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

b.gud

https://twitter.com/OptaJonny/status/786159992038535169

wp_rathead

It's mad how PunditLounge and Ruaidhri O'Connor didn't get any scoops of this lad, or indeed Cannon or Ili..

errlloyd

Lads I wouldn't worry too much about this signing being surplus to requirements. It looks to me like you've got a potential gem, and if it doesn't work out I imagine it didn't cost too much to get him out of the mitre 10.

Also, he could be used as a real impact sub type. Which would be quite handy to have.

Adbrowne

Bazzo wrote: »

http://www.the42.ie/munster-chris-farrell-centre-next-season-3020251-Oct2016/

A clear indication that Bundee is staying put, no worries lads.

http://rugbylad.com/premiership-club-set-their-sights-on-bundee-aki/

MarinersBlues

wp_rathead wrote: »

It's mad how PunditLounge and Ruaidhri O'Connor didn't get any scoops of this lad, or indeed Cannon or Ili..

Ruaidhri doesn't scoop he swoops.
Pundit Arena's superdupersecretspysecretssshhhhhhhAgent (young fella in the Munster academy) was kept in the dark.

Utopia Parkway

Adbrowne wrote: »

http://rugbylad.com/premiership-club-set-their-sights-on-bundee-aki/

A complete nothing article in fairness. Literally anyone could write and put online. Such is the scourge of clickbait sites.

Bundee may leave but I wouldn't be paying much heed to the likes of Pundit Arena or Rugby Lad anyways.

flogthebog

Bazzo wrote: »

I was being ever so slightly facetious
Quality signings are always good but another signing for the back row is a bit puzzling. Muldoon, SOB, Heenan, Fox-Matamua, Conolly, McKeon, Masterson are all quality players so we have every position covered twice really.

McKeon, Masterson, Fox-Matamua and Muldoon are all out of contract at the end of this year so I wonder if somebody is leaving? I'd hope not, I rate them all.

more likely SOB to second row, and cover therefore required, which might suggest credence to Dillane rumours

MarinersBlues

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

A complete nothing article in fairness. Literally anyone could write and put online. Such is the scourge of clickbait sites.

Bundee may leave but I wouldn't be paying much heed to the likes of Pundit Arena or Rugby Lad anyways.

If he went abroad then there isn't anything you could complain about. He will be gone for money and fair play to him. Thanks very much and good luck.

If he stays in Ireland he must stay in Connacht. Munster is the only other province that would be looking for him. I just can't see why he would want to move there,or why the IRFU would let it happen.

The fact he moved his family over this summer has made me quiet optimistic. I'd say he'll give it two years and see of he can pin down a place on the Irish team.

gavkm27

flogthebog wrote: »

more likely SOB to second row, and cover therefore required, which might suggest credence to Dillane rumours

I was thinking that last week when I saw him warming up (as 24th man) with his legs strapped for jumping in the lineout, unless he is normally a jumper?

typhoony

just to add that there is one significant clue to indicate bundee is staying but I'm not saying what that is on here

connachta

typhoony wrote: »

just to add that there is one significant clue to indicate bundee is staying but I'm not saying what that is on here

we don't mind, as long as he stays

flogthebog

MarinersBlues wrote: »

If he went abroad then there isn't anything you could complain about. He will be gone for money and fair play to him. Thanks very much and good luck.

If he stays in Ireland he must stay in Connacht. Munster is the only other province that would be looking for him. I just can't see why he would want to move there,or why the IRFU would let it happen.

The fact he moved his family over this summer has made me quiet optimistic. I'd say he'll give it two years and see of he can pin down a place on the Irish team.

Very true. There is discussion about loyalty but loyalty is a fan based issue not a player based issue. If I were to make a point about loyalty it would be that the player provides a degree of loyalty to the team of players/coaches that got him to that place for starters. Its a balance. So I understand how fans can get upset when players ignore this.

molloyjh

typhoony wrote: »

just to add that there is one significant clue to indicate bundee is staying but I'm not saying what that is on here

Why would you even post this? You went to the effort of writing that you weren't going to write anything. Seriously, either say something or don't.

dropping_bombs

Is there anything behind the Dillane to Munster rumours I wonder? He would be a bigger loss than Aki.

thomond2006

dropping_bombs wrote: »

Is there anything behind the Dillane to Munster rumours I wonder? He would be a bigger loss than Aki.

I don't know anything either way but the signing would make a lot of sense for Munster.

MarinersBlues

dropping_bombs wrote: »

Is there anything behind the Dillane to Munster rumours I wonder? He would be a bigger loss than Aki.

Nothing concrete and no he wouldn't.

connachta

molloyjh wrote: »

typhoony wrote: »

just to add that there is one significant clue to indicate bundee is staying but I'm not saying what that is on here

Why would you even post this? You went to the effort of writing that you weren't going to write anything. Seriously, either say something or don't.

Disagree, a touch of optimism from personal pieces of information, even not developed, is well needed. FFS we are losing half of our squad since Februry, if only we can keep Aki (on a central contract to help the finances) it would be massive.

dropping_bombs

MarinersBlues wrote: »

Nothing concrete and no he wouldn't.

Why do you think he wouldn't be a greater loss than Aki? It seems to be harder for provinces to produce quality 2nd rows than quality centers. So holding on to somebody who appears to be on his way to becoming a top-notch 2nd row should be a priority.

b.gud

connachta wrote: »

Disagree, a touch of optimism from personal pieces of information, even not developed, is well needed. FFS we are losing half of our squad since Februry, if only we can keep Aki (on a central contract to help the finances) it would be massive.

Aki will absolutely, 100% not in a million years be given a central contract without ever having played for Ireland, nor should he.

I've said this before and I'll say it again. What may happen is that the IRFU use the lure of caps to help convince him to stay in Ireland. If that happens and he makes himself a 100% dead cert starter then he will probably get upgraded to a central contract. This is what happened with Payne

connachta

dropping_bombs wrote: »

MarinersBlues wrote: »

Nothing concrete and no he wouldn't.

Why do you think he wouldn't be a greater loss than Aki? It seems to be harder for provinces to produce quality 2nd rows than quality centers. So holding on to somebody who appears to be on his way to becoming a top-notch 2nd row should be a priority.

Disagree again, we have 3 quality 2nd row players in Connacht Academy, I'm sure one at least will be able to play in Pro12 next season. And we have Roux/Cannon/Browne/SOB/maybe Marshall.
We have no high-quality centres. Robb/Griffin/Ronaldson are ok, but Aki loss be be far more detrimental than Dillane one.

connachta

b.gud wrote: »

connachta wrote: »

Disagree, a touch of optimism from personal pieces of information, even not developed, is well needed. FFS we are losing half of our squad since Februry, if only we can keep Aki (on a central contract to help the finances) it would be massive.

Aki will absolutely, 100% not in a million years be given a central contract without ever having played for Ireland, nor should he.

I've said this before and I'll say it again. What may happen is that the IRFU use the lure of caps to help convince him to stay in Ireland. If that happens and he makes himself a 100% dead cert starter then he will probably get upgraded to a central contract. This is what happened with Payne

the method probably will be yours but don't forget RWC is in 2019. IMO he'll be centrally contracted before 6 nations 2018, or back in N-Z/off to France before.
No questions to be asked about him being starter. He's the best centre in Ireland and will be perfectly mature for RWC at 29 y.o. Only provincial biais can put anyone ahead of him in the picking order (tied with Henshaw at worse).

NiallBoo

connachta wrote: »

the method probably will be yours but don't forget RWC is in 2019. IMO he'll be centrally contracted before 6 nations 2018, or back in N-Z/off to France before.
No questions to be asked about him being starter. He's the best centre in Ireland and will be perfectly mature for RWC at 29 y.o. Only provincial biais can put anyone ahead of him in the picking order (tied with Henshaw at worse).

Sounds a bit risky to me.
Central contacts are like gold-dust and I wouldn't bet on what the pecking-order will be in three years.

Robbo

If anyone knows of a Clan Terrace ticket going a begging for Saturday, I'd be delighted with a PM. Favours can be returned, pints etc.

flogthebog

review of connachts pro12 season last year now on galwaybay fm

MarinersBlues

NiallBoo wrote: »

Sounds a bit risky to me.
Central contacts are like gold-dust and I wouldn't bet on what the pecking-order will be in three years.

I don't think he minds where the money comes from. Connacht might be in a position to make a reasonable offer.

NiallBoo

MarinersBlues wrote: »

I don't think he minds where the money comes from. Connacht might be in a position to make a reasonable offer.

I meant it would be a risky bet from the IRFU's point of view.

I'd like to see more central contracts, having so few is like putting all your eggs in one basket.

flogthebog

MarinersBlues wrote: »

I don't think he minds where the money comes from. Connacht might be in a position to make a reasonable offer.

Not so sure about this. The significant reduction in sports funding in the budget this year is most likely only going to make the job of retaining players harder

Shelflife

Robbo wrote: »

If anyone knows of a Clan Terrace ticket going a begging for Saturday, I'd be delighted with a PM. Favours can be returned, pints etc.

Robbo best place to look is on the supporters club site - Connacht clan, if there are any spares going they usually put them up there.

connachta

• Referee Luke Pearce (England)

Thoughts?

connachta

connachta wrote: »

• Referee Luke Pearce (England)

Thoughts?

He's an excellent referee. Comes from the Owens' school of being a bit of a third commentator too, which I imagine is just as useful for the players as it is for us at home.

mjp

Is the match on BT or Sky red button etc? Northampton v Montpellier looks to be game on skysports 2. Thinking move of kick off from 5:30 to 5:35 was for TV???

b.gud

mjp wrote: »

Is the match on BT or Sky red button etc? Northampton v Montpellier looks to be game on skysports 2. Thinking move of kick off from 5:30 to 5:35 was for TV???

I think it's on Sky Sports 4

former total

http://www.skysports.com/watch/rugby-union-on-sky

Yup, SS4

cosalofa

Toulouse team for tomorrow:

Le XV de départ : Medard ; Huget, Fritz, David, Perez ; (o) Doussain, (m) Bézy ; Faasalele, Axtens, Cros ; Tekori, R. Gray ; Johnston, Tolofua, Baille.

Remplaçants : Marchand, Kakovin, Aldegheri, Maka, Lamboley, T. Gray, Flood, Fickou.

No Dusautoir or Maestri.

Quintis

cblaix wrote: »

Toulouse team for tomorrow:

Le XV de départ : Medard ; Huget, Fritz, David, Perez ; (o) Doussain, (m) Bézy ; Faasalele, Axtens, Cros ; Tekori, R. Gray ; Johnston, Tolofua, Baille.

Remplaçants : Marchand, Kakovin, Aldegheri, Maka, Lamboley, T. Gray, Flood, Fickou.

No Dusautoir or Maestri.

Bosh, bosh, bosh!

connachta

No Dusautoir or Maestri.

Was already announced yesterday. Fickou just on the bench is the great news

connachta

Connacht team to face Toulouse, Sat 15th October, kick off 17:35, the Sportsground


15 Tiernan O Halloran (106)
14 Niyi Adeolokun (37)
13 Bundee Aki (46)
12 Craig Ronaldson (52)
11 Cian Kelleher (4)
10 Jack Carty (59)
9 Caolin Blade (25)

1 Finlay Bealham (62)
2 Dave Heffernan (62)
3 Conor Carey (2)
4 Quinn Roux (35)
5 Andrew Browne (145)
6 Eoin McKeon (90)
7 Jake Heenan (37)
8 John Muldoon (captain) (280)

Replacements:

16 Shane Delahunt (18)
17 Ronan Loughney (188)
18 JP Cooney (32)
19 Ultan Dillane (32)
20 Sean O Brien (20)
21 Kieran Marmion (106)
22 Shane O Leary (19)
23 Stacey Ili (1)

MarinersBlues

Happy enough with that team.

Big chance for Blade, Cooney and Heffernan but they were all class last week.

Very strong bench, Ili must be shaping up well in training.
I fancy our chances!

connachta

too late

Cathalthesmart

The Toulouse oozes talent, although a lot of is probably on past success. Its in the sports ground so I'd fancy Connacht.

wp_rathead

Dillane, SOB2.0 and Marmion to spring off the bench - fnck yes!!

connachta

wp_rathead wrote: »

Dillane, SOB2.0 and Marmion to spring off the bench - fnck yes!!

if we have conceeded 30 points and 2 yellow cards because the scrum doesn't hold, it'd be worthless

wp_rathead

connachta wrote: »

if we have conceeded 30 points and 2 yellow cards because the scrum doesn't hold, it'd be worthless

I see your optimism is back connachta

flogthebog

I see the eagles are playing the Cornish pirates this weekend. Where will they manage to pull a team from with all the current injuries

b.gud

Eagles team to play the pirates on Sunday

15 Danie Poolman
14 Rory Parata
13 Stacey Ili
12 Eoin Griffin (captain)
11 Ed O’Keeffe
10 Mitch Lam
9 Stephen Kerins

1 Jason East
2 Jack Dinneen
3 Saba Meunargia
4 James Cannon
5 Danny Qualter
6 Marc Kelly
7 James Connolly
8 Stephen McVeigh

REPLACEMENTS

16 Pat O’Toole
17 Cronan Gleeson
18 Sean Masterson
19 Josh Pim
20 Conor McKeon
21 Luke Carty
22 Jordan Conroy

Interesting to see Ili down to play both games this weekend, I assume if he sees any significant game time tomorrow he won't be around on Sunday

RobbieRuns

is Cian Romaine injured?

KBurke85

A Masterson and a Carty i assume they're younger brothers of Eoin and Jack?

flogthebog

Mitch lam. Pats young lad?

connemara man

flogthebog wrote: »

Mitch lam. Pats young lad?

Yeah. He's a tank though bigger than most of our starting back line in Europe

The Lost Sheep

KBurke85 wrote: »

A Masterson and a Carty i assume they're younger brothers of Eoin and Jack?

Yes and as I mentioned in B&I thread. Cronan Gleeson prop on A team is from Nenagh. Played irish u/age and has played semi pro in England, France, Australia and also played Aviva A