Connacht Team Talk Thread V - The Friend Zone

b.gud

connachta wrote: »

Again they let him go also because he had a super rugby opportunity, to gain maturity. Doesn't mean he was far from Burke. Now even less, with the Southern hemisphere experience.


Anyway he went off after 63 min, uninjured, on his final game, having accumulated good gametime to come back fully operational if needed


40' A gap opened in the defence and Conan O'Donnell took full advantage.

That's not correct, he was let go and then the Sun wolves opportunity came along, not the other way around

connachta

BTW Peter McCabe would be ready to come into the game very quick too, he play Celtic Cup with Munster so he should also be fit

connachta

Wegians89 wrote: »

Had thought he wasn’t being renewed regardless at the end of the season so when the opportunity came up to play super rugby Connacht let him go early ?

Probably, my point was the difference with M.Burke was marginal, this Super Rugby experience might even change the picking order, and if he was called in the South, that's because he is not badly rated...

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

connachta wrote: »

BTW Peter McCabe would be ready to come into the game very quick too, he play Celtic Cup with Munster so he should also be fit

Yeah he has been training with Munster seniors for most of preseason. He’d be the most likely I’d be looking to get back. Was very surprised when he was let go but looking back McAllister looks a level above.

connachta

Of course best would be McAllister not badly injured, but I've doubt about this
what about SOB/Copeland recovery

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

O’Donnell would probably be a cheaper option than McCabe. Tbh I’d like to have a fourth loose head so I’d take either back with open arms.

Would like to see jack Kelly given a chance if back three injuries are bad. Think he could have a very similar impact to S. Fitz who didn’t really get a look in at Munster.

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

connachta wrote: »

Of course best would be McAllister not badly injured, but I've doubt about this
what about SOB/Copeland recovery

Think both will be back training soon, Copeland should be back sooner. Feel Connacht back row options are fairly injury prone and an extra body might be no harm. I see Jack Lam doesn’t have a contract post World Cup. Maybe Pat could have a word, if there is recruitment in that area.

connachta

Wegians89 wrote: »

O’Donnell would probably be a cheaper option than McCabe. Tbh I’d like to have a fourth loose head so I’d take either back with open arms.

Would like to see jack Kelly given a chance if back three injuries are bad. Think he could have a very similar impact to S. Fitz who didn’t really get a look in at Munster.

I'd give Peter Sullivan a shot before, as Leader won't be out for long I think, will he..

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

connachta wrote: »

I'd give Peter Sullivan a shot before, as Leader won't be out for long I think, will he..

Yeah it all depends on the lengths of injuries. If players are back in 3 weeks that’s only two matches missing so not the end of the world.

connachta

Wegians89 wrote: »

Yeah it all depends on the lengths of injuries. If players are back in 3 weeks that’s only two matches missing so not the end of the world.

That's why I insist on LH, I can't see Paddy fit for Europe on time... And we're lighter than elsewhere

FACECUTTR

Don't see the branch dipping in to it's pockets for a medical joker just yet. If Buckley was to pick up an injury then yes but not just yet.
Who is next in line after M Burke at LH ?

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

FACECUTTR wrote: »

Don't see the branch dipping in to it's pockets for a medical joker just yet. If Buckley was to pick up an injury then yes but not just yet.
Who is next in line after M Burke at LH ?

Probably bealham or Duggan in the academy

realhorrorshow

Wegians89 wrote: »

Probably bealham or Duggan in the academy

Duggan has a long term injury afaik. So next up based on the Celtic Cup would be Conor Maguire.

connachta

realhorrorshow wrote: »

Duggan has a long term injury afaik. So next up based on the Celtic Cup would be Conor Maguire.

FFS we CAN'T play European Champions Cup with a 20 y.o uncapped LH 3rd choice, so risky... even the 2nd choice is so still unexperienced (Matt Burke). We need McCabe or O'Donnell to add some "alternative" at least, if McAllister has to miss the November games

realhorrorshow

connachta wrote: »

FFS we CAN'T play European Champions Cup with a 20 y.o 3rd choice, so risky... and the 2nd choice is still unexperienced (Matt Burke). We need McCabe or O'Donnell if McAllister has to miss the November games

We'll have to wait and see on McAllister but I agree. Hard to know what will happen when we're not privy to the details behind McCabe and O'Donnell's departures.

connachta

realhorrorshow wrote: »

We'll have to wait and see on McAllister but I agree. Hard to know what will happen when we're not privy to the details behind McCabe and O'Donnell's departures.

Somewhere else then. But LH is not a position we can rely on 1st year Academy. To face Toulouse Montpellier and Gloucester at least

realhorrorshow

connachta wrote: »

Somewhere else then. But LH is not a position we can rely on 1st year Academy. To face Toulouse Montpellier and Gloucester at least

Maguire's not even in the academy. Hopefully the Craggy Rugby lads will have some good news for us during the week.

connachta

BTW 3rd choice was hooker 2 years ago..
https://www.oldwesley.ie/conor-maguire-selected-for-irish-students/

And if we move Bealham to LH, the same problem will be moved to TH. + Non-sens to "freeze" our international 1st choice TH on the bench behind Buckley

Bazzo

Mul, it's over

Pretty sure Robertson-McCoy can prop either side also.

connachta

Bazzo wrote: »

Pretty sure Robertson-McCoy can prop either side also.

He was moved to TH for some reasons. It just didn't work out for him on the left side. Would be a big mistake to move him back there just when he seems to step up as TH

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

Does Rodney ah you have a contract anywhere?

connachta

Wegians89 wrote: »

Does Rodney ah you have a contract anywhere?

Dave has not been a LH. For 10 years now:D
But i get your point, move McCoy to LH and AhYou on the bench TH. Not a big fan to take this risk. And O'Donnell/McCabe won't be more expensive.

connachta

Still under contract with Newcastle I guess, living there with his family.
Coulson plays in ProD2, too bad, would have been handy too...

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

connachta wrote: »

Still under contract with Newcastle I guess, living there with his family.
Coulson plays in ProD2, too bad, would have been handy too...

Can’t see coulson playing in Ireland again

Zzippy

Wegians89 wrote: »

Does Rodney ah you have a contract anywhere?

Get out!

Squidgy Black

connachta wrote: »

Still under contract with Newcastle I guess, living there with his family.
Coulson plays in ProD2, too bad, would have been handy too...

Not a snowballs chance in hell the IRFU would let Coulson within an arm's length of playing with a province given all that's gone on. He's still under investigation in France, the trial hasn't finished.

connachta

There's another decent experienced possiblity : Sean McCarthy, 29 y.o from Bedford Blues. Problem is he's Captain there, I doubt they let him go like they did for Farrell

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

Could look at AIL players too

KBurke85

The Friend Zone

Tom McCartney is also an option when Heff is fit again.

evil_seed

The Friend Zone

who's injured? what have I missed?