Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

FtD v2 · 22-07-2024 1:35pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122411108#Comment_122411108

Yeah, I agree with that completely on Gavin. He looks to have virtually everything you want in a centre - great physical size and power, plenty of quickness and good footwork, great footballing instincts and handling ability, a bit of bite & aggression when carrying and in the tackle. He also stepped up as a second year U20 this year and seemed to show good maturity and leadership.

There were points late in the NZ game when he looked absolutely out of his feet tired (typically after a big carry) and yet he still kept popping up and looking for the ball and making impactful carries.

I don't particularly rate the outside backs on either of the last 2 U20s teams with the exception of McErlean last year and O'Connor this year (Treacy has looked good at times too), so Gavin would likely look even better in a scenario where he has more dangerous players around him taking away some of the defensive attention.

Connacht have some pretty tasty backs I think all of a sudden: I think Matthew Devine (if he can improve his pass) and Hugh Gavin look like future Irish internationals, obviously Mack and Bundee are already that, and Cathal Forde, Andrew Smith, Shayne Bolton and Shane Jennings have also all showed glimpses of real ability, plus Cordero looked lively enough at the end of last season. If Josh Ioane hits the ground running, they should be an exciting backline to watch.

kita99 · 23-07-2024 8:48pm

To both Mullins and Smith. I wish you the best of luck.

AccidentallyOnside · 24-07-2024 9:37pm

Good start by Ireland in the sevens.

Chay doing well but Andy Wards young lad looks some athlete.

kita99 · 25-07-2024 9:47pm

Mullins was excellent. His physicality will be available enough on 15th games at the new season.

b.gud · 31-07-2024 4:14pm

Looks like a new jersey will be released tomorrow

https://x.com/connachtrugby/status/1818664591397732604?t=7uJex1lNy5XifJ-0jgLXfg&s=19

cson · 07-08-2024 4:13pm

Last years was better imo.

I'd love them to go with a celtic type of design similar to the old Galway GAA Aer Arann jersey from the mid 00s.

FACECUTTR · 08-08-2024 2:04pm

Josh Ioane not in the Waikato squad so should mean he is with us from the start of the season. Haven't seen him in any of the pre season images or clips though.

AccidentallyOnside · 09-08-2024 8:59pm

He was getting a tattoo in NZ a few days ago so don't think he's over yet.

FtD v2 · 11-08-2024 8:10pm

Awful story - former Connacht prop Rory Burke has passed away. Just 30 years old.

Came through Cork Con and Munster underage ranks, and played with Nottingham for a while too.

theVersatile · 11-08-2024 8:30pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122491596#Comment_122491596

Rest in peace

FACECUTTR · 12-08-2024 11:12am

Awful news. Rest in peace.

bobo the clown · 13-08-2024 11:06am

When can we expect the academy intake announcement? Are we expecting any additional players in the intake other than the 2 already reported

Hey_Ho_Lets_Go_3 · 13-08-2024 11:07am

Bryan Walsh surely joining?

Then probably a prop or two from Leinster.

Eanna McCarthy from UCC heavily linked too.

realhorrorshow · 13-08-2024 11:46am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122497715#Comment_122497715

Wouldn't be unheard of to take in an u19, especially if there's competition from the GAA, but not sure if any of the main prospects like O'Connell, Gavin jr, or Walsh jr, are out of school yet.

Purist98 · 13-08-2024 2:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122497715#Comment_122497715

McCarthy has been training with seniors since they got back so surely he's got a contract.

Fairly sure Billy Bohan and Adam Watchorn have joined too, would also expect Bryan Walsh.

Lost Ormond · 13-08-2024 2:55pm

There are four new players in the Year 1 intake. Tomás Farthing, scrum-half from Corinthians RFC is included, having won the Connacht U19 Player of the Year award in May. Also named is fellow Corinthians man Max Flynn, back row, fresh off his inclusion in the Ireland squad for the U20 World Championships.

The other two Year 1 players are, loosehead prop Billy Bohan (Newbridge College) and back rower Éanna McCarthy (UCC).

https://www.connachtrugby.ie/news/academy-squad-confirmed-for-2024-25-season/bp3102/

FtD v2 · 13-08-2024 3:25pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122498744#Comment_122498744

Small intake, but 4 quality players I think.

realhorrorshow · 16-08-2024 3:48pm

Found some URC stats for last season which are more detailed than anything I'd seen previously. Some that stood out to me:

Lowest conversion rate of linebreaks into tries - backs up my belief that we play in the wrong areas of the pitch, because we are so kick averse.
One of the stronger offloading games in the league.
Third worst lineout, third worst scrum, and least maul metres per game. Wilkins cops plenty of flak but questions to be asked of Muldoon heading into the new season.
High % of missed tackles leading to tries - again because we're losing the territory battle?
Lowest % of missed tackles leading to breaks. Not sure what to make of this, is our scramble particularly good?
Third worst 22 exit %, think any Connacht fan could have guessed that!
Play down the blindside the least in the league. As a result I feel like we're constantly running into set defenses, as further evidenced by our low tackle evasion %.
We play wider than first or second receiver more than other team in the league. Maybe because we kick less? Feels like we don't play with enough depth or deception to ask questions of defenses when we do play wide.

https://theanalyst.com/eu/2024/01/club-rugby-stats-hub

realhorrorshow · 16-08-2024 5:39pm

Diarmaid O'Connell (6) and Sean Walsh (12) have started for Ireland u18 schools against England and South Africa. Hard to tell too much from the highlights but each had a nice linebreak today, and they certainly both have the necessary size. Walsh in particular is huge for a centre.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgfL_lNIjdI

realhorrorshow · 17-08-2024 9:13am

CONNACHT U18 VS ULSTER U18 CLUBS
4.30pm, Saturday 17th August @ Kingspan Stadium

15. Andrew Henson (Buccaneers RFC / Marist College)
14. Peter Moran (Carrick-on-Shannon RFC / Mohill Community College)
13. Daniel Browne (Corinthians RFC / St. Joseph's Patrician College)
12. Tristan Hoey (Carrick-on-Shannon RFC / Scoil Mhuire Strokestown)
11. Zack Kelly (Galwegians RFC / Coláiste Iognáid)
10. Cillian O'Neill (Sligo RFC / Summerhill College)
9. Tom Walsh (Buccaneers RFC / Clongowes Wood College)
1. Kailin Blessing (Buccaneers RFC / Marist College)
2. Seán Gannon (Ballinasloe RFC / Garbally College)
3. John Durkan (Galwegians RFC / Gort Community School)
4. Emmanuel Olanrewaju (Ballinsloe RFC / Garbally College)
5. Dara Walsh (Corinthians RFC / Coláiste Éinde)
6. James Greaney (Corinthians RFC / Presentation College Athenry)
7. Matthew McNamara (Galwegians RFC / Coláiste Éinde)
8. Ruben Flynn (Corinthians RFC / Cistercian College Roscrea)

16. Andrew Deegan (Carrick-on-Shannon RFC / Sligo Grammar)
17. Cathal McDonagh (Carrick-on-Shannon RFC / St. Nathy's College)
18. Dara Noone (Corinthians RFC / Coláiste Bhaile Chláir)
19. Peter Bourke (Buccaneers RFC / Marist College)
20. Niall Stenson (Carrcik-on-Shannon RFC / Carrick-on-Shannon Community School)
21. Fiachra O'Neill (Connemara RFC / Clifden Community School)
22. Lorcan Mullarkey (Corinthians RFC / Coláiste na Coiribe)
23. Conor Connolly (Carrick-on-Shannon RFC / St. Muredach's College)

Travelling Reserves: Reuben Colleran (Buccaneers RFC / Marist College), Oisin O'Donoghue (Corinthians RFC / St. Joseph's Patrician College)

CONNACHT U19 VS ULSTER U19
6.30pm, Saturday 17th August @ Kingspan Stadium

15. Paul Sharkey (Galwegians RFC / St. Joseph's Patrician College)
14. Ronan O'Connor (Sligo RFC / Summerhill College)
13. Thomas Cotton (Buccaneers RFC / Marist College)
12. Tom Sheehan (Buccaneers RFC / Marist College)
11. Dylan Bruton (Buccaneers RFC / CBS Roscommon)
10. Calum Elwood (Galwegians RFC / Coláiste Iognáid)
9. Billy Ruane (Ballina RFC / St. Muredach's College)
1. Rory Lyons (Westport RFC / Sancta Maria College)
2. Jack Pollard (Buccaneers RFC / Garbally College)
3. Brian Donohoe (Ballina RFC / St. Muredach's College)
4. Liam Cahill (Corinthians RFC / Coláiste na Coiribe)
5. Leo Anic (Creggs RFC / CBS Roscommon)
6. Pasha Thiam (Corinthians RFC / Coláiste Éinde)
7. Charlie Keane (Corinthians RFC / Coláiste Bhaile Chláir)
8. Oisin McNicholas (Ballina RFC / St. Louis Community School)

16. Eoin Naughton (Buccaneers RFC / Cistercian College Roscrea)
17. Michael Donnelly (Castlebar RFC / St. Gerald's College)
18. Jason Duggan (Ballina RFC / St. Muredach's College)
19. Michael Smyth (Claremorris RFC / St. Louis Community School)
20. Donagh Kilcommins (Corinthians RFC / Coláiste Bhaile Chláir)
21. Charlie O'Carroll (Buccaneers RFC / Marist College)
22. Joseph Smyth (Ballinasloe RFC / Garbally College)
23. Mark Tempany (Sligo RFC / Sligo Grammar)