Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

I think i saw that clermont have a few different guys who kick depending on where they are and that makes way too much sense.

I'm really happy with that squad. It'll take some serious man management to keep everyone happy.

Thanks to the players leaving. Onwards and upwards.

Delighted to see Ultan Dillane become a European Champion with La Rochelle. Came off bench with fifteen to go, had one big carry.

Loosehead

Denis Buckley (33) - Signed 2 + 1 year contract in 2023

Matthew Burke (26) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Peter Dooley (29) - Signed contract in 2022

Jordan Duggan (25) - Signed 1 year contract in 2023

Oisin Michel (21) - Academy year 1

Charlie Ward (23) - Academy year 3

Tighthead

Jack Aungier (24) - Signed contract in 2022

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

Sam Illo (22) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Dominic Robertson-McCoy (29) - Signed 1 year contract in 2023

Hooker

Eoin De Buitléar (21) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Dave Heffernan (32) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Declan Moore (26) - Signed 1 year loan contract in 2023

Dylan Tierney-Martin (24) - Signed 3 year contract in 2023

Lock

Oisin Dowling (26) - Signed contract in 2022

Joe Joyce (29) - Signed contract in 2023

Josh Murphy (28) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Darragh Murray (22) - Signed contract in 2022

Niall Murray (23) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Gavin Thornbury (29) - Signed 1 year contract in 2023

Back row

Paul Boyle (26) - Signed 1 year contract in 2023

Jarrad Butler (32) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Shamus Hurley-Langton (23) - Signed contract in 2022

Sean Jansen (24) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Oisin McCormack (22) - Signed contract in 2022

Sean O'Brien (23) - Signed contract in 2023

Conor Oliver (27) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Cian Prendergast (23) - Signed 3 year contract in 2022

Donnacha Byrne (22) - Academy year 3

John Forde (20) - Academy year 1

Scrumhalf

Caolin Blade (29) - Signed 3 year contract in 2023

Michael McDonald (24) - Signed 1 year loan contract in 2023

Colm Reilly (24) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Matthew Devine (21) - Academy year 1

Will Reilly (22) - Academy year 2

Outhalf

Jack Carty (31) - Signed 3 year contract in 2022

JJ Hanrahan (31) - Signed contract in 2023

Harry West (20) - Academy year 1

Centre

Bundee Aki (33) - Signed 3 year central contract in 2020

Shayne Bolton (23) - Signed 1 year contract in 2023

Tom Daly (30) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

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

Cathal Forde (21) - Signed contract in 2022

David Hawkshaw (24) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Byron Ralston (23) - Signed contract in 2022

John Devine (19) - Academy year 1

Daniel Hawkshaw (21) - Academy year 1

Back 3

Santiago Cordero (29) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Mack Hansen (25) - Signed 3 year contract in 2022

Shane Jennings (22) - Signed contract in 2022

Diarmuid Kilgallen (23) - Signed contract in 2022

Liam McNamara (26) - Signed contract in 2023

Oran McNulty (23) - Signed 2 year contract in 2022

Tiernan O'Halloran (32) - Signed 1 year contract in 2022

John Porch (29) - Signed 2 year contract in 2023

Andrew Smith (23) - Signed contract in 2023

Hugh Gavin (19) - Academy year 1

Shane Mallon (21) - Academy year 1

Chay Mullins (21) - Academy year 1

Josh O'Connor (22) - Academy year 2

*ages as at 01/09/2023

IN: Eoin De Buitléar (hooker, academy), Declan Moore (hooker, Ulster), Joe Joyce (lock, Bristol Bears), Sean Jansen (back row, Leicester Tigers), Sean O'Brien (back row, Leinster), Michael McDonald (scrumhalf, Ulster), JJ Hanrahan (outhalf, Dragons), Santiago Cordero (back 3, Bordeaux Bègles), Liam McNamara (back 3, Ireland Sevens), Andrew Smith (back 3, Leinster)

OUT: Shane Delahunt (hooker, retiring), Grant Stewart (hooker, TBC), Leva Fifita (lock, TBC), Ciaran Booth (back row, TBC), Sean Masterson (back row, TBC), Kieran Marmion (scrumhalf, Bristol Bears), Conor Fitzgerald (outhalf, TBC), Adam Byrne (back 3, TBC), Alex Wootton (back 3, retiring)

This is the best connacht squad in years imo and room to grow as well. Alot of good young players.

Edit: conor fitzgerald is gone? I’d wonder if munster or ulster are interested.

Yeah, mad to think the URC doesn't start again until October 21/22. Very long pre season for the players. Heard they are due back early July and it'll still be over 3 months before the opening URC game. Those gone to the World Cup probably won't play again until close to Christmas.

Macron will be the new kit supplier from next season

That's a shame. BLK made excellent training/leisurewear during their time supplying Connacht. Macron make very cheap looking gear from what I've seen.

It was an unusual year at 10 Zeugnis. I think Tom, as you said had nothing more than cameos.I think Hawkshaw got his chance and failed miserably. I think Forde was incredible at inside center so he is a center rather than a 10. So did Tom do ok? Well the powers that be would suggest he did, he just did not get the time to prove it. Reminds me of Marmion with Ireland. But he was picked as first choice replacement option at 10 while Hawkshaw and Forde were discarded. And rightful so Zeugnis. Tom was the best secondary option and potentially the best option but he really didn't get a swing at it

I think JJ will pass him. Carty can't do the basics.

My own opinion is that Jacks kicking stats aren't good enough, his game management is poor at best and his tactical decision making is questionable. This is not to say that Jack has not done some good stuff. But it's only from time to time. So I believe JJ is a very good purchase. In fact I'm amazed that we had the finances to retain and add to our squad like we have done this year. Have we dug into the finances provided for the new stadium. I think many supporters are wondering how we have managed to buy so well this season. I'm not objecting but it's strange how we have managed to build a fantastic squad with very little money

Just before the finale of the URC, have to say huge respect to the Munster fans who have made their way to SA. In no way can I see anything other than a Stormers win, but Munster fans are a credit to their province. I hope I am wrong because I think Munster deserve a break

I think it's ok to post in your own provincial thread wishing another province the best. But your opinion is important to me also Lost Ormond

Am delighted for Munster. And did Munster just kick possession away. Not a bit of it. Liked Crowley lots. Darn good player

I kind of think Connacht are set up well to kick away long.

Carty is a great kicker out of hand. Your back row is good over the ball. You have backs who can break games open in transition. if you kick it out, you have some good counter jumpers and one excellent one in Murray.

Seems like a good strategy that suits the talent.