What a fantastic servant he has been for Connacht.
Hope he is remembered as fondly as he deserves to be.
There was a season or two, where he was a turnover machine. I'd say Tadgh Beirne learnt everything from watching Denis :D For his sake, I hope he gets a nice pay cheque abroad somewhere. The child is only a few weeks old. No better time to play in France for him and his family
Jerry Cahir signing confirmed, no word on length
The word going around is that Leinster offered him a one year and Connacht a 2 year so he went with the 2 year.
You're getting a proven scrummager and by all accounts a good fella.
A great bit of business for Connacht. I hope he goes well
Jordan is on way back from injury. Met him last week so hoping to be back soon.
A good lad all round. Was here at Connacht at underage level so will fit in well when he arrives. Great signing.
Fair enough. How long has he been injured? Odd that it wasn't mentioned in any of the squad updates.
The second row signing still hasn't materialised. Unless it's being kept under wraps.
I'd say Etzebeth or Scott Barrett. Just sign them without seeking approval from above or having the means to pay for it… seems to be a reasonable strategy to experiment with these days.
I didnt know that. Thats a good story and signing.
Fair play to him he has delivered in spades when called upon this season.
https://www.connachtrugby.ie/news/jerry-cahir-joins-connacht-rugby/bp3718/
Where is he from? Did he start playing in Roscrea?
From close to roscrea. Minis in club ij roscrea then school in cistercian. Trinity and lansdowne after school. Spent lot time in jenagh working on scrummaging with seamus harty as well
I think you mean Jedha
Tough place to cut your teeth
https://www.connachtrugby.ie/news/squad-update-tuesday-5th-may/bp3719/
Getting Heffernan back would be huge. Pity Buckley won't get a send-off. I think I'd go for something like:
15-9, 1-8: Gilbert, Jennings, West, Aki, Bolton, Ioane, B Murphy, Bohan, Heffernan/Tierney-Martin, Bealham, D Murray, Joyce, Prendergast, Hurley-Langton, Jansen
16-23: Tierney-Martin/de Buitléar, Dooley, Illo, J Murphy, Boyle, M Devine, Carty, Gavin
Don't think it's happening. I think the plan is to solely use Josh Murphy as a 2nd row next season. Could be they are using the funds to retain SHL which wouldn't be a bad thing
Wasnt out too long. He is back on the pitch with the lads again this week
Wouldn't be against that but yeah they would have to retain SHL to make it worth it.
When Lancaster mentioned Josh Murphy will be used more in the second row next season, I really hoped it didn't mean we're not replacing Joe Joyce. We were already lacking heft, so to lose our biggest 2nd row and not replace him seems crazy to me. I really want to keep SHL too, but with limited resource, I think the need is bigger in the second row than the back row.
Hooker and second row looking like real weak spots in the squad next season.
Anyone have two spare tickets that they're selling? Usually go, but got caught by how quick the Munster game sold out
No Sean Naughton?
Are Cathal Forde and Sean Naughton both injured?
Hasnt Joe Joyce already signed for the English premiership?
Betting odds for the game are very tight. That's a bit strange. With Beirne, Farrell, Nash and Jager out you would have to say Munster have to be heavily weakened. In return Connacht seems to have a full strength squad. Connacht by +15 at 6/1 sounds generous
Forde is out for the rest of the season. I believe Naughton is fit but usually academy players aren't included in squad updates.
My guess on end of season is that Munster will lose their final two games without points. But they will be safe on 51 points.
I believe Cardiff will lose their last two games without bonus points and 50 points should be enough for them depending on if Ulster wins the Challenge Cup.
Bulls will win their last two games against Italian opposition so likely they will be 5th in the table with Munster 7th.
Ulster will likely lose their last two games without bonus points which leaves them depending on beating Montpellier to get to the champions cup which I think is unlikely.
Connacht will likely beat both Munster and Edinburgh with bonus points which will see them rest behind Bulls in 6th place.
So then the 8th place is all about Ulster winning the Challenge cup. If they don't Cardiff will take the 8'th spot.
Am i missing anyone?
Loosehead: Van Wyck, Bohan, Duggan, Cahir
Tighthead: Illo, Barrett
Hooker: Heffernan, Dylan Tierney Martin, Victory, De Butlair
Lock: Murphy, Murray, Murray, O'Connor
Backrow: Prendergast, Boyle, Jansen, O'brien, Connors
Scrum Half: Blade, Murphy, Reilly
Out Half: Ioane, Naughton, Frawley
Centre: Aki, Forde, Gavin, Devine,
Back 3: Hansen, Tracey, Bolton, Gilbert, West, Jennings, Ralston. 36 total
Departing: Buckley, Joyce, Devine, Carty
Unknown: Dooley. Aungier, Bealham, Lasisi, Dowling, Hurley Langton, McCormack, Hawkshaw, Mullen
Is Harry West still not an unknown?
Second row seems like a glaring need. Just to get a bigger heavier body in there.
Presume Bealham will sign some kind of extension.
SHL staying would be the cherry on top of the cake. Not sure I trust Connors to be available week in week out if he's the replacement.
Connacht signing new young Irish backs / skills coach
Was thinking about posting this early but there is currently very little info just 1 tweet from Joe Naughton this morning and no suggestion as to who it might be
The name will be out in the ether soon enough I would think.
Young Irish coach plying his trade in the UK and part of a large coaching clean out this summer.
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