Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

DTM is injured, Ralston is serving the last game of his suspension.

Disappointing one. I thought the days of us losing players to the other provinces that we wanted to keep were over.

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?

Look, I never wanted Henshaw to be allowed leave Connacht so it would be wrong of me to think Connacht losing Kilgallen to Munster is ok. Different players mind you as Henshaw was certain starter and Kilgallen does seem to have to earn a regular starting place.

But to be getting annoyed over fans (who have absolutely zero say in who moves where) thinking out loud over who would be an addition to their team is a bit extreme.

How does anyone here know the bugets?

We can't 'know' because the IRFU does not make them available. Jackman, who is not entirely clueless on the matter, says Connacht c.5m and Munster and Ulster c.7m, Leinster maybe 8.5m. This is my recollection from the42's podcast some time last year or in 2022.

Josh O'Connor is finishing up in the academy. He's similar type to Kilgallen. He should get a senior contract. Connacht have a big surplus in multiple positions. Inside center if swamped and there's no way they will all be kept. There's Devine, Hawkshaw, Gavin all in the academy. Contracted players are Aki, Daly and Hawkshaw. Cathal Forde could be seen as a 12 also. I can see Daly leaving or not getting re signed. There's also a glut of back rows. Losing Kilgalken hurts but, he's doing himself justice as there's better prospects of playing time at Munster.

While the player made the decision, and I'm glad with the signing as a Munster fan, it's a **** one for Connacht. I'd hate to see us lose a promising player like Kendellen for e.g.

Leinster are a different kettle of fish given the massive population and private wealth advantages in their setup.

I suppose the thinking is they can bring TF on and then move Hawkshaw around in a utility back role. I'm glad that Michael Mcdonald is getting a decent run, but it's sad that they're not willing to take a shot on Devine. Bit surprised to Jarrad on the bench seeing as Boyle and SOB are back.l