Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

Prendergast was offered a contract last year but turned it down. With Sexton retiring it makes sense for him to stay in Leinster

Also mentioned this stupid "locals first policy" which sounds more ridiculous every time I see it. Really struggling to see a positive to it.

Feel much the same with Wilkins. It's just going to be more of the same. Another 3 years of not fixing the fundamental problems. And that's what hurts the most with that particular appointment

McNulty names to start for Corinthians this weekend, could mean Bolton or Jennings in the 23

Boyleback in at 8. Bolton on the wing which is interesting. Rielly 20. Jennings in at 23. I have a feeling we might not see much more of Marmion unless there's injuries.

Bolton out of position but great that we get to have another look at him. Jennings - high expectations. Brilliant to have Boyle, Dowling, and Hawkshaw return as well. Farrell/Forde in midfield - yes.

I'm excited about this selection.

Except Murphy I'm not convinced about, and still it's ok as we need experience in that rather young team, very excited too!

means :

• Dowling Hawkshaw and Boyle will make us win such a crucial game, 3 of the most regularly good this season
• Forde is defo the future
• Bolton is not gone yet then, and Jennings is not a pure 7's player, I suspect he'll become a regular after Olympics

Is Marmion injured or is this the dumb weakening your squad because a player is leaving policy?

Must win game, all for development if/when games are effectively meaningless but should be best 23 at this stage

Murray Kinsella saying that Marmion was only offered a 1 year deal and it "wasn't a great offer". Seems like he was offered a contract by Connacht that they knew he would probably turn down.

Also mentioned other players getting "quite poor" contract offers. And there being a lot of uncertainty at Connacht at the moment.

Understandable that our playing budget will be a bit lower in the next few years with the performance centre and stands to be built. Connacht do have to fund some of that themselves.

You are really missing the point SqueakyKneeCap. The next games for Connacht are simply critical. For more reasons that you could imagine. It is not the time for gripes

On a different note, whoever is responsible for this talk about homegrown or local players getting priority is some eejit. It sounds to me like a pub theory of contract renewals that got picked up by the wind, but this is very damaging.

Connacht has long been home for players from all four provinces, the exiles, and NIQs - it's part of the province's identity. I am not obsessed by media etc but i do believe that the province/ruane should make a public statement refuting the supposed grounds for such a policy (which i hope and believe does not exist).

In no way should the development of the sport in the province and contracting the best players for the provincial team be seen as representing conflicting approaches. This nativist talk is ridiculous, and to hear it even floated at as an explanation for the treatment of Marmion is deeply nauseating.

I don’t think it’s right to call him turning down a poor contract offer “making his bed”. That was inevitably going to be turned down, it’s not like he had two comparable offers and opted to leave.

I’m a bit confused by all this developmental talk. Connacht seem to spend all their time developing, Newcastle away was used for development. To what end are Connacht developing players?

Surely the aim is for Connacht to make the league play offs and Champions cup. “Development” shouldn’t be placed ahead of achievement.

It seems hyperbolic to me also to suggest Reillys confidence would be destroyed by Marmion being selected. There’s a pretty good argument for Marmion being the most accomplished player in Connacht’s history, given his achievements at both provincial and international level, he absolutely is in the professional era. There is no shame in being behind him for selection.

I would go as far to suggest that by not selecting Marmion, Connacht are repeating a mistake made already this season in Newcastle and not selecting the best 23 to deliver victory. Winning should be the only priority in games like these, there is no shortage of developmental opportunities at other times in the calendar.

There is no way Connacht have a policy on favouring the local lads for contract stuff, they more than the other provinces need to sign from outside and if nothing else that policy would put off potential signings. It’s bullshit.