Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

Thought there’d be more leaving to be honest. If Liam Turner was brought in to replace O’Conor and a couple of forwards came in, it’s a pretty decent squad. Need to get the coaching ticket right above all else.

Contracted until end of the 25/26 season.

Presume Gilbert will play 15 even though he seems to be able to play most positions along the backline. I like that he's quite big as well at 6 foot 2. We've been quite small in the back three recently. The goal kicking is an added bonus. Could easily see him taking over those duties as the other options are hit and miss there.

As for the departures nothing too unexpected. Bit surprised Oilver wasn't kept on as he's always had regular enough game time. Sounds like O'Conor would have been kept on but was his own decision to leave. Cordero just never got going. Doing the ACL in his first training session was a nightmare start. Never really recovered.

Hard to judge until we see who else arrives. Can't imagine there will be many incomings but hopefully we might see another 2 or 3 in the door.

Gilbert isn't just a good signing he's a great one.

I watch a lot of super rugby and he's impressed me every time I've seen him play. I've seen him play 10 and fill back to a high level and he's often under pressure as the Highlanders are the weakest of the New Zealand super rugby teams.

He's an excellent goal kicker, he has a real languid style.

When he goes to the line he's a bit like Aki, not as powerful but he drives hard until he's taken down. He's a very smart rugby player with great vision.

Fair point RHS I was thinking the same thing but then I thought are we not in that position for every player on the 2nd year of a contract?

It could have been Olivers decision to leave with the lack of gametime this year. He is a quality 7 and hopefully has another club lined up.

Gilbert.

The end.

Max Flynn has never played a minute of senior rugby and McCormack has a total of two appearances and 33 minutes in three seasons with a senior contract. He was a good U20 and has been very unlucky with injury, but if they were really hot on him they'd play him. Instead who is at 7 tomorrow? Oliver.

SHL is a quality player, no doubt, we haven't seen enough of SOB to know his level but he's not an out and out open side. Prendergast, Jansen, Boyle and Murphy have never played a minute at 7. Meanwhile we have four senior 9s and another i the academy, go figure.

Tone can be difficult to convey, I don't want to come across as overly confrontational, but I am exasperated with this management and their decisions.

And I read that Oisin McCormack picked up an injury with the Eagles today, hopefully nothing serious.

Prop: Denis Buckley, Peter Dooley, Jordan Duggan, Finlay Bealham, Jack Aungier, Illo, Lasisi

Hooker: Heffernan, Dylan Tierney Martin, De Butlair

Lock: Josh Murphy, Darragh Murray, Niall Murray, Oisin Dowling, Joe Joyce, David o Connor

Back Row: Cian Prendergast, Sean o Brien, Paul Boyle, SHL, McCormack, Jansen

Scrum Half: Devine, Murphy, Blade, Reilly

Out Half: Ioane, Carty

Centre: Forde, Gavin, Ralston, Aki, Hawkshaw

Back 3: Hansen, Jennings, Bolton, Mullins, Gilbert

Total 38

You're still counting Oliver, so 38.

I'm struggling to accept it.

Thanks for pulling that together.

I think You are missing Finn Tracey from back 3.

What is frustrating from looking at that is even with Gilbert I feel we are likely still a good back short. One of Farrell, Smith or Kilgallen would have been perfect given the flexibility with some of the remaining players. Still it will hopefully alllow for a more settled selection and give Gavin and Tracey the minutes they need.

not sure where we can find it but some front row cover is needed too. A specialist 7 would also be a nice add.

Yes he definitely has they mentioned tonight he has played every Munster game this season so that has certainly helped.

It's annoying listening to the "experts" on rte refer to him like he has come from nowhere this season. He's always been excellent when fit and firing. I think I recall him being mentioned or involved around some extended Ireland camps a few years back.

You’ll probably see Flynn, Naughton and Treacy promoted to senior contracts or get significant game time.

It’s a young but promising squad. The disappointment of this season is largely down to the coaching set up in my eyes. Would expect this squad to preform a lot better and potentially more signings to come in.