Nice not of business. Quality player
Seems like your looking for the negative in a positive
its just unusual
Iirc some contracts once upon a time got announced around the AI back in the noughties.
The last time we renewed Prendergast's contract he still had over a year remaining on his current deal. He's probably our most important player, when looking at quality of performance and minutes played, as well as being club captain. Tying him down early on a long term deal is just good management.
Once the deal is done, why not announce it? Our captain sigming on for 3 years is a positive news item and projects stability. I know he had resigned the captaincy but a public contract tussle with a leader like O'Mahony last season was not a positive for Munster.
Could it be there were advances from other clubs for him so Connacht tied him down.
I think getting the club captain signed on a long term deal shows continuity and stability as you head into negotiations with other players especially in times of change.
Last weeks speculation around bundi may just have pushed them to announce early.
If we were losing a few senior ish lads it might be very important to give other lads a vision of the future.
Joyce Boyle and SHL are probably the next ones that need to be tied up. Also with the new Prop rules on niqs we better do our business in the front row ASAP. Cos Munster will be in the market for a rake of lads.
The A tournament is a great chance to get some fringe players some decent game time. Will be interesting to see how strong they go. Guys like Duggan, McBurney, Illo, Dowling, Oliver Carty, Ralston, Porch, Jennings and Smith should all be involved.
Would be really keen to see Fiachna Barrett too and how he's progressing - looks to be going very well for Corinthians.
If Connacht treat these games fully as A games most of their frontline players won't play any rugby for a month. Getting up-and-coming players involved is a bit more straightforward for Leinster with a lot of their top players off with Ireland, but even so I'd say Leinster will go near to as strong as possible to try to be humming by the time URC returns.
Having a crack at picking a 23
Player X is Hugh Gavin?
Gavin is injured not sure if he'll be back for the games
Forde probably needs a rest, but it would be nice to see how he'd get on at 10
I would like to see:
15-9, 1-8: Jennings, Mullins, Ralston, J. Devine, Smith, Dav. Hawkshaw, M. Devine; Lasisi, de Buitléar, Illo, Dowling, O'Connor, N. Murray, McCormack, Jansen
16-13: McBurney, Bohan, Barrett, D. Murray, Flynn, Reilly, Naughton, Treacy
Is Andrew Smith injured or just on the outside this year?
I haven't noticed him popping up in AIL teamsheets yet this season. Thought he looked relatively tidy the few times I saw him last season for Connacht.
From your team - I would also love to get a look at Niall Murray playing 6. Looks to have all the required attributes.
I'd probably rather see them try Sean Naughton for a start at 10 instead of Hawkshaw in this sort of game. I've been really impressed with the clips of him for Corinthians this year, and he has a great playmaking, running style that I think would fit very well with the Connacht senior side.
Smith played in the first few rounds of the AIL for Clontarf, but not since October 5th. Can't recall him being mentioned in any injury updates, seems like he just hasn't been selected. He showed a lot of promise last year but we seem determined to play Cordero into form currently.
Murray played 6 in at least one u20 warm up game but don't recall it happening since. I don't think there's a pressing need for another option at blindside with Prendergast and Murphy there, but it could be the best use of Murray's talents and his only hope of pushing on another level or two. He's plateaued a bit outside of being an excellent defensive lineout operator.
Naughton looks very good at that level and seems to be a very important part of the ambitious shape they're playing. Just hard to know how he stacks up as a prospect as he didn't get many minutes for the u20s. Looks to have good fundamentals and especially an ability to straighten and fix defenders, without having any obvious weaknesses to his game. The A games could be a good opportunity for him, but would pick Blade to start with him.
Yeah, he didn't get significant minutes at U20s, but thought he always brought a bit of a spark when he did get on (even occasionally at centre). He looks to have good size and a good running game.
Is Harry West out the door or what's his story?
No clue on West, other than I believe he has been more focused on fullback. Hasn't played for Buccs yet this season.
Guessing he's injured so, because they look like a side crying out for any semblance of talent. Have shipped an unbelievable amount of points through 4 games so far.
Sligo rovers getting 16 million to redevelop the showgrounds. Part of their submission is to increase the pitch size to accommodate the rugby games in the off season. Would be great if connacht played maybe a zebra or dragon game there. Potential to attract new fans.
I would hope that the focus is on paying down the costs of the Sportsground redevelopment first. Trying to split crowds between two redeveloped venues to the satisfaction of no-one is a very Shelbyville-brained idea.
Be a great location for a Connacht vrs Ulster Interpro once a year and Ireland A game.
Zerba or dragons game will only half fill the sportsground but as a novelty could get a full house in Sligo 6k. If it hits break even it would be good for connacht long term. Majority of connacht fans attending games are with maybe within 40km of galway city. Connacht will need to spread their fan base to fill the sportsground for the mid table games
All for this idea, give the people from Sligo and Donegal a chance to see games. Sligo schools have produced so many academy players over the last few years.
More Connacht players than Ulster and Munster combined in an Ireland 15 for a big game is wild!!
Not great that only 5 out of 15, and 10 out of 23, are not Leinster players though. Shows how dominant they are. Friday night kickoff means the crowd will be almost solely Leinster residents too.
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Just realised that we are playing the Bulls the same day as the Australia game. Was hoping to go to the Australia game so it’s annoying that they class.
When’s the last time we (or any other province) played at home on the same day as an Irish home match? It’s a bit ridiculous to have the two clashing.
Happens every few seasons ve it november or 6 nations. Hard to avoid all clashes.
I definitely remember seasons where there have been home games on the same weekend but just not the same day. What’s stopping them fixing the Connacht game for the Friday night? Or having it on at 7:35 so you could potentially make it back from the Aviva on time.
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