Connacht Rugby Thread - Part III - The Violence of the Lams

FACECUTTR

connachta wrote: »

When about the new lock?

Or any mention of any more signings for next season.

XXIII for first day of next season (assume no injuries)?

Robbo

Deleted User wrote: »

XXIII for first day of next season (assume no injuries)?

1. Buckley
2. McCartney
3. Bealham
4. Dillane
5. Roux
6. Muldoon
7. Heenan / Fox-Matamua
8. McKeon

9. Marmion
10. Boshoff

11. Healy
12. Aki
13. Griffin
14. Niyi
15. O'Halloran

16. Heffernan
17. Loughney
18. White
19. Browne
20. Sean O'Brien
21. Cooney
22. Carty
23. Robb

Based on the assumptions that no new second row arrives and Griffin/Boshoff settle in quickly. A lot of close calls in the back row and not-quite-first-choice backs. Without injuries, there's a lot of interesting options to vary the game plan. I think playing two out-and-out sevens could be profitable at times.

connemara man

Robbo wrote: »

1. Buckley
2. McCartney
3. Bealham
4. Dillane
5. Roux
6. Muldoon
7. Heenan / Fox-Matamua
8. McKeon / Masterson

9. Marmion
10. Boshoff

11. Healy
12. Aki / Ronaldson
13. Griffin / Aki
14. Niyi
15. O'Halloran

16. Heffernan
17. Loughney
18. White
19. Browne
20. Sean O'Brien
21. Cooney
22. Carty
23. Robb

Based on the assumptions that no new second row arrives and Griffin/Boshoff settle in quickly. A lot of close calls in the back row and not-quite-first-choice backs. Without injuries, there's a lot of interesting options to vary the game plan. I think playing two out-and-out sevens could be profitable at times.

I don't think 8 will be as clear cut as you had it and having a good distributor at 12 will be needed so I can see Pats preferred Ronaldson and Aki starting in the centre

connachta

Robbo wrote: »

Deleted User wrote: »

XXIII for first day of next season (assume no injuries)?

1. Buckley
2. McCartney
3. Bealham
4. Dillane
5. Roux
6. Muldoon
7. Heenan / Fox-Matamua
8. McKeon

9. Marmion
10. Boshoff

11. Healy
12. Aki
13. Griffin
14. Niyi
15. O'Halloran

16. Heffernan
17. Loughney
18. White
19. Browne
20. Sean O'Brien
21. Cooney
22. Carty
23. Robb

Based on the assumptions that no new second row arrives and Griffin/Boshoff settle in quickly. A lot of close calls in the back row and not-quite-first-choice backs. Without injuries, there's a lot of interesting options to vary the game plan. I think playing two out-and-out sevens could be profitable at times.

Agree with the last part
What I'd really like to see is

1. Buckley
2. McCartney
3. Bealham
4. Dillane
5. The new Kiwi
6. Nepia-Fox
7. Heenan
8. Sean O'Brien/Masterson

9. Marmion
10. Boshoff

11. Healy
12. Aki
13. Griffin/Parata
14. Niyi
15. O'Halloran

16. Heffernan
17. Carey
18. J.P Cooney
19. Roux
20. Muldoon/McKeon
21. Cooney
22. Carty
23. Robb

Bazzo

connachta wrote: »

Agree with the last part
What I'd really like to see is

1. Buckley
2. McCartney
3. Bealham
4. Dillane
5. The new Kiwi
6. Nepia-Fox
7. Heenan
8. Sean O'Brien/Masterson

9. Marmion
10. Boshoff

11. Healy
12. Aki
13. Griffin/Parata
14. Niyi
15. O'Halloran

16. Heffernan
17. Carey
18. J.P Cooney
19. Roux
20. Muldoon/McKeon
21. Cooney
22. Carty
23. Robb

Muldoon will almost certainly be starting, I can see SOB at 6 and Muldoon at 8. Masterson is injured til December don't forget.

I can also Ronaldson being at 12 to fulfill the role of a playmaker outside Boshoff

former total

connachta wrote: »

5. The new Kiwi

Eh? A new signing?

Also: I was under the impression that Connacht's exemption on the NIQ quota was coming to an end.

ClanofLams

Bazzo wrote: »

Muldoon will almost certainly be starting, I can see SOB at 6 and Muldoon at 8. Masterson is injured til December don't forget.

I can also Ronaldson being at 12 to fulfill the role of a playmaker inside Boshoff

Agreed. Ronaldson starts in pole position to partner Aki justifiably so, excellent season.

Muldoon is playing possibly the best rugby of his career, he'll be starting.

Bazzo

former total wrote: »

Eh? A new signing?

Also: I was under the impression that Connacht's exemption on the NIQ quota was coming to an end.

McCartney, Aki, Nepia, Boshoff will be the niqs/projects for next season. Aren't Ulster at 5?

b.gud

former total wrote: »

Eh? A new signing?

A rumour that's been mentioned on this thread a few times but there hasn't been anything confirmed

former total wrote: »

Also: I was under the impression that Connacht's exemption on the NIQ quota was coming to an end.

I hadn't heard that but could very well be true. What exactly are the rules? Next season as it stands we have NIQ: Boshoff. Project: Aki, McCartney, Fox-Matamua that seems less than some teams, *cough* Ulster *cough*

connachta

Bazzo wrote: »

connachta wrote: »

Agree with the last part
What I'd really like to see is

1. Buckley
2. McCartney
3. Bealham
4. Dillane
5. The new Kiwi
6. Nepia-Fox
7. Heenan
8. Sean O'Brien/Masterson

9. Marmion
10. Boshoff

11. Healy
12. Aki
13. Griffin/Parata
14. Niyi
15. O'Halloran

16. Heffernan
17. Carey
18. J.P Cooney
19. Roux
20. Muldoon/McKeon
21. Cooney
22. Carty
23. Robb

Muldoon will almost certainly be starting, I can see SOB at 6 and Muldoon at 8. Masterson is injured til December don't forget.

I can also Ronaldson being at 12 to fulfill the role of a playmaker outside Boshoff

I know for Masterson, That's why I put him after the Slash, to come in for SOB starting December.
I've guessed Muldoon not starting would make you unhappy. But it's not because he was captain and had a good season, that you have to ignore the competitors. Heenan and Fox are just brillant players who can alternate openside and blindside, I want them both for 6 and 7. And for n 8 it's a very tight call between Masterson SOB McKeon and Muldoon, and I'd pick the two guys quoted first TBH. My opinion.

Ronaldson is a tight call too, but Aki seems nailed to the 12 channel and we have more useful talents for 13 to pair with him (Griffin, Parata, Kelleher, Brennan)

Black_Knight

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Look we all know the rules. If you wear a jersey that is newer than last season's you are a bandwagoner fake fan. However if you also do not buy a new jersey every season you are not a real fan.

It's an obvious requirement that every REAL fan must buy a jersey every year and then put them into storage until they are old and cool enough to be worn at games. They are only permitted to be worn at a) training or b) holiday attire in non-traditional rugby nations.

You know how I know i'm not jumping on the bandwagon?

Ian Keatley is sponsored by Tamarind

irishgrover

Black_Knight wrote: »

You know how I know i'm not jumping on the bandwagon?

Ian Keatley is sponsored by Tamarind

Was it just me that felt a little sad for a player when he scored a try and his name was called out, but he wasn't high profile enough to have his own sponser......

ClanofLams

connachta wrote: »

I know for Masterson, That's why I put him after the Slash, to come in for SOB starting December.
I've guessed Muldoon not starting would make you unhappy. But it's not because he was captain and had a good season, that you have to ignore the competitors. Heenan and Fox are just brillant players who can alternate openside and blindside, I want them both for 6 and 7. And for n 8 it's a very tight call between Masterson SOB McKeon and Muldoon, and I'd pick the two guys quoted first TBH. My opinion.

Muldoon was one of Connachts players of the season, won Forward of the season and has been outstanding. He's a guaranteed starter. I can't recall fox or heenan playing many games at 6.

freyners

ClanofLams wrote: »

Muldoon was one of Connachts players of the season, won Forward of the season and has been outstanding. He's a guaranteed starter. I can't recall fox or heenan playing many games at 6.

I think while faloon was in situ we went into a game with Heenan at 6 and Faloon at 7 which worked quite well iirc.

Certainly worth a look at some point but if Muldoon keeps his form he will remain the first name on the team sheet

From what I read from lams interviewd about the boshoff signing he seems to be someone that will played constantly during the winter for his kicking game. If so we may see carty play some of the games in sept.
My team

Buckley
McCartney
Bealham
Ultan
Browne
SOB
Heenan
Muldoon
Marmion
Carty
Healy
Ronaldson
Aki
Adeolokun
Toh

Delahunt
Loughney
White
Roux
McKeon
Cooney
Boshoff
Leader

connachta

Yeah Heenan was tested here against Ulster or Leinster 2 years ago but severely injured himself. Was promising, and if Fox confirm his level I hope Pat will try this again. Fox is described as potential blindside too, he has the profile to carry strong!

That's the combo of the future with Masterson/SOB as n 8

ClanofLams

Healy and O'Halloran travel, fitting reward for their performances this season.

connachta

Deserved!
If you look carefully, Connacht players have a chance to get parity with the other provinces for RWC 2019 squad

The following players have a fair chance, with their age and their qualities

1) Buckley (29 in 2019)
2) McCartney (IQ, 33-34 in Sept 2019)
3) Bealham (29)
4) Roux (30)
5) Dillane (26)
6) SOB 2.0 (24)
7) Heenan (IQ 28) Fox Matamua (IQ 28)
8) Masterson (26)
9) Marmion (26)
11) Healy (30)
12) Aki (IQ, 29)
14) Adeolokun (29)
15) TOH (28)

That's 13/14 guys with REAL probabilities, they can make it. Even Niyi/Matt, with current backline ageing fast, same for Tom and the 3 current hookers.
I don't even talk about outside chances (Robb/Parata, Poolman, Ronaldson/Carty -because not many competitors-, J.Cooney, Conan O'Donnell...)

wp_rathead

From what I can tell in backrow we are looking at:
Muldoon - 6/8
Heenan - 7
Connolly - 7/6
Masterson - 8/7/6
Fox - 7/6
SOB- 6/8
McKeon - 8/6/7

Looking at TOH and Healy call ups I'm happy for them but it's a shame it was for injury cover (wish speedy recovery for all involved) and not there on merits over Rob and Luke/Dave

Robbo

ClanofLams wrote: »

Healy and O'Halloran travel, fitting reward for their performances this season.

Has Joe no regard for the table plans at Ronan Loughney's wedding this weekend? Some maiden aunt is going to end up sitting beside Rodney.

connachta

wp_rathead wrote: »

From what I can tell in backrow we are looking at:
Muldoon - 6/8
Heenan - 7/6
Connolly - 6/7
Masterson - 8/7/6
Fox - 7/6
SOB- 6/8/5
McKeon - 8/6/7

In Bold

dropping_bombs

connachta wrote: »

In Bold

Is SOB tall enough to play lock? He's seems to be approx. 6'4 or so, and I wouldn't be sure he has the bulk either?

wp_rathead

O'Brien isn't a second row for me - his frame doesn't seem like he can bulk up too much more and stay as mobile

Zzippy

connachta wrote: »

Deserved!
If you look carefully, Connacht players have a chance to get parity with the other provinces for RWC 2019 squad

The following players have a fair chance, with their age and their qualities

1) Buckley (29 in 2019)
2) McCartney (IQ, 33-34 in Sept 2019)
3) Bealham (29)
4) Roux (30)
5) Dillane (26)
6) SOB 2.0 (24)
7) Heenan (IQ 28) Fox Matamua (IQ 28)
8) Masterson (26)
9) Marmion (26)
11) Healy (30)
12) Aki (IQ, 29)
14) Adeolokun (29)
15) TOH (28)

That's 13/14 guys with REAL probabilities, they can make it. Even Niyi/Matt, with current backline ageing fast, same for Tom and the 3 current hookers.
I don't even talk about outside chances (Robb/Parata, Poolman, Ronaldson/Carty -because not many competitors-, J.Cooney, Conan O'Donnell...)

Ah will ya shhhtop!!!! We'll have no players left during the WC and lose all our matches!

wp_rathead

Apparently IGB want €8m as buyout for their half of the lease of Sportsground ..

connachta

dropping_bombs wrote: »

connachta wrote: »

In Bold

Is SOB tall enough to play lock? He's seems to be approx. 6'4 or so, and I wouldn't be sure he has the bulk either?

Just as back-up ; the order 6/8/5 matters

connachta

dropping_bombs wrote: »

connachta wrote: »

In Bold

Is SOB tall enough to play lock? He's seems to be approx. 6'4 or so, and I wouldn't be sure he has the bulk either?

Just as back-up ; the order 6/8/5 matters

ClanofLams

wp_rathead wrote: »

Apparently IGB want €8m as buyout for their half of the lease of Sportsground ..

Interesting. Is that reported or you just hear it?

I wonder if Pat Mcdonagh or the Comer Brothers would like to purchase naming rights, stand or whatever!

Be great to stay at the Sportsground and have the flexibility to develop as needed.

connachta

Zzippy wrote: »

connachta wrote: »

Deserved!
If you look carefully, Connacht players have a chance to get parity with the other provinces for RWC 2019 squad

The following players have a fair chance, with their age and their qualities

1) Buckley (29 in 2019)
2) McCartney (IQ, 33-34 in Sept 2019)
3) Bealham (29)
4) Roux (30)
5) Dillane (26)
6) SOB 2.0 (24)
7) Heenan (IQ 28) Fox Matamua (IQ 28)
8) Masterson (26)
9) Marmion (26)
11) Healy (30)
12) Aki (IQ, 29)
14) Adeolokun (29)
15) TOH (28)

That's 13/14 guys with REAL probabilities, they can make it. Even Niyi/Matt, with current backline ageing fast, same for Tom and the 3 current hookers.
I don't even talk about outside chances (Robb/Parata, Poolman, Ronaldson/Carty -because not many competitors-, J.Cooney, Conan O'Donnell...)

Ah will ya shhhtop!!!! We'll have no players left during the WC and lose all our matches!

That's the other side of the coin for glory

wp_rathead

ClanofLams wrote: »

Interesting. Is that reported or you just hear it?

I wonder if Pat Mcdonagh or the Comer Brothers would like to purchase naming rights, stand or whatever!

Be great to stay at the Sportsground and have the flexibility to develop as needed.

Someone on Clan Fourm so take with pinch of salt :P
Apparently Connacht offered €5m but would keep dog track to allow IGB use it - rather pointless really spending €5m and having hands tied
If anyone has a spare €3m lying around let the branch know!

Bazzo

dropping_bombs wrote: »

Is SOB tall enough to play lock? He's seems to be approx. 6'4 or so, and I wouldn't be sure he has the bulk either?

He played lock underage didn't he? He'd be grand for cover I'd say, similar to Naoupu.

connachta

Bazzo wrote: »

dropping_bombs wrote: »

Is SOB tall enough to play lock? He's seems to be approx. 6'4 or so, and I wouldn't be sure he has the bulk either?

He played lock underage didn't he? He'd be grand for cover I'd say, similar to Naoupu.

That's my exactly my thought

dropping_bombs

connachta wrote: »

That's my exactly my thought

I'm going off the heights and weights on the website so I'm not sure if they are accurate but he's an inch shorter than George and apparently 16kgs lighter! Additionally he played at 8 for Roscrea no? He has the makings of a very good 6 so I would argue that he might as well be kept as a 6/8.

Danny Qualter needs to show improvement, he certainly has the build for 2nd row, and then I don't know about Cian Romaine or any of the other lads in the academy.

The Lost Sheep

Bazzo wrote: »

He played lock underage didn't he? He'd be grand for cover I'd say, similar to Naoupu.

But playing 2nd row at age grade is very different and he played back row more often not at age grade.
He's an inch or two shorter and a good bit lighter than Naoupu....
He's better off in backrow IMO...

freyners

Depending on how long the lease is 8m is potentially a good deal

b.gud

https://twitter.com/OptaJonny/status/738374634257551360

https://twitter.com/OptaJonny/status/738371305968406528

connemara man

freyners wrote: »

Depending on how long the lease is 8m is potentially a good deal

its a 99 year lease and they aren't that long into it

b.gud

https://twitter.com/OptaJonny/status/734068251726995457

Robbo

connemara man wrote: »

its a 99 year lease and they aren't that long into it

Doing a little digging on this and I have a couple of leads which suggest that they're 1/3 of the way through that lease.

b.gud

Robbo wrote: »

Doing a little digging on this and I have a couple of leads which suggest that they're 1/3 of the way through that lease.

which would work out at a cost of around €120k a year if you were to spread the €8M over the next 66 years.

Obviously there would need to be a lot of things considered but for that location that seems like a good deal for Connacht

Robbo

I'll have some more information at some point next week, which will hopefully include more details of the leasehold interests.

irishbucsfan

Robbo wrote: »

I'll have some more information at some point next week, which will hopefully include more details of the leasehold interests.

If you focus on the leasehold interests Billy will focus on the leash-hold interests (IE go out and dognap a few prized greyhounds and hold them ransom until they hand over the ground)

connachta

Leinster 12
Ulster 9
Connacht 7
Munster 5

8 each for RWC 2019 ?!

Billysays no

irishbucsfan wrote: »

If you focus on the leasehold interests Billy will focus on the leash-hold interests (IE go out and dognap a few prized greyhounds and hold them ransom until they hand over the ground)

I like that plan much :-)

former total

Robbo wrote: »

Doing a little digging on this and I have a couple of leads which suggest that they're 1/3 of the way through that lease.

Doesn't this imply that Connacht are sub-letting from the IGB?

evil_seed

Nathan White retirement on medical grounds

Buer

evil_seed wrote: »

Nathan White retirement on medical grounds

Gutted for him, if that's the case. It has been a pleasure to have him play in Ireland for the last 5 or so years. He has had a massively successful time here and I wish him all the best.

Few players come here for such a short time and leave with a Pro12 winners medal, a HEC winners medal and qualifying for Ireland and picking up 13 caps in just 8 months.

connemara man

evil_seed wrote: »

Nathan White retirement on medical grounds

Source?

thomond2006

Buer wrote: »

Gutted for him, if that's the case. It has been a pleasure to have him play in Ireland for the last 5 or so years. He has had a massively successful time here and I wish him all the best.

Few players come here for such a short time and leave with a Pro12 winners medal, a HEC winners medal and qualifying for Ireland and picking up 13 caps in just 8 months.

Pity he didn't turn up in Ireland years before he did! After a lot of injuries and at his age (35 in September) he was coming to the end of his career.

I don't see this reported anywhere?

Bazzo

evil_seed wrote: »

Nathan White retirement on medical grounds

Really? Well ****. Gutted for him.