Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

Its craig evans, from wales.

Irfu website

Lions at this season seem stronger than one last season. Although Fws pack weight is lighter than Connacht (879-L v 912=C) ,their fat THP is very strong LHPs of Connacht will have hard time especially at scrums. Connacht need to win at FWs fight. I want them to make the strongest and heviest selection for win. And are Bolton and Kilgallen available this match?

Boyle has been signed a 1 year extension

Agree with you - he hasn't been picked that much recently even when he wasn't injured. Here's what Wilkins says about him:

Paul has loads of talent and it’s great for us that he’s signed up again with us for next season. He’s a natural leader on and off the field, as we’ve seen with his captaincy of Connacht on occasion and with the Ireland Under 20s before that. His work in the community, outside of rugby, also says a lot about who he is and the connections he’s built here in Connacht.

Interesting stat from the website is that he is the second highest scoring forward in Connacht's history, behind John Muldoon.

Don't let Cian Healy hear you say that haha.

I've always been a fan of Boyle's so am pleased at this news, but also confused, as it means we'll have three specialist 8s on the books (Jansen, O'Brien) which seems like a lot in the context of the purported pressure to reduce the squad size.

Josh Murphy could fill that role, or SHL at a pinch. And in recent times Dowling has proven effective there as well.

Some good business done already, the only essential renewal remaining is Aungier imo, apparently he has interest from Saracens and France. Certainly don't want to lose the likes of Oliver, Farrell and Ralston but think we would be fine given the depth in those positions. Losing Aungier after all the time we've put into him would be a disaster, and place too much reliance upon Illo and Barrett at this stage of their careers.

You'd have to think he can be kept in Ireland, and probably Connacht. He's a clear second choice and has loads of opportunity to push past Bealham.

The fear might be that Leinster are in the market. If the Tupou deal doesn't come through, they might settle for an IQ option and tempt Jack home.

If I was leinster I'd have my beady eyes on Aungier tbf, cracking player and with Furlong ageing he could be starting there if they don't get an IQ player.

Interesting that JOD is back for Munster a full 2 months before Hansen is expected. Pleased he's back and it wasn't serious but the difference in commentary between the two incidents was very telling.

Damn, hopefully we'll be able to sign a decent NIQ to bridge the gap for a couple of years while we develop Illo and Barrett, if that is the case.

Would be gutted to see Aungier go, particularly next season. Illo looks to have made huge strides forward this year and Barrett Looks like a specimen. Could really do with another year to let those two develop.

I'd imagine that's because the JOD clear out was an illegal act of foul play which was rightly yellow carded, while Hansen's was just tough luck from a regular clearout.

Hopefully Aungier sticks to the West though. He's better off. You only have to look at how quickly Cian Kelleher fell of the radar after returning to the East to know that it wouldn't be best for his career.

I like that team, nicely balanced pack with lots of impact to come from the bench, although things could get messy if we have injuries in the outside backs. Seems like Reilly is still no. 2 despite McDonald having the opportunity to steal a march on him while he was injured.