There has been talk of a TH for months now, but nothing concrete.
Another poster reported that Illo has been impressive in the AIL for Buccaneers, and he was great at U20. Fact is that we just released three props who can play on both sides and now have just three THs. In the case of an injury, or if Bealham is unavailable due to player welfare policies related to his Ireland duties, Illo is the next and only player in line.
Are there any rumours of a TH signing? It doesn't seem like Illo is gonna be hugely involved yet based on lack of minutes last season.
But even including him while Bealham is away with Ireland it leaves us very light if we pick up any knocks.
That signing of Ilho was strange. He didn't get a look in. He does have the physicality to do well. A big key for Connacht, will be Aungier. He needs to push on and challenge Bealham. He's not a youngster anymore.
Murphy will slot in comfortably in the row or the blindside. I don't think hes going to oust Prendergast or Thornbury but, he can be a huge asset off the bench. Murphy is a really good player that can bring toughness to Connacht!
I reckon Hawkshaw is a wildcard. I think he could do a job at fb, center and 10. I could be wrong and maybe he's been signed as an out half? Adam Byrne is talented but risky. His injury profile has really stalled his growth. Maybe he gets a run of good health.
McNulty could uproot TOH. I think he's worth the risk. He looks to have the tools! Connacht have quite a few young lads that could become regular players. I like Forde and McCormick. If Boyle gets his form back then they could challenge for champions cup rugby!
Prendergast started the last game against zebre at 8, and in my opinion has the raw toolset to be a good 8.
Murphy hasnt the all out speed
I think that Murphy will be more of a 6/4 and that Prendergast is the more likely of the two to be considered at 8. I think if Boyle regains his 20/21 form we may see Murphy in the second row more, but if Boyle continues to struggle we might be looking at Murphy/Oliver/Prendergast in big games. Of course Hurley-Langton could come in and do a Mack Hansen, we'll have to wait and see on that.
In spite of his Ireland selection, I actually think Heffernan was pretty average this season, and if that continues I would lean towards starting Delahunt and bring Heffernan off the bench for some pop.
Along with getting Illo actual meaningful minutes, my top priority for the coming season is establishing another genuine option at scrum half, whether that be Colm Reilly or Matthew Devine. Both Marmion and Blade are out of contract in 2023 and we will be in big trouble moving forward should one or both depart, if we continue to divide essentially all available minutes between those two. The Challenge Cup will be helpful in that regard, you'd hope it means a guaranteed 6 starts for the chosen young 9, and plenty of minutes for the other players you highlighted above.
I don't think Shane Jennings has played much Sevens recently. It's a shame because I think a full season of Sevens only could have helped his development, particularly in defence, but it seems that he only played sporadically. Not sure I see the point of that, as the players who really benefitted from Sevens (Keenan, Baloucoune, Jimmy O'Brien) all played for an extended period, from what I remember.
You've spotted the snag there. Murphy is too good to leave out but has mostly played in the row or at 6 for Leinster. Prendergast owns the 6 jersey, but a move for him to 8 might be an option. I don't see JM displacing Murray/Thornbird in the row. Injuries, of course, means that this 'problem' may rarely arise.
You wont be playing Murphy at 8
To my mind, Jack's main issues are unforced errors and goal kicking. In fairness, he has improved a lot regarding the former, and his good thing:bad thing ratio is now a lot better than it was in previous years. However, even on a good day he is liable to a restart out on the full, a missed line kick to touch, etc. You just can't afford those at international level. I can't find goal kicking stats anywhere so please forgive me if I'm wrong, but from memory his percentage is usually in and around 70%, which again is some way short of what you would expect at the top level. It's a huge shame because I think he is probably the next best suited to Ireland's attacking structure, after Jonny Sexton.
It's a similar story with Kieran Marmion. Connacht have to play around his lack of box kicking ability, which often involves the risk of a ten metre pass to Jack so that he can clear our lines from the back of the in goal area. I just don't think an international team is going to accept that risk, regardless of the fact that his awareness around the fringes, support play, and defence, are genuinely top class. With decent modern defences being so airtight, I think we really suffer not having the ability to hang a massive box kick in the air when our attack is struggling around half way.
Slight tangent, but I think Adam Byrne could be a game changer for us, if he can stay fit. His attacking fielding is up there with the best, and having the option to drop a bomb on his wing when our phase play is stuttering will be a hugely valuable option.
The squad for next year looks pretty solid although there's a lot of improvement required particularly in terms of defence. Here is a speculative selection, but there should really be a lot more rotation this year and effort on bringing through our young prospects. The worst thing that could happen would be conservative selections by an AF too concerned about the % wins. As the rules for Champions Cup will remain disadvantageous for us, we should play a higher risk season with more latitude given to youth and potential.
Young players who need regular game time:
Illo (top priority), Forde, Booth, McCormack, Murray (2). I assume that Jennings is still with the 7s?
Unknown quantities: Ralston, Hurley-Langton
The rest of the squad is good, there's no point listing them all but we're carrying very little dead wood, but I see the others as being a little off first team selection. Honorable mention to Wootton, a terrific finisher but given last year's defensive frailties at a team level, there can be no passengers in that aspect of the game, and he needs to work on it. Curious also to see how McNulty goes, has shown flashes of real potential.
At a coach level I'd like to hear less fluff from AF on the lines of 'fast, relentless, adaptable'. Mental strength should be an absolute priority, and we need some players to take on the role of arse-kickers so that when the chips are down we don't see the folding that characterised our worst displays this year. If we can come back and win some games from a losing position in the second half, it would signal a phase change for the province.
I agree with bazwraf, since selection for the 6NN's squad, Jack hasn't put in a great performance to out the selectors into a dilemma. He's been mixed. The good news for him is that the drama around the future of 10 in Ireland shows no sign of abating, there is still a path for him albeit hard.
This situation has not been well handled by the Irish management, but next season the cast will be even bigger. HB and, surely, Frawley in Leinster. If management sees what many fans believe (not a given), the Munster 10 jersey will be between Healy and Crowley. Jack at Connacht, and maybe even Flannery, and unknown quantity, at Ulster (I think Burns is unlikely to have any type of a shot).
I feel sorry for Carberry, think he's been mickeyed around as well as being unlucky with injury. A similar process at FB for Ireland resulted in Larmour being picked there to his disadvantage (Henshaw too briefly), thankfully the discovery of Keeenan ended that.
Dave Heff can count himself extremely lucky to be in that squad at the moment.
Hope he returns to his best form on the tour though. He was poor for us last season.
I dont think Carty deserved to be in the squad, injury or no injury.
I don't know but I'd imagine that it is more down to the fact that it was already known a week or 2 ago that he was injured. The guys specifically called out as being injured were fairly new injuries. For instance there is no mention of Will Connors who was already known to be injured. That is not to say that his intl career is alive and well I just think that is why he wasn't specifically mentioned
Great for Prendergast as he has been superb this season. Thought Bundee could do with a rest but he is probably there to mentor the younger lads. Wilkins is an odd one.
Disappointed for Gavin Thornbury, but the timing of his recovery meant there wasn't opportunity to set out his case. Personally, I would have had him in the squad instead of Treadwell. Delighted for Cian P, just reward for an outstanding season.
5 players, Finlay, Heff, Cian, Bundee and Mack are in the squad fr the NZ tour Pete Wilkins is also joining the National Coaching Group for the duration of the Tour to assist in team preparation
Langton yeah and hopefully new TH
Thoughts on next season?.. are the new signings going to make a difference?
Jack Carty has a photo up on Instagram seems he has had an operation on his arm so looks like he won't be going on tour to NZ.
With the final in Ireland next year connacht should be going all out to win the challenge Cup
I'd genuinely hate to get in this way.
We were nowhere good enough this year. Not only losing but getting pumped by at home to both the dragon's and glasgow should be a disqualifier.
Season in the challenge cup would do us no harm. Get some of the newer squad and academy promotes integrated properly, fix our shocking defense and tendency to lose focus and can come back to the league a far more dangerous team.... hopefully
I'd say not for long
Both subject
The saffers are in. Connacht are not good enough at the moment.
Many French clubs refuse Saffers in not so much European Cup.
If they'd say a full no, Connacht will be in HCup (8th European)
Don't say we deserve this, we have to rebuild a defence and try to win Challenge Cup, but still interesting
Delighted for him. Well earned and hope he smashes it out there
Delighted for him. I hope Sullivan gets picked up too.
Delighted for him, am sure he'll make a big contribution there. If he gets homesick, he can drop over to Brive and hang out with Papa Leahy and Sammy Arnold, it's pretty nearby.
Eoghan Masterson off to Aurillac in France. 2 year deal with the option of a 3rd
After reading it in full it seems he learnt what not to do in that game and Leicester game
Whereby Connacht and Leicester gave Leinster too much space.
Maybe Connacht have signed a TH still involved in Competitions so are unable to announce the signing.
A poor TH addition will probably derail next season
Hagan and Ryan are 35 and 36. No
Heff O. and Kenny are under contract
Betts is the only in an unknown situation.
But with only Porch, Fifita and Langton NIQ
There's room to sign one IMO
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