Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

In the absence of sufficient gametime for wider provincial squad members, the IRFU has to produce more gametime. Would a small interpros tournament aimed at academy players and recent graduates be a good idea? Older squad players could also be used to fill out teams but preference given to younger players. Play the other three provinces and possibly a final + 3rd/4th place game. Venues chosen to minimise travel.

Play the weekends of the Champions Cup knock outs, that means lads are still available for URC if needed. It also falls nicely after the U20 6N so those lads have time to integrate into their provincial side's systems. Might also give lads who missed the U20 6N a chance to stake a claim for the JWC squad. AIL clubs wouldn't be happy but lads playing for professional contracts need to be tested against their peers, not amateur players.

I'd be in favour of this, but I don't believe it will happen. Management have shown very little creativity in selection at halfback and 15. Having spent the money to bring in JJ, that will function as a psychological obstacle to them stepping outside the box. Forde at 10 would be a logical thing to do given the age profile and our depth at centre, but that's our read on the situation through a blinkered provincial frame.

There's been no mention of Connacht amid the speculation in terms of provincial moves among the Leinster 10s, but it can't be excluded. If I was Harry Byrne or Frawley, Galway looks like a more functional set up than Belfast, and the opportunity to be a starter rather than Crowley's understudy at Munster. So we'll see. I'd assume JJ is on a one year contract, and Jack is up at the end of next season. Interesting times.

Tough for McCormack, running out of time to earn a new contract.

Real shame, he looked quality at u20s

We struggle to produce homegrown back rows. McCormack is as good as it gets in terms of profile (a rare Ireland u20 starter, might have played two seasons of u20s but for injury iirc) and he's been given 17 Challenge Cup minutes across 4.5 seasons (1.5 as a pro).

Not AFAIK, three year deal signed in 2021 ends 2025:

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/jack-carty-signs-new-three-year-contract-with-connacht-1.4735500

Heff starting, McElroy on the bench and Oliver onto the bench instead of Ralston so

Bit surprised it turned out to be true, was showing very well for us before his current injury and looked like nailing down a 1st choice spot. Will he be guaranteed more game time at Munster? I think provinces aren't allowed to outbid each other in these cases?

I think Connacht will be a bit sore at this one. Is that the first young academy player that they have lost to another province since Henshaw? Obviously Kilgallen isn't Henshaw but after he finally broke into the Connacht team as a regular this season to see him go at the first available opportunity will rankle with some.

Strongly agree with this. I wish Kilgallen well with his recovery, but the minutes available until the end of the season should eb used for players who are committed to Connacht. Give the ban on provinces outbidding each other, he has obviously opted to go south for his own reasons. That's bitterly disappointing given that he was developed through our academy etc.

To leave is his choice; to play him once recovered - that's the choice of Connacht management. I would use him only as a break glass option. Let's have a look at Chay Mullins and Josh O'Connor, both of whom I've heard good things about.

A word on Munster and attitudes present among some of their fans. A minority of them seem addicted to the quick fix, thus the endless appetite for signing NIQs or demanding provincial moves to their benefit. Such moves are justified on the grounds that it'll be 'good for Ireland' and 'sure they're all contracted by the IRFU anyway' etc etc.

When was the last time a regular starter developed in Munster's Academy was moved to another province? How do you they'd respond if roles were reversed? I'm not impressed.

Can you name a regular Munster starter serenaded away by Connacht? I can't think of any.

JJ, you dumped, and he ended up with us via a circuitous route.

Alex Wooton had been sent to Siberia after injury.

Conor Oliver had played a grand total of 300 minutes for Munster in the two seasons before his departure for Galway.

Conor Fitzgerald was released from the Munster Academy.

So, help me out here.

As regards the 'demanding provincial moves' that was a reference to a part of your fan base not Munster rugby - we don't know what they say to the IRFU, or what was said in the context of this move. If you want evidence of that attitude among your fan base, look no further than the munsterfans board. It's full of posts about how Frawley, Dan Sheahan, Ronan Kelleher etc should be sent south for the good of everybody.

Are you blind to the culture among some of your fellow fans and how much time they spend ogling in the window of Leinster's player roster?