Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

Tucker was linked to Munster but from what I hear here in Limerick is that he was never in the running as he never threw his hat in the ring and that Munster hadn't approached him. He probably informed Connacht of all that without going public on it which kept the rumours to Munster alive a lot longer than usual

Defense is no.1 and when it's not happening you'll lose a lot of games. You cannot expect to score 25+ every week.

We've conceded on average 24 points per game, that's not good enough.

When the defense is that bad you have to look at the coaching. We need change at the end of the season.

He confirmed it himself in the pre game press conference last week

The Pete Wilkins stuff has a whiff of a palace coup about it. He's a nice guy, but not a Head Coach and certainly not a selector. Some recent selections have been baffling to say the least.

Oisin McCormack's contract extension means Conor Oliver will be on his way at the end of the season. It also looks like Piers O'Conor will leave at the end of the season. Can we get Tom Farrell back?

Was Piers O’Connor only a one year deal? Would be a shame to see him go.

I had assumed Pierce was signed on a 2 year deal. Hopefully he isn't leaving as would be a loss.

Oliver has probably been a bit unfortunate with his lack of game time but had a few poor games with a lot of penalties conceeded in games that I remember this season. The kind of player you would like to keep though if possible.

Oliver has really lost out to SHL, which is tough but Langton has really come into his own at 7 this season.

A friend who is a Bristol fan said O'Connor was OK but nothing special for Briatol. I think he's been good for Connacht. Sounds like he's doing better than he did at Bristol. Maybe his stock has risen and he's getting more offers on more money elsewhere.

It would be a pity if he leaves.

Yeah that's fair. I hope Connacht can do a deal to keep him.

On the Craggy rugby pod they said O’Connor is pretty much gone. It was a one year deal and apparently his family haven’t settled in Galway so he won’t be staying.

A shame as others have said he’s been a good signing

That's a pity, he has played more minutes than anyone else this season so will leave a hole to be filled. I think Gavin at 13 is the answer, and perhaps John Devine gets promoted to provide some depth. Not sure what we'll do at fullback though. I really wish we had just backed Jennings there years ago, he has the talent and emerged at the perfect time to succeed Tiernan O'Halloran.

I think I remember talk of O'Connor being signed as a cheaper alternative to offering Farrell a better contract so this is a shame that it won't work out but you have to put family first.

Hansen is the obvious first choice 15 with Jennings to back up when Mack is away on international duty. That said getting Joey Carbery back or Ciaran Frawley down would be excellent pieces of business.