Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

I'm less and less inclined to read the provincial threads, even the Connacht one, because of stupid provincial sniping like this. There are a couple of posters for every province who post drivel, ignore them - it's simple.

It's also why I very rarely if ever check look at the Ireland thread at all these days.

They are absolutely stockpiled, whether they produced them or not. The central contract system is a way of financially doping primarily Leinster but also to a lesser degree munster (Murray on a central contract? Nonsense!). Leinster are already at a huge advantage due to their larger population and greater commercial revenues when you then pay for huge swathes of their players from a central fund you end up with a situation where one team can sustain a much higher calibre squad than anyone else in the league.

You're right that this isn't a problem for the IRFU or Leinster, just the other 3 teams and their fans. Once they can post their #TeamOfUs nonsense and the Aviva is full for internationals then they are doing their job.

If the central contracts were distributed evenly across the provinces that would allow the other provinces fairer access to central funds. Leinster would still be the richest team in the league, and if they could convince all of the players they produce to sign and stay within their budget then more power to them. If Connacht could have the wages of Carty, Marion, Hansen and Bealham covered that would leave us able to go out and secure higher quality NIQ players which would make us more competitive without adversely effecting Leinster at all.

The current system is working exactly how it was intended to, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't look to change it. Having more competitive teams in the league makes it a more attractive option for broadcasters and fans alike, but would be a threat to Leinsters hegemony so won't happen.

I'd have Mack over Earls and Marmion over Murray every day of the week (on current ability), so it would seem your real issue is having "inferior players" subsidised for playing for connacht....which is telling.

That was purely using the current squads though, if central contracts were evenly spread you would almost certainly see more movement of players. This has happened before for a player on a central contract to move province....but that was someone moving from a "lesser" province to Leinster so that's OK.

The reason Leinster and Munster fans get so offended by the thought of changing the system is that it is currently so heavily weighted in their favour that having it made a bit more equitable (they would still have more money) is a real threat to them.

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While it would be great to make Connacht stronger, the central contract system is there for the benefit of the national team, not any or all of the provinces.

IRFU are not going to mess with anything that has even a minor chance of impacting the national team.

Josh Murphy would be a serious addition...

Would like Alex Sorka as well... If they want to call it a long term loan (i.e. 2-3 year) then I am happy with that... Sorka will hardly play 100 min of 1st team Rugby in 2 years... Connacht are giving out minutes... Sorka was rated higher than Cian Pendergast at underage...

A lot of nonsense has been spouted in the last couple of pages, but this I agree with - Josh Murphy is going to be great :)

As Connacht fans, we're disappointed by Saturday, and naturally the string of tight recent defeats compounds that, even if the circumstances were not the same and the performances overall were much better. But let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater here. We're going places, and a lot of players have really developed and are coming into their own over the last eighteen months: Murray, Oliver, Prendergast, Dowling, Burke, and of course Mack Hansen.

We've been unlucky with some of our departures, and Fifita for Roux is not a reasonable replacement. Now we lose Dillane as well. This is a real equity issue which the IRFU should respond to by bringing in an international level lock, we've just lost two of them, it's not an unreasonable ask. The only reservation I'd have is whether it's where the money would be best spent from Connacht's POV, as I like the three senior locks we have (I bring Thornbury's name up enough) although I guess three isn't enough (let's hope Darragh Murray gets back and develops like his brother).

The calls to cut away Leinster's legs are ridiculous and frankly spiteful. But some modification to the central contracts system should be made. The Murray contract shows me that it's not been used in line with the official theory, and there should be discussion as to whether it is the mechanism best designed to serve the national team. It may be that a move to the English approach of per-appearance payments is better, because of its emphasis on form. Or maybe a hybrid model, where the IRFU kicks in some salary money up front and pays for appearances as well.

Alternatively, if we want to shift to incorporating a clear policy of provincial subsidy, then there could me a maximum and minimum number of central contracts per province, so that there is both an equity and a performance component.

Lastly, let's bear in mind that the changes to the fixture list mean that players from other provinces will choose themselves to seek opportunities in Connacht. The talk about drafting, i.e. forcing moves, is ridiculous. As the principal Irish pipeline, some of our recruits will certainly be Leinster Academy graduates. But others will be from other provinces, or the underage system. It's worth noting that two of our most successful Irish additions in recent years came from Munster, i.e. Oliver and Wooton (Arnold too, this season). But ambitious players across the country who don't feel they're getting the right chances will be considering how a move to Galway might work for them. The future is bright.

This is a great signing for Connacht, Josh himself and the IRFU. He is going to play week in week out. I'd class him as a replacement for Roux as the Fifita signing hasn't seemed to work out. We could do with another lock and and a specialist 8 and maybe a hooker. I say hooker as there's no competition there. They just alternate between Heff and Delahunt and I think they need a kick in the ass to motivate them.

I don't really understand the need for other provincial supporters to steam into this thread and react to every post after a hugely disappointing loss. Sure there are some over reactions but it's the same when their teams lose a game, it would never dawn on me to go in those threads and react to the more extreme posts. It's the same with booing, oh jesus a team losing at home is booing decisions undeservedly, yeah that's what happens..... It doesn't happen to Leinster much because they don't lose at home much but when they do (eg that comes to mind is Scarlets in pro12 semi a few years back) there is plenty of booing.

I wonder will Eoghan Masterson be retained, seems to me that Murphy may fill his current role.

Even though I think Murphy is a 4/6 and our greater need is at 5 & 8, I'm very happy with his signing. Provides a high quality alternative to Prendergast, who I have been a tad concerned about us burning out given his age, our reliance on him at the lineout and in the loose, and his abrasive style.

Murphy is a good signing I feel. He's a good player. Has played well for Leinster whenever he's got a chance. He's just behind a load of top internationals there. Has a bit of size and physicality as well.

I wouldnt let Butler go. Think youre bit unfair saying hes average at best.

Murphy gives Connacht a ball carrying option. He's a good all round player and he's a similar type player to SOB. The Connacht SOB. Connacht will be a better squad with his addition.