Connacht Squad 2017-2018

So you guys would prefer Cooney over Loughney if one had to go?

It is a tough call for sure.

Perhaps Soroka becomes that third LH as suggested.

Buckley, Coulson, Soroka
Bealham, Carey, Robertson-McCoy

Then either Cooney or Loughney?

Starting next season as we did this one is hardly a recipe for success. Ability to do something does not go hand in hand with doing it as well as it need to be done. Loughney at TH was a relatively short and unsuccessful experiment and if Connacht were playing the first choice front row of either Leinster of Munster tomorrow, then I think everyone would be a lot more confident with Finlay at TH rather than filling in at LH. TH's & LH's use different muscle groups and every athlete in every sport depends on muscle memory to perform to the best of their ability on a consistent basis. Switching props from side to side is a stop gap exercise justifiable only in situations of unavailability of first choice players due to multiple injuries.

salmson wrote: We started the season with 7 senior props (Denis, Finlay, Loughs, Carey, JP, Robertson-McCoy, Soroka) so if we do similar next year it makes sense that at least one be an ambi-prop. I don't think dual sided props are that rare, they were everywhere until an 8th sub was introduced, and with uncontested scrums meaning you lose a man I reckon they're coming back into fashion. We have 2 (Loughs, Finlay) who have propped both sides to great effect, Michael Bent has done so quite well for Leinster after a shaky start, and there are plenty more like the Franks brothers around the world.

So assuming the Coulson signing happens, we will have:

Loosehead: Buckley, Coulson, one of Loughney/Soroka/Dever/a new signing. I don't know enough about Soroka or Dever to have an opinion on who it should be.

Tighthead: Bealham, Carey, and one of McCoy/Meunargia/a new signing. McCoy will have enough opportunity to earn the contract with Carey still injured.

Then we could have Cooney as a low cost 4th choice in both positions, probably 5th choice tighthead if O'Donnell gets fit.

Even if they're not deemed 3rd choice we could probably give Saba and Dever low cost development deals, don't really see the point though unless Carolan and Duffy think they have the potential to be at least decent squad players

Edit: Didn't realise Darragh had basically posted the exact same thing

Decadence wrote: Guys, criticism of players is one thing, but letting it stray into the realms of a personal attack is unacceptable. These are still OUR players, they play for us and may continue to do so for years, so be careful when choosing what language to use when speaking about them.

I've edited a previous post because of this, and would prefer not to have to do this in future.

It says you edited my post but the post itself hasn't been changed? In any case I didn't even criticise anyone let alone a personal attack

Mark Mostyn wrote:
Tighthead: Bealham, Carey, and one of McCoy/Meunargia/a new signing. McCoy will have enough opportunity to earn the contract with Carey still injured.
Carey should be back in 2 or 3 weeks in theory.........

Even if they're not deemed 3rd choice we could probably give Saba and Dever low cost development deals,

I would let Saba playing with Doncaster one more full-season to develop, still very young as a TH, Championship is good for this...

connachta wrote:

Mark Mostyn wrote:
Tighthead: Bealham, Carey, and one of McCoy/Meunargia/a new signing. McCoy will have enough opportunity to earn the contract with Carey still injured.
Carey should be back in 2 or 3 weeks in theory.........

Even if they're not deemed 3rd choice we could probably give Saba and Dever low cost development deals,

I would let Saba playing with Doncaster one more full-season to develop, still very young as a TH, Championship is good for this...

I definitely agree that going to the Championship for a year or two would be a better option for young fringe players than staying on a development contract getting no first team games and playing B&I Cup and AIL1B, like Moloney this year

Decadence wrote: Guys, criticism of players is one thing, but letting it stray into the realms of a personal attack is unacceptable. These are still OUR players, they play for us and may continue to do so for years, so be careful when choosing what language to use when speaking about them.

I've edited a previous post because of this, and would prefer not to have to do this in future.

How is what i said a 'personal attack' in any way?

I am quite shocked that you choose to control and edit peoples posts on here at will. Complete and utter control manipulation at the highest. It's a sports forum for fans not the fecking DPRK. Shame on you and how dare you.

As is customary in Football, what about each province developing a "special relashionship" with a Chanpionship club

It would allow young homegrown IQ players to link with IRFU (reinforcing the "exiles" program)
AND it will improved the circulation of Provincial players not retained at 1st ; for the benefit of both clubs
Farrell is a good example. Niyi, Healy, Moloney, Ronaldson, would or would have been included in such a partnership

connachta wrote: As is customary in Football, what about each province developing a "special relashionship" with a Chanpionship club

It would allow young homegrown IQ players to link with IRFU (reinforcing the "exiles" program)
AND it will improved the circulation of Provincial players not retained at 1st ; for the benefit of both clubs
Farrell is a good example. Niyi, Healy, Moloney, Ronaldson, would or would have been included in such a partnership

London Irish would be great. Few Coonacht layers going way back too.

Decadence wrote:

Darragh wrote: How is what i said a 'personal attack' in any way? .

DMed you Darragh

Reminder of the rules of this forum: www.connachtclan.com/clan-forum/rules

Thanks for the official warning. Won't bother responding as anything I say will of course be edited.

Darragh wrote:

connachta wrote: As is customary in Football, what about each province developing a "special relashionship" with a Chanpionship club

It would allow young homegrown IQ players to link with IRFU (reinforcing the "exiles" program)
AND it will improved the circulation of Provincial players not retained at 1st ; for the benefit of both clubs
Farrell is a good example. Niyi, Healy, Moloney, Ronaldson, would or would have been included in such a partnership

London Irish would be great. Few Coonacht layers going way back too.

L.I have the vocation to stay in Premiership.
So it's not appropriate to give proper gametime to unproved players, which is the aim.
Tom Farrell left for Bedford, Gilsenan does not play enough, Jerry Sexton wasn't much involved too when he was in Premiership last season
Eoin Sheriff with Sarries couldn't reach the main XV and fell apart, same for Monahan.
And those who make it stay there (G.Steenson)

I really think Championship clubs are better to conclude provincial/IRFU partnerships

salmson wrote:

RoadRunnerR1 wrote: Is Coulson definitely signing or is this just a rumor. Haven't seen it announced on any news site,

Big fat rumour at the moment.

MurrayKinsella said on twitter : I don't think there is a fee involved, but he is being released to accommodate move back.
So Rumour stronger and no contract buy-out. Nice