Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

Great article on Matt Healy.

Would love to see Hawkshaw and Bundee in the centre together when Bundee returns, as someone suggested above.

You've previously stated a preference for SHL over Oliver, I don't get it. Comments from the camp (see Wilkins and Butler this week) back that up, Oliver's performances are seen as what others should aim to emulate. If not injured, and with due regard for rotation, Oliver is our seven. He's not the biggest player but is similar size-wise to Scott Penny and Josh Van der Flier, and like them he brings disciplined aggression, work rate, and an ability in the carry that outweighs any loss of raw power.

After the first batch of games 13 points isn't a bad return from a tough set of fixtures. Maybe disappointed not to have a couple more bonus points from last night and leinster. Munster at home we had a free hit at it and took the option of ending the game.

Ultimately we need something in or around 50 points for Top 8. 37 points from 11 games is a tall order but at least its not totally unobtainable at this point which was my fear at the start of the season.

The positive from last night was we dug in at 12-0 and kept going despite blowing a number of opportunities. Ospreys were poor and really we shouldn't have opened the door for them at 22-12 but still it was vital we dug that one out.

The other positive id take is that the squad rotation has been relatively successful. Lots of players have got game time. Thats hopefully something we can benefit from down the line and it should also help with squad unity so there doesn't become and us v them mentality within the squad and that will hopefully allows us to balance the league with the challenge cup in the next batch of fixtures.

There's a lot of room for improvement I don't think there's been a game yet where we have performed to a high level in all areas but hopefully we'll use this to push on in the next batch of games.

I disagree this is why when prendergast is back to 6 SHL has to put the 7 shirt.

IMO you don't share, he's much better. Yeah Oliver is active, but look again to yesterday game he didn't (he can't) gain a single one-to-one contact with a forward.

Hurley does, and he is, though still "in the making", as involved everywhere on the park, even getting carried away by enthusiasm sometimes.

Absolutely delighted for Thornbury being called to the Ireland A squad. Hope he gets a shot and takes the lights out.

Heff and Gav did some bits well but probably won't be too pleased with their overall day's work. A few line outs missed, a couple I thought were the calling and lifting but hooker will always be blamed. Lineout improved second half. Did a tap and go that was stripped from him.

Gav was a bit anonymous tbh. Got some tables in but didn't carry that well and was part of a forward unit that was well out fought and out muscled.

Prendergast was the standout forward for me. Made his tackles, took loads of line-out ball, the only forward with any interest in clearing out the breakdown, carried well (compared to everyone else) and didn't stop for 80 mins.

Blade really upped the tempo and added a running risk in the 10-15 mins he got. Should have got more as casey was terrible, behind a beaten pack but he made things worse for his forwards and backs not better.

Worth watching the game back for dmac who had class stamped all over him.

They made a great signing in Kitsoff. For Connacht the second row will be stacked with Joyce coming in. It obviously means Fifita will leave. I hope they are still looking for a TH and an 8. Boyle is back in form but he needs competition. Butler is ok for the 20 shirt. An outhalf would be a nice addition too. Maybe a back 3 player too if Porch heads off.

Definitely out of contract

Sam Illo (tighthead)

Dominic Robertson-McCoy (tighthead)

Grant Stewart (hooker)

Dylan Tierney-Martin (hooker)

Caolin Blade (scrum half)

Kieran Marmion (out half)

Tiernan O'Halloran (back 3)

John Porch (back 3)

Probably out of contract (signed contract in 2021)

Denis Buckley (loosehead)

Jordan Duggan (loosehead)

Shane Delahunt (hooker)

Dave Heffernan (hooker)

Leva Fifita (lock)

Niall Murray (lock)

Gavin Thornbury (lock)

Paul Boyle (back row)

Sean Masterson (back row)

Colm Reilly (scrum half)

Conor Fitzgerald (out half)

Shayne Bolton (centre)

ALex Wootton (centre)

Possibly out of contract (signed contract in 2022)

Peter Dooley (loosehead)

Jack Aungier (tighhead)

Oisin Dowling (lock)

Darragh Murray (lock)

Ciaran Booth (back row)

Shamus Hurley-Langton (back row)

Oisin McCormack (back row)

Cathal Forde (out half)

David Hawkshaw (centre)

Shane Jennings (centre)

Adam Byrne (back 3)

Diarmuid Kilgallen (back 3)

Byron Ralston (back 3)

Is John Forde a brother of Cathal?

Hope we get to see Chay Mullins play a senior game sooner rather than later.

Pretty sure he's a second row from Munster.

Yup, particularly in the tight five and 9. Not sure we'll be able to keep both Blade and Marmion unfortunately. I think Blade is probably close enough to the RWC to sign an extension but I wouldn't blame Marmion for fancying a payday in France.

The reduced spending power of the GP will probably help us somewhat with player retention.

Leinster are similar. I've no idea who's up for renewal.

For Connacht, I can see Duggan and Fifita leaving. Sean Masterson is probably surplus at this stage. There's some lads they need to retain. They need to keep Tierney- Martin and Murray.

Leinster and Connacht both do it. It seems like Leinster only announce central contract lengths. Ulster seem to do it occasionally but usually give a contract lenghth.

Congratulations to Cian Prendergast on his selection for Saturday. He has been phenomenal for Connacht and I believe that his cap against Fiji will be the first of many.

Sure but we’re not representing professional sports teams. It’s pretty much standard across sports that length of contract is made public, in some sports much more detail is common too.

I think it’s pretty clear given Connacht always do this that’s it their standard operating practice, if the standard was to release contract length I would guess there would be very few objections.