Apologies (damned autocorrect). Eric Elwood
Apologies. (Autocorrect)
Eric Elwood
Eric stepped down as head coach largely due to the stress that the role brought. I think that a DoR role would just pile that stress back on. If we opt for a DoR model we'd be better off getting someone in from outside who thrives in that kind of stressful long-term oversight role.
What you make of that call up for Bolton?
He hasnt played since ….30th Nov v Bulls.
Could anyone offer up what are his strengths and weaknesses?
My limited knowledge amounts to - he's a fastish and powerful 14.
Bolton arrived as primarily a centre, but to my eyes struggled with timing in attack and positioning in defence, and has since found a home on the wing. He is extremely abrasive and hits like a truck on both sides of the ball. He is the closest thing to James Lowe in Irish rugby in terms of power and willingness to come off his wing. However, he lacks Lowe's kicking and offloading ability, and has demonstrated a relatively limited skillset thus far. I would also be slightly concerned about his decision making in defence and fielding at the highest level.
To summarise, raw but a lot of upside. He has also had horrendous luck with injuries which have not helped him in getting enough gametime to round out his skillset.
Many thanks Ben B.
Exactly what I would have written about Bolton. Abrasive and aggressive in attack and defence. Limited kicking and fielding skills but exuberance and enthusiasm at levels similar to Werner Koch. I would hope to see an appearance in the A game. Nash, Bolton, Osbourne wouldn't be a bad back 3
Not sure it's fair to compare Pat Lam and ROG. Pat left at Connacht's peak to move to Bristol and become the highest paid manager in the world for the last 7 years coming from the connacht job. That's like winning the lotto in money terms. ROG is managing at a higher level in France with more pressure. Next move I would guess is an international job like maybe Australia
Nearly true but not exactly true. Lam had done his job at Connacht and he could see that the job was done and the downward spiral was in the offing. Everyone could see the Lam moves a mile off. It was time for a change and he jumped. And it's the same with ROG. He has done his job. Time to move on before his legacy becomes stale, if not already stale
As for the Bolton selection. Well that one is beyond a mystery.
I would say with confidence that if Lancaster is signed as head coach at Connacht it is a death warrant for our province for the next half decade. Yes we need a coach. Yes Wilkins is a patz. I feel sorry for him. It just isn't where he should be and he knows it. But Lancaster is a total d!ck.
Thanks.
I thought it was a bit 'left-field' considering he hasn't played in a few months.
May I ask the group for another assessment on a player? Sean Jansen.
I think his only 80min performance for Connacht was v Lyon recently.
Is he going to be anything more than a 60min or 20min impact player at 8?
Just a guess, but perhaps in training they wanted Bolton to assume a position in the opposition training team similar to Duhan Van der Merwe? Big, fast and powerful. Perfect to simulate the Scottish attack in training perhaps.
Good player, lots of bosh. Perhaps not so much finesse. Better off the bench than starting imo. Very similar to Munsters young Gleeson. I was a little surprised at his inclusion for the emerging Ireland tour but tbh he's been very consistent albeit as a bosher.
This may be the role he is being asked to play though.
You're some genius.
Don’t think Bolton call up is overly surprising. They have obviously had their eye on him for a while.
Was named in the emerging Ireland squad and as a development player in November, only to miss both opportunities due to injuries.
He is probably the closest thing to a Lowe replacement, minus the kicking game. Could very easily see Bolton and Kilgallen over take Nash in the Irish pecking order, if they can stay fit.
Lancaster won't be coming here. He's been linked with Munster and Leicester since leaving Racing.
Sadly I am no (Ze)genius and while my opinion is harsh that opinion tends to not be too far off the mark. It's all fine to say all is fine, it's harder to say why all is not fine and see the issues. I guess my tone could be nicer but that's ElisaAtWar for you
Both are welcome to Lancaster
Just out of curiosity, what do you have against Lancaster? As far as I can recall, he was well liked and popular with the players he coached.
Thinks the portmanteau "Stuesdays" is too awful to have ever been repeated? Holding out for Joe Schmidt when he's available in November?
I believe Joe is quitting to spend more time with his family. Unless they have moved to Ireland recently I think you might have long wait for Schmidt.
That's not a portmanteau
You are of course correct, Portmanteau is that evasive winger that was making waves with the French U-20s until his very public fall from grace and the transfer to Montpellier it earned him.
Bolton un-released like Forde is?
Based on Connacht's Instagram account Aungier, Bolton, Forde, and Ben Murphy are all back in Galway ahead of a huge Cardiff game.
Fingers crossed that means that Blade and Prendergast are in contention for another cap in the Wales game.
If Simon Eastby has not intent to use Prendergast (He seems so to me), He should give back Cian to Galway. I'm worried that Connacht may defeat against Cardiff without Prendargast and M. Devine.
https://www.connachtrugby.ie/news/squad-update-tuesday-11th-february/bp3293/
The Connacht Rugby management team have released the latest squad update ahead of Saturday’s BKT URC meeting with Cardiff at Dexcom Stadium.
Following the recent break, a number of players have returned to full training after respective injury layoffs. They include Hugh Gavin (ankle), Andrew Smith (thumb), Denis Buckley (thigh), Darragh Murray (achilles) and Shane Jennings (ankle).
Meanwhile six players have been released from international duty to be available for selection this week - they are Jack Aungier, Caolin Blade, Shayne Bolton, Cathal Forde, Ben Murphy and captain Cian Prendergast. Remaining in the Ireland camp are Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham and Mack Hansen.
Just two players have been ruled out of the game due to injury. Sean O’Brien has unfortunately undergone hamstring surgery and will be out for 3 months, while Eoin de Buitlear suffered a thumb fracture during an Energia AIL game at the weekend. A timeline on his return is to be determined.
(Wel)Come home Warren
Cardiff have something like 7 or 8 players in the Welsh 23.
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