Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

SqueakyKneecap · 26-12-2021 12:51am

Big Papa news confirmed so I can finally mention what I was told a few weeks back:

Connacht allegedly knew of the interest around September/Octoberish and from all accounts made no real offer considering how risky it would be to retain him. The feeling was that one more red card would be punished fairly severely to set an example and his tackling hadn't improved enough to negate this anxiety. Obviously I wish him and his family the best of luck in France and he is a very popular player despite his brief stay.

For what it's worth same source mentioned Robb is not going to be offered another contract unfortunately. Not sure how true this is but the source is solid.

El_Duderino 09 · 26-12-2021 1:53am

FACECUTTR · 26-12-2021 1:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118373376#Comment_118373376

Do you know if he will be replaced by someone within the other provinces or are they looking abroad for an 8 ? It's a pity about Robb as he was decent when he was fit but that was not much. Wouldn't be surprised if someone else pick him up. Look at how Tom Daly got on after a move.

Dubinusa · 26-12-2021 4:00pm

Robb is the lad that couldn't catch a break. Talented and physical but, very injury prone. Connacht have had bad luck recently with players being mangled. Stephen Fitzgerald being an obvious one.

It would be difficult to see any side take a risk on a player like Robb! He has no real history of longevity. His career has been stop/start for years. It's a shame.

connachta · 26-12-2021 6:14pm

We may trust Forde and focus on 8/4/5

Fiita'a may be released too

We have IQ options of his level and Papa's level

I'd bet, like we did with Tom Farrell at the time, on low-money but decent options for guys who're not starters

Ryan (n°8) from Ampthill seems on the upward curve, and Bradshaw-Ryan (2nd row) is doing the job in physical prod2

That leaves money and NIQ spot to recruit the big marquee lock we need for Dillane spot

UAEguy2020 · 26-12-2021 7:22pm

I would rather Connacht focus on bring in 1 or 2 marquee players than 4 or 5 good players but ultimately no more than good URC/CC level players. Connacht have some really quality up and coming players like Oisin McCormack & Darragh Murray plus guys in the senior squad like Sam Illo, Niall Murray, Cian Prendergast, if Connacht could bring in a quality player or 2 in the pack for these players to learn off it could be very useful longterm.

connachta · 27-12-2021 1:27pm

Connacht team abroad

1) Carey (Northampton/Perpignan/Worcester)

2) Tadgh McElroy (ex academy on short-term, London Irish/Brstol)

3) AhYou (Vannes/Newcastle)

4) Roux (Toulon)

5) Dillane (LaRochelle)

6) Heenan (Bristol)

7) Fainga'a (Lyon)

8) Papali'i (Brive)

9) Kerrins (Ealing/Bristol)

10) McGinty (Sale/Bristol)

11) Adeolokun (Bristol)

12) O'Brien (Exeter)

13) Akhi (Toulouse)

14) Arnold (Brive)

15) Kelleher (Ealing)

Hell of a decent team. For those saying Connacht don't produce/improve players wanted elsewhere after their passage in the West

28-12-2021 1:34am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118377582#Comment_118377582

half decent, but our Team would still beat them,

connachta · 28-12-2021 11:41am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118380478#Comment_118380478

With Thornbury, Boyle, and Daly/Farrell back, I do think so

if not, it would be a 50/50

connachta · 28-12-2021 4:09pm

Mix of reasonably bad news : no Blade this week-end, Tierney-Martin (and Robb) not making it, long-term injury again

and good news : Hansen, Boyle massive boosts now, Daly/Thornbury/Buckley maybe for Stade Français!

connachta · 28-12-2021 4:24pm

1) Duggan

2) Heff

3) Bealham

4) Fifita'a (scrum stabilizer)

5) Murray

6) Prendergast

7) Oliver (on fire vs ex-club)

8) Butler

9) Marms

10) Carty (if fit)

11) Hansen

14) Ben O'Donnell

15) Porch

12) Aki

13) Farrell

16) Delahunt

17) Tuimauga

18) Aungier

19) Dillane

20) Papali'i

21) Reilly

22) Fitz

23) Wootton

connachta · 28-12-2021 4:40pm

With DTM and Murphy yet to start, I wonder if we'd be better to release both, trust Adamson as 4th choice and enlist IQ Declan Moore to prepare Heff retirement

realhorrorshow · 28-12-2021 5:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118382173#Comment_118382173

Would be surprised to see Adamson get a senior deal from what I've seen. Heffernan is 30 he's a while away from retiring yet.

realhorrorshow · 29-12-2021 2:25pm

Loosehead

Denis Buckley (32) - Signed contract in 2021

Matthew Burke (25) - Signed contract in 2021

Jordan Duggan (24) - Signed contract in 2021

Tietie Tuimauga (28) - Signed contract in 2021

Charlie Ward (22) - Academy year 2

Tighthead

Jack Aungier (23) - Signed contract in 2022

Finlay Bealham (31) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Sam Illo (21) - Signed 2 year contract in 2021

Greg McGrath (25) - Signed contract in 2021

Dominic Robertson-McCoy (28) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020

Hooker

Shane Delahunt (28) - Signed contract in 2021

Dave Heffernan (31) - Signed contract in 2021

Jonny Murphy (30) - Signed contract in 2021

Dylan Tierney-Martin (23) - Signed contract in 2021

Declan Adamson (23) - Academy year 3

Eoin De Buitléar (20) - Academy year 2

Lock

Oisin Dowling (25) - Signed contract in 2022

Leva Fifita (33) - Signed contract in 2021

Niall Murray (22) - Signed contract in 2021

Gavin Thornbury (28) - Signed contract in 2021

Darragh Murray (21) - Academy year 2

Back row

Paul Boyle (25) - Signed contract in 2021

Jarrad Butler (31) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020

Eoghan Masterson (29) - Signed contract in 2021

Sean Masterson (24) - Signed contract in 2021

Conor Oliver (26) - Signed contract in 2021

Cian Prendergast (22) - Signed contract in 2021

Ciaran Booth (22) - Academy year 2

Donnacha Byrne (21) - Academy year 2

Oisin McCormack (21) - Academy year 3

Scrumhalf

Caolin Blade (28) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020

Kieran Marmion (30) - Signed 3 year contract in 2020

Colm Reilly (23) - Signed contract in 2021

Will Reilly (u22) - Academy year 1

Outhalf

Jack Carty (30) - Signed 3 year contract in 2022

Conor Fitzgerald (24) - Signed contract in 2021

Centre

Bundee Aki (32) - Signed 3 year central contract in 2020

Shayne Bolton (22) - Signed contract in 2021

Tom Daly (29) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Tom Farrell (28) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020

Peter Robb (28) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020

Cathal Forde (20) - Academy year 2

Shane Jennings (21) - Academy year 3

Back 3

Mack Hansen (24) - Signed 2 year contract in 2021

Matt Healy (33) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020

Oran McNulty (22) - Signed contract in 2021

Ben O'Donnell (27) - Signed contract in 2020

Tiernan O'Halloran (31) - Signed 2 year contract in 2020

John Porch (28) - Signed contract in 2021

Peter Sullivan (24) - Signed contract in 2021

Alex Wootton (28) - Signed contract in 2021

Diarmuid Kilgallen (22) - Academy year 2

Josh O'Connor (21) - Academy year 1

IN:

OUT: Ultan Dillane (Lock, La Rochelle), Abraham Papali'i (Back row, Brive), Sammy Arnold (Centre, Brive)

*ages as at 01/09/2022

connachta · 29-12-2021 5:17pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118386084#Comment_118386084

Maybe you can add Gilvarry

Wegians89 · 29-12-2021 10:18pm

Would like to see something like:

duggan heff Bealham

dowling Murray

prendergast butler Oliver

marmion fitz

bundee Bolton

wootton Mack porch

delahunt Burke aungier fafita papalii Reilly forde kilgallen

connachta · 29-12-2021 11:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118388224#Comment_118388224

Why not Farrell?

Supposed to be fit last week,..

Wegians89 · 30-12-2021 12:22am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118388543#Comment_118388543

Had forgotten about him, Would start him and move Bolton to 23

RonnieL · 30-12-2021 1:53am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118382098#Comment_118382098

From that 23 I'd have Dillane and Wooten start instead of Fifita'a and BOD (who I think hasn't shown anywhere near enough in the games he's played). Apart from those changes, it's a good squad - big IF being Jack's availability. Conor obviously starts if he doesn't make it, with Cathal Forde on the bench presumably. I just hope it goes ahead.

realhorrorshow · 30-12-2021 11:39am

Not looking like a strong crop for us at u20 this year unfortunately, disappointing after a bit of golden generation last season. No representation in the 23 Vs Munster dev, and only Matthew Devine (scrumhalf) in and around the squad.

Lsdrugbyfan · 30-12-2021 11:52am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118389995#Comment_118389995

will be recruiting heavily from leinster.. expect Ben Popplewell to end up at Connacht along with several others.

El_Duderino 09 · 30-12-2021 12:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118389995#Comment_118389995

There were a few in the Ireland u20 six nations team. In particular there was a red haired centre who played really well. Needed a lot of bulking up though.

starkid · 30-12-2021 12:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118375226#Comment_118375226

this mindset shows you how daft Irish rugby can be. lose a talented Irish lock and then want him replaced by a NIQ. Connacht and the IRFU need to get players to Connacht. Deegan, Penny, jack o sullivan. Granted, lock will be more difficult.

connachta · 30-12-2021 12:54pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118390283#Comment_118390283

agree, no option for lock, that's why

I've never ever called for a NIQ 8 to replace Papali'i next season, as Leinster's barred talents should move yeah

starkid · 30-12-2021 1:05pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118390358#Comment_118390358

yeah i mean its light for all the provinces in fairness. ok i take it back. i mean we want balance between the old days of being obviously development and having actual long term(ish) options. Dillane is a clear example of why players might be reluctant to go. dicked over by Ireland constantly and you wonder if he was with Munster would that be the case.

Pap should never have been signed in the first place. an utter waste of time for Irish rugby. i said it at the time, and Ben o´donnell the same.

The IRFU need to convince players that Connacht is an option for a long term career. Penny, Deegan and OŚullivan are talents Irish rugby cannot afford to waste. There was a load of options better than BOD as well.