Does NIQ come into the equation though if you’re considering Ioane instead of Healy? All hypothetical I know as poss not available or willing to come back into the Irish system so quickly, who would you go for ? Harry Byrne is so injury prone it’d seem an expensive gamble in a position where we don’t have enough options, a bit like Killgallen and Munster.
I think NIQ will definitely be a factor when if we asked the IRFU to bring back someone distinctly mediocre, who is nowhere near the Ireland depth chart, and who chose to leave not long ago. If - and it's an huge if - Ioane can build some more consistency in his kicking game then we have a great strike runner who scares defences. He's already here and in my opinion it's a far better risk reward balance for an NIQ spot.
I’d agree that’s a good option but if Ioane’s kicking was likely to improve I think it’d have happened by now. Need someone new to fill the 10 jersey.
Frawley is the best option.
I'd be happy to take a punt on Frawley if we could get him. His kicking and running game are good enough that Connacht could afford to develop him further by playing him continuously at ten.
Healy was 3rd choice at munster and now out of favour in Edinburgh. That would indicate he would be connachts 3rd choice. Unless he is willing to play for small money I can't see him being signed.
I wonder that people do not pay attention to the defending abilities (especially tackling). I think that Ioane and Cordero are weak tacklers. B.Murphy who is praised by all people is a weak tackler too. If not, Leinster did not release him imo. If Connacht want to win coming close and low-score games, Connacht shouldn't use such weaker tacklers. Forde is one of the hardest tacklers in this team (BKs) alongside Hawkshaw, Gavin, Devines,Bolton, Treacy, Ralston etc. and he is long kicker, strong line-breaker and good passer. So I think that he is first choice FH in current situation. Now, Ireland A didn't select him at 12 or 13. So his surviving way seems only at 10. Connacht must give a chance to this talented native player for Dexcom Stadium.
Rod Seib an Australian joining Connacht. Don't know in what capacity yet.
Sorry should have said as a coach!
Most likely as attack coach?? I think that's the position he held at the brumbies
It was mentioned on here that Connacht are after a DOR, possibly Seib?
I don't know anything about the guy but the career path he's had very much points to an Attack Coach role. The last thing we need right now is an inexperienced DoR / Head Coach who also doesn't understand IRFU politics.
That DoR rumour looks like it was just a single post on X with about 10 replies. I'll believe it when I see the media in another country pre-announce it before the IRFU have completed the deal. 😁
Can't say I would pick Ben Murphy out as a poor tackler, and his stats compare quite favourably vs Caolin Blade - 86.1% and 65.2% respectively. Cordero is a very poor tackler, in fact his URC stats are disappointing across the board:
Rod Seib as attack coach to Connacht
Never heard of Seib and I follow Super rugby. And a Brumbies attacking coach wouldn't fill me with confidence.
I cant keep up with all the news!
Another fella i never heard of.
But rather than just being responsible for attack, it’s understood that Seib will take on a senior role in Connacht, with a major say in selection, game plans, and recruitment.
https://www.the42.ie/rob-seib-connacht-6634762-Feb2025/
Seib a friend of A.Friend?
A friend in need is friend indeed.
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2025/02/27/australian-a-head-coach-rod-seib-to-join-connacht-set-up-next-season/
Deck chairs. Titanic. Wilkins should have never got the job, should absolutely never have got a 3 year contract given there was zero chance of him receiving any comparable position. Guess Connacht are stuck with him until the end of next season at least, hopefully actual change then assuming they don’t have a hot spell to start next season as Ruane & co will probably look to extend him for another few years after four good games or something if they get that opportunity.
New stand looking great from the pics they put up on Twitter lately.
Looks like it shouldn't be far off beaing ready by the end of the year.
so Murphy is out for 5 weeks which means Ioane is out for 5 weeks and we have Jack and Caolin. Lovely
why do you think Ioane is Murphys conjoined twin?
……
Looks like Wilkins got the scalpel out and Ioane starts tomorrow.
nah, youll just see Ioane wearing extra large headgear
Cordero not selected for the first time this season.
Big week for Aungier, in the A game there was a very clear pattern of when he wasn't on the pitch the scrum went backwards and when he was it didn't. Gotta think he's, rightly, jumped Oli J in the Irish pecking order.
There was an interesting/amusing bit of behind the scenes stuff on YouTube where Fiachna Barret was taking some stick over eating pizza, he claimed to eat "only salads", after he said that they asked him what he weighted and he said 130kg......we do not produce a lot of men that size so he's someone we really need to be nurturing for the future!
I wonder if we are short fit back 3 options? JJ and Hawkshaw would strike me as both covering similar positions to a certain degree. I guess maybe Gavin could move to the wing also
Not sure - I would have thought Cordero, Jennings, and Smith were all fit. The plan is probably Gavin to the wing or Ioane to 15 if needs be.
Its normally not straight forward to figure out our selections anyway! David O'Connor is another man who seems to have just reappeared suddenly in the matchday squads
We seem to like to have one of O'Connor or Joyce on the pitch where possible, I assume to scrummage on the tighthead side. Not sure why we haven't picked Joyce though, unless he has a knock.
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