Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

ShineyShiney · 20-04-2025 09:12PM

The value of European rugby to Connacht is numbers through the gate for the big teams visiting, sponsorship opportunity, media coverage, being seen to be at the top table and exposure internationally.

We are a long way from winning either competition. We need to stop fooling ourselves. We can take a scalp and have a punchers chance anytime we meet big teams but not 4 games in a row which is what we would need.

Give me Champions Cup every single time.

MarinersBlues · 20-04-2025 10:11PM

We should always be capable of a top two/four seed in the Challenge Cup which is a completely different prize to the seedings that come from dropping in from the Champions Cup. As mentioned above it would be class to have some home euro knockout games in the new stadium. It is definitely our best chance of recreating the Edinbrugh buzz of 10 years ago

It's about resource management as well.

We would have to go fully loaded for every game all season in the Champions Cup. Historically that has had a big knock on effect on league performances. In the current format third seed gives us a fighting chance of knockout European rugby of some kind, but bottom seed is such a big hill to climb.

Top seeds in the Challenge Cup gives us a chance to rotate, particularly around the international windows.

This is explicity about top seed vs bottom seed. Anything else is a different question.

eagle eye · 22-04-2025 04:10AM

If we get the defense sorted we'll be in the top 8 in the URC next season.

Just have to hope that Seib has a ruthless streak in him and will rid the place of poor coaches like his fellow Aussie Fardy.

seanin4711 · 22-04-2025 01:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123371775#Comment_123371775

above could be said for the last half dozen games in all competitions tbh.

AccidentallyOnside · 22-04-2025 04:20PM

Ulster announcing 8 players leaving.

Our last home game of the season is Edinburgh so we should have some idea what next year's squad will look like soon.

Based on the weekend Oliver is well worth another contract, we managed to slow ball at the ruck for the first time in months at the weekend, not all down to him but certainly a big contributor.

Zeugnis · 22-04-2025 05:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123380187#Comment_123380187

What happens with Oliver is an interesting test of this management's ability to admit their mistakes. Let's see.

kita99 · 22-04-2025 08:24PM

Oliver was conceded a meaningless penalty (he wasn't luckily received any card). I have looked that he has done such a foolish plays so often. Last week, maybe if SHL was in the pitch, Oliver was not there. At 7 position, I think that Connacht have some better and younger players there. McCormac, SOB, Flynn and (espcially) Power.

lavrenti · 22-04-2025 09:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123378666#Comment_123378666

Fardy has already gone hasn't he? He certainly won't be around next season.

testtech05 · 22-04-2025 09:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123381006#Comment_123381006

I've him in footage from the last few games and he was on the pitch in castlebar. I know it was rumoured Wilkins had taken over defense from him and Fardy was doing something but maybe that had changed again.

If he hoping there is a new defence coach coming in either way

Zeugnis · 23-04-2025 09:45AM

While SHL is an excellent player, SOB is mostly an 8 (and has not shown himself to be a better player than Oliver so far). If you're going to compete hard at the ruck, then you will concede penalties some times, I wouldn't classify Oliver as a penalty machine, and he's averaged one yellow card per season since he arrived.

One can't compare the other players you mention seeing as two are in the Academy (is Bobby Power even in?) and have never played for the Senior team and Oisin McCormack has a total of 33 minutes game time under his belt. If SHL was to be hit by a serious injury, we'd have a major crisis IMO.

realhorrorshow · 23-04-2025 12:08PM

Oliver is a good player who I'd have no problem with us retaining, but in keeping with my desire for us to run a lighter squad and prioritise spend on high quality difference makers and coaching, he's the sort of player I'd probably be cutting. I think SOB, McCormack, and Flynn can provide sufficient cover for Hurley-Langton.

I would in particular like to see Flynn exposed to senior rugby next season. This season was a bit of a wash for him due to injury, but he's fit now and will hopefully get a decent pre-season under his belt.

AccidentallyOnside · 23-04-2025 02:28PM

Seems to be some questions coming from the media about Tucker getting the role full time. Great coach but I'd be against that; we're in a bit of a mess so could really do with someone with experience as a head coach in the role.

Munster being very coy on their forwards coach for next year too, seems like it's going to be the women's forward coach but there have been rumours that Cullie wouldn't say no to a move back to Limerick where he lives

b.gud · 23-04-2025 03:03PM

Prendergast fielded similar questions in Munster when Rowntree left and he didn't get the job. Most likely it's mainly being driven the media trying to get some additional talking points for their articles.

That doesn't mean Tucker isn't interested in the job or that Connacht aren't considering him just that as of right now I'd imagine there isn't a clear frontrunner

testtech05 · 24-04-2025 10:46AM

Galway Bay reporting Jack has signed on for another season. After his display at the weekend I am happy to see him staying, but leads me to question even more why he has been pretty much out in the cold all season long

realhorrorshow · 24-04-2025 12:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123384867#Comment_123384867

I think he has been a victim of our change in playstyle. In 22/23 we kicked for more metres than any other team in the URC, with Carty playing 80 minutes most weeks as undisputed first choice. This season, we have kicked the least in the league, and for the 2nd least metres. The preference for Ioane makes sense given our tactical rigidity.

In 22/23 we finished the regular season with 10 wins from 18 and went on to reach the semis, this season we have 5 wins from 15 and sit in 12th.

testtech05 · 24-04-2025 12:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123385112#Comment_123385112

Yeah that logic makes some sense just surprised he wasnt even involved in the 23 at any stage since December. I wonder does this indicate next year might be trying to find a balance between the 2 approaches, although that's hard to figure when we don't know who the head coach will be.

I think its fair to say results alone show that this years tactics haven't been a success, coupled with terrible defense…..

SqueakyKneecap · 24-04-2025 12:24PM

If we couldn't find better OH options then fair enough. I'm a bit surprised by it though as he barely featured when fully fit and seemed to have kickstarted a business venture. Maybe Wilkins was the one that doesn't rate him.

realhorrorshow · 24-04-2025 12:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123385132#Comment_123385132

Glasgow kick a similar amount to us which works for them, but they are a proper well coached team who are more than the sum of their parts. They are tough, niggly, and most importantly, miserly in defence. Who knows what to expect next season..

ShineyShiney · 24-04-2025 03:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123385175#Comment_123385175

Or Sexton?

ShineyShiney · 24-04-2025 03:37PM

Lets face it, its a clusterfuck. We have a competent 10, Connacht born and bred, fit, healthy and committed, 75% kicker across his career. We will pick anyone except him. Forde, Hawkshaw, JJ, Ioane even Naughton. He's not deemed good enough by the coaches but we resign him. You couldn't make this shite up.

Glad we are resigning Jack, he deserves far better than hes been treated.

eagle eye · 24-04-2025 06:53PM

Are we all of a sudden forgetting how Jack played last season?

ShineyShiney · 24-04-2025 09:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123386349#Comment_123386349

Jack got thrown under the bus last season. He's a better 10 than half of the guys who get mentioned as guys we should sign. For God sake there's people on here who think Jake Flannery or Healy are the answer. Jack is way better than either and all he needs is to be backed.

I'm not re writing history here, he's not Dan Carter but he's a decent 10 and has the experience to bring through both Ioane and Naughton and should be supported.

Mr Tickle · 25-04-2025 11:30AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123386724#Comment_123386724

He's a strange one where he seems to hit his best runs of form when there's no pressure on him for his place. Whenever there's a couple of injuries and he's the only option he seems to play his best. Then when the likes of JJ or someone get signed and there's a direct comparison he goes into his shell or something. It's like the fear of making mistakes and being dropped puts him off.

testtech05 · 25-04-2025 12:33PM

6 changes for the Lions game tomorrow

15. Piers O’Conor (16)
14. Shayne Bolton (23)
13. David Hawkshaw (41)
12. Cathal Forde (49)
11. Shane Jennings (22)
10. Jack Carty (219)
9. Matthew Devine (17)
1. Peter Dooley (51)
2. Dave Heffernan (217)
3. Finlay Bealham (217)
4. Josh Murphy (36)
5. Joe Joyce (35)
6. Cian Prendergast (84) Captain
7. Conor Oliver (94)
8. Sean Jansen (23)

16. Eoin de Buitléar (12)
17. Jordan Duggan (60)
18. Sam Illo (30)
19. Oisín Dowling (75)
20. Paul Boyle (113)
21. Colm Reilly (27)
22. Hugh Gavin (8)
23. Santiago Cordero (19)

CowboyTed · 25-04-2025 12:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123380892#Comment_123380892

Oliver is a 7, that happens, if you ain't cheating, you ain't playing….

One penalty was ill discipline (it was no way a card, none given for that this year) but his over all game was very good but more important, he showed up when needed… We have had too little of that this year, facts are we were playing better with Carty and Oliver than without them

I agree we have some coming through and definately we have to get one and bring him in properly… My suggestion that we have a friday night Eagles games during the Nov International window… Season holders free and put on You Tube… LEt's see what we have got and give these guys a chance for a bit more of exposure. There is so much pressure on Managers to preform in URC that taking chances in front of fans might not be appreciated, if we saw them in Eagles we could say they deserved their shot.

CowboyTed · 25-04-2025 01:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123381030#Comment_123381030

That is what I heard too… Fardy was skills coach, I think…

We are presently looking as I understand it, for a head coad and defence coach…

Director of Rugby : Millard

Head Coach : VACANT

Attack Coach : Rod Seib (22/23 12th - 24/25 1st)

Defence Coach : VACANT (22/23 3rd - 24/25 13th)

Scrum & Contact Coach : Colm Tucker (interim Head Coach) (22/23 4th - 24/25 16th Scrums)

Lineout & Maul Coach : John Muldoon (22/23 2nd - 24/25 1st LineOuts)

Kicking : (22/23 11th - 24/25 16th)

In brackets is the URC stats…

CowboyTed · 25-04-2025 01:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123382337#Comment_123382337

Oliver is a clear cut above everyone named except SHL… He doesn't get lost in games which is missing in this team at times, Oliver is very much a leader…

I would love if Max Flynn came through as I wished for McCormack(who hasn't)… This is why I believe a higher profile Eagles tournament (with the other provinces or English teams)… Friday night, example Munster, London Irish, Bristol and ourselves… Trophy would be case with the four club jerseys or crests…

Gneral rules, No main stay players i.e. under 100-150 min played that season, ringers might be allowed for returning from injury… Enjoy it, bit like U20 without waiting for next season mixed with a few out of favour..

CowboyTed · 25-04-2025 02:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123382696#Comment_123382696

Looking at the stats, really I would give new Head Coach a pretty free hand….

The best preforming coach was Mark Sexton, well done Ulster… Mark had a slow first season but his stuff really kicked in in the second season…

ShineyShiney · 25-04-2025 02:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123388275#Comment_123388275

I think nearly everyone would agree that Oliver is not far off a starting spot, but his lack of versatility means he's either starting or at home with the feet up. This coaching team has preferred SHL, who has imo been very good, but is a different style player.

It then comes down to finance, have we the money to carry starting quality players in every position? We all know the answer. Versatility counts in a tight squad, specialism is reserved for Leinster type financial squads.

CowboyTed · 25-04-2025 02:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123385780#Comment_123385780

This seems a thing coming from the Wilkins era… He never seemed to like dialogue and individual leaders…

If Rumour is right. It started with a dispute with Bundee… Bundee felt betrayed and Bundee is one of your major leaders in your dressing room in Connacht.

Jack was captian and also led by example. Jack does question back, he does push the envelope and makes it clear when he is not happy. You want that, those people stand up on the field.b You get the feeling Oliver is like that, doesn't like to loose.

Tom Farrell was persona non grata too… That was just embarrassing…

Loaning Andrew Smith over Coredo… 3 tries in five games against tough competition… Munster fans must be thinking we are a bargain basement of backs… Mike Prendergast must think we are Amazon… Ralston would be a nice fit as back up, put him in the basket there Mike, going for Shayne would be pulling the p&ss…

Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

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