
Robb has to have a big big season to stay...

Makes you wonder why Bolton was signed with Jennings having obviouse potential at 13 but Forde seems to be picked regularly at 12 now instead of 10

realhorrorshow

Wegians89 wrote: »

Makes you wonder why Bolton was signed with Jennings having obviouse potential at 13 but Forde seems to be picked regularly at 12 now instead of 10

I could see Jennings breaking through on the wing initially, much like Garry Ringrose. He's incredibly talented with ball in hand but had work to do on his passing and defence when I last saw him play. Very excited to see what he can do at this level.

Forde has a lovely passing game, would be nice to have the option of a playmaking 12, not something we've had since Ronaldson really.

connachta

Wegians89 wrote: »

Makes you wonder why Bolton was signed with Jennings having obviouse potential at 13 but Forde seems to be picked regularly at 12 now instead of 10

Bolton/Jennings/Forde, all are just 20 and could all be kept with much gametime as soon as 2023, as Bundee may be off after RWC, and Farrell/Robb are injury prone/close to their 30's.

ClanofLams

Good to to have three starters, might well be four but Darragh Murray is obviously injured unfortunately as not in 26.

Expect De Buitléar will see some game time and hopefully Byrne gets a chance too.

connachta

So we have

- a hooker after J.Murphy
- a n°8 after Papali'i
- a n°7 after Butler
- a n°4 (not listed because of injury) after Fifita
- 2 centres after Bundee and Robb

We're still very very short at 10 and TH IMO, future NIQ should be signed there

KBurke85

connachta wrote: »

So we have

- a hooker after J.Murphy
- a n°8 after Papali'i
- a n°7 after Butler
- a n°4 (not listed because of injury) after Fifita
- 2 centres after Bundee and Robb

We're still very very short at 10 and TH IMO, future NIQ should be signed there

In theory yes but not every player who plays under 20's goes on to play for their province

Lucas44

ClanofLams wrote: »

Good to to have three starters, might well be four but Darragh Murray is obviously injured unfortunately as not in 26.

Expect De Buitléar will see some game time and hopefully Byrne gets a chance too.

De buitlear not up to the level unfortunately, effectively 4th choice hooker with Barron & Stewart injured

connachta

KBurke85 wrote: »

In theory yes but not every player who plays under 20's goes on to play for their province

Most important IMO is how Byrne is developping
Will be so useful to have a 1st choice n°8 leapfrogging Papali'i and Masterson and allowing Boyle to play 6

realhorrorshow

Loosehead

Denis Buckley (31) - Signed contract in 2021
Matthew Burke (24) - Signed contract in 2021
Jordan Duggan (23) - Signed contract in 2021

Charlie Ward (21) - Academy year 1

Tighthead

Jack Aungier (22) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Finlay Bealham (30) - Signed contract in 2021
Greg McGrath (24) - Signed contract in 2021
Dominic Robertson-McCoy (27) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020

Hooker

Shane Delahunt (27) - Signed contract in 2021
Dave Heffernan (30) - Signed contract in 2021
Jonny Murphy (29) - Signed contract in 2021
Dylan Tierney-Martin (22) - Signed contract in 2021

Declan Adamson (22) - Academy year 2
Eoin De Buitléar (19) - Academy year 1

Lock

Ultan Dillane (27) - Signed contract in 2021
Oisin Dowling (24) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Leva Fifita (32) - Signed contract in 2021
Niall Murray (21) - Signed contract in 2021
Gavin Thornbury (27) - Signed contract in 2021

Darragh Murray (20) - Academy year 1

Back row

Paul Boyle (24) - Signed contract in 2021
Jarrad Butler (30) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Eoghan Masterson (28) - Signed contract in 2021
Sean Masterson (23) - Signed contract in 2021
Sean O'Brien (26) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Conor Oliver (25) - Signed contract in 2021
Abraham Papali’i (28) - Signed contract in 2021
Cian Prendergast (21) - Signed contract in 2021

Ciaran Booth (21) - Academy year 1
Donnacha Byrne (20) - Academy year 1
Hubert Costello (u21) - Academy year 1
Joshua Dunne (21) - Academy year 3
Oisin McCormack (20) - Academy year 2

Scrumhalf

Caolin Blade (27) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Kieran Marmion (29) - Signed 3 year contract in 2020
Colm Reilly (22) - Signed contract in 2021

Outhalf

Jack Carty (29) - Signed contract in 2021
Conor Fitzgerald (23) - Signed contract in 2021

Cathal Forde (19) - Academy year 1

Centre

Bundee Aki (31) - Signed 3 year central contract in 2020
Sammy Arnold (25) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Shayne Bolton (21) - Signed contract in 2021
Tom Daly (28) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Tom Farrell (27) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Peter Robb (27) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020

Shane Jennings (20) - Academy year 2

Back 3

Mack Hansen (23) - Signed 2 year contract in 2021
Matt Healy (32) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Oran McNulty (21) - Signed contract in 2021
Ben O'Donnell (26) - Signed contract in 2020
Tiernan O'Halloran (30) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
John Porch (27) - Signed contract in 2021
Peter Sullivan (23) - Signed contract in 2021
Alex Wootton (27) - Signed contract in 2021

Diarmuid Kilgallen (21) - Academy year 1

IN: Greg McGrath (Tighthead, Leinster), Leva Fifita (Lock, Grenoble), Shayne Bolton (Centre, Cheetahs), Mack Hansen (Back 3, Brumbies)
OUT: Paddy McAllister (Loosehead, retiring), Conor Kenny (Tighthead, Newcastle), Cillian Gallagher (Lock, retiring), Quinn Roux (Lock, Toulon), Stephen Kerins (Scrumhalf, TBC), Conor Dean (Outhalf, TBC), Sean O'Brien** (Centre, Exeter), Colm de Buitléar** (back 3, TBC), Stephen Fitzgerald (Back 3, retiring)

*ages as at 01/09/2021
**academy player

Dubinusa

Very disappointing for Gallagher. He and Claffey were both fine prospects and injury ruined any possible career.
I think McNulty will push for a place next season. He looks a tidy player.

b.gud

realhorrorshow wrote: »

[Stephen Kerins (Scrumhalf, TBC)

Kerins has signed for Ealing, they announced it last week

realhorrorshow

b.gud wrote: »

Kerins has signed for Ealing, they announced it last week

Thank you, had heard the rumours but missed the announcement. Hope he can get some decent gametime under his belt.

Dubinusa

McCormick looks like a very good prospect! A natural openside too!

realhorrorshow

Thought our lads went well yesterday for the 20s.

McCormack is a very busy player, and as Dubinusa says, a true openside. Good skills, a well rounded game, and a bit of pace about him. Definitely has the potential to break through to the senior side all going well with injury etc.

Forde's carrying was stronger than I expected but his passing was worse. That was probably a symptom of the general lack of cohesion in the backline and the fact that these players have so little rugby played over the past 15 months, as I know he has it in his locker. Would like to see him at 10 at some stage in the tournament.

Jennings scored one lovely try and was harshly (imo) denied an absolute cracker. He's incredibly naturally talented, everything he does with ball in hand is excellent. Quick, a balanced runner, attacking kicking game, solid basics. Has a tendency to tackle with his arms though. Think he'll get game time with the seniors very soon but perhaps more likely on the wing.

de Buitléar throwing was bowling shoe ugly but he was physical in the loose and got through plenty of work.

Byrne did a little bit of everything. Jackals, carries, good tackles. Looking forward to seeing him get a start.

KBurke85

https://www.otbsports.com/rugby/mcallister-wife-congo-nevin-1212749?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1624019636-7

Great interview with Paddy. Goes to show that we never know what players are going through off the pitch.

ShineyShiney

Lucas44 wrote: »

De buitlear not up to the level unfortunately, effectively 4th choice hooker with Barron & Stewart injured

Played very well yesterday.

Dubinusa

Just noticed that the academy profiles on the Connacht website shows only 3 players? Has everyone else been released?

Lost Ormond

Dubinusa wrote: »

Just noticed that the academy profiles on the Connacht website shows only 3 players? Has everyone else been released?

Not at all. It only lists the players who were 2nd years this year. None of the first years profiles are there
Some of the third years have been released or moved onto senior contracts

Jump_In_Jack

Dubinusa wrote: »

Just noticed that the academy profiles on the Connacht website shows only 3 players? Has everyone else been released?

Nah, that looks out of date, the three there are year 3, and it has them as year 1. Look at Wikipedia for the current academy squad.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connacht_Rugby

Lost Ormond

Nigel Carolan appointed as assistant coach with Glasgow
https://www.glasgowwarriors.org/news/carolan-named-as-assistant-coach