tlocke wrote:

FACECUTTR wrote: I'd have Gibbs with Carolan as his 2nd in command. We play a style suited to the NZ way so any coach not already having his team playing like that is not going to be selected. The branch want us to play the Connacht way and the coach that comes in will facilitate that.
I'd have Rob Penney in a heartbeat.

I would love to see Rob Penny at Connacht. I thought he was doing a good job at Munster (Heineken cup semi final), despite being constantly undermined by ex-munster players in the media for implementing the Kiwi (Connacht's) 2-4-2 pod system (Mr Wood .... Not the Munster way ....). I thought he didn't get enough time or credit for trying to bring Munster into the era of modern progressive rugby. Maybe he was ahead of his time for Irish rugby then.

That said I think there's zero chance of Rob Penny coming back to Irish Rugby.

I'd agree with you about Penney, much like Lam he was trying to build a new culture at Munster but it was just too big a leap for them.
Between playing personnel and fans it never really was allowed get the traction it needed.

Would certainly be interesting if he was to return to Ireland for the Connacht job....

FACECUTTR wrote: I'd have Gibbs with Carolan as his 2nd in command. We play a style suited to the NZ way so any coach not already having his team playing like that is not going to be selected. The branch want us to play the Connacht way and the coach that comes in will facilitate that.
I'd have Rob Penney in a heartbeat.

I would love to see Rob Penny at Connacht. I thought he was doing a good job at Munster (Heineken cup semi final), despite being constantly undermined by ex-munster players in the media for implementing the Kiwi (Connacht's) 2-4-2 pod system (Mr Wood .... Not the Munster way ....). I thought he didn't get enough time or credit for trying to bring Munster into the era of modern progressive rugby. Maybe he was ahead of his time for Irish rugby then.

That said I think there's zero chance of Rob Penny coming back to Irish Rugby.

columoc wrote:

Decadence wrote:

FACECUTTR wrote: Adrian Flavin. Mike Mccarthy not that it makes any difference. We're along way down the road for anti-brittish crap.

Agreed. And Connachta has a month off to try to think of a few more names for that list.

Now, back to the actual topic please.

Serious snowflake territory. If such an innocuous comment is perceived as offensive no one can ever write a critical comment about any player!

And for historical accuracy, he who shall not be named never actually made it to Connacht, Charles Coote did his bidding for him.

There are more appropriate ways Connachta could have made an argument against Lancaster, but the reality is the only relevant measure of Lancaster's suitability is his character and coaching record which on both accounts is decent....

In his time in (and prior to ) the England job he showed himself to be beyond reproach in terms of players discipline, style of Rugby etc. His time as England coach should be footnoted with the injury list he had to contend with.Something Jones hasn't had to dealt with yet, he took over a team where the likes of Tualigi's cover had been blooded already by Lancaster....

Decadence wrote:

FACECUTTR wrote: Adrian Flavin. Mike Mccarthy not that it makes any difference. We're along way down the road for anti-brittish crap.

Agreed. And Connachta has a month off to try to think of a few more names for that list.

Now, back to the actual topic please.

Serious snowflake territory. If such an innocuous comment is perceived as offensive no one can ever write a critical comment about any player!

And for historical accuracy, he who shall not be named never actually made it to Connacht, Charles Coote did his bidding for him.

CONN8 wrote: I know that they said that they were going to take their time in looking for a new coach, but I think they should do it sooner rather than later. If you look at Bristol since they uncovered that Pat Lam was going to them, their results have improved.

We need to get the new head coach under contract as soon as possible and if there's a chance have the next coach started by the end of season. All respect to Pat but he has moved on and the players will probably want to know who is coming next.

There has to be some degree of hand-over so the sooner this is announced the better

I'd have Gibbs with Carolan as his 2nd in command. We play a style suited to the NZ way so any coach not already having his team playing like that is not going to be selected. The branch want us to play the Connacht way and the coach that comes in will facilitate that.
I'd have Rob Penney in a heartbeat.

I'd be very happy with a coach of Lancaster's ability and integrity but I'd say the branch will be looking for someone with a similar philosophy to Pat. We can pretty much write off next season if we get someone who wants to stamp a different style on the squad. Gibbes is the standout candidate for me of those mentioned so far.

Lancaster was on a flight back with several Connacht fans who were at the Wasps game in Coventry. A group in front of me in the queue to get on board were grigging him about coming West. Now I know that he'd never give anything away in an environment such as that (and I have to commend him for being a good sport, and posing for a couple of pics with other fans etc.) I did get the sense just looking at the body language that he felt Connacht wouldn't be for him for whatever reason. Not worth much I know, but that was the sense I took away from that brief exchange

FACECUTTR wrote: Adrian Flavin. Mike Mccarthy not that it makes any difference. We're along way down the road for anti-brittish crap.

Agreed. And Connachta has a month off to try to think of a few more names for that list.

Now, back to the actual topic please.

Adrian Flavin. Mike Mccarthy not that it makes any difference. We're along way down the road for anti-brittish crap.

I get it guys, don't bother, I won't be happy with Lancaster but won't use that point anymore

connachta wrote: Swifty was, but now? Cannon partly, but can't remember someone else in our current squad

Kieran Marmion was born in Barking and went to school in ENGLAND and university in WALES or is it just a Passport thing for you now.

Decadence wrote:

connachta wrote: I don't want Cromwell back in Connacht

Jesus wept. Can we keep the anti-British sentiment out of this topic please or bans will be imposed (consider this a warning Connachta). I'm not sure you've noticed but more than a few of our players, past and present, are English!

Needed to be said. Not just our players with the British / English connections. Lots of us Clan members with family or personal collections as well. Should we also move on or stay away.

Swifty was, but now? Cannon partly, but can't remember someone else in our current squad

connachta wrote: I don't want Cromwell back in Connacht

Jesus wept. Can we keep the anti-British sentiment out of this topic please or bans will be imposed (consider this a warning Connachta). I'm not sure you've noticed but more than a few of our players, past and present, are English!

Lancaster is being talked about as a possible for the Leicester job.

Of those mentioned I'd be happy with one of Ruddock, Easterby, Carolan, Gibbs, or any decently qualified but under the radar NZ'er who has a point to prove and a good coaching team behind him.

Gerry's book highlighted the fact that Lam came because he got the call early, so while this process can't be rushed it does need to be wrapped up in the next 4-6 weeks if the branch have a desired candidate, they need to hit him up with an attractive offer fast.

Agree on the point of style that we need to continue down the route we're on, tweaks will be gladly encouraged but asking the smallest, seemingly most injury prone squad to change style drastically towards a more physical, confrontational approach would be a recipe for disaster imo. Now if the coach comes in with 8 to 10 big uns that's a different matter but seems pretty unlikely.