Ya, Great to hear that Robbie might be staying. Great news but like other's Im disappointed with the one year term.
We have spend the last 6 months wondering is he going to stay and no doubt in 6 months time he will be going through the same again.

I cant believe his signed for one year only as it shows a lack of commitment to Connacht Pat and the setup. Maybe in the small print his agreed to go elsewhere but will stay put for a season .

As lads have pointed out a one year doesnt give him the security he needs. A 2 year would have had him switching just before a Lions tour which wouldnt have helped him.

Look lets take the year and hope for something more at the end.

I find the one year contract thing hard to believe. Typically the top players try to push for 3 year contracts, presumably because they want to guard against career ending injury. So, on the flip side, it would seem risky from Henshaw's perspective to go for a 1 year deal. Especially if the only advantage is extra time to see how other provinces progress, because let's be honest, none of the provinces look like challenging for champions cup glory in the next couple of years anyway. In summary, Robbie if you're reading this, a 3 year Connacht deal is your best bet. Do it.

Decadence wrote: If he's on an IRFU central contract and stays with Connacht it's a huge precedent, one year or not.

If it's not a central contract and is basically an extension of his existing contract with Connacht I'd regard it as little more than a PR stunt.

If he stays it'll be on a central contract as we absolutely do not have the budget to pay him more per game than what we pay some people per year (he has played 4 times for us this season).

This was supposed to be done and dusted weeks ago so one must presume that one or more of the following are in play: (1) the IRFU are shortchanging him (2) he has been advised against moving to Leinster by at least one party to the negotiations (3) there is no central contract available if he moves to Leinster.

Given the makeup of the international committee - Hamilton (Ulster), Hartery (Munster), Browne, Nucifora, and the 4 provincial CEOs (only two of whom vote) - I don't see them rushing to requisition Henshaw for Leinster on a central contract. It's all very well to say he can go where he wants, but once the precedent - a first central contract that transfers a player across provinces - is set it could be Henderson next year and Stander in two years' time, a point I'd hope Ruane is making to his Ulster and Munster peers.

Even if he only signs on a one year central contract with Connacht it would be a huge boost and aid us hugely with player retention/signings over the next few months. Fingers crossed.

If he's on an IRFU central contract and stays with Connacht it's a huge precedent, one year or not.

If it's not a central contract and is basically an extension of his existing contract with Connacht I'd regard it as little more than a PR stunt.

Donal Connolly wrote: I think taking one year would reflect badly on both him and Connacht (it's not the image Connacht have been striving for over the last few years).
Plus the will he won't he stay saga will start again next October. Not the best for stability - perhaps Pat's comments about Rodney were aimed at more than just Rodney?
Don't get me wrong I would love him to stay and I hope he does - the one little straw of hope to grasp is his departure has still not been announced, perhaps that bodes well for Connacht?

I would definitely agree with you that one downside of a one year deal would be that the whole circus would be re-visited next winter. I'd love to see a firm commitment of a 2/3 year deal but I can see why (if these rumours are true) he is hedging his bets. The other downside to a one year deal would be that him and Bundee would both be out of contract at the same time.

However, we need to see the opportunity in this situation. Since forever Connacht was regarded as a staging post for younger players before they inevitably moved on to one of the other provinces to fulfill their club and international ambitions. If any player in the past was told he had a guaranteed starting spot at Leinster or Munster bar one or two local lads they wouldn't have had a 2nd thought but to move on. The fact there is doubt in Robbie's mind should in my view be regarded as a positive rather than a negative as for the last couple of years it has just seemed a matter of when rather than if he'd head east.

Its up to us to build on the improvements made and get to the next level.

I think taking one year would reflect badly on both him and Connacht (it's not the image Connacht have been striving for over the last few years).
Plus the will he won't he stay saga will start again next October. Not the best for stability - perhaps Pat's comments about Rodney were aimed at more than just Rodney?
Don't get me wrong I would love him to stay and I hope he does - the one little straw of hope to grasp is his departure has still not been announced, perhaps that bodes well for Connacht?

For me one year is better than nothing and gives us a chance to prove we can meet the needs of current and future international players. If he is only the difference in two games next season it could be the difference between a successful season and a near miss.

Taking off my Connacht hat I would say a year would be a sensible decision for Robbie. We started this season well but we've gone through a rough patch and we have a huge amount of work to do yet to get Top 6. If we miss out again this year in a World Cup year there could be no hiding from the fact that it would be a huge setback and would make it very difficult to pick it up next year and have another go at Top 6. If we get Top 6 or win the Challenge Cup, we have a season in the Champions Cup which helps us see can we push Connacht on to be consistently challenging for Top 6 or higher.

If we miss out this year we still have the guts of a decent squad but it's going to get harder to hold on to these lads if we don't have the springboard of top level rugby and in terms of signing another experienced head or two in key positions it won't happen if we're in the Challenge Cup.

On the flip side, Leinster are in transition both in terms of playing personnel and the coaching setup. Leinster may win the Pro 12 this season and I would expect to see a couple of big name signings for next season. Leo Cullen won't have the distraction of the World Cup and with a decent seeding may have a better chance in Europe. By next January Robbie will have a fair idea what way things are going in both provinces and where he'd fit in at Leinster if he signed for them.

Robbie staying for another year would be a wonderful result.

if he is taking another year then it does seem like he is uncertain about connachts tragetory but if so its up to lam and the team to show him they haven't hit their ceiling yet. None of the other provinces are winning silverware soon so winning more inter pros for instance would show development. Otherwise although I don't want him to leave, as a player who has not reached his potential yet he will increasingly be looking elsewhere.

can't believe people are saying they would'nt take robbie for another year, if we continue in our upward curve then next year who knows qualification for final stages of champions cup and robbie won't leave after the year is up.

I'd have to agree a 12 month contract isn't a result for Connacht, more likeP sitting on the fence to see how Leinster improve next year.
I also don't agree that IRFU don't have a huge say on where he goes - he's on a central contract, the piper calls the tune

A year would be great; do well in Europe then another year; Connacht get much stronger and way to go. Pat Lam was some marquee signing.

sea_point wrote: I personally don't want him making a half hearted gesture because the deal he wants is off the table, so if it's a year or nothing I'd take nothing and invest the money saved in strengthening the squad...

But he'd be on a central contract so wouldn't be costing us anything right?

I am big Connacht fan living in Christchurch Nz , meet Ryan Crotty (the guy that scored against Ireland in the last minute ) , he said he would be very interested in playing for pat lam and Connacht . Very similar Jared Payne . He be a great signing !

P.s I reckon I should become a agent for Connacht

Borders no.2 wrote: I didn't hear anything but the reaction of the players to his try was one of the positives of the day for me. It seemed to indicate he might be staying. Probably looking too much into it but just the way it seemed to me at the time.

Leinster's senior players being torn a new one by Wasps again today proves again how either how stupid Robbie is or the advise he is receiving is if he' still remotely considering departing for Leinster. They Media luvvies and supporters were getting way too carried away with themselves last week after beating a very poor Bath team (not far off relegation contenders) and lacking confidence..

The fact that at this stage a decision hasn't been made public yet is really poor, and much like Pat's comments regarding Rodney's departure my own feeling is that supporters should conserve their energies for players that clearly want to stay and show commitment to the province...

I personally don't want him making a half hearted gesture because the deal he wants is off the table, so if it's a year or nothing I'd take nothing and invest the money saved in strengthening the squad...

tomsauce2000 wrote: The rumour in my part of the Clan Stand today was that Robbie may be signing a new one year deal with Connacht.

Anyone else hear this?

Didn't hear anything but it's great if it's true. Hope we're given the good news soon! Agree with Borders no 2 too, reactions of the rest of the team after Robbies try was very encouraging.