connachta wrote: What if, and I'm just saying what if,

1) we release any Outhalf barring Boshoff/Carty
2) enlist Keatley back to compete with them
3) send Madigan to Munster to compete with bleyendaal (J.J as 12 mainly in this scenario)

Crazy, I know..

Keatley? He's not good enough for 4th 3rd choice at munster yet you think he would be good enough for us? Maybe this is the budget we are shopping in but he is nowhere near madigans class.

Someone said earlier madigan hasn't got it in the top two inches re game management, my counter to this would be how could he? He has had limited game time at 10 and moved to France aged 26 two years after Sexton made his break through at Leinster.
The guy has all the attributes to be a top class international 10 he just needs games to learn the position fully. He'd be the best by far we have had since Elwood.

I wouldn't be surprised if the irfu backed this one to some degree as Sexton looks like he won't be in great shape for the next world cup, Bleyendaal might or might not prove to be international class, Carbery could be a flash in the pan so that leaves them relying on Jackson and hoping two of the above or JJ (who I think is making a terrible move going back to munster to sit on the bench) prove their international pedigree in the interim or we are very light come 2019 world cup.

Diabhal wrote: This is just auctioning work for Madigan. It makes it look a bigger coop if more teams seem interested and helps overlook his poor form a bit. I absolutely see him going Aviva and don't see how Connacht could pony up big money for such an out of form player.

Exactly. The only way he could come to Connacht is on a central contract. Do you honestly see the IRFU giving us a central contract (we currently have none) for a player who's *at best* 3rd choice for Ireland, and not necessarily guaranteed to be better than 3rd choice at Connacht? Fly that kite, Mad-dog!

This is just auctioning work for Madigan. It makes it look a bigger coop if more teams seem interested and helps overlook his poor form a bit. I absolutely see him going Aviva and don't see how Connacht could pony up big money for such an out of form player.

What if, and I'm just saying what if,

1) we release any Outhalf barring Boshoff/Carty
2) enlist Keatley back to compete with them
3) send Madigan to Munster to compete with bleyendaal (J.J as 12 mainly in this scenario)

Crazy, I know..

I was never sold on Madigan at 10 he's a naturally gifted ball player but I don't think he has the top 2 inches in terms of game management and decision making to be a top 10. Which could be said is where Connacht are lacking with Jack at times. Penalties/goal kicking aside.

If you're concerned about money, Madigan doesn't make much sense for Connacht. No way the IRFU view him as the prodigal son and foot the bill for him* and I'm sure he won't lower his asking price enough for Connacht to sign him on their own and still be able to fill some other holes. One way I see this happening is if Boshoff is released from his contract for some reason but that would probably require his present injury to be considered career ending in the next few weeks which I wouldn't expect.

In general, I think Connacht's budget gets a little tighter if they do not make it into the Champions Cup for next season so we could see the squad down by a player or two.


*Maybe they would should Sexton get a concussion or some long-term injury in one of the remaining 6N games but then Leinster probably get first crack at him.

MadDog can play 12 too
On a central contract, Sure sign him
Without, I'm mitigated.

I think the branch would be better to push for central contracts on Aki and McCartney, it would suit both Connacht and Ireland better

Madigan seems to divide opinions a bit. I don't think he's quite good enough to ever be a regular international 10 but I think he'd be a great signing for us. He' s a classy player with a pretty broad skillset and I think he'd suit our style really well. Absolutely top class goal kicker too.

He would demand a huge wage packet though so almost definitley undoable unless the IRFU were willing to contribute towards it.

Darragh wrote: I wish the IRFU had a central contract funding model that was equally divided between the four teams.

A minimum at each province would be a start. Some of the CCs at Ulster over the years have been a bit questionable, you could argue it's already in place among the other 3 provinces.

I'd love him but probably only doable if IRFU pay for him.

I wish the IRFU had a central contract funding model that was equally divided between the four teams.

eg 12 contracts. 3 per province. So players would have to be shared.

Leinster get it far too good in this sense. Healy, Toner, Heaslip , Sexton, etc.....they must have most of those contracts.

Would be a fantastic model for the next generation. Announce it commencing post the next World Cup or something.

All over the news that Madigan is 'open' now to a move to Connacht. Oh please baby Jesus, don't take this one away from me. Class act - head & shoulders above any 10 we have # playa

I think what we see is an extremely competitive market place where all our peers are largely increasing the quality of their stocks. The league this year reflects that. Scarlets, Cardiff, etc.

Our recruitment after winning the league wasn't really up to the level required imho. Griffin, Rowland, Robertson-McCoy, Illi, etc would be unlikely to rock up at one of the other provinces and start much or even bench.

Having said that, Carey and Cannon look promising. Particularly Carey.

I feel we need a few marquee signings a la when we heard of Craig Clarke, hell even Muliana coming. They generated a lot of buzz and excitement. Granted they didn't work out but I would like to see that level of starter being signed rather than speculative punts.

I agree we certainly need a LH prop. You would hope Peter Dooley or even Porter have ambition to start somewhere else and put pressure on Buckley. He has played too much imho.
I think we are carrying a lot of dead weight at second row and would like to see a big signing there. Dillane and Roux haven't always been convincing and Cannon has shown promise. The rest of them I am less convinced.
I'd love to see a 7/8 come in. Proper marquee signing please. We have talent there esp with Masterson coming back, but I still think we need a big game player here and just don't think Dualai is it.

I also think we need a 12. I get all our injuries but we haven't adequately replaced Henshaw leaving. It shows in our performances because we are very side to side. Ronaldson is really good but it's a big load on him. I don't think Robb/ Parata/ Griffin, etc are the solutions.

I am not sure how I feel about the Madigan situation. All this press talk re Madigan, I wonder would the IRFU pay for Madigan to come? Him and Boshoff would be an improvement on Boshoff and Carty or Carty and AN Other.

So a 1, 4/5, 7/8, 12 for me please but they have got to be quality.

We really do need some quality. Otherwise the same pressure points will apply. Prop cover for Dennis, Lineout, A back row leader to influence games and a 12 to help Aki give structure.

If Munster let Saili go, could he work for us? Outside Aki, could be a game changer!!

I appreciate we probably don't have the funds for all this, but am hoping the IRFU are switched on to our needs.

It's nice to dream.....!

connachta wrote:

Mark Mostyn wrote:

connachta wrote: Nobody wants to react about him, but I still think, above Poolman/any NIQ, it's Loughney who's the most likely to be released (with Stevenson/Qualter)

LH : I do think a pretty solid NIQ could come, he will have constant gametime and ease up Buckley job (who plays too much, too many times the full 80).

+ I'm far from convinced by him in any of the few games he played since 2016... 33 next season, in addition...

Repeating myself a bit but Peter Dooley would be an incredible signing at loosehead, would make a lot of sense for him to move as well. Heard rumours Ulster were after him but we should be making a move as well IMO.

How many locks would you like to see in the senior squad next year? I'd like to see retain 5 and back the 3 academy lads to fill in beyond that

Yes that's what I said above for locks. But our 3 academy lads alternate between lock and blindside flanker, so a 6th one might be needed...

Dooley or Bent or NIQ/Project spot.

Think Bent has nailed down the backup tighthead spot at Leinster and seems to have won over the fans in a major way so he might be tough to get

salmson wrote:

Mark Mostyn wrote: Releasing players is rough but it is a reality of sport, they will get decent (maybe even better) contracts elsewhere

I take your point in that the players know what they're getting in to, but not everyone will get a contract. Of the 10 players who left/were released by Connacht last season 6 are still playing and presumably on decent or better (or much better) contracts: Ah You, Henshaw, McGinty, Muldowney, Naoupu, Pewhairangi (London Broncos RL); but 4 are no longer in professional sport: Carr, Finn, Harris-Wright (signed & apparently released by LI, back playing for Clontarf) and Porter.

It'll be interesting to see how many move on to other clubs this year as there are fewer ould heads (Loughs asides) in the group yet to re-sign.

I'm sorry if this is very harsh but if a player is in his prime and can't get a contract at another province or Aviva/promotion seeking Championship/Top 14/promotion seeking ProD2 team then they're probably not good enough for a team with playoff/Champions Cup quarter final aspirations and shouldn't be kept out of sympathy. I'm not going to single out lads and I don't particularly like typing that but I think that's the harsh reality

Mark Mostyn wrote:

connachta wrote: Nobody wants to react about him, but I still think, above Poolman/any NIQ, it's Loughney who's the most likely to be released (with Stevenson/Qualter)

LH : I do think a pretty solid NIQ could come, he will have constant gametime and ease up Buckley job (who plays too much, too many times the full 80).

+ I'm far from convinced by him in any of the few games he played since 2016... 33 next season, in addition...

Repeating myself a bit but Peter Dooley would be an incredible signing at loosehead, would make a lot of sense for him to move as well. Heard rumours Ulster were after him but we should be making a move as well IMO.

How many locks would you like to see in the senior squad next year? I'd like to see retain 5 and back the 3 academy lads to fill in beyond that

Yes that's what I said above for locks. But our 3 academy lads alternate between lock and blindside flanker, so a 6th one might be needed...

Dooley or Bent or NIQ/Project spot.

connachta wrote: Nobody wants to react about him, but I still think, above Poolman/any NIQ, it's Loughney who's the most likely to be released (with Stevenson/Qualter)

LH : I do think a pretty solid NIQ could come, he will have constant gametime and ease up Buckley job (who plays too much, too many times the full 80).

+ I'm far from convinced by him in any of the few games he played since 2016... 33 next season, in addition...

Repeating myself a bit but Peter Dooley would be an incredible signing at loosehead, would make a lot of sense for him to move as well. Heard rumours Ulster were after him but we should be making a move as well IMO.

How many locks would you like to see in the senior squad next year? I'd like to see retain 5 and back the 3 academy lads to fill in beyond that