Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

Boyle is injured.

Reilly has barely played all year why pick both blade and Marmion? Jennings out for the season. Would play Sullivan and give porch the day off and give booth a run out over sean masterson

Was thinking today about Matt Healy retiring at 33. I know he's had injury problems but it's not a crazy age for a back to retire (let's leave that maniac JS aside). But Bundee will be 33 when his central contract expires at the end of next year - what will happen? Will he stay in Galway or is the family draw back to NZ too strong? Two of his kids were born here, and he's such an icon for the club. I'd love to see him stay on at Connacht in some capacity after his playing career ends.

I agree that we need to prep either Reilly or Devine to step up to the no. 2 scrum half spot, find it hard to imagine both Marmion and Blade staying past next season.

Can't think of a single reason to pick Sullivan, surely if we're giving out development minutes they should go to McNulty or Kilgallen?

would play mcnulty at 15, kilgallen tore his hamstring for galweigans in their relegation playoff so I’d give Sullivan a run as he’s heading off or Ben Odonnell. No benefit playing toh, Mack, porch or wooton as they’ve all played plenty

Who understands the rhyme and reason behind the central contracts at this point. Murray, POM, Healy - none of them should have been renewed IMO. I wonder if Ireland shouldn't move to an English model of paying internationals a per game fee, still waiting to hear the argument why that wouldn't serve us better. Anyway, Bundee could get an extension, even if it's just a year.

Do you know how/if the player tax scheme would apply to him - could it be in his financial interest to finish out his career here?

In his case, it would be worth it for Connacht to dig extra deep to hold onto him; he's been the centre of excitement around the province for years now. Ironically he's appears for us less and less, and his performances of late have been iffy, but still he's Bundee. He's the man :)

Lsdrugbyfan is a very constructive poster who is not here, in my view, just to stir up supporters of other provinces. He will undoubtedly be able to explain the reasons behind his belief about Bundee.

TVPC, people have regularly accused you of being a troll, and I've never paid any heed to it.

Thats a good point about moving to a match fee. Central contracts or not players get their minutes managed once they enter the Ireland set up so the provinces suffer and still have to pay the full wage from their budget.

That's fair, I didn't realise Kilgallen was injured, cheers.

That's a 'stern papa' selection from AF, should make short work of Zebre. Very pleased that DTM starts, interesting to see Prendergast at 8. Sean Masterson has played almost no rugby this year, so will be good to see what he offers at 7. In the backs, I approve of McNulty at 15, a position where we need to be looking forward.

This isn't the best opposition against whom to be advertising their wares, but still hope Murray and Thornbury put in the kind of display that makes Farrell consdier them as candidates for the NZ tour. Gavin has been very unlucky with how his recovery dragged on at a moment when Ireland really needs some extra locks and public attention is focusing on rookies to fill the gap.

What was wrong with Zebra try? The guy caught it.

Thanks, hadn't seen that before.

is this on tv ? thanks