Could be KK either. He could have a utility back lined up or a centre and a utility back. Not sure who could make the step up from the academy. Very surprised Parata was released. He was decent for us when needed and covered 2 positions.

Surprised Rory being released as good squad player and I assume not breaking the bank! Didn't see enough of Gaffney but I though there were high hopes for him! Who is making the call I wonder ? Carolan, Ruane ??

that's better news at least

Well done on the moderator promotion Connachta. By the way this is the squad 2017/18 thread so commenting here about 2 guys who are not being re-signed is the place to do it.

Read the message on boards.ie and his dad suggests he and gaffney are hoping to be released from their contracts and head off to otago next week

FACECUTTR wrote: According to Boards and Rory Paratas dad himself and Gaffney have been released. Best of luck to both of them.

We're talking about signings, not releases...:blink:
Parata Definitely could do well if he considers a move to ProD2/Championship/Edinburgh/...

That's not great
Gaffney i can understand but always thought paratta had the goods to push on be a nailed on first teamer for us
All the best to the two of them, hope they go off and have success.

According to Boards and Rory Paratas dad himself and Gaffney have been released. Best of luck to both of them.

Accidentally Onside wrote: Was hoping there might have been a signings announcement to coincide with the early bird tickets release.....Oh well

Would have got swamped in the Champions Cup Q/F noise, no point in announcing a signing this week. We were announcing signings (e.g. Kelleher) right into May last year so no need to panic yet.

April has come. That's VERY worrying. I'd have hoped for a K.Keane Gift already...

That's what I was thinking. Still a few current players to sign on again hopefully too.
Really thought we would have a couple of new guys signed already but maybe Dawai, Cannon and Ili cut our budget a bit.

Was hoping there might have been a signings announcement to coincide with the early bird tickets release.....Oh well

RoadRunnerR1 wrote: I have to agree that a couple of backs like Patrick Osborne would be ideal. Wonder would it be possible for someone like Jame Connolly, Nepia Fox Matamua or even Eoin McKeon to convert to play in the backs. A Connacht coach recently pointed out at a training course that the reason we don't have any big 6'4" backs like George North playing in Irish rugby is that they were all sent to play lock or backrow. Maybe time to reverse engineer a little.

Not too sure about that. We DO have big backs in Ireland: Tommy Bowe, Robbie Henshaw, Jacob Stockdale for example are all big lads. The lads sent to the back row are typically(but not always) a bit slow to play in the backs or else their skills ceiling seems a little below where you'd like a back to be. I can't see McKeon, Fox Matamua or Connolly ever outpacing any back in a footrace tbh and that's obviously a big ssue for what are supposed to be your most dangerous runners.

RoadRunnerR1 wrote: Is it the Patrick Osborne who plays on the wing for the Highlanders you're referring to.

Yes

I have to agree that a couple of backs like Patrick Osborne would be ideal. Wonder would it be possible for someone like Jame Connolly, Nepia Fox Matamua or even Eoin McKeon to convert to play in the backs. A Connacht coach recently pointed out at a training course that the reason we don't have any big 6'4" backs like George North playing in Irish rugby is that they were all sent to play lock or backrow. Maybe time to reverse engineer a little.

Mark Mostyn wrote: Wing: Adeolokun, McFadden/Poolman, Osbourne

Ili is decent but I think someone like Patrick Osbourne could bring something different to the table

I 100% agree with that kind of beast-winger, we miss this profile. Nadolo-like player. Individualist maybe, but powerful

A big 5/8 + a big 14 would help us in the rucks to avoid the multiple turnovers we're facing, too