Connacht Team Talk Thread V - The Friend Zone

connachta · 09-12-2018 5:10pm

Yeah not many Irish IQ, Heaney seems busy with Worcester, so the Reece NIQ spot should go there on a 2-month-contract, before Super rugby and Marmion come-back.

The IQ back-3, then.

My order of preference would be :

1) Adam Byrne (and sign him for next season, starved of gametime compared to his potential talent...)
2) Peter Lydon, a 15/10 who kicks very well, useful, played in France and England
3) Charlie Ingall (utility back) 29, so experienced, Newcstle, Wasps, Sale, London Scottish, nothing spectacular but good joker
4) Rory Parata, if not keen of a come-back, his team-mate Alex 0'Meara, a pure n°14
5) Sean Scanlon (Nottingham FB)

Wegians89 · 09-12-2018 7:47pm

The Friend Zone

Adam Byrne would be a great signing but don’t know if it’ll happen tbh

Richie_Rich89 · 09-12-2018 10:48pm

Mul, it's over

Ian Fitzpatrick from the 7s might be worth looking at. He was cut by Leinster after never getting a game in his four years in the academy. Tom Farrell never got an opportunity at Leinster and he's worked out pretty well.

Angus Lloyd as scrumhalf cover maybe?

stephen_n · 09-12-2018 11:31pm

Wegians89 wrote: »

Adam Byrne would be a great signing but don’t know if it’ll happen tbh

Great going forward, defensively suspect, perfect fit for a Connacht’s back three.

Wegians89 · 09-12-2018 11:37pm

The Friend Zone

Has stringer ever officially retired? He looks in better shape than most still playing the game

KBurke85 · 09-12-2018 11:59pm

The Friend Zone

Wegians89 wrote: »

Has stringer ever officially retired? He looks in better shape than most still playing the game

He’s busy with the dancing

Buer · 10-12-2018 12:58am

Byrne has started 4 of Leinster's last 5 games. He's getting a solid run of it right now.

connachta · 10-12-2018 2:38am

Buer wrote: »

Byrne has started 4 of Leinster's last 5 games. He's getting a solid run of it right now.

No. He does not play meaningful games. He will for Connacht, even more if we qualify for CC

its_phil · 10-12-2018 7:30am

Mul, it's over

connachta wrote: »

No. He does not play meaningful games. He will for Connacht, even more if we qualify for CC

There is zero guarantee of that when we have Niyi, Cian, Darragh and Matt all fit.

Former Former · 10-12-2018 10:08am

You've got a Friend in me

its_phil wrote: »

There is zero guarantee of that when we have Niyi, Cian, Darragh and Matt all fit.

Pretty much.

I don't think anyone knows how good Byrne really is but he's not nearly as good as we initially hoped. He's been rock bottom of the pecking order for a year now.

He'd have a better chance at Connacht but no way he'd be a guaranteed starter.

Mr Tickle · 10-12-2018 10:20am

Wegians89 wrote: »

Considering friend and nucifora have some sort of relationship and that marmion got injured on Irish duty surely someone should be brought in. Also saw a post saying de buitlear had a hamstring injury so looking for a back three makes sense. Hugh lane (u20) was pictured training with the seniors last week but he picked up an injury playing for galwegians this weekend too. Not saying he’s ready for senior rugby but he would have been back 3 option. Signing a back three player should be no issue for irfu as Reece’s spot is still there

It's a pity Munster got an extension for Mathewson. When he first started playing i remember thinking he looked like Blade turned all the way up to 11. It was around the time that Blade was taking all those quick tap penalties and Mathewson was throwing NFL style lineouts.

Wegians89 · 10-12-2018 10:42am

The Friend Zone

Mr Tickle wrote: »

It's a pity Munster got an extension for Mathewson. When he first started playing i remember thinking he looked like Blade turned all the way up to 11. It was around the time that Blade was taking all those quick tap penalties and Mathewson was throwing NFL style lineouts.

I was thinking that he could be an option. Forgot he got an extension. Signing a 9 could prove difficult especially if they have to be IQ as friend has said in an interview post match. If the academy lads think Colm Reilly has a chance of making it I’d nearly just introduce him early. I know 19 is pretty early for a scrum half but might be the only option.

Back three should be easy enough to pick up. A few players on the fringes of other provinces could take the opportunity to go on loan. I’d love Byrne to sign look term but he’s nowhere near guaranteed starter, and I doubt he’d leave Leinster to be second choice somewhere else. Stephen Fitzgerald could be an option. Don’t know if he’s injured but he hasn’t featured at all for Munster. He can play anywhere in back three and obviously Conor could have a good word with him. Calvin Nash might find a short term loan a good move to progress his career as could maybe Keenan. Shane Daly could also be an option think he coveres 13/14/15. Although I’d say the outside back will be niq as Reece was supposed to be there?

FACECUTTR · 10-12-2018 11:04am

Where's Nick Cummins these days ? Wouldn't mind him rocking up for a season or 2.

sydthebeat · 10-12-2018 11:36am

The Friend Zone

FACECUTTR wrote: »

Where's Nick Cummins these days ? Wouldn't mind him rocking up for a season or 2.

doing loads of TV work, including tourist TV and stuff for national geographic..... and im sure earning a nice wedge for it too

Zzippy · 10-12-2018 11:47am

stephen_n wrote: »

Great going forward, defensively suspect, perfect fit for a Connacht’s back three.

Careful now! :rolleyes:

FACECUTTR · 10-12-2018 11:48am

sydthebeat wrote: »

doing loads of TV work, including tourist TV and stuff for national geographic..... and im sure earning a nice wedge for it too

Probably a lot more than he earned in rugby.

connachta · 10-12-2018 3:43pm

https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/17288095.michael-heaney-signs-two-year-contract-at-worcester-warriors/

That's closing (was unlikely I noted) the only abroad IQ possibility IMO

Well there's also Charlie Mulchrone at Worcester. Not way more likely than Heaney though. Both are regular starters behind Care...

I'd go for :
NIQ SH on a 2-month-deal before Super Rugby
IQ back-three signed over for next season too (A.Byrne, Keenan, Lydon...)

KBurke85 · 10-12-2018 4:04pm

The Friend Zone

I imagine on a short term basis we're more likely to get one of the 5 scrum halves on Munster's books.

Dubinusa · 10-12-2018 4:26pm

Some Like It TOH

What happened to Conor McKeon? He's already contracted with Connacht.
Fitzgerald would be a decent pick up. He's not going anywhere with Munster. He's probably better moving elsewhere at this point as his career has stalled.
Scholes was in a similar situation and left.
I think we'll see some lads from the provinces leave. Peter Robb is buried down the depth chart and his career is stalled.
Some guys could leave for a year or two and come back with some meaningful game time under their belt.

KBurke85 · 10-12-2018 4:35pm

The Friend Zone

Dubinusa wrote: »

What happened to Conor McKeon? He's already contracted with Connacht.
Fitzgerald would be a decent pick up. He's not going anywhere with Munster. He's probably better moving elsewhere at this point as his career has stalled.
Scholes was in a similar situation and left.
I think we'll see some lads from the provinces leave. Peter Robb is buried down the depth chart and his career is stalled.
Some guys could leave for a year or two and come back with some meaningful game time under their belt.

McKeon is injured he dislocated his shoulder. Robb is also injured at the moment I believe.

Lebute · 10-12-2018 4:36pm

Dubinusa wrote: »

What happened to Conor McKeon? He's already contracted with Connacht.
Fitzgerald would be a decent pick up. He's not going anywhere with Munster. He's probably better moving elsewhere at this point as his career has stalled.
Scholes was in a similar situation and left.
I think we'll see some lads from the provinces leave. Peter Robb is buried down the depth chart and his career is stalled.
Some guys could leave for a year or two and come back with some meaningful game time under their belt.

In relation to Mckeon he picked up a shoulder injury and had surgery, he is on the long term injury list. Would have thought it would is an ideal time for Stephen Kerins to get a run who is year 3 of academy and has never featured. He is now playing with Shannon but seemingly is injured also.

b.gud · 10-12-2018 4:36pm

Dubinusa wrote: »

What happened to Conor McKeon? He's already contracted with Connacht.

He's injured and will be out for most of the season

connachta · 10-12-2018 4:50pm

Speaking about Munster, ex-Irish U20 Ryan Foley could be poached from Ealing too, he hasn't much gametime there..

Zzippy · 10-12-2018 5:33pm

If Munster can get an All Black 9 on a medical joker (now extended, surprise, surprise!) the IRFU can't really tell Connacht you have to sign someone IQ.

Burkie1203 · 10-12-2018 5:35pm

Mul, it's over

Zzippy wrote: »

If Munster can get an All Black 9 on a medical joker (now extended, surprise, surprise!) the IRFU can't really tell Connacht you have to sign someone IQ.

Absolutely spot on Zzippy
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IRFU should block any signing for Connacht

Squidgy Black · 10-12-2018 6:00pm

Zzippy wrote: »

If Munster can get an All Black 9 on a medical joker (now extended, surprise, surprise!) the IRFU can't really tell Connacht you have to sign someone IQ.

What about one of the Munster SHs as short term cover? James Hart is playing A team rugby and hasn't a hope of getting ahead of any of the 4 ahead of him, and is apparently looking to leave at the end of the season anyways.

Wegians89 · 10-12-2018 6:08pm

The Friend Zone

On the craggy rugby podcast it was mentioned that a player from Leinster who has played in the pro 14 already couldn’t make a short term switch? I think angle has played for both ulster and Leinster this year and did McCabe not get on the Connacht bench for a weekend before going back to Munster while he was in loan? Anyone know if players can play for two teams ?

If the rule is true getting in iq 9 and back three cover will be extremely difficult

stephen_n · 10-12-2018 6:08pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

What about one of the Munster SHs as short term cover? James Hart is playing A team rugby and hasn't a hope of getting ahead of any of the 4 ahead of him, and is apparently looking to leave at the end of the season anyways.

There is a good reason for that.

connachta · 10-12-2018 6:09pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

What about one of the Munster SHs as short term cover? James Hart is playing A team rugby and hasn't a hope of getting ahead of any of the 4 ahead of him, and is apparently looking to leave at the end of the season anyways.

In talk with Biarritz

The Lost Sheep · 10-12-2018 6:12pm

Wegians89 wrote: »

On the craggy rugby podcast it was mentioned that a player from Leinster who has played in the pro 14 already couldn’t make a short term switch? I think angle has played for both ulster and Leinster this year and did McCabe not get on the Connacht bench for a weekend before going back to Munster while he was in loan? Anyone know if players can play for two teams?

If the rule is true getting in iq 9 and back three cover will be extremely difficult

Google it... check pro14 website and regulations there?
Could be limits in terms of number of games played?

Connacht Team Talk Thread V - The Friend Zone

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