Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

the article says that Lancaster will do that himself, and that the coaching ticket is complete now.

I'd prefer if they actually got someone in to help with that all the same. Even if Lancaster lead it, just to have someone to take some of the weight from him

Cheer up mate!! Life's too short.

Fantastic appointment. Can't remember being this happy with Connacht news in a long time

Great great news

Delighted with that news. I said yesterday I had no faith in those making the appointment but they've proved me wrong in a massive way. They have shown with this appointment that we do mean business.

We needed something big to get the public onside after the messing around of the last couple of years and this is a huge step in bringing a feel good factor back to Connacht.

Its important not to underestimate the task ahead but this is a huge first step and it's a vote of confidence in Connacht by both Lancaster and the IRFU that there is potential there given the right structures.

Yeah I was thinking that Carolan wouldn’t comment at all unless he was pretty sure that he was joining Glasgow but thought there might be a possibility the deal wasn’t finalised.

Ok I'm ready for the season to start now! A Director of Performance, a kicking 15, a new attack coach and an experienced head coach, we have the resources in place to make 8th next season if the injury gods shine on us.

I've convinced myself that Stuart taking on the defense coach role as well as head coach is a good thing - I've heard many times over the years that Lancaster is at his best when he's on the training ground, with hands on involvement in coaching - leading the defense will mean he is doing that here. Whether the head coach stuff on top is too much remains to be seen, but surely Millard will take some of the burden there?

As Ronnie said you'll probably see Millard take on a few of the responsibilities that Wilkins had to free up Lancaster to do more hands on coaching.

Think this is an incredible appointment, must have filled him full of porter and put the contract in front of him lol!

As someone said he's had a chequered history as a head coach so making sure he stays on the training paddock is important. Renowned as someone who sets standards for players and staff a like so a really, really excellent appointment!

Finally excited about next season now!

I mean Gilbert and West are full backs, and I would argue that Ioane might also be a better off as a full back. If you wanna play Ioane at 10 you need a kicker elsewhere, which Gilbert can do but it limits the team selection somewhat.

Carty played about 8 games last year and unfortunately has looked a bit terrible for the last few seasons. (Maybe the new coaching ticket could bring a revival!)

Noughton is 21 and has 21 minutes of senior gametime.

If we're serious about doing anything this year I would definitely be trying to get another body in there that plays 10 as their primary position.

Well that could be the way but it puts a lot of work on Lancaster being hands on coach, manager of the other coaches, shoulder to cry on, Media guy and every other role as well…

This what sunk Pete more than anything… Now he didn't see that it is hard to be captain from the engine room…

Millard doesn't pick the team so while he can be a great help mediation between coaches… As soon as you make the Head Coach (Manager) there is an imbalance with the other cioaching areas (e.g. if you get defence right you are on the team and other coaches have less of a say)…

In fairness to Carty, he likes to play on the edge and to do that you have to know where players are… Good luck with that in the last 2 years… Throwing a no look pass to empty space looks awful on TV… Throwing a simple pass to which is read easily is looks a lot better but yoou won't score tries..