Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

Very close to my thinking… Number one priority this weekend is getting a first choice 13. I don't see Hawshaw as that, sorry the Leinster game has left mental scars…

I am trying to create a back up for each position and having Naughton coving both 10 and 15 is a big winner for us…

Harry can then cover 13, 15 and winger on a squeeze.

Sorry to call it out but Bundi seems to be struggling at the moment… He doesn't seem his old self… It isn't old age, you don't go from almost being 3 test Lion to struggling at your club in a few months… Something seems off…

Yeah it's a bit of a tough one, first choice for Leinster means I'm minding Forde and Gilbert and playing Naughton back in as Bench cover for 15/10 with the idea that he moves for the last 15/20 when Carty goes off

I totally agree re Buckley and DTM, it's a good point.

This year is development year. Lancaster is doing good. I hope he continues rather than revert

I got your point, I just don't agree with you. I find your view point simplisti and a definite way to kill the potential of young players. I like playing young players but I could go to see them in the A matches. I want to see the ones near ready play with settled teams to see their value.

Lancaster has a history of selecting youth strategically not as a block and I see no reason to change.

My priority for development would be 13 because it's our biggest area of the weakness.

Bundi can't play there anymore, Forde is a great 12 but an average 13, Ralston is injured, Hawkshaw is a good 12 also but isn't the answer at 13 and Gavin has a bit to go and is also injured.

Yes honestly, I would.

What ? That's not how the internet works!!! Who the feic am I supposed to argue with now when all you have is reasonableness and politeness.

That's me done with this place

Connacht set to sign South African loosehead prop Francois van Wyk from Bath. 34 years old so not one for the future but a big unit who can do a job for a couple years. While some of the younger props gain some experience.

Looking at the stats he comes off the bench for the last 20+ minutes in pretty much every game for Bath this season.

Was looking around a few days ago for Locks are available and got this: Not all realistic,

George Smith is the one that might be a real find, he seems to be improving up through the levels (he is huge, 3st heavier than Joe Joyce).

Frank Bradshaw is also very interesting, another big guy who plays weekly for bottom of D2 team but played for Mountbattin last year (he is a stone heavier than Joyce our biggest Lock).

Available Locks

Irish qualified

Ryan MCCAULEY is a 28-year-old Australian rugby player standing at 2.03 m tall (6 ft 8 in) and weighing in at 118 kg (18 st 8.15 lb; 260.15 lb) , who currently plays for Valence Romans Drôme Rugby in France as lock. (Ex Western Force)

Jack DUNNE is a 27-year-old Irish rugby player standing at 2.03 m tall (6 ft 8 in) and weighing in at 122 kg (19 st 2.96 lb; 268.96 lb) , who currently plays for Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi in Japan as lock.

John MADIGAN is a 31-year-old Irish rugby player standing at 1.98 m tall (6 ft 6 in) and weighing in at 126 kg (19 st 11.78 lb; 277.78 lb) , who currently plays for Sporting Union Agenais in France as lock.

Cormac DALY is a 27-year-old Irish rugby player standing at 1.99 m tall (6 ft 6 in) and weighing in at 120 kg (18 st 12.55 lb; 264.55 lb) , who currently plays for Yokohama Canon Eagles in Japan as lock.

Frank BRADSHAW (Francis Bradshaw Ryan) is a 30-year-old Irish rugby player standing at 2.05 m tall (6 ft 9 in) and weighing in at 125 kg (19 st 9.58 lb; 275.58 lb) , who currently plays for US Carcassonne in France as lock.

Irish Qualified (hard to get)

Quinn ROUX is a 35-year-old South African rugby player standing at 1.98 m tall (6 ft 6 in) and weighing in at 125 kg (19 st 9.58 lb; 275.58 lb) , who currently plays for Bath Rugby in England as lock.

Ross MOLONY is a 31-year-old Irish rugby player standing at 1.98 m tall (6 ft 6 in) and weighing in at 116 kg (18 st 3.74 lb; 255.74 lb) , who currently plays for Bath Rugby in England as lock.

Others (Non Irish Qualified)

Lado CHACHANIDZE (Vladimeri Chachanidze) is a 25-year-old Georgian rugby player standing at 2 m tall (6 ft 7 in) and weighing in at 122 kg (19 st 2.96 lb; 268.96 lb) , who currently plays for Stade Montois Rugby Pro in France as lock

Chris GABRIEL (Foliga Christopher GABRIEL) is a 25-year-old New Zealander rugby player standing at 2.03 m tall (6 ft 8 in) and weighing in at 128 kg (20 st 2.19 lb; 282.19 lb) , who currently plays for USON Nevers Rugby in France as lock.

George SMITH is a 24-year-old English rugby player standing at 2.06 m tall (6 ft 9 in) and weighing in at 138 kg (21 st 10.24 lb; 304.24 lb) , who currently plays for USON Nevers Rugby in France as lock. (Ex NFL until two years ago)

Myles EDWARDS is a 28-year-old English rugby player standing at 1.99 m tall (6 ft 6 in) and weighing in at 125 kg (19 st 9.58 lb; 275.58 lb) , who currently plays for US Colomiers in France as lock. 

Thomas ADÉLAÏDE is a 23-year-old French rugby player standing at 2.01 m tall (6 ft 7 in) and weighing in at 124 kg (19 st 7.37 lb; 273.37 lb) , who currently plays for US Colomiers in France as lock.

Teun KARST is a 21-year-old Dutch rugby player standing at 1.98 m tall (6 ft 6 in) and weighing in at 120 kg (18 st 12.55 lb; 264.55 lb) , who currently plays for CA Brive Corrèze Limousin in France as lock.

Dino LAMB is a 27-year-old English rugby player standing at 1.99 m tall (6 ft 6 in) and weighing in at 121 kg (19 st 0.76 lb; 266.76 lb) , who currently plays for Yokohama Canon Eagles in Japan as lock.

Harrison GOGGIN is a 24-year-old Australian rugby player standing at 2.06 m tall (6 ft 9 in) and weighing in at 126 kg (19 st 11.78 lb; 277.78 lb) , who currently plays for Toyota Verblitz in Japan as lock.

Posolo TUILAGI is a 21-year-old Samoan rugby player standing at 1.94 m tall (6 ft 4 in) and weighing in at 149 kg (23 st 6.49 lb; 328.49 lb) , who currently plays for Union Sportive Arlequins Perpignanais in France as lock.

Others to consider (Irish Qualified but not Locks)

Daniel BRENNAN is a 27-year-old Irish rugby player standing at 1.92 m tall (6 ft 4 in) and weighing in at 132 kg (20 st 11.01 lb; 291.01 lb) , who currently plays for Rugby Club Toulonnais in France as prop. (Openside)

Ronan LOUGHNANE is a 24-year-old Irish rugby player standing at 1.79 m tall (5 ft 10 in) and weighing in at 103 kg (16 st 3.08 lb; 227.08 lb) , who currently plays for Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne in France as hooker

Liam TURNER is a 26-year-old Irish rugby player standing at 1.75 m tall (5 ft 9 in) and weighing in at 91 kg (14 st 4.62 lb; 200.62 lb) , who currently plays for USON Nevers Rugby in France as winger.

Eoghan BARRETT is a 26-year-old Irish rugby player standing at 1.83 m tall (6 ft 0 in) and weighing in at 86 kg (13 st; 189.60 lb) , who currently plays for Soyaux-Angoulême XV Charente in France as winger.

Johnny MCPHILLIPS is a 28-year-old English rugby player standing at 1.8 m tall (5 ft 11 in) and weighing in at 89 kg (14 st 0.21 lb; 196.21 lb) , who currently plays for US Carcassonne in France as fly-half.

Rob RUSSELL is a 26-year-old Irish rugby player standing at 1.83 m tall (6 ft 0 in) and weighing in at 91 kg (14 st; 200.62 lb) , who currently plays for Gloucester Rugby in England as winger.

Angus KERNOHAN is a 26-year-old Irish rugby player standing at 1.8 m tall (5 ft 11 in) and weighing in at 93 kg (14 st 9.03 lb; 205.03 lb) , who currently plays for Ealing Trailfinders in England as winger.

That's two good signings from Leinster. The types of moves that we need

We're still very light in the pack.

Should be more competitive next season at least

Id be surprised if Jansen was going when he has been around emerging Ireland camp etc and I dont think he was listed on the players out of contract posted a few days back.

The backrows listed there were Dowling, SOB and SHL, I would hope of the 3 SHL especially would be kept on at least but all 3 have had injury problems.

Keep him fit and it is a steal…

Kept fit he goes to the next RWC.

Also linked with Hodnett from Munster and it's likely SHL will be the player leaving