Connacht Team Talk Thread V - The Friend Zone

connachta

ClanofLams wrote: »

Arnold wouldn’t make 23 for me. I’m not sure he’ll be ahead of Peter Robb either.

I love Peter Robb. But Arnorld may be a better 13, and we need more a 13 competing with Farrell than a 12 ...

connachta

yerrahbah wrote: »

Is Copeland gone?

Can't see him staying, old and not in front last season in the picking order.
He'll stay only if Weise sign can't go ahead, and Leinster block a move of Connors for example...

Scottmactom

connachta wrote: »

Can't see him staying, old and not in front last season in the picking order.
He'll stay only if Weise sign can't go ahead, and Leinster block a move of Connors for example...

Leinster cant block anything, Connors turned down a move to Connacht before.

connachta

Scottmactom wrote: »

Leinster cant block anything, Connors turned down a move to Connacht before.

Weise would be great anyway, Ball-carrier + more experience in a young squad.

realhorrorshow

Loosehead

Denis Buckley (30) - Signed 2 year contract in 2019
Matthew Burke (23) - Signed contract in 2019
Paddy McAllister (31) - Signed contract in 2019
Peter McCabe (28) - Signed short term contract in 2019

Jordan Duggan (22) - Academy year 2

Tighthead

Jack Aungier (21) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Finlay Bealham (29) - Signed 2 year contract in 2019
Rory Burke (26) - Signed contract in 2019
Conor Kenny (24) - Signed 1 year contract in 2020
Dominic Robertson-McCoy (26) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020

Hooker

Shane Delahunt (26) - Signed 1 year contract in 2020
Dave Heffernan (29) - Signed contract in 2019
Jonny Murphy (28) - Signed contract in 2018

Declan Adamson (21) - Academy year 1
Dylan Tierney-Martin (21) - Academy year 2

Lock

Oisin Dowling (23) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Ultan Dillane (26) - Signed 2 year contract in 2019
Cillian Gallagher (23) - Signed contract in 2018
Joe Maksymiw (24) - Signed contract in 2018
Quinn Roux (29) - Signed 2 year contract in 2019
Gavin Thornbury (26) - Signed 2 year contract in 2019

Niall Murray (20) - Academy year 2

Back row

Paul Boyle (23) - Signed 2 year contract in 2019
Jarrad Butler (29) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Robin Copeland (32) - Signed 2 year contract in 2018
Eoghan Masterson (27) - Signed 2 year contract in 2018
Eoin McKeon (29) - Signed contract in 2019
Sean O'Brien (25) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Conor Oliver (24) - Signed contract in 2020

Joshua Dunne (20) - Academy year 2
Sean Masterson (22) - Academy year 3
Oisin McCormack (19) - Academy year 1
Mikey Wilson (23) - Academy year 2

Scrumhalf

Caolin Blade (26) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Stephen Kerins (24) - Signed contract in 2019
Angus Lloyd (27) - Signed contract in 2019
Kieran Marmion (28) - Signed 3 year contract in 2020

Colm Reilly (21) - Academy year 2

Outhalf

Jack Carty (28) - Signed 2 year contract in 2019
Conor Fitzgerald (22) - Signed contract in 2019
Dave Horwitz (25) - Signed contract in 2018

Luke Carty (22) - Academy year 3
Conor Dean (22) - Academy year 2

Centre

Bundee Aki (28) - Signed 3 year central contract in 2020
Sammy Arnold (24) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Tom Daly (27) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Tom Farrell (26) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Kyle Godwin (28) - Signed contract in 2018
Peter Robb (26) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020

Shane Jennings (19) - Academy year 1
Sean O'Brien (22) - Academy year 2

Back 3

Niyi Adeolokun (29) - Signed contract in 2019
Stephen Fitzgerald (24) - Signed contract in 2019
Will Goddard (21) - Signed short term contract in 2019
Matt Healy (31) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Darragh Leader (27) - Signed contract in 2018
Tiernan O'Halloran (29) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
John Porch (26) - Signed contract in 2019
Peter Sullivan (22) - Signed short term contract in 2019

Colm de Buitléar (22) - Academy year 3
Hugh Lane (21) - Academy year 1
Oran McNulty (20) - Academy year 2

In: Jack Aungier (Leinster), Oisin Dowling (Leinster), Conor Oliver (Munster), Sammy Arnold (Munster)
Out: Tom McCartney (Retiring), Colby Fainga'a (Lyon)

Ages are at 1/9/2020.

thomond2006

Some Like It TOH

realhorrorshow wrote: »

Shane Jennings (19) - Academy year 1
Sean O'Brien (22) - Academy year 2

realhorrorshow

Definitely out of contract

Robin Copeland (32) - Back row
Eoghan Masterson (27) - Back row
Sean Masterson (22) - Back row
Luke Carty (22) - Outhalf
Colm de Buitléar (22) - Back 3

Probably out of contract (signed contract of undisclosed length in 2018/19)

Peter McCabe (28) - Loosehead
Jonny Murphy (28) - Hooker
Cillian Gallagher (23) - Lock
Joe Maksymiw (24) - Lock
Dave Horwitz (25) - Outhalf
Kyle Godwin (28) - Centre
Will Goddard (21) - Back 3
Darragh Leader (27) - Back 3
Peter Sullivan (22) - Back 3

Possibly out of contract (signed contract of undisclosed length in 2019)

Matthew Burke (23) - Loosehead
Rory Burke (26) - Tighthead
Eoin McKeon (29) - Back row
Stephen Kerins (24) - Scrum half
Angus Lloyd (27) - Scrum half
Conor Fitzgerald (22) - Out half
Stephen Fitzgerald (24) - Back 3
John Porch (26) - Back 3

macslash

Mul, it's over

connachta wrote: »

Not that's confimed, my table was ok, lets look at it again


Only unofficial are Weise/Wootton..

Good man

connachta

realhorrorshow wrote: »

Definitely out of contract

Robin Copeland (32) - Back row
Eoghan Masterson (27) - Back row
Sean Masterson (22) - Back row
Luke Carty (22) - Outhalf
Colm de Buitléar (22) - Back 3

Probably out of contract (signed contract of undisclosed length in 2018/19)

Peter McCabe (28) - Loosehead
Jonny Murphy (28) - Hooker
Cillian Gallagher (23) - Lock
Joe Maksymiw (24) - Lock
Dave Horwitz (25) - Outhalf
Kyle Godwin (28) - Centre
Will Goddard (21) - Back 3
Darragh Leader (27) - Back 3
Peter Sullivan (22) - Back 3

Possibly out of contract (signed contract of undisclosed length in 2019)

Matthew Burke (23) - Loosehead
Rory Burke (26) - Tighthead
Eoin McKeon (29) - Back row
Stephen Kerins (24) - Scrum half
Angus Lloyd (27) - Scrum half
Conor Fitzgerald (22) - Out half
Stephen Fitzgerald (24) - Back 3
John Porch (26) - Back 3

Porch is there for 2 years I think

My table is based on the hope we keep both Fitz, M.Burke, Gallagher, McKeon, Macksymiw, Murphy, S.Masterson, De Buitlear, and Kerrins on that list, maybe Goddard as an IQ prospect for 10.


I think it's possible, none is rumoured elsewhere
My main concern is losing one of Gallagher/McKeon



That means 10 released

connachta

thomond2006 wrote: »

freyners

The Friend Zone

Is it a lock that McCartney is done or is it just the going assumption?

connachta

IF and only if, one of Gallagher or McKeon has to be released, I'd keep Cillian.
He was unlucky with injuries but we need more a n°5 covering 6, than a 6/8
As we have signed a 6 (Dowling) an 8 (assuming Weise is confirmed) and a 7 (Oliver)

Bazzo

Mul, it's over

freyners wrote: »

Is it a lock that McCartney is done or is it just the going assumption?

100% retiring at the end of the season, so I suppose slim possibility he'll be back to play any remaining games but I doubt it.

Diabhal Beag

Copeland leaving for D2 confirmed on a 3 year deal (good for him). Really disappointed with his stint here tbh.

theintern

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Copeland leaving for D2 confirmed on a 3 year deal (good for him). Really disappointed with his stint here tbh.

My god you're quick. I spotted that was just posted and was sure I'd be first to post it here.

Diabhal Beag

theintern wrote: »

My god you're quick. I spotted that was just posted and was sure I'd be first to post it here.

Tis do or die on t'internet. One slow draw and you could be kneecapped by thomond2006.

connachta

Angouleme to be precise

connachta

https://www.ofm.co.za/article/rugby/289392/cheetahs-lose-no-players-during-21-day-exit-window

Bodes well

I can't see other province needing of n°8

connachta

Coetze 194 114k
Conan 193 114k
Stander 186 114k
O'Donogue 191 110k
Wiese 190 110K
Deegan 193 108k
Butler 186 106k

Wiese would add the extra grint and move Butler back to where it could be even better : 7

connachta

https://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/114834/connacht-players-set-to-depart-as-new-squad-takes-shape

11 to leave

Niyi would be for me the surprise in that list, Macksymiw is not a surplus either...

If he goes, that means De Buitlear, despite his injury, will be promoted, Murray too, if Joe goes

Masterson was rumoured to Edinburgh
Llyod will be released as we have Reily as 4th choice
McCart
Horwitz
Godwin
Leader
R. Burke
Fainga'a
McKeon
Copeland

That's 10 I've seen leaving for a while

The 11th (bad) surprise is either Macksymiw, Niyi, or Gallagher, maybe Murphy, I'd have kept those 4

Cillian should absolutely stay
Murphy, hard to see a NIQ hooker on low money coming, except if Friends consider Heff/Delah have weaknesses (throws..).
in 2nd row we need a big cover like Joe, maybe Jerry Sexton back from Kings (if they struggle financialy),
Niyi is ageing, McNulty/Sullivan are there, Wootton likely, maybe it's the most likely to leave indeed...

The NIQ spots, are under my intuition, Wiese and a 10, as Carty may be picked with Ireland and Dean is still young for this position

connachta

https://www.the42.ie/connacht-rugby-3-5064891-Apr2020/

Missed this, and perfectly agree!

macslash

Mul, it's over

I know it was expected but I'm still sad to see Kyle go. Very surprised if Niyi is leaving and Eoin too. With backrow being so attritional would it not make more sense to keep him? Has to be a good few more coming in if that list is correct

Burkie1203

Mul, it's over

macslash wrote: »

I know it was expected but I'm still sad to see Kyle go. Very surprised if Niyi is leaving and Eoin too. With backrow being so attritional would it not make more sense to keep him? Has to be a good few more coming in if that list is correct

We don't know what form next season is going to take. Don't be surprised if no more signings due to finances and a player of two are moved around the provinces for the season whatever form it takes

connachta

Kyle was decent but not as enthusiastic than most here.
Arnold is stronger and better defender.
Just need creativity around this back-line. C.Fitzgerald, T.Farrell, must start sometimes for this reason

connachta

Dowling is more a 6, Masterson even if he doesn't leave, won't be converted permanently
If Macksymiw isn't kept we need a big lock

Thonrbury/Roux are injury prone, Murray is 20 y.o, barely 100 kg
Remains Dillane

4 and 2halfs guys for 3 spots are not enough at all

IQ (all under contract but who knows with financial cuts)

Sexton (Kings)
Brandshaw-Ryan (Nevers, ProD2)
Joyce (Bristol)
Nagle and old chap Mick Kearney! (Zebre)

if not NIQ

Fainga'a Butler (qualified), Godwin, and Horwitz made 4 spots available

a n°8, an outhalf, this 2nd row, and an Academy Project player ...

Robbo

I can't believe it's not Butler

Surely the move back to Australia that Godwin talked about in the past can't be a runner with the crisis in the game over there?

Bazzo

Mul, it's over

Robbo wrote: »

Surely the move back to Australia that Godwin talked about in the past can't be a runner with the crisis in the game over there?

Linley MacKenzie's article seemed to suggest that Connacht weren't willing to renew the contract rather than him wanting to go back to Aus as we'd originally thought which surprised me.

Utopia Parkway

That’s a lot of talent leaving if all those depart and probably not a whole pile coming in to replace bar them bar provincial cast offs and a promising young player or two like Aungier.

Once the pandemic hit I thought we wouldn’t be too busy bringing in new players but would at least try and hold onto what we had ( bar Colby and Copeland who were set to leave anyway) but it’s looking like a right clear out.

But sure we’ll see what happens over the next few weeks.

MarinersBlues

Mul, it's over

Bazzo wrote: »

Linley MacKenzie's article seemed to suggest that Connacht weren't willing to renew the contract rather than him wanting to go back to Aus as we'd originally thought which surprised me.

That's what I understood too.
I'd be very disappointed if that's the case, I hope he ends up staying.
A good centre, so reliable, versatile and a fantastic attitude on the pitch.

connachta

If we follow Linley number (11 going), and names (Niyi, Godwin and McKeon)


Going|Coming

Copeland | Wiese
Maksymiw | NIQ
Godwin | Arnold
R.Burke | Aungier
McKeon | Dowling +Sean Masterson
Fainga'a | Oliver
Leader | Wootton
McCartney | Tierney-Martin
Horwirz | NIQ 10
Llyod | Reilly
Niyi | De Buitlear

We have our 11
It would mean both Eoghan Masterson and Gallagher are there this summer

in that police, unconfirmed
Butler IQ in July, so we have 3 NIQ spots available (+ 1 Project in Academy maybe, as Horwitz goes)