Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

briandebum

briandebum wrote: »

From Murray Kinsella on twitter:

Connacht confirm list of departing players this summer:

Conor Dean
Colm de Buitlear
Cillian Gallagher
Conor Kenny
Stephen Kerins
Paddy McAllister
Quinn Roux
Sean O’Brien
Stephen Fitzgerald

2 from Sligo there along with O'Donnell a few years back, pity.

KBurke85

realhorrorshow wrote: »

Such a shame to see two of our most promising u20 internationals of the past 10 years quietly leaving the province. Hopefully they, and any young players we release, can get minutes under their belts and potentially return some day.

Squad depth is now looking incredibly shallow at loosehead, tighthead, tighthead lock, and outhalf. The other positions are nicely stocked imo.

Tom Daly and the new signing Hansen can both cover out half so we re not to bad there

Burkie1203

KBurke85 wrote: »

Tom Daly and the new signing Hansen can both cover out half so we re not to bad there

Can any of the centres cover 11 14 or 15?

macslash

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Can any of the centres cover 11 14 or 15?

I think Hansen has and I read over the weekend that Bolton can too.

ClanofLams

Sam Arnold can play wing. Oran McNulty getting promoted too can play fb or wing. Back three should be ok. *will regret this when 8 back three players get injured next season simultaneously*

macslash

ClanofLams wrote: »

Sam Arnold can play wing. Oran McNulty getting promoted too can play fb or wing. Back three should be ok. *will regret this when 8 back three players get injured next season simultaneously*

Yeah I think once Bolton comes through we're fairly well stacked in the backs. A few, even one more prop is needed. We have a wealth of backrow cover in the academy.

What side does Charlie Ward play?

Lost Ormond

macslash wrote: »

Yeah I think once Bolton comes through we're fairly well stacked in the backs. A few, even one more prop is needed. We have a wealth of backrow cover in the academy.

What side does Charlie Ward play?

Loose but can play TH as well

FACECUTTR

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Can any of the centres cover 11 14 or 15?

Ben O'Donnell I believe has played centre and of course wing.

Number 137

Anyone know what is happening with Joshua Dunne? He is the only final year academy player not confirmed as leaving or signing a senior contract?

ClanofLams

Independent confirms Bolton signing and that another prop being looked for.


https://m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-rugby/connacht-to-sign-irish-qualified-south-african-centre-shayne-bolton-for-2021-22-season-40515888.html

Utopia Parkway

ClanofLams wrote: »

Independent confirms Bolton signing and that another prop being looked for.


https://m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-rugby/connacht-to-sign-irish-qualified-south-african-centre-shayne-bolton-for-2021-22-season-40515888.html

Bolton looks like a big powerful unit. Some serious options in the centre even with SOB departing.

They pretty much have to get a Buckley replacement in so hopefully the budget has been stretched for them to get a decent player for that spot.

realhorrorshow

Number 137 wrote: »

Anyone know what is happening with Joshua Dunne? He is the only final year academy player not confirmed as leaving or signing a senior contract?

I wonder will he get a chance to repeat year 3 or a Dev deal, he is still very young due to going into the academy as an 18 year old.

realhorrorshow

Loosehead

Denis Buckley (31) - Signed contract in 2021
Matthew Burke (24) - Signed contract in 2021
Jordan Duggan (23) - Signed contract in 2021

Charlie Ward (21) - Academy year 1

Tighthead

Jack Aungier (22) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Finlay Bealham (30) - Signed contract in 2021
Dominic Robertson-McCoy (27) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020

Hooker

Shane Delahunt (27) - Signed contract in 2021
Dave Heffernan (30) - Signed contract in 2021
Jonny Murphy (29) - Signed contract in 2021
Dylan Tierney-Martin (22) - Signed contract in 2021

Declan Adamson (22) - Academy year 2
Eoin De Buitléar (u21) - Academy year 1

Lock

Ultan Dillane (27) - Signed contract in 2021
Oisin Dowling (24) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Leva Fifita (32) - Signed contract in 2021
Niall Murray (21) - Signed contract in 2021
Gavin Thornbury (27) - Signed contract in 2021

Darragh Murray (u21) - Academy year 1

Back row

Paul Boyle (24) - Signed contract in 2021
Jarrad Butler (30) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Eoghan Masterson (28) - Signed contract in 2021
Sean Masterson (23) - Signed contract in 2021
Sean O'Brien (26) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Conor Oliver (25) - Signed contract in 2021
Abraham Papali’i (28) - Signed contract in 2021
Cian Prendergast (21) - Signed contract in 2021

Ciaran Booth (21) - Academy year 1
Donnacha Byrne (u21) - Academy year 1
Hubert Costello (u21) - Academy year 1
Joshua Dunne (21) - Academy year 3
Oisin McCormack (20) - Academy year 2

Scrumhalf

Caolin Blade (27) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Kieran Marmion (29) - Signed 3 year contract in 2020
Colm Reilly (22) - Signed contract in 2021

Outhalf

Jack Carty (29) - Signed contract in 2021
Conor Fitzgerald (23) - Signed contract in 2021

Cathal Forde (20) - Academy year 1

Centre

Bundee Aki (31) - Signed 3 year central contract in 2020
Sammy Arnold (25) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Tom Daly (28) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Tom Farrell (27) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Peter Robb (27) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020

Shane Jennings (20) - Academy year 2

Back 3

Mack Hansen (23) - Signed 2 year contract in 2021
Matt Healy (32) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
Oran McNulty (21) - Signed contract in 2021
Ben O'Donnell (26) - Signed contract in 2020
Tiernan O'Halloran (30) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020
John Porch (27) - Signed contract in 2021
Peter Sullivan (23) - Signed contract in 2021
Alex Wootton (27) - Signed contract in 2021

Diarmuid Kilgallen (21) - Academy year 1

IN: Leva Fifita (Lock, Grenoble), Mack Hansen (Back 3, Brumbies)
OUT: Paddy McAllister (Loosehead, retiring), Conor Kenny (Tighthead, TBC), Cillian Gallagher (lock, TBC), Quinn Roux (Lock, TBC), Stephen Kerins (Scrumhalf, TBC), Conor Dean (Outhalf, TBC), Sean O'Brien** (Centre, Exeter), Colm de Buitléar** (back 3, TBC), Stephen Fitzgerald (Back 3, retiring)

*ages as at 01/09/2021
**academy player

dregin

SOB is only in the academy?! Mad. Very good player.

connachta

Ward is considered, like Conan, just about tall/big enough for LH, won't play pro TH.
Careful to the O'Donnell syndrom

We need ambi-prop IMO

connachta

The guy is a gem. A joy to watch. He'll be even more complete than Bundee

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=200267398080487

Big coup

Former Former Former

connachta wrote: »

The guy is a gem. A joy to watch. He'll be even more complete than Bundee

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=200267398080487

Big coup

The guy has never played a game of professional rugby. I think you may be getting a little too excited

connachta

Former Former Former wrote: »

The guy has never played a game of professional rugby. I think you may be getting a little too excited

We'll see.
Big Papa has a tackling default but was as expected
I expect wayyy more from what I see here


love 95K 1m90 centres, right balence in modern rugby

Steps and physicality, too

thomond2006

Former Former Former wrote: »

The guy has never played a game of professional rugby. I think you may be getting a little too excited

Nah, he's definitely a mixture of Nonu, Conrad Smith and BOD.

ClanofLams

https://twitter.com/masterofnonepod/status/1402379967309230080?s=21

Don’t know who does this podcast but a few Connacht players have been on it so would be surprised if they were posting bullsh*t.

ClanofLams

ClanofLams wrote: »

https://twitter.com/masterofnonepod/status/1402379967309230080?s=21

Don’t know who does this podcast but a few Connacht players have been on it so would be surprised if they were posting bullsh*t.

To be honest, he could add a lot, if he comes with a point to prove, hell be an addition,

Queue a scrum against munster inside our 22, 76 mins on the clock,

Burkie1203

connachta wrote: »

The guy is a gem. A joy to watch. He'll be even more complete than Bundee

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=200267398080487

Big coup

Eh

.
.
.
.

connachta wrote: »

"Buckley is injured, you need 200K, you won't have that, you have to cancel Bolton, just like you cancel Reece"

FACECUTTR

ClanofLams wrote: »

https://twitter.com/masterofnonepod/status/1402379967309230080?s=21

Don’t know who does this podcast but a few Connacht players have been on it so would be surprised if they were posting bullsh*t.

I think he will be a great addition if true. He has that bit of abrasiveness and has had his best season in years.

SqueakyKneecap

After the Weise stuff I won't believe it till the Connacht press release announces it

thomond2006

Cronin would be a fantastic pickup, particularly given the timing of Buckley's injury. He's vastly experienced and could have another 3-4 seasons in him.

arsebiscuits1

It's still extremely weird to me that Buckley is actually older than Cronin.

In my head Cronin is the weathered older pro and Buckley is still the young up and comer ha

ShineyShiney

Cronin would be a great signing, he's had his best run of form ever in the last few months. Nice bit of dog in him and would be a real asset in maul defence.

Imo he's not far away from Irish squad call up over the last 3 months on form. I'd have him ahead of Byrne, dooley and o Sullivan. Silimar standard to Buckley, Buckley is a better scrumager but

sydthebeat

ShineyShiney wrote: »

Cronin would be a great signing, he's had his best run of form ever in the last few months. Nice bit of dog in him and would be a real asset in maul defence.

Imo he's not far away from Irish squad call up over the last 3 months on form. I'd have him ahead of Byrne, dooley and o Sullivan. Silimar standard to Buckley, Buckley is a better scrumager but

Buckley is NOT a better scrummager than Cronin

its actually one of Buckleys weaker points and ill posit that its the main reason he hasnt been capped yet.

connachta

thomond2006 wrote: »

Nah, he's definitely a mixture of Nonu, Conrad Smith and BOD.

He is. See you in 2 years

connachta

Closing to the final one

connachta wrote: »

Position |1st | 2nd |3rd |4th
LH Prop | Cronin |Duggan| M.Burke| Buckley/Ward
Hooker |Heffernan |Delahunt| Tierney-Martin | Murphy/Adamson/E.deBuitlear
TH Prop |Bealham | Aungier | McCoy | New Academy?
n°4 2nd Row |Dillane | Fifita |Dowling | Masterson
n°5 2nd Row |Thornbury| Murray| Prendergast | Murray 2.0
Blindside Flanker |Prendergast |E.Masterson | SOB| Boyle
Openside Flanker |Butler |Oliver |S.Masterson | McCormark/Booth
n°8 | Boyle | Butler | Papali'i | D.Byrne/One of Mastersons
SH | Marmion | Blade |Reilly | Academy newcomer
OH |Carty |Fitzgerald | Hansen | Daly/C.Forde
11| Wootton |Healy| McNulty| Kilgallen
Inside Centre |Aki |Daly |Robb| Jennings
Outside Centre |Farrell | Bolton |Arnold | Aki/C.Forde
14 | O'Donnell |Hansen|Sullivan| Porch
15 | Porch |TOH|McNulty| Wootton

43 Senior, 24 forwads, 19 backs