Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

I've been hyping this year's u20s as a potential "golden generation" for a couple of years now and I think they showed up really well in the 6Ns.

Eoin de Buitléar (Hooker)(1 start/4 sub apps, 2 tries) - Did a decent job I thought, especially given he was probably 4th choice hooker if Lee Barron and Tom Stewart were fit. Physical in the tight exchanges both with and without the ball, but his lineout throwing is a ways off the required standard currently. Heading into his second year in the academy, will struggle for significant senior gametime for the foreseeable future as we are stacked at hooker and you'd imagine any development minutes will go to Tierney-Martin

Donnacha Byrne (Backrow)(2 starts/2 sub apps) - Nothing too flashy, good solid player who is well at home in the physical exchanges. Worked extremely hard throughout, got through plenty of work. Has played 8 in the past for the Eagles but seems like more of a 6 to me. Also heading into his second year in the academy. With only 7 senior backrows contracted for next season, the academy may have to pick up some of the slack. I'd imagine Byrne would be in pole position to cover 6 or 8.

Oisin McCormack (Backrow)(4 starts) - A good innings at openside throughout the tournament. Good skills, robust in contact, and a decent turn of pace. A nuisance at the breakdown without getting many steals. Next season will be his final one in the academy. Will likely fancy his chances at making an impact on the first team sooner rather than later, as there isn't a huge amount of depth at 7 ahead of him. He does have Ciaran Booth to contend with, who is one year older, but a year behind in the academy programme. It's hard to get a read on Booth as he hasn't been seen much since getting injured for the Irish u20s a couple of years ago.

Cathal Forde (Centre)(4 starts/1 sub app, 1 try) - Ireland's standout back throughout the tournament in my opinion. All of his starts came at centre but he did cover outhalf off the bench. Previously I had been impressed more by his skills, especially range of passing, but he played a much more direct role here. Does the simple things extremely well; carries hard, passes well, straightens the line, fights through contact. Also an intelligent and aggressive defender. Is academy year 2 next year, but I would like to see him involved with the first team this coming season. It will be interesting to see if he gets the call should Fitzgerald and Carty be unavailable, or if we go with Daly/Hansen. Hard to see where the minutes will come from at centre as we are stacked, although as a playmaking 12 he could offer something completely different that we have not had since Ronaldson.

Shane Jennings (Centre)(4 starts, 1 try) - Although three of his 4 starts came at centre, I thought he looked more at home when on the wing. As naturally talented with ball in hand as any player that will ever come through the Connacht system, he has excellent pace, agility, balance, hands, and an attacking kicking game. Unfortunately the Irish outside backs didn't get the ball in space very often throughout the tournament, but any time he did he looked absolutely electric. Defensively, he's not the finished product yet and has a habit of tackling with his arms. As he embarks upon his final year in the academy, I would love to see him get gametime on the wing to ease him into senior rugby. Didn't do Garry Ringrose any harm.

Worth pointing out that Darragh Murray pulled out before the tournament due to injury, and is another prospect to keep an eye on.

Denis looks like he's roaring to be back!

Leicester and Stade Français

Unfortunately that seems a big assumption at this stage. Certainly won’t be someone of the calibre of Buckley.

Relax.

Exactly

I has forgotten about McGrath to be honest but it doesn’t really change much, can’t be expecting much from him in his first full professional season of rugby.

There’s no one at Connacht right now who fits the profile of starting loose head, losing Buckley and bringing no one in (McGrath was a depth signing done already I believe) is terrible. Leaves Connacht way too short, even more so in a season with four top saffer teams joining & champions cup rugby, will be exposed quickly.

Connachta making very fair points here about a massive issue. No need to pick on them.

Would you be relaxed if you were going into the season with Jordan Duggan and Matthew Burke as your looseheads? Duggan was decent last season and has potential but also some glaring weaknesses to his game. Burke is decent depth but nothing more, certainly he's far off European level.

I said relax because I think Connacht will sign someone. Now whether that player will be at Buckley's level is the question.

Alex Wootton's move came quite late in the off-season.

If by this time next month Connacht haven't signed someone, you can be concerned.

From a Munster perspective, I'd look at Connacht as an opportunity for LOC or Loughman.

Loughman would be great, although I'd imagine he's happy enough at Munster. He'd back himself as the second best loosehead in the squad and Kilcoyne is 32 now. I know there's some decent young players there but I don't think they are such obvious prospects that Loughman would be seeing the writing on the wall. Liam O'Connor is imo the one who is more likely to be feeling the squeeze, and although he has less experience than I'd like, I definitely wouldn't turn my nose up at him.

Dooley would make a lot of sense.

Porter I think will be switching to LH next season with Alaalatoa (1st choice TH for the Crusaders) coming in.

So Porter, Healy and Byrne will all be ahead of him.

Experienced operator at Pro14 level and could definitely do a job in Europe. Wouldn't do his Ireland ambitions any harm to be playing 1st team rugby too.

Could be beneficial for both parties.

Sometimes guys step up when given the opportunity. I'm comfortable with Duggan as first choice. It's probably a bit sooner than we would like but based on last season he looks like he can step up. Buckley finished the season well but for most of it he was a good bit off where we have come to expect.

I wouldn't say no to loughman or Dooley but both are fairly unlikely imo