Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

One other interesting inclusion in the Ireland A squad is Harry Byrne who is currently coming to the end of a 3 month loan to Bristol.

Since was willing to move to Bristol I'm assuming he's starting to see that he might need to move away from Leinster if he's hoping to get game time at 10 and Connacht should be putting their hat in the ring in particular noting all the game time and recognition from the Ireland squad that Ben Murphy has gotten since his move this season

John Porch released early from his contract to play in France.

The very best of luck to him he has had some great games for us. Lots of competition in the back 3 so understandable he wanted to go with the lack of gametime in the past 2 seasons.

Always gave 100% for the team and had a really great abrasive presence on the pitch.

Pity he won't get a send off at the end of the year, maybe they could invite him back for last game if it doesn't clash with his new club, rumoured to be Vannes.

We all know how many outside backs we've carried in the last few years but when you think we lost kilgallen last year and Porch this one that's a lot of quality walking out the door.

Best of luck to him and his young family, pro rugby is a tough gig so brilliant that he's got something lined up.

I mean tbf is it quality if he's now getting games for us with the way we've been playing?

The other side of it is creating pathways the first team for the academy lads.

If you could combine Jack, JJ and Ioane into one player, they'd probably be a servieable out half, but at the end of the day they're all relatively expensive and flawed and blocking us from giving a younger lad a chance or getting one of Leinster's many prospects. Just an example of how stockpiling experienced players hurts you imo.

Isn't Cordero gone after the season? My memory might be flawed but I was certain he signed a two year contract when he came. Ioane got a one year contract. I don't know about Hanrahan but if he got a two year deal then we can move on and have money to spend.

Tbh I'd go looking in SA for an out-half. There's so many talented ones out there.

Maybe Frawley might be interested, I've always felt he'd be really good if he got a couple of consecutive games at 10 which has never happened for him.

A large chunk of Benetton's squad will be with Italy. It's a game we should be and need to win

I guess it's a good runout to keep lads in rhythm. A lot of them wont have played in a long time and the A inter-pros turned into a bit of a farce which removed that avenue for game time.

I think this is where we really suffer with not having competitive AIL teams to give some of these lads a run out.

Lots of lads in that squad there you'd nearly forget were still here. Andrew Smith in particular was one of the few success stories of last season but has hardly been seen this year. The 2 year contract for Ralston looked strange at the time but even more so now.

Before that injury he was fit and playing AIL while not selected for the opening 8 games of the season. A bit odd that he fell out of favour so comprehensively after a debut season where he played nearly 1,000 mins, perhaps a consequence of going to the Olympics.

I'd never have dreamed ten years ago that we'd have ten players even in consideration for the Irish squad but here we are.

I feel for Cathal Forde not making the 23 for the A match against England. I thought there was more chance of seeing him than Hugh Gavin. They have Gavin at 12 which surprised me as I'd prefer him at 13.

Five Connacht players starting in that game, Gavin, Bolton, Aungier, Murray and Jansen.

I was about to talk about Smith and I was in agreement with you but then I remembered that this not finishing things off is a team thing and not just Smith.

Tough on Forde, he's good enough to play international rugby for many teams but unfortunately Ireland potentially have more quality at 12 that we've ever had in any position ever.

Aki, Henshaw, McCloskey, Osborne, Gavin, Postlethwaite, Forde, Tector.

Absolutely absurd depth.

And of course Jacks final game. It's nice to see they get the opportunity

credit to Quins for a good stream. Time for Jack to be replaced.