pinky wrote: I'm guessing that, with the exception of players who have missed a lot of the season through injury and need gametime, inclusion in this squad pretty much rules them out of consideration for the World Cup?

In all likelihood you're probably right since even if a player was to put in a good performance it would be weighed against the strength of the opposition. Though the Georgians are usually pretty strong in the scrum and as galway_gas mentioned there will be some uncertainty around Healy so someone like Buckley could play himself into contention. The rest of the Connacht lads involved are too far down the pecking order as to be able to put themselves in the frame. With Ulster and Munster still with some rugby to play there is always the chance of injury so the significance of the Tbilisi Cup might increase for a player or two.

pinky wrote: I'm guessing that, with the exception of players who have missed a lot of the season through injury and need gametime, inclusion in this squad pretty much rules them out of consideration for the World Cup?

with healy recovering from surgery I'd be surprised if Cronin or Buckley weren't included in wider training squad as cover.

I'm guessing that, with the exception of players who have missed a lot of the season through injury and need gametime, inclusion in this squad pretty much rules them out of consideration for the World Cup?

Great to see some of the lads getting recognition but if anything from what I have seen of this competition in the last few years its a step down in intensity if anything. Georgia might be a good game but Emerging Italy and Uruguay I'm not so sure about.

Never knew that. Thanks

Westie85 wrote: I assume the fact that Aly is English went against him

Aly's Irish qualified through his father. This was a key point in the decision to sign him as otherwise we'd have exceeded our allotted NIQ player numbers.

www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-...f-form-31133967.html

I guess Uncle Joe doesn't see what we see (or sees something we don't).

I assume the fact that Aly is English went against him

No Senior tour as the senior squad will be preparing for the world cup.

Also good to see Eoin Griffin included as well

Is there a senior tour?
If not Aly missing is a strange one.

www.connachtrugby.ie/eight-connacht-play...-squad/#ConnachtNews

Finlay Bealham
Denis Buckley
John Cooney
Matt Healy
Dave Heffernan
Eoghan Masterson
Eoin McKeon
Tiernan O’Halloran