Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

Always thought Illo was never given the proper opportunity. Think he is simply excellent. I hope he gets his chance now

Tucker signed up for 3 years.

Certainly not, we have Aki, Daly, Hawkshaw, Forde and Devine primarily 12, we don't want to move players out of position when we have big needs elsewhere (8 and 10 above all)

Sh**, 2 hookers out, 1 barely back.. Byrne out until Glasgow final game

Hope Boyle, Hawkshaw, and Dowling are there (1st 2 should, on the training pics)

Kilgallen is out injured

Bolton? Jennings?

One of the greatest players in Connacht history. Won’t forget him puking fifteen minutes before Toulouse game when there was a virus rampant in squad and still playing, summed him up, tough to the last.

Never let Ireland down either, think it was against Australia he had to play a half on the wing, put in big hits on guys twice his size. Superb in wins against New Zealand and England, wrongly not brought to RWC 2019.

Pretty shameful if he is leaving over contract length and embarrassing for whoever made that decision.

He will be excellent for Bristol.

I'm very unhappy about this decision. Marms has been a rock for us and is playing great rugby. Like everyone else, I hope he got a bag of gold for signing with Bristol. Although he arguably deserved more at international level, he was part of the 2016 Pro12 winning team and the starting nine in the historic 2018 victory over the ABs. Stories to tell kida and grandkids. Maith thú!

I just compare Casey to Blade. When Murray came on against Italy there was stability. When Marmion came on against Zebre there was stability. I have never been a Conor Murray fan but when your designated first scrum half simply creates mayhem you need stability to fall back on. And time and again that is what Marms has done.

I am so sick of the 9 and 10 rubbish we produce week in and week out when the rest of our team are so talented

I don't really see it like this at all to be honest. Two top class 9s should be the aim not a pickle.

Devine has two years left in the academy I think? Every other province will have at least three senior 9s on their books at the start of next season, indeed they all have four currently even Ulster who don't have a regular 9 in the Irish Squad.

I would be fairly shocked if Connacht start next season with just two senior 9s and a second year academy guy. I expect a 9 to join but inevitably it won’t be a player with the ability of Marmion, so all that has happened here is Connacht will have significantly weakened their squad in one position at a lesser cost because they/the Irfu were unwilling to give Marmion a two year deal.

Marmion.He is real professional rugby player. Thank you for your service for fans in such a long time,and good luck. No other word I have.

It's hard to comment from the outside without knowing our budget but I'd imagine it's hard to justify paying two international salaries in one low attrition position. A downside of having such a young squad is that we will have to hand out a lot of increased salaries each renewal season, as lads establish themselves. Several are likely to start picking up caps as well so will be able to command decent salaries. I can imagine the branch are looking at having to renew the likes of Darragh Murray, Hawkshaw, and Forde next year and that has informed their decision. Also, having two high quality options at 9 has meant that we have very few development minutes to share between Reilly and Devine. At some stage we need to increase their exposure to first team rugby.

We will likely have to replace Kieran but the new man will likely be cheaper and less of an obstacle to the young lads. However, offering a one year deal to a club legend who is still in his prime is a bit insulting. Offer a proper deal or offer nothing.

Big weekend ahead, with most of our immediate rivals facing tricky ties. Seems to me that our most likely route to Champions Cup rugby is by finishing ahead of the Sharks, they have a tough match away at the Stormers, who could do us a big favour with a victory, preferably without allowing the Sharks a BP.

Wonder if Conor Fitz will be renewed. Would like to see Tom Daly covering both centre and out-half as he simply is not getting enough game time for his ability. Obviously we are loaded at centre so it seems like a reasonable move. Wouldn't mind seeing young Prendergast signing as outhalf for Connacht this Summer. Now that would be nice and he would get the game time