Connacht Team Talk Thread V - The Friend Zone

realhorrorshow

Loosehead

Denis Buckley (30) - Signed 2 year contract in 2019
Matthew Burke (23) - Signed contract in 2019
Jordan Duggan (22) - Signed contract in 2020
Paddy McAllister (31) - Signed contract in 2019

Charlie Ward (20) - Academy year 1

Tighthead

Jack Aungier (21) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Finlay Bealham (29) - Signed 2 year 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 2
Eoin De Buitléar (u20) - Academy year 1
Dylan Tierney-Martin (21) - Academy year 3

Lock

Ultan Dillane (26) - Signed 2 year contract in 2019
Oisin Dowling (23) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Cillian Gallagher (23) - Signed contract in 2018
Niall Murray (20) - Signed contract in 2020
Quinn Roux (29) - Signed 2 year contract in 2019
Gavin Thornbury (26) - Signed 2 year contract in 2019

Darragh Murray (u20) - Academy year 1
Cian Prendergast (20) - Academy year 1

Back row

Paul Boyle (23) - Signed 2 year contract in 2019
Jarrad Butler (29) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Eoghan Masterson (27) - Signed 2 year contract in 2018
Sean Masterson (22) - Signed contract in 2020
Sean O'Brien (25) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Conor Oliver (24) - Signed 1 year contract in 2020

Ciaran Booth (20) - Academy year 1
Donnacha Byrne (u20) - Academy year 1
Hubert Costello (u20) - Academy year 1
Joshua Dunne (20) - Academy year 3
Oisin McCormack (19) - Academy year 2

Scrumhalf

Caolin Blade (26) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Stephen Kerins (24) - Signed contract in 2019
Kieran Marmion (28) - Signed 3 year contract in 2020
Colm Reilly (21) - Signed contract in 2020

Outhalf

Jack Carty (28) - Signed 2 year contract in 2019
Conor Dean (22) - Signed contract in 2020
Conor Fitzgerald (22) - Signed contract in 2019

Cathal Forde (19) - Academy year 1

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
Peter Robb (26) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020

Shane Jennings (19) - Academy year 2
Sean O'Brien (22) - Academy year 3

Back 3

Stephen Fitzgerald (24) - Signed contract in 2019
Matt Healy (31) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Tiernan O'Halloran (29) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
John Porch (26) - Signed contract in 2019
Peter Sullivan (22) - Signed contract in 2020

Colm de Buitléar (22) - Academy year 3
Oran McNulty (20) - Academy year 3

In: Jordan Duggan (Academy),Jack Aungier (Leinster), Oisin Dowling (Leinster), Niall Murray (Academy), Sean Masterson (Academy), Conor Oliver (Munster), Colm Reilly (Academy), Conor Dean (Academy), Sammy Arnold (Munster), Peter Sullivan (Academy)
Out: Peter Mccabe, Rory Burke, Tom McCartney (Retiring), Joe Maksimyw, Robin Copeland (Soyaux Angouleme), Colby Fainga'a (Lyon), Eoin McKeon, Angus Lloyd (Retiring), Dave Horwitz, Kyle Godwin, Niyi Adeolokun, Darragh Leader

siltirocker

Niallof9 wrote: »

true. wouldn't it be great for Connacht some day to get one of those lads. and i would argue facilities. You don't want to leave the world class set ups in Leinster or Munster for COnnacht. weights, medical, pitches etc. Ulsters seems impressive too. Hopefully the high performance centre gets off the ground and changes all that. And maybe Sam Arnold/Aungier is the beginning of a change.

This is the 4th or 5th time you indicated that Connacht's gym and fitness regime is sub-par compared to the other 3 provinces. Nothing seems to indicate any form of a large divided, and Connacht's facilities and staff do seem to be quite decent.

Burkie1203

Mul, it's over

SuperCet wrote: »

Doesnt make sense though that Connacht have had to take a hatchet to their squad given their lack of depth, Ulster have only signed Madigan and Matthewson, Leinster have no announcements but are looking to cling to their home developed players, and Munster get a pair of World Cup winners, a Sarries full back, and a Leinster prop who wasnt meant to be going anywhere.

Munster had their main business done 4 or 5 months ago. Salanoa is no different to the two lads Connacht got from Leinster.

IRFU cannot sanction Connacht signing 2/3/4 lads in June at a cost of say 80-100k each and then go looking for state funding in July or August as Philip Browne has eluded to several times in late May

What if Connacht only have 2 pro14 games this side of xmas and maybe 2/3/4 European games??

This is damage limitation mode for IRFU right now.

realhorrorshow

Scottmactom wrote: »

No Diarmuid McCormack is a surprise.

Yeah, hopefully he'll still be involved over the summer and beyond. There is a lot of backrows there already. As expected other than that, wasn't sure if de Buitléar or Costello would get in but neither are huge surprises. That's 7 of the 2018 u18s in the academy now with McCormack the most notable absentee.

Scottmactom

realhorrorshow wrote: »

Yeah, hopefully he'll still be involved over the summer and beyond. There is a lot of backrows there already. As expected other than that, wasn't sure if de Buitléar or Costello would get in but neither are huge surprises. That's 7 of the 2018 u18s in the academy now with McCormack the most notable absentee.

and Kilcommins, but he went with GAA.

SuperCet

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Munster had their main business done 4 or 5 months ago. Salanoa is no different to the two lads Connacht got from Leinster.

IRFU cannot sanction Connacht signing 2/3/4 lads in June at a cost of say 80-100k each and then go looking for state funding in July or August as Philip Browne has eluded to several times in late May

What if Connacht only have 2 pro14 games this side of xmas and maybe 2/3/4 European games??

This is damage limitation mode for IRFU right now.

Totally fair point - but from an optics point of view it doesn't look great. Minimal signings (or none) across 3 provinces plus squad reductions at the same time as another gets 2 marquee world cup winners is a hard pill to swallow, especially when the IRFU talk (rightly) of the need to save money.

If IRFU can't sanction a few signings for Connacht, why cant the same pressure be applied to make lads move from other provinces "for the good of the game" in Ireland? Connacht have 5 senior lads covering the back three, the other provinces have 8 each. Share the wealth?

Burkie1203

Mul, it's over

SuperCet wrote: »

Totally fair point - but from an optics point of view it doesn't look great. Minimal signings (or none) across 3 provinces plus squad reductions at the same time as another gets 2 marquee world cup winners is a hard pill to swallow, especially when the IRFU talk (rightly) of the need to save money.

If IRFU can't sanction a few signings for Connacht, why cant the same pressure be applied to make lads move from other provinces "for the good of the game" in Ireland? Connacht have 5 senior lads covering the back three, the other provinces have 8 each. Share the wealth?

8 each in a very attritional position. The optics are the IRFU are waiting to see what happens beyond august before any more decisions get made IMO.

What if the Global calendar happens. Connacht only have 2 games in the rest of 2020. Surely they can make do ?

SuperCet

Burkie1203 wrote: »

8 each in a very attritional position. The optics are the IRFU are waiting to see what happens beyond august before any more decisions get made IMO.

What if the Global calendar happens. Connacht only have 2 games in the rest of 2020. Surely they can make do ?

Back three - not back row. Not as attritional.

Anyway, just making the point that given the massive impact of Covid, and everyone having to tighten their belts, there appears to be a bit of a double standard in how the provinces are supported and propped up by the IRFU, or not...

Burkie1203

Mul, it's over

SuperCet wrote: »

Back three - not back row. Not as attritional.

Anyway, just making the point that given the massive impact of Covid, and everyone having to tighten their belts, there appears to be a bit of a double standard in how the provinces are supported and propped up by the IRFU, or not...

What double standard?

Leinster 5 out, 0 in

Munster 10 out, 4 in

Ulster 4 (?) out, 2 in

Connacht 12 out, 4 in


Edit. Connacht a bit unlucky with timing but that's life. For now it's wait and see.

salmocab

SuperCet wrote: »

Back three - not back row. Not as attritional.

Anyway, just making the point that given the massive impact of Covid, and everyone having to tighten their belts, there appears to be a bit of a double standard in how the provinces are supported and propped up by the IRFU, or not...

Don’t think there is really, Munster made their signings nice and early. I doubt they’d have happened if they had of held off for a while. Nobody else has gotten anybody of real note maybe Ulster with Mathewson but if I remember that was done early and Madigan is much the same but neither are likely to be getting a huge pay packet anyway.

siltirocker

Burkie1203 wrote: »

What double standard?

Leinster 5 out, 0 in

Munster 10 out, 4 in

Ulster 4 (?) out, 2 in

Connacht 12 out, 4 in


Edit. Connacht a bit unlucky with timing but that's life. For now it's wait and see.

Context though. How many of Leinster, Munster and Ulster's combined 19 players were guaranteed players in the 23. I'd gamble none. McFadden at a stretch. Were as half of Connacht's 12 departing players were starters.

Burkie1203

Mul, it's over

siltirocker wrote: »

Context though. How many of Leinster, Munster and Ulster's combined 19 players were guaranteed players in the 23. I'd gamble none. McFadden at a stretch. Were as half of Connacht's 12 departing players were starters.

It's not a conspiracy or anything like it. It's just bad timing for Connacht. But with no certainty about what games will be played in the rest of 2020 it is what it is.

connachta

We need a couple, as Friends said

When you look at the overall squad, that's obvious it will be a n°8 at least

the 2nd one would be a back-3

We'll be light for locks, Downling is not one, fingers crossed Thornbury/Roux will be luckier with injury

thomond2006

Some Like It TOH

5 back five forwards in one academy year, that will be interesting to follow.

The age profile of the squad looks good too, I count only three players 30 or over.

There's a definite need for some back three cover. The Wootton move has had zero talk since the initial report from the Limerick Leader but it doesn't make much sense for Munster to have nine back three players on the books (albeit Conway and Earls are current internationals). If you're the IRFU why have
an experienced player sitting in the stands or playing AIL when Connacht might become stuck after one or two injuries.

The depth at centre really stands out. Even with Aki away with Ireland you have quality to replace him.

Scottmactom

thomond2006 wrote: »

5 back five forwards in one academy year, that will be interesting to follow.

The age profile of the squad looks good too, I count only three players 30 or over.

There's a definite need for some back three cover. The Wootton move has had zero talk since the initial report from the Limerick Leader but it doesn't make much sense for Munster to have nine back three players on the books (albeit Conway and Earls are current internationals). If you're the IRFU why have
an experienced player sitting in the stands or playing AIL when Connacht might become stuck after one or two injuries.

The depth at centre really stands out. Even with Aki away with Ireland you have quality to replace him.

will be 6 by end of preseason IMO.

they all have a lot of potential too. Two exiles and 3 homegrown players, great to see.

realhorrorshow

Scottmactom wrote: »

will be 6 by end of preseason IMO.

they all have a lot of potential too. Two exiles and 3 homegrown players, great to see.

Can’t remember Booth too well but I seem to recall him displaying impressive athleticism at the JRWC.

Niallof9

siltirocker wrote: »

This is the 4th or 5th time you indicated that Connacht's gym and fitness regime is sub-par compared to the other 3 provinces. Nothing seems to indicate any form of a large divided, and Connacht's facilities and staff do seem to be quite decent.

erm at the moment its quite clearly the case. Munster and Leinster have dedicated elite performance centres/headquarters. And i'm guessing perhaps better medical facilities. I mean its just a wild guess. Hopefully Connacht will soon

https://cdn-static.connachtrugby.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/21125144/The-Sportsground-%E2%80%93-Inspiring-a-New-Connacht.pdf - "High Performance Training Centre – This will include an indoor rugby training facilities along with strength
and conditioning, medical, nutrition and administrative facilities. These facilities are essential to maintain
the Professional Rugby Squad"

It gives the two a clear edge, most likely in terms of prestige and the ability to point to them and say stay here look at this. THe latter has been pointed out by a good few players who had futures up in the air. Its a big advantage.

If anything Connacht fans should be demanding quicker redevelopment not denying there is a gap.

The indoor training indicates there may be a small pitch, thats something i don't think Leinster and munster have so thats good.

Scottmactom

realhorrorshow wrote: »

Can’t remember Booth too well but I seem to recall him displaying impressive athleticism at the JRWC.

If he recovers from that injury, he will be ready to play this season. Very athletic, big threat at breakdown.

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

Scottmactom wrote: »

If he recovers from that injury, he will be ready to play this season. Very athletic, big threat at breakdown.

Which position did he play?

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

Only two back three players in the academy

Scottmactom

realhorrorshow wrote: »

Can’t remember Booth too well but I seem to recall him displaying impressive athleticism at the JRWC.

Wegians89 wrote: »

Which position did he play?

openside usually, but can play 6.

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

Scottmactom wrote: »

openside usually, but can play 6.

Looking at the number of back rows in the senior team and academy, I’d say a fair few academy players will get game time

Scottmactom

Wegians89 wrote: »

Looking at the number of back rows in the senior team and academy, I’d say a fair few academy players will get game time

Dunne & Booth you'd assume are in line for a good amount.

the rest are very young.

connachta

Booth is 20

We still need an experienced 8

connachta

Eagles team assuming none unavailable to play with senior squad


Matthew Burke (23)
Jordan Duggan (22)

Dylan Tierney-Martin (21)
Declan Adamson (21)

Jack Aungier (21)
Conor Kenny (24)

Oisin Dowling (23)
Niall Murray (20)
Cian Prendergast (20)

Sean Masterson (22)
Ciaran Booth (20)
Joshua Dunne (20)
Oisin McCormack (19)

Stephen Kerins (24)
Colm Reilly (21)

Conor Dean (22)
Cathal Forde (19)

Shane Jennings (19)
Sean O'Brien (22)

Peter Sullivan (22)
Colm de Buitléar (22)
Oran McNulty (20)

n°23 : TBA (probably T.Daly as he might need gametime and covers 10 to 14)

Lucas44

connachta wrote: »

Eagles team assuming none unavailable to play with senior squad


Matthew Burke (23)
Jordan Duggan (22)

Dylan Tierney-Martin (21)
Declan Adamson (21)

Jack Aungier (21)
Conor Kenny (24)

Oisin Dowling (23)
Niall Murray (20)
Cian Prendergast (20)

Sean Masterson (22)
Ciaran Booth (20)
Joshua Dunne (20)
Oisin McCormack (19)

Stephen Kerins (24)
Colm Reilly (21)

Conor Dean (22)
Cathal Forde (19)

Shane Jennings (19)
Sean O'Brien (22)

Peter Sullivan (22)
Colm de Buitléar (22)
Oran McNulty (20)

n°23 : TBA (probably T.Daly as he might need gametime and covers 10 to 14)

Kenny’s a better player than aungier, would have mcnulty at fb over debuitlear who imo was very lucky to be kept on

connachta

Lucas44 wrote: »

Kenny’s a better player than aungier, would have mcnulty at fb over debuitlear who imo was very lucky to be kept on

DeBuitlear and McNulty are both in the main 15 above

JJJackal

It will be interesting to see if we get a few more players when rugby returns. You would imagine it will be one of the last sports to kick back.

I agree that its unfortunate we let so many go and had no signed any (Munster were lucky)

FACECUTTR

JJJackal wrote: »

It will be interesting to see if we get a few more players when rugby returns. You would imagine it will be one of the last sports to kick back.

I agree that its unfortunate we let so many go and had no signed any (Munster were lucky)

Wont be lucky when the wage bill for the 2 Saffers comes in. Paying premium rate when others wont cost as much since the covid impacted. Still 2 excellent signings though.

JJJackal

FACECUTTR wrote: »

Wont be lucky when the wage bill for the 2 Saffers comes in. Paying premium rate when others wont cost as much since the covid impacted. Still 2 excellent signings though.

No doubt about that at all. You would wonder if Munster (rather than a benefactor) are paying all their wages though?