First extraction from Keane -

www.connachtrugby.ie/video-introducing-n...-coach-kieran-keane/

Anyone who lands in Ireland/plays for a province before the year is out is a 3 year project anyone that is in January is a 5 year project

When does the project player time change from three to five years then? I thought that was an immediate change.

connemara man wrote: I can see a signing or 2 coming for sure... Hopefully... Definitely... Maybe...

I'd like to see players coming in that will put pressure on the starting 23. At times last season especially when injuries hit and I know we were bare bones at those stages there was really a step down in quality. To the extent there wasn't enough competition for places no one forcing their hand up for inclusion. Now there seemed to me to be a malaise across the team so that might feed in to that.

Hoping new coaching staff and a high impact new signing will lift the team. I don't want a miracle season just a good competitive season

had a lot to do with not strengthening the squad after the high profile departures of 2016, we don't need project players or IQ. just 2 or 3 guys that as you say are pushing to start in the 15

I think it would be bizzare if we we headed in to the final season to get players in on the old residency rules with 2 NIQs(if Boshoff is staying, and I think we'd have heard by now if he wasn't) and only 1 project. There's space for AT LEAST one more project player there and it's in the IRFU's interest for us to get someone decent.

The only way I can't see it happening is if money is very very tight, but the IRFU have enormous cash reserves and they haven't been afraid to dip in to help out certain other provinces recently...

I can see a signing or 2 coming for sure... Hopefully... Definitely... Maybe...

I'd like to see players coming in that will put pressure on the starting 23. At times last season especially when injuries hit and I know we were bare bones at those stages there was really a step down in quality. To the extent there wasn't enough competition for places no one forcing their hand up for inclusion. Now there seemed to me to be a malaise across the team so that might feed in to that.

Hoping new coaching staff and a high impact new signing will lift the team. I don't want a miracle season just a good competitive season

Westie85 wrote: He wouldn't be involved in any announcements He technically isn't head coach yet. He is still under contract to the chiefs. I wouldn't be expecting many signings, we signed a fair few players during last season who have been retained to make up for some that left at the end of the season.

Jaysus the glass in really half empty there with you Westie or else your being realistic .....I still beieve there will be one or two to bring a smile to our faces

He wouldn't be involved in any announcements He technically isn't head coach yet. He is still under contract to the chiefs. I wouldn't be expecting many signings, we signed a fair few players during last season who have been retained to make up for some that left at the end of the season.

www.connachtrugby.ie/nigel-carolan-every...ying-the-experience/

So Keane has returned to NZ - no announcements while he was here. Am a little disappointed.

sea_point wrote:

Bazzo wrote:

salmson wrote:

sligsup wrote: Looking at the preseason pics on line - no sign of Boschoff, now there are a number of others also that are not in the pics so may be no indication.

If he's not there we may presume he's gone. Did anyone see any not-yet-announced signings in the pics (can't say I did)?

Nope. I'd imagine any signings that have yet to be announced will be coming from the southern hemisphere and not be arriving til October.

Boschoff is definitely listed on updated site....

www.connachtrugby.ie/players/marnitz-boshoff-2/

As far as I understand even the players are uncertain on this. So its anybody's guess. All will be revealed but as stands I know none that have any idea what's going on with Marnitz.

Bazzo wrote:

salmson wrote:

sligsup wrote: Looking at the preseason pics on line - no sign of Boschoff, now there are a number of others also that are not in the pics so may be no indication.

If he's not there we may presume he's gone. Did anyone see any not-yet-announced signings in the pics (can't say I did)?

Nope. I'd imagine any signings that have yet to be announced will be coming from the southern hemisphere and not be arriving til October.

Boschoff is definitely listed on updated site....

www.connachtrugby.ie/players/marnitz-boshoff-2/

RoadRunnerR1 wrote: Ihaia West singed for the Hurricanes for next year on a one year contract with Otere Black moving in the opposite direction. Shame as he has little or no chance of ever getting to wear an AB Jumper and now he's chosen to play third choice at best behind Beauden & Jordy Barrett for a year. I think he's a quality player who'd have made a really good starting outhalf for Connacht and probably be well in the reckoning for Ireland in 3 years time. The lack of player signings yet for next season especially at OH & LH is frightening. Hopefully there might some movement after Friday when the final announcement is made regarding the one AUS (Rebels) and two SA (Cheetahs & Kings) teams getting cut from Super Rugby. But with the Cheetahs & Kings now joining the Pro12 apparently, that leaves only the rebels players on the open market.

www.planetrugby.com/news/west-makes-hurricanes-switch/

I'm not normally one who goes looking for project players (nor do I have a problem with them) but with the change in rules at the end of the year this is the last chance to stock up before it becomes a five year rule and thus a two contract minimum situation which will also be less appealing to players to come abroad imo

columoc wrote: Only just noticed that Marty Banks has joined Treviso from Highlanders. I saw him on TV recently and was very impressed, thought we might have a shout given he worked with KK in Tasman. He is a Stunning place kicker. Pity, one that got away

He originally signed with them over a year ago so nothing to be done unfortunately as I highly doubt we could afford to buy out any contracts.

Only just noticed that Marty Banks has joined Treviso from Highlanders. I saw him on TV recently and was very impressed, thought we might have a shout given he worked with KK in Tasman. He is a Stunning place kicker. Pity, one that got away

salmson wrote:

sligsup wrote: Looking at the preseason pics on line - no sign of Boschoff, now there are a number of others also that are not in the pics so may be no indication.

If he's not there we may presume he's gone. Did anyone see any not-yet-announced signings in the pics (can't say I did)?

Nope. I'd imagine any signings that have yet to be announced will be coming from the southern hemisphere and not be arriving til October.

salmson wrote:

sligsup wrote: Looking at the preseason pics on line - no sign of Boschoff, now there are a number of others also that are not in the pics so may be no indication.

If he's not there we may presume he's gone. Did anyone see any not-yet-announced signings in the pics (can't say I did)?

I havent either we have a few NIQ slots available so I would assume they are going to be from NZ with the Keane connection but would think arrival will be mid october / November after ITM Cup unless released early.