Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

Any idea/inkling as to what the academy intake will look like?

Walsh and Flynn likely?

Wouldn’t mind if they took a chance on someone like Chris Cosgrave at Leinster

Can Chay Mullins play fullback? Certainly has the right athletic profile and probably a higher ceiling in 15s than the two mentioned.

Don't have any inside information but I'd imagine so, probably Tomas Farthing also. Maybe we'd look at bringing Diarmuid O'Connell or Rory Gavin in, not unheard of for u19s to join but not sure if either of those will still be in school.

Taking McIlroys place I assume? I thought he had looked OK bar some questionable throwing which all our hookers seem capable of this year…..

Almost certainly, 5 hookers would definitely be too many. Bit of an odd one, McElroy was given lots of minutes in the early to mid season, before being jettisoned after the Lions game.

Hooker is a problem for us really. Heffernan seems first choice and he's great when on form like the last 3 games but when he's off he's pretty sub par. A little like Jack, kinda like Connacht as a whole really.

De Butler looks too small, DTM also struggling size wise but a very good player. I thought McElroy did a good job this year.

I'm sorry for the matter of my small private thing, I came back to Galway (Dexcom) at the first time since beginning of CORONA from the far distance. I found the pint changing Murphy's from former Guinness. I like both. And before the K.O supportes sung Field of Athenry, so I sung it too. I watched Matthew Devine at v Zebre match.Although I knew the opponent was poor, but he looked very natural rugby player who could do all factors for rugby commonly including running, passing,kicking, tackling, kicked ball catching and back-up returning etc…Especially he was a player who can take the excellent defending positioning.He don't need any experisnce. So now I can predict that Connacht will win over Munster if they won't do wrong selection. 1.The pack weight should be above 900kg because heavy FWs and Devine will be the strongest combination. 2.In the back line, Connacht should use Hansen at 11 who put on the plaster cast covered his shoulder to arm. And Aki at 12 who is the treasure of Ireland, and Farrell at 13 who will go to Munster (if it's true). About Hansen, Munster may fear the retaliation, about Aki , if he get injury, IRFU will not be pleased before the summer tour. And Munster won't hope Farrell get injury who is a valuable new power. So these three will run freely in the field. The result will be apparent.

I think the few times he has played outhalf haven't been too successful so far but maybe it is worth another look, his kicking from hand was poor too from what I recall a bit like JJ he struggled to get much distance on them.

Someone needs to step up there anyway as I dont expect we will be signing anyone.

Max Flynn announced for the academy, seems to be an energetic all-action 7 from the bits I've seen of him. Was in and around the u20s this year but think he missed out through injury. Has another year of eligibility.

Corinthians have been uploading player highlights to their YouTube channel, if anyone is curious to see some of our academy players in action.

Munster would be mad to let Sean Edogbo go anywhere else.

Pace and acceleration in a man that size is a rare commodity and can't be coached! Looks to have decent skills too and a great work ethic around the park. Would take him in Connacht in a heart beat!

https://www.connachtrugby.ie/news/connacht-rugby-announce-signing-of-david-oconnor/bp3022/

Can't say I understand this one at all

Welcome, of course, but that's a very strange addition to our squad.

Thats a strange one or maybe I am missing something but thought we would be pretty set in 2nd/backrow even if Thornbury & Butler are not staying as has been mentioned we have Murphy due to come back aswell I think from his year out?

Farthing now announced.

Pity for Ireland in the sevens but chay Mullins is surely someone we need to be getting a tune out of. Has the size to play 15s and good pace.

He was miles past the ball, elbows on the ground. Penalty all day