Connacht Team Talk Thread V - The Friend Zone

Lebute wrote: »

Are we eligible for another NIQ budget allowing?

The NIQ rules were never particularly transparent or rigid, is there any information on what the policy is since the residency period was extended to 5 years? Are the IRFU still actively pursuing project players?

Does anybody know when our sponsor deals run out ?

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

Seeing how Ulster have received serious help over the past 12 months from the IRFU and Munster before that I had hoped we might get a little something especially as the province is obviously performing possibly even above expectations. But that won't last without improving your squad because if you're not improving you are going backwards.

They have? Please enlighten us. I'm pretty sure your guess is off the mark. Ulster have a smaller squad than Connacht and have been helped so much by the IRFU that the side are dependent on Academy players such as:-

Eric O'Sullivan,

Tom O'Toole,

Marcus Rea,

Matty Rea,

Matthew Dalton,

Robert Baloucoune,

Dave Busby,

Angus Curtis,

Greg Jones,

Adam McBurney,

Jack Owens,

Johnny Stewart,

Aaron Hall,

James Hume,

Angus Kernohan,

Michael Lowry,



I suspect that Ulster have deeper pockets than Connacht because of much bigger crowds and better sponsorship deals. It is these facts rather than Ulster getting lots of mythical help which is any better than Connacht receives. Ulster have recruited well from a very poor place partially of their own making and partially as a result of actions taken by the Union. The seemingly good recruitment is perhaps on the basis that coaches and players see Ulster as an attractive place to go and see a new squad developing that might at last get to the required level. Good crowds, a state of the art training facility and the most modern and up to date rugby stadium in Europe. The moves of the likes of Moore, Cooney, McGrath and Murphy were all instigated by the players themselves for their own advantage. They weren't 'moved' there by Nucifora. When he tried to move Carbery to Ulster that player chose differently.


Ulster got a new CEO because they needed one, the previous one was a waste of blood and organs. They got a new Head Coach because they really needed one. These new guys applied for their jobs and were lucky enough to get them. They weren't flown in by the IRFU just as the staff in Galway were appointed by Connacht.

connachta wrote: »

Weird.. maybe bealham moved back to LH if Kenny/Burke prove to be ok and if needed.. thanks for the piece of news...

He's covering Tighthead from the bench because they are stuck. Connacht don't need to or won't move Bealham to LH unless we are very stuck just like Gloucester.

Bazzo wrote: »

Couple positive stats from the season that I haven't seen mentioned: 3rd overall in the league for turnovers. A lot of people have been critical of our breakdown work(myself included) but obviously it's our offensive breakdown work that needs looking at. We seem to be turning over a very healthy amount of ball when defending.

Tackle success at 88.3% for the season. Second only to Leinster in teams that made the knockouts.

Both of those are things that people would have said in the past needed to be improved. Steps are being made in the right direction clearly.

Very interesting stats, didn’t get the feel Connacht were that high watching the games live.

On a side note Murray kinsella on the 42s podcast mentioned u20 hooker Declan adamson was joining connachts academy next season. He did travel with the eagles to Boston

ClanofLams wrote: »

Heard a rumour yesterday that Connacht are in for Bill Johnston. Media coverage made it seem like Ulster was done deal so not sure how accurate but the guy who said it to me wouldn’t be a spoofer.

How does that work then? I think I rem hearing that the provinces can't outbid each other so it's basically up to the individual. Is that correct?

PCeeeee wrote: »

How does that work then? I think I rem hearing that the provinces can't outbid each other so it's basically up to the individual. Is that correct?

Yeah would be his choice if both provinces are in for him as far as I know.

Bill Johnston officially signed for ulster today

Mr Tickle wrote: »

That's a pity. Thought Connacht would be the easier sell.

Yeah it is a pity, better career move for him though, easier to become first choice in ulster, who also have recruited a lot better

Mr Tickle wrote: »

Yeah you're probably right. Might just have been wishful thinking. I'm a split Munster/Connacht fan so my view is skewed.

Johnny McPhillips to Connacht supposedly.

No offense to mcphillips but apart from a bit more experience at senior level he doesn’t offer much more than Fitzgerald/ dean. Johnston has a higher potential than all of them so that made some sense.

Could see a scenario, where if cartys is gone to the World Cup, mcphillips was signed on a short term/ loan deal. If he impresses then could be signed on permanently.

evil_seed wrote: »

A few weeks ago we're crying out at the lack of depth at 10. Now we're lining up a 10 to add depth and we're crying still. Some people are never feckin happy

While depth is needed, it is someone who could come in with the quality to challenge carty similar to blade/ marmion. There’s three talented young 10s in Fitzgerald, dean and Luke carty, don’t think need to add another.

Saying that there’s no Irish qualified 10 of a good enough standard available at the minute.