I'd have no issues with Seib getting the head coach roll as long as there is a good defence coach added as mentioned. The budget coaching setup that ultimately fell apart must be avoided again at all costs. I know there are a lot of costs related to the new build and this is always going to factor in recruitment but there is also a bit of cash coming in for Mack and Bundee going on the lions so I hope this can be used for a coach.
Well if you want to fill the stadium you need a good coaching set up and get results. If we are playing like we did this season you'll find lots of empty.
It's a case of spending to enhance your income.
Absolutely. Speculate to accumulate and all that. We've got a decent squad - spend the money on a coaching group who can get the most out of them.
I don't usually disagree with your take Facecuttr but on this I think it would be exactly what you say we should avoid. A repeat of the budget coaching setup. No Disrespect intended towards Rod who I know very little about except what's on wiki but he has been recruited to replace Mark Sexton more than likely based on his success with the Brumbies attack. It's a bit of a pivot to now think hes the right guy to lead oyr coaching team. The criteria being assessed for both roles would be very different.
Fixtures for next season
Looks like we need to start the season well based on the fixtures. Tough finish but not as tough as Ulster which is brutal Leinster, Munster, Stormers and Glasgow.
Interestingly our home fixtures against Scarlets and the Bulls are listed as venue TBC
It's a great early set of fixtures especially with a new coaching team.
Depends how you look at it really - I often think it's better to start with an away fixture that you'd be expected to lose - because the first game of the season is a good time to catch a team on the hop. Benneton at home puts the new coaches under pressure straight away. Still, if we win the first two, as we should, it'll give us good momentum.
I would be pressuring the IRFU…
Sorry but I found our last set up was a IRFU coaching wishlist… It was a disaster, Connacht were really hurt in a number areas due to the experiment… We have a lot of future possible internationals in Connacht, probably the most outside Leinster especially in the back line. If we were allowed to ask for Leinster players who we know won't get 150 min this year on long term loan (1 -2 years), likes of Henry MCERLEAN(FB), Alan SPICER(Lock), Rob RUSSELL(Winger), Stephen SMYTH(Hooker)…
We might get away with Seib and a defence coach(lets pencil in Jarrad Payne type coach)… Just feel we need a bit more for our forwards, our Scrum is placed last in the league, our lineout is ranked as the best in the league(doesn't feel like that but the stats say that)… We just seem to get bullied and get beaten up alot…
Note: Joe Joyce played 900 min this season and 1320 min last season… That is 4 full games not there… He is our largest lock with 4kg heavier than Darragh, rest are giving 8kg+ (1.5 stone)
Richie Murphy was dealt the same raw deal but had the were with all to start dumping technical coaches at a rate of knots… He swapped three coaches in 12 months… Dan Soper is the only one really left and he changed roles… Murphy has a new Defence, Attack and Forwards coach… I know on the field it hasn't gone well for them but I think Murphy is repairing deeper problems, he also has a squad that is not as good as Connacht IMHO (Andy Farrell/Easterby seems to agree)…
Treviso, Bulls and Sharks at home again when you'd expect those to be flipped. Think that's helpful if anything though.
Treviso home and Zebre away in particular is preferable to the alternative.
The start to the season is a good opportunity to collect points up until the end of the calendar year.
The last 4 games are rough you'd hope we wouldn't need too many points in those games.
It highlights even more the importance of getting a functioning coaching team together as soon as possible. If we don't fly out of the blocks it has the potential to be a hard slog in early 2026.
Probably only 4 games in the redeveloped ground. At least a couple of interpros in there but for anyone not having a season ticket already probably best off to buy one off tickets
Would want points in the bank going into the last 4 games… There is a lot of pressure to build up a bank of point early because after Christmas we have Leinster twice, Glasgow and trip to SA…. Points can be got but you have to be firing at that stage…
Agreed… Really no disrespect but we would be relying on a guy to come in and have to take the team on with a bunch of new coaches too…
Andy Friend had Nigel and Duffy (I think), it was pretty settled and he could come in and just put his stamp on it after KK… Expecting a Seib to be a first time Head Coach(ie.e manager of Coaches) and take a team of caches that have not worked together really and then give results straight out the door is unrealistic… (And also the plan from 2 years ago)
Seriously would love the idea of Dan Mc Farland and Jarrad Payne coming in, they know each other and start with a stable relationship and trust…
BTW
https://www.the42.ie/tom-farrell-2-6710650-May2025/
A player the Connacht Management thought wasn't good enough for a contract….
This is why I think letting Conor Oliver go is not a great idea…
Exact date and time as opposed to venue I think.
Ulster have announced their completed squad for 25/26 41 fully contracted player and 2 development players.
I would be expecting something similar for us although I think I read somewhere that the Bell signing was funded externally, not sure if that's true.
Are we done with our new signings? I think we might be.
Hadn't realised Morgan was released by Ulster. Suppose you gotta read the writing on the wall when the guys vying for your spot are the head coaches son and the son of performance director of the IRFU!
Anyone know when they'll open up season ticket sales to everyone? Looking to get one for the old man for Fathers Day.
Poor man do you dislike him that much 😛
Have you a season ticket yourself? You can buy additional ones at the renewal price if you have
Congratulations to Ben Murphy, Player of the year, thoroughly deserved award. Congratulations to all the other winners.
I'm very proud of my own club winning a number of awards with my good friend Kolo Kiripati winning coach of the year, we won club of the year, Jemima Verling winning women's club player of the year, Brian Diffley, whose two brothers played for Connacht, winning junior player of the year and Siofra Hession winning under 18 women's player of the year. We also had two other nominees.
We haven't had a season anywhere close to this since 1988.
We won the J1A and Junior Cup.
We lost out in the AIL playoffs but we had no hope as the game took place 6 days after winning the Junior Cup. Obviously there were celebrations as the whole club was over the moon after we got the double. The boys basically had about two days to focus on the game and were playing a team, Bective, who had two weeks off before it. Nobody was disappointed after that loss.
Ben Murphy certainly deserved player of the year.
Squad Update:
West, Tracey and Devine promoted from academy.
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, Devine
Back 3: Hansen, Jennings, Bolton, Mullins, Gilbert, Tracey, West
Total 41
What's the story with Sean Naughton? His name was being mentioned a lot over the last year or so as a future starting out half, but I feel those calls have quietened over time.
He should get more game time next season I'd imagine. He was probably unlucky this season that there was 3 outhalves ahead of him and the coaches were probably reluctant to put him into a struggling team plus he fact we often went with a 6-2 split on the bench
He's young, playing well for Corinthians but probably not ready yet. I thought he might get promoted as he's in a position that attracts interest.
Devine and West have not played for Connacht.
I am sure Elwood would know these guys very well and wouldn't be pushing. Just hope this isn't a budget decision, i.e. we need players and these are cheap… Treacy is a great find and that quality is like finding gold… Devine has the minutes played at Ireland U20 to justify this..
Harry doesn't… Cian Prendergast didn't either and he turned out alright. Elwwod found one before and here is hoping he does again.
Well done to the lads
==============
McCormack has played 33 min in two seasons…
I hope he can push on from his underage showing…
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https://all.rugby/transfers/connacht
So this season we lost 7 players
We have so far replaced with one buy in and 3 promotions from academy.
I love seeing guys push through from the academy. It must give the whole organization and wider Connacht Rugby community a huge lift to see these guys make the grade. There is massive energy and effort invested not least by the guys themselves but also by so many others along the way.
Considering the professional environment I very much doubt that anyone ever gets a pro contract for any other reason than hard work, dedication and talent.
Bringing lads through from the academy is a great thing for a number of reasons. Firstly it shows the academy is doing a great job, secondly it shows that our clubs are developing young players very well. It means young lads are more likely to keep playing the game than switch solely to GAA and that potentially leads to more talent coming through.
As a fan I love it, nothing better than seeing homegrown talent on the field.
Shiney,
I am more pointing out the financial strain all the provinces are under…
Ulster looks pretty radical…
https://all.rugby/transfers/ulster
17 players out, 8 players in (3 bought, 5 academy)… (I think that is finalised)
Munster is fairly aggressive too..
https://all.rugby/transfers/munster
13 players out , 9 player in (2 bought, 7 academy)… (As it stands)
Connacht are
7 players out , 4 player in (1 bought, 3 academy)… (As it stands)
On player count Ulster (down 9), Munster (down 4) & Connacht (Down 3).
There must be a national pressure on the wage bill for Ulster & Munster and that would mean the same for Connacht… Connacht attendance is taking a hit this year, the coaching debacle was not helping..
I am not saying that these guys aren't good and I have a lot of respect for Elwood in this regard and think he has done amazing things in the past… But the pressure is there…
I am also pointing out that Ulster didn't promote anyone who hadn't played for the Senior team… I am giving leeway here because Pete was very conservative in his selection and struggled with trusting players coming through or even returning from injury…
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