mary hinge wrote: Very pleased to hear it's Lam. Welcome on board Pat.

Re international signings: I think the thought of Cronin and JHW rotating is excellent. I think one of Damo Browne or Devin Toner may well join us. As well as that we must look to getting an experienced international enforcer on board: what about Nathan Hines, Ali Williams, Al Kelloch, or Paul Tito; any of whom would do a good job for us.

Stringer would be an excellent signing and would mean Moore and Murphy could go. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ian Madigan, Fionn Carr, and Andrew Conway head west.

Browne could join us, but that depends really on whether Leinster can bring in another 2nd rower, as it is even with Macca they'll still be short.

Hines wasn't allowed a new contract at Leinster and has signed a new deal with Clermont. I think there's alot better 2nd rowers out there for the money we'd have to pay for Ali Williams. And why would he join us, he could go to France. Al Kellock is on his last legs. Paul Tito is retired.

Madigan wouldn't have a notion of joining us I'd say

I'd take Stringer for his experience and to guide Marmion but I'd only give him a 1 year deal.

We have to be realistic about signings. We're probably not going to be in the Heineken Cup

mary hinge wrote: Very pleased to hear it's Lam. Welcome on board Pat.

Re international signings: I think the thought of Cronin and JHW rotating is excellent. I think one of Damo Browne or Devin Toner may well join us. As well as that we must look to getting an experienced international enforcer on board: what about Nathan Hines, Ali Williams, Al Kelloch, or Paul Tito; any of whom would do a good job for us.

Stringer would be an excellent signing and would mean Moore and Murphy could go. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ian Madigan, Fionn Carr, and Andrew Conway head west.

Cronin/JHW-Would be great .I'm surprised about the thought of Cronin returning though.

Damo Browne/Devin Toner-Wouldn't be gone on either.May lightning stike me down but i don't thing Damo does enough.

Madigan and Parks-A perfect dream,big fan of Madigan.

I'd personally donate the Childrens allowance + some ,to get Richie Grey here ,but will never happen.

The IRFU won't agree to a 30+ NIQ getting more than a 1 year contract, which is why Hines left Leinster in the first place, so the chances of getting the likes of Williams or of Hines returning to Ireland is slim.

Very pleased to hear it's Lam. Welcome on board Pat.

Re international signings: I think the thought of Cronin and JHW rotating is excellent. I think one of Damo Browne or Devin Toner may well join us. As well as that we must look to getting an experienced international enforcer on board: what about Nathan Hines, Ali Williams, Al Kelloch, or Paul Tito; any of whom would do a good job for us.

Stringer would be an excellent signing and would mean Moore and Murphy could go. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ian Madigan, Fionn Carr, and Andrew Conway head west.

Firstly Hell Yeah! Glad to have Lam on board. Of all the candidates left he was the best.

As for international signings Lam recently worked with Samoa so wouldn't be surprised to see a few South Sea Islanders heading this way or maybe a few Kiwis as well. Interesting times.

i have a feeling the this international is BIG. like parks big but younger.

honestly sale are awful, they'll go down. lets dream of richie grey.

we had about 250k in a pile for macca or so.
as proves, its better spending big on 1 player then average money on average player, mccrea, tj, loxton

id be happy that its lam when its finally put to bed.

if its the standard 2 yr contract that may put the current coaches left in contract jobs under serious pressure as lam wont want to spend 50% of that contract working with someone elses people. time will tell.

on sears comment re signing top class internationals id be as sceptical as borders but we are free to speculate so lets have some fun.

cronin has been linked in the media to a return and has said decision is made but wont say. prob leinster but its a position that connacht are anxious to strengthen?

2nd row. a capped niq or devin toner?

scrum half- strings?

backs- carr is wolfhound capped. would that qualify?

Off the field Connacht are hosting a fundraising initiative at the Stoop for Irish diaspora and businesses in England.

More than 150 tickets have already been sold for the lunch which injured players Gavin Duffy, John Muldoon and Frank Murphy will attend, in addition to former Welsh international and television pundit Scott Quinnell.

Connacht CEO says Connacht will showcase its progress and plans for the future in the hopes of attracting more investment into the province. And the dinner will also boast a special appearance by video, expected to be new coach Pat Lam from Auckland, who will be officially announced as the successor to Eric Elwood this afternoon.

swift4prez ‏@lufc2008
Welcome to the west Pat Lam, to be confirmed today via video link at a special dinner in london. £230 ticket but worth it now @ConnachtClan

I'll believe it when I see it on both counts.

I wouldn't mind Stringer coming in to help develop young Marmion into an International scrumhalf, but when he talks about top class internationals I hope he means someone with a slightly younger age profile.

I hope this has been super duper confirmed by the branch to the papers and we're just waiting for the official annoucement.

Stringer - Do not want!

Seems Cork Examiner also confirming Lam:

New Zealander Pat Lam is expected to be unveiled as Connacht’s new head coach this week.

It’s understood the 44-year-old has accepted a two-year deal to succeed Eric Elwood who leaves at the end of this season.

Also and more interestingly they say:
He will take charge of a Connacht side that Sears has pledged to boost with top class internationals next season.

Can't wait! Stringer?

Seems like the Galway Advertiser thinks it is only a matter of days

"Pat Lam is expected to be named as Connacht’s successor to Eric Elwood in the next couple of days."

Would be interesting to see him in the crowd during the Quinns match !!

but they need to announce the successful candidate asap. its being dragged out too long and while its still up in the air the media will speculate and opinionate. thats what they do.

i see no reason why the new managers name and starting date cannot be announced now. it migjt be just the shot in the arm the team needs.

Id say if you asked the squad how ye feel about eos, they would all go fuck that!!!!!!!!