Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

I can't understand myself why Hawkshaw would have fallen out of favour - he played some games at 12 at the start of the season and IMO made a great combination with Carty.

For his last two games playing 10, the first one was a late replacement, and tbh he wasn't that great, but for the next game, he'd had a bit of notice and practice in the position and I thought that he played very well.

Unfortunately for him, his position at 12 has been taken by Bundee and Forde. At 10, it seems likely that Jack won't get another international cap, so unless he is injured, the 10 vacancy doesn't arise. From a business point of view it seems a waste of an asset - I don't see why he couldn't start in at least some of the games next season even when Jack is not injured.

Carty is still better than the alternatives. Hawkshaw has got loads of opportunities this season to try become first choice. 15 or so appearances, plenty of starts.

Carty isn't reliable enough. He does some brilliant stuff (passing mainly) but you cannot be missing touch from penalties. He misses on both sides too, sometimes slices when on the left hand side and it goes dead, and sometimes doesn't catch it properly when on the right hand side and the defenders keep it in play. That's before you get to the place kicking which has never been consistent.

Could someone else kick, Hansen maybe, or Forde? We could do with a lefty anyway so start Carty at 10, Forde at 12 and let Forde do the kicking? Forde has a far straighter kicking action. Carty looks like he's trying to kick a football.

I just dont see Carberry being an improvement on what we already have.

Think we're ok at full back too

There's definitely a bit of rotation.

I'm not sure if it's because Smith won't be available for European championships or for next season or if its because we usually use European championships as a development event and we can't this year.

Porch and Hansen have flourished with existing full back

You're giving Tiernan too much credit there. And I've been quite complimentary about TOH since his performances improved. He had a decent season, especially since xmas, and was worth extending. But he is not a game changer and is getting long in the tooth. Even if you love him, he's approaching the end of his career.

To the Carberry sceptics, he had some good games for Munster this year, has nice footwork and is still in his prime. He's also an excellent place kicker. No player in Irish rugby has had as tough a ride in recent years. I will not die on this hill, and as I don't believe it will happen, but all the same I say: Carberry to Connacht. Otherwise he's going to leave Ireland and we'll end up with Charlie Tector. I'm looking forward to seeing Harry West and hope he'll set the place on fire, but there is no evidence for that... yet. And we need someone to pressure Jack next season.

I never really understand this. It can’t be that common that the 10 is the best kicker to touch.

Connacht will be making an announcement at 4pm on their twitter. 10 minutes to get in your wild guesses.

I'm going with Beauden Barrett signs a 3 year deal with us

JJ Hanrahan signed for an unspecified period of time

Some fantastic business done by Connacht for next season. Pretty much every area where we've needed to strengthen has been addressed. Obviously Marmion and Delahunt leaving are big losses but to some extent you can see the logic from a budget point of view when you like at the academy etc.

Hopefully the delayed start to the season next year gives the coaches sufficient time to get their game plan across and we can hopefully hit the ground running next season and get to knockout rugby on two fronts.

Aul Jack Jerry Hanrahan so? I'll take that tbh. He has still a bit to prove but he's probably in better form than Carty at least.

Barrett was never a world young player of the year nominee.