salmson wrote:
Don't forget Project R***t in Wales...

Oh yeah, I knew there was another thing I meant to put on the list of uncertainties. Ospreys surviving on a flextension doesn't help recruitment.

pinky wrote: I had put the lack of interhemisphere traffic down to a combination of the RWC, Br€*1t and the general uncertainty over which teams will be in the Champions Cup (even at this late stage it's only 3 confirmed and 7 maybes).

Don't forget Project R***t in Wales...

Worth noting the Blues are waiting to see what Anscombe is doing and have set a deadline for next week for a decision, and said that they have a plan b if he decides to move. That to me suggests business is being done very late this year.

In many respects the squad has over-performed this year. Friend has done a great job in building squad depth and developing a good number of players that can be competitive in the Pro14, but if we're stepping up to HC next near then we'll need at least 4-5 quality additions that will be pushing for 1st team selection, or be first team guarantees. Looking at our squad we need first team quality, or top notch backup, at pretty much every position bar hooker, scrum half and center....maybe TH is ok at a push too as DRM has stepped up well this year.

There seems to be general dearth of transfers in the Pro14 so far, compared to previous seasons. Hogg going to Exeter, Josh Adams to Blues and McGrath and Sam Carter to Ulster are the only really big names on the move from what I can see (honourable mention for Cian and Hallam Amos). The only other SH players moving up are Sam Louisi to Scarlets and Eli Snyman to Treviso (open to correction if there are others but they are certainly scarce).
I had put the lack of interhemisphere traffic down to a combination of the RWC, Br€*1t and the general uncertainty over which teams will be in the Champions Cup (even at this late stage it's only 3 confirmed and 7 maybes).
It could be that there's a lad somewhere watching the match tomorrow knowing he's playing for the winner next season

ConnachtCows wrote: I cant believe that any player worth their salt would wait for a team to confirm that they're playing in the Champions Cup next season.

If I were coming up from the southern hemisphere and had multiple offers, or was thinking about coming west from Leinster, and given any differential in the contracts I'm being offered is taxed at 50% anyway, I think I'd wait to see if we beat Cardiff before I signed.

Nothing wrong with a player having ambition and wanting to test themselves at the highest level.

Mark Mostyn wrote:
That’s not much of a comfort to me as we were too light this year imo. Also we had an extremely good season injury wise, as well as the opportunity to rest players on European weekends. In the absence of one or both of those factors we could be in trouble.

Think we’ll see a few more renewals, de Buitlear and maybe Kerins get promoted, and a couple of signings if we confirm Champions Cup qualification.

I cant believe that any player worth their salt would wait for a team to confirm that they're playing in the Champions Cup next season.
What happens if we dont qualify, the players then need to have a look around to see who is still interested.

As far as I remember, and correct me if I am wrong, but there weren't too many signings before the 2015 World Cup either. It's a bad season to be signing players.
Hopefully we spot another AJ playing in Japan

Ronaldson was huge for us most of the championship season, and started more games at 12 for Lam than anyone else, even Bundee.

If I had to make a guess at his favourite game for us, I'd go with this...

salmson wrote:

Mark Mostyn wrote:
3 senior looseheads, one of whom only has a handful of caps, is too few for my liking.

Agreed, but given McAllister is an upgrade on McCabe experience wise etc. and Burke is comparable to O'Donnell (Burke has 8 caps, exactly the number O'Donnell started this season with) I fear that might be it. Friend has spoken of looking outside for a Carey replacement, so hopefully we get a 4th loosehead too.

Assuming that Murphy, Robertson-McCoy, Gallagher, (Eoin) McKeon, and Leader are all staying, that's 21 forwards and 16 backs confirmed for next year. Given we started last season with 24 and 18 (19 if you include Reece) we're very close to done.

That’s not much of a comfort to me as we were too light this year imo. Also we had an extremely good season injury wise, as well as the opportunity to rest players on European weekends. In the absence of one or both of those factors we could be in trouble.

Think we’ll see a few more renewals, de Buitlear and maybe Kerins get promoted, and a couple of signings if we confirm Champions Cup qualification.

A lot of nice lads on the list of departeees. They'll be missed around the place.
When recruiting the rest of the squad, can we make sure to get a few lads who are sound, and have sound families who'll be good craic on away trips
Best of luck all ...

Agree about McCabe, but my main concern about the squad is the lack of options at 10. As it stands if Carty gets injured we're pretty screwed.

Mark Mostyn wrote:
3 senior looseheads, one of whom only has a handful of caps, is too few for my liking.

Agreed, but given McAllister is an upgrade on McCabe experience wise etc. and Burke is comparable to O'Donnell (Burke has 8 caps, exactly the number O'Donnell started this season with) I fear that might be it. Friend has spoken of looking outside for a Carey replacement, so hopefully we get a 4th loosehead too.

Assuming that Murphy, Robertson-McCoy, Gallagher, (Eoin) McKeon, and Leader are all staying, that's 21 forwards and 16 backs confirmed for next year. Given we started last season with 24 and 18 (19 if you include Reece) we're very close to done.

salmson wrote: Had heard most of these (including that Cannon is retiring) but genuinely gobsmacked we're letting McCabe go.

3 senior looseheads, one of whom only has a handful of caps, is too few for my liking.

salmson wrote: Had heard most of these (including that Cannon is retiring) but genuinely gobsmacked we're letting McCabe go.

Same as (with regards to McCabe)
I just wonder did he get an offer somewhere else? Wouldn't be surprised if Munster offered him a backup role as well

Had heard most of these (including that Cannon is retiring) but genuinely gobsmacked we're letting McCabe go.

Official announcement

www.connachtrugby.ie/delahunt-and-robb-e...nnounces-retirement/

Delahunt and Robb signed new contracts
Griffin and Conor McKeon retire

"Meanwhile Craig Ronaldson, James Mitchell, James Connolly, Conan O’Donnell, Peter McCabe, Peter Claffey, James Cannon and Conor McKeon will all be leaving Connacht at the end of the current season."

No massive losses, but Ronaldson was an important player for in the past, and McCabe has done a good job.
Liked Cannon too

connachta wrote:

connachta wrote:

Mark Mostyn wrote: Conan O'Donnell is likely leaving. Pretty sure Jordan Duggan is in the academy but it's never been formally announced. We will probably sign a senior tighthead and also bring Ryan Lomas and maybe Liam Winnett into the academy. Hopefully Delahunt stays. Murphy's future probably depends on whether the coaches feel Tierney-Martin is ready for first team minutes.

Cannon and Claffey rumoured to be off. Will probably bring in at least one replacement, 5 senior locks is not enough.

Connolly is also on the way out, just waiting for an official announcement. Not much to suggest any of the academy lads are ready so perhaps we'll replace him externally. Hope McKeon stays.

One of McKeon/Mitchell/Kerins will probably be kept.

Bit thin at out half but dunno if we'll sign anyone else. Dylan Prendergast might be brought into the academy.

Pretty stacked at centre now, maybe we'll keep one of Robb/Ronaldson/Griffin.

Still light in the back 3. Maybe a new signing, de Buitlear promoted, and Hugh Lane into the academy.

Robb clearly within the 3
Prendergast same family as the coach hanging around in France (Stade Français for now)?

Not that I know of, he’s from Westport. Playing for Ballina in AIL 2C, and represented Connacht and Ireland u19 earlier this season.