Banm wrote: I'm very happy with this signing. He did very well with the Force when he broke into the squad.

He's a good 10. Not gonna smash people but does everything well. Solid player

A passing 12.

Dont think he is a 10 at all and from the announcemnt hasnt being signed ad a 10.

I'm very happy with this signing. He did very well with the Force when he broke into the squad.

He's a good 10. Not gonna smash people but does everything well. Solid player

A passing 12.

salmson wrote: not sure where the notion that he can/does play 10 or 10ish came from

The uncited claim in his Wikipedia page would be my guess.
He played there in the u20 WC and his position hasn't been edited on the page since it was first created around then, so the less motivated members of the fourth estate probably just went with that ...
www.worldrugby.org/match/12522

Mark Mostyn wrote: I don’t know much about him but I presume he’s a second-five-eighth type of centre.

Watched him last week, he distributed well but was somewhat hamstrung by Lealifano inside him having an absolute mare at 10.

He's looks much a centre-type-of-centre from his starts, not sure where the notion that he can/does play 10 or 10ish came from (my best guess is under-researched Indo journalists). Has played more at 12 than 13, but has indeed played entire seasons at 13, which is where I suspect he'll end up up for us. Otherwise we're expending a good chunk of budget and an NIE spot on a sub/dirt-tracker (btw this is also why I think Copeland is definitely going to be our starting 8 next season).

ThisYearWillBeDifferent wrote: Rumour confirmed!

www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-rugby-anno...n-from-the-brumbies/

I don’t know much about him but I presume he’s a second-five-eighth type of centre. Gives us a lot of options with two distributing 12s, and the option of playing Bundee in a similar role to the one he plays for Ireland. I wonder will Farrell play more at 13 next year.

It’ll be interesting to see what happens with Griffin and Robb.

Rumour confirmed!

www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-rugby-anno...n-from-the-brumbies/

salmson wrote: Thought that was harsh, Godwin was good last week and Lealifano was rubbish.

They won though, so he may fall victim to the don't change a winning team philosophy. Didn't see it but sounds like the main difference was Hawera at 10 though so hopefully he'll get back in.
Can we have Hawera as well? Edit: Nah, he's signed up for next season.

pinky wrote: Godwin was dropped for the Sharks game with Lealiifano shifting to 12.

Thought that was harsh, Godwin was good last week and Lealifano was rubbish.

Godwin was dropped for the Sharks game with Lealiifano shifting to 12.

No I admit I just loved the input of the older brother with Cardiff, and would love to have a first Pumas playing for Connacht

connachta wrote: Narbonne down to 3rd tier rugby. We have NIQ spots.
What about Tuculet brother, 24, as a utility winger, maybe more..

Have you seen much of him?

Narbonne down to 3rd tier rugby. We have NIQ spots.
What about Tuculet brother, 24, as a utility winger, maybe more..

Accidentally Onside wrote: I think that's an excellent signing tbh.
He never suited Munster's game and if he can stay fit I think he could be a top player for us.
Probably the best wheels of any backrow in the country, you give him space and he's gone.

The best Irish backrow available this summer (with Murphy gone to Ulster) so I'm not sure why people aren't more excited by this.

Have to agree, I see this as a great signing. I'd really like to see Mark Flanagan signing from Saracens (Not sure but I think he may be out of contract in the summer). He's a quality experienced lock and is IQ. Keep's NIQ slots open for 10, 12, 2 and a quality back three.

sea_point wrote:

RogueXV wrote:

pinky wrote: Indo seem to be reporting Andrew Deegan has already left (and continuing Godwin speculation): www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-...nnacht-36698921.html

I knew Deegan was a bit of a gamble but I had high hopes for him. Seems he never did it for Keane as sure didn't KK name squads with no outhalf cover on the bench rather than include him. From a senior squad perspective he won't be missed so may as well release him so he can play elsewhere.

Glad Matt is on for another couple of years. He's back to his pre-hand injury form, looking forward to many more tries from him.

Yep don't know what we didn't see about Deegan that prompted Keane to ignore him, I wouldn't judge a ten harshly from Eagles performances give how weak/inexperienced the teams we put out are most weeks.

Hope the Western Force project works out for them, they're politically/geographically and sports-wise on the periphery out in WA, so it's important that there is a major Union presence and not just cede the territory to Rules/League/Cricket..

We might see him yet thi season as he is still in galway had insta stories up last night at Russell Brand show in Galway.

RogueXV wrote:

pinky wrote: Indo seem to be reporting Andrew Deegan has already left (and continuing Godwin speculation): www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-...nnacht-36698921.html

I knew Deegan was a bit of a gamble but I had high hopes for him. Seems he never did it for Keane as sure didn't KK name squads with no outhalf cover on the bench rather than include him. From a senior squad perspective he won't be missed so may as well release him so he can play elsewhere.

Glad Matt is on for another couple of years. He's back to his pre-hand injury form, looking forward to many more tries from him.

Yep don't know what we didn't see about Deegan that prompted Keane to ignore him, I wouldn't judge a ten harshly from Eagles performances give how weak/inexperienced the teams we put out are most weeks.

Hope the Western Force project works out for them, they're politically/geographically and sports-wise on the periphery out in WA, so it's important that there is a major Union presence and not just cede the territory to Rules/League/Cricket..

Accidentally Onside wrote: I think that's an excellent sihgning tbh.
He never suited Munster's game and if he can stay fit I think he could be a top player for us.
Probably the best wheels of any backrow in the country, you give him space and he's gone.

The best Irish backrow available this summer (with Murphy gone to Ulster) so I'm not sure why people aren't more excited by this.

Fully agree, if he stays fit he's a monster.
He was the Tadgh Beirne of Cardiff before his fundamental error in signing for Munster, when he could have come to us played in a team that would have complimented is skills, and won a Pro12 medal instead..

He's an absolute unit, so he'll offer us the durability that Big George did in covering second row as well if we're short at any point.
But I do hope he's being looked at as primarily an eight, he's quick and has great hands...