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

connachta · 14-07-2016 1:20pm

Old highlights already posted but not those IIRC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gW87RFk1es

connachta · 14-07-2016 1:36pm

So, at the moment 22 backs for only 20 forwards in the senior squad. With our new "double issue" i.e international caps+Champions Cup 22 players of each would be nice. Add a back-row n 8 + a very good NIQ 2nd row + Academy reinforcements = 44 men, 50+ widened squad, future built on key positions, best team in Europe

Simple as.

connachta · 14-07-2016 2:01pm

well I want to underline the massive change since the last time we play in Europe : we had a junior backline now we have a senior one : Any of our "likely starting" backs except Marmion are between 25 and 28 years old. So are most of our back-ups (McSharry, Ronaldson, Poolman etc). Young guns like Kelleher Leader Robb and Parata can step up only when they have fully grown-up, into a more cohesive back-line than the one with Murphy(s), Duffy, Fafita or Carr. They won't be put on fire like the team sent away to London for Saracens or Quins 3-4 years ago.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 14-07-2016 5:30pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

New signing announced, Josh Rowland.
Has been playing 7s with Ireland recently and only moved to Ireland in April. Had been playing ITM Cup
http://www.connachtrugby.ie/new-back-josh-rowland-signs-for-connacht/#ConnachtNews

I wonder if he will remain involved in 7s? I wouldn't have thought Connacht needed another back 3 player but if he will be involved internationally at 7s he might be cheap and useful as cover.

former total · 14-07-2016 6:16pm

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

I wonder if he will remain involved in 7s? I wouldn't have thought Connacht needed another back 3 player but if he will be involved internationally at 7s he might be cheap and useful as cover.

Are they not a bit light on the wings? Healy, Niyi, Poolman and... ?

New guy is strictly squad filler I'd say, like that other Kiwi guy who arrived last year (and then got injured).

FACECUTTR · 14-07-2016 6:23pm

former total wrote: »

Are they not a bit light on the wings? Healy, Niyi, Poolman and... ?

New guy is strictly squad filler I'd say, like that other Kiwi guy who arrived last year (and then got injured).

Nepia Fox Matamua. Great player and definitely not a squad filler anymore. Pity he got injured he was playing fantastic rugby.

its_phil · 14-07-2016 6:43pm

FACECUTTR wrote: »

former total wrote: »

Are they not a bit light on the wings? Healy, Niyi, Poolman and... ?

New guy is strictly squad filler I'd say, like that other Kiwi guy who arrived last year (and then got injured).

Nepia Fox Matamua. Great player and definitely not a squad filler anymore. Pity he got injured he was playing fantastic rugby.

He's talking about Api and I don't think he was ever going to be just filler. More like insurance for Heenan

freyners · 14-07-2016 7:02pm

its_phil wrote: »

He's talking about Api and I don't think he was ever going to be just filler. More like insurance for Heenan

At some point this season I would live to see both on at the same time

former total · 14-07-2016 7:10pm

its_phil wrote: »

He's talking about Api and I don't think he was ever going to be just filler. More like insurance for Heenan

That's the one. Fox-Matamua looks good alright.

b.gud · 14-07-2016 8:02pm

former total wrote: »

That's the one. Fox-Matamua looks good alright.

Bonus points if you can spell Apis surname without looking it up, it shouldn't be hard sure he's "Irish"

connachta · 14-07-2016 8:23pm

freyners wrote: »

its_phil wrote: »

He's talking about Api and I don't think he was ever going to be just filler. More like insurance for Heenan

At some point this season I would live to see both on at the same time

That's why I hope Lam will choose Heenan/Masterson/Fox for backrow.

wp_rathead · 15-07-2016 11:44am

More often than not the Eagles side play Home when the Senior side play Away in Europe - Eagles First round in B&I at home to Cornish Pirate's makes an away match in Champions Cup most likely

Kinda want it to be :
Cornish Pirate's home - Toulouse Away
London Irish Away - Zebre home
Osprey's Select Home - Wasps Away
Osprey's Select away - Wasp's Home
London Irish Home - Zebre Away
Cornish Pirate's away - Toulouse Home

This is because I'm not going to Parma so wanna see the Eagles V London Irish :pac:

b.gud · 15-07-2016 12:35pm

wp_rathead wrote: »

More often than not the Eagles side play Home when the Senior side play Away in Europe - Eagles First round in B&I at home to Cornish Pirate's makes an away match in Champions Cup most likely

Kinda want it to be :
Cornish Pirate's home - Toulouse Away
London Irish Away - Zebre home
Osprey's Select Home - Wasps Away
Osprey's Select away - Wasp's Home
London Irish Home - Zebre Away
Cornish Pirate's away - Toulouse Home

This is because I'm not going to Parma so wanna see the Eagles V London Irish :pac:

I wonder how much will LI care about this? Could be a good game if they are interested

wp_rathead · 15-07-2016 1:00pm

I'd imagine they be fully focused on promotion but id imagine a sizeable crowd Will come cover, any excuse to visit the homeland

b.gud · 15-07-2016 1:01pm

wp_rathead wrote: »

I'd imagine they be fully focused on promotion but id imagine a sizeable crowd Will come cover, any excuse to visit the homeland

That's kinda what I thought too. I'd say there'll also be a bit of interest from local fans to see LI play

ClanofLams · 15-07-2016 1:29pm

Would like Wasps first if that game is away. They're away to Sarries the week before and best chance of a favourable result over there might be when they haven't had the opportunity to see us play Toulouse.

freyners · 15-07-2016 9:16pm

Jersey on sale on the 20th so should be released soon

connemara man · 15-07-2016 9:50pm

Some of the jackets and hoodies are up on elverys website look decent. All grey an navy an black

wp_rathead · 15-07-2016 10:14pm

connemara man wrote: »

Some of the jackets and hoodies are up on elverys website look decent. All grey an navy an black

They class but..
..no green outerwear

connemara man · 15-07-2016 10:23pm

wp_rathead wrote: »

They class but..
..no green outerwear

All very safe and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

FACECUTTR · 16-07-2016 2:36am

The first few bits look like a sneeze that stopped half way through. It was gonna be good but something didn't go right.

b.gud · 18-07-2016 12:53pm

Academy spots confirmed:

Kerins, Claffey, Gallagher, Kenny and Leavy added

*site is down at the minute but here's the link anyway

http://www.connachtrugby.ie/academy-confirmed-for-201617/#ConnachtNews

Robbo · 18-07-2016 1:08pm

Conor McKeon listed as a Scrumhalf these days?

connemara man · 18-07-2016 1:12pm

Robbo wrote: »

Conor McKeon listed as a Scrumhalf these days?

Pulling a madigan

RobbieRuns · 18-07-2016 2:04pm

Robbo wrote: »

Conor McKeon listed as a Scrumhalf these days?

He'd make a good kicking scrum half.

Number 137 · 18-07-2016 2:23pm

I'd say that the Conor McKeon scrum half thing is just a mistake. Interesting that Jamie Dever and Saba Meunargia have been given another year seeing as they were both year 3 last year. Jacob Walshe was in the same situation but has been let go.

RobbieRuns · 18-07-2016 2:36pm

Number 137 wrote: »

I'd say that the Conor McKeon scrum half thing is just a mistake. Interesting that Jamie Dever and Saba Meunargia have been given another year seeing as they were both year 3 last year. Jacob Walshe was in the same situation but has been let go.

It is not a mistake, he is now playing as a nine !

b.gud · 18-07-2016 2:39pm

RobbieRuns wrote: »

It is not a mistake, he is now playing as a nine !

Really? That leaves us with no outhalves coming through the academy which is worrying

MarinersBlues · 18-07-2016 3:11pm

b.gud wrote: »

RobbieRuns wrote: »

It is not a mistake, he is now playing as a nine !

Really? That leaves us with no outhalves coming through the academy which is worrying

and a bucketload of scrum halves

RobbieRuns · 18-07-2016 3:13pm

You will probably see one of Joey Carberry or Ross Byrne making their way west at some stage.

connachta · 18-07-2016 4:57pm

So I guess our Eagles team is pretty much finalised, except for 22: where is aidan moynihan?

Ivan Soroka- Loosehead Prop
Jack Dinneen - Hooker
Conan O'Donnell - Tighthead Prop
Cian Romaine - Second Row
Cillian Gallagher - Second Row
Danny Qualter Second Row/Back Rower
James Connolly- Back Rower
Marc Kelly - Back Rower
Caolin Blade SH
Peter Robb or Dave McSharry (less used with the 1st team) Inside Centre
Rory Parata Outside Centre
One of Kelleher/Niyi/Poolman/Rowland (less used with the 1st team)
Ed O'Keeffe - Back-Three
Ciaran Gaffney - Back-Three

Sub

Jamie Dever/Conor Kyne- Loosehead Prop
Pat O'Toole - Hooker
Saba Meunargia/Conor Kenny - Tighthead Prop
Peter Claffey - Second Row
Stephen McVeigh - Back Rower
Conor Lowndes/Stephen Kerins - Scrum Half
????????? - Conor McKeon even if listed as SH Outhalf
Adam Leavy/Cormac Brennan Utility back

stephen_n · 18-07-2016 5:35pm

RobbieRuns wrote: »

You will probably see one of Joey Carberry or Ross Byrne making their way west at some stage.

Depending on how this season goes it could easily be Marsh who moves on.

RobbieRuns · 19-07-2016 9:20am

stephen_n wrote: »

Depending on how this season goes it could easily be Marsh who moves on.

Possibly, but I would say with the fly half's that we have here and the age profile of the young Leinster lads, I would expect it to be one of Carberry or Byrne. I think Carberry really pushed on last year and would stay in Dublin myself. I do think that one of the three will be pushed out to the other provinces at some stage.

stephen_n · 19-07-2016 1:45pm

RobbieRuns wrote: »

Possibly, but I would say with the fly half's that we have here and the age profile of the young Leinster lads, I would expect it to be one of Carberry or Byrne. I think Carberry really pushed on last year and would stay in Dublin myself. I do think that one of the three will be pushed out to the other provinces at some stage.

If Marsh doesn't improve on last season both Byrne and Carberry would have a decent shot at gametime as backup to Sexton who will probably play a max of 15 games a season. Though they may well look at the opportunity of regular gametime for a few seasons as attractive alright. Connacht don't seem to be overstocked with outhalves that's for sure. Is McGinty gone now?

wp_rathead · 19-07-2016 2:08pm

stephen_n wrote: »

. Connacht don't seem to be overstocked with outhalves that's for sure. Is McGinty gone now?

McGinty gone
We have Boshoff, Carty, O'Leary and Ronaldson for next season (in Academy only have Conor McKeon but he down as a SH now so not sure what story is there)

Number 137 · 19-07-2016 2:49pm

On Conor McKeon's profile in the Connacht Academy page he still listed as a fly half, but perhaps that will change. Has he actually played any games at 9 yet?

b.gud · 20-07-2016 12:18am

New jerseys revealed tomorrow

https://twitter.com/BLKIreland/status/755492528397451264

wp_rathead · 20-07-2016 8:32am

https://twitter.com/connachtrugby/status/755666088189423616?s=09

b.gud · 20-07-2016 8:48am

wp_rathead wrote: »

https://twitter.com/connachtrugby/status/755666088189423616?s=09

thomond2006 · 20-07-2016 8:50am

Tremenjus!

connemara man · 20-07-2016 8:51am

Whoop all green! Sponsor logo isn't made bya 5 year old.

But um horizontal stripes. Right time to hit the gym

freyners · 20-07-2016 8:58am

Not liking it on first look

BrokenMan · 20-07-2016 8:59am

Will need to see it in the flesh so to speak. Don't think it's as nice as last year's personally, sponsors logo aside. Can be hard to tell from the photos sometimes though.