ummm, wrote: Anyone else think there's a bit of spin going on?

We might have 40 applicants, but how many of them are out of our budget?

Not many I'd reckon, if there are 40 applicants to Connacht I would say the vast majority would have some idea about us and a fair idea of what would be on the table salary wise...

The likes of Graham Henry, Clive Woodward or John Kirwin won't be on the list it's fair to say....

ummm, wrote: Anyone else think there's a bit of spin going on?

We might have 40 applicants, but how many of them are out of our budget?

ummm, how much would the average coach get like penny in munster and how much would connacht have for a coach (whats eric on).

any coach who has a bit of cop on would know that connacht aren't rich and people applying would be realistic.

seanin4711 wrote: I have a strong feeling that EOS is being lined up for this!
Why has he not went for a job since leaving the USA?
just think he fits the role that the IRFU want with us.
mixed emotions about it though!

Are you kidding? Since leaving the US EOS has been pimping himself to all who'll listen and even to those who won't.

Anyone else think there's a bit of spin going on?

We might have 40 applicants, but how many of them are out of our budget?

Bradley? But he's probably going for the Ireland job.

Dr Phil

swift4prez wrote:

The list of approximately 40 applicants features international contenders from the major leagues of world rugby and a number of head coaches who have operated at international level.

EOS is the obvious one, probably Mike Ruddock too. Maybe Matt Williams.(God I'd love to see the look on Franno's face).

Am I missing anyone?

Search for Connacht Rugby Head Coach gathers pace

The vacancy for the position of Connacht Rugby head coach has attracted global interest and the selection panel have begun scrutinising a highly impressive list of applicants.

With the closing date for submissions December 1st applications continue to be received but already it is evident that the position is an extremely attractive one for high calibre coaches from across the world.

The list of approximately 40 applicants features international contenders from the major leagues of world rugby and a number of head coaches who have operated at international level. The pedigree and quality of the applicants is testament to the progress the club has made over the last number of years.

The next stage in the process will take place in the coming weeks with shortlisting and interviews conducted by a four-man selection panel of CEO Tom Sears, two members of the Connacht Professional Games Board, Conor McGuinness and Steve Cunningham, along with a representative of the IRFU. It is expected that the decision of who is to replace Head Coach Eric Elwood next season will be decided early in 2013.

Connacht Rugby CEO Tom Sears is delighted with the response the high-profile position has garnered: “The level of interest and quality of people who have come forward both externally and internally is hugely encouraging. We have some exceptional coaches with excellent track records to select from and we are more confident than ever that we will be able to recruit the right person to take Connacht to new heights.”

“Just as important as the qualities and track record of the applicants will be their understanding of what Connacht Rugby is all about. They have to be the right person as well as the right coach for us. They have to share our ambition and be able to deliver it and to do that they have to appreciate what makes Connacht a special place and buy into everything that Connacht means. ”

I have a strong feeling that EOS is being lined up for this!
Why has he not went for a job since leaving the USA?
just think he fits the role that the IRFU want with us.
mixed emotions about it though!

Creedence wrote: Regarding the fear that the IRFU will foist and Irish coach on us - I'm not sure it holds water. As no one has been shy in pointing out, the IRFU isn't exactly convinced by Connacht Rugby. So why would they put so much value on an Irish coach plying his trade here? I can't see how they would come up with a plan that had the next Irish coach bar one being promoted from Connacht to Ireland. They will want them to have had success in one of the other three jobs - or a top job in Wales or England. Does anyone really think that Eric could have got a phone call from the IRFU saying he had the top job, regardless what miracles he might have worked here in the next few years? I can't see it myself.

I'd disagree, the IRFU see Connacht as a testing ground for Irish coaches with a safety net attached. It gives professional coaching experience at a provincial side, if they do well thats great and they might get a look in for Munster / Leinster job, even if they fail so what kind its only Connacht.

The original plan with Bradley was he'd serve his 2 year apprenticehip at Connacht before moving to Munster and then the Irish job was the path laid out for him.

Personally with this job I want a fresh start. Thats nothing against Dan McFarland, Nigel Carolan or anyone else involved with the setup at the minute but I just think that after 10 years with Bradley and/or Eric we just need to try something new.

Either way it'll be good to get this wrapped up in January to allow the new man time to assess the setup, the players at his disposal and what changes he wants to make.

Regarding the fear that the IRFU will foist and Irish coach on us - I'm not sure it holds water. As no one has been shy in pointing out, the IRFU isn't exactly convinced by Connacht Rugby. So why would they put so much value on an Irish coach plying his trade here? I can't see how they would come up with a plan that had the next Irish coach bar one being promoted from Connacht to Ireland. They will want them to have had success in one of the other three jobs - or a top job in Wales or England. Does anyone really think that Eric could have got a phone call from the IRFU saying he had the top job, regardless what miracles he might have worked here in the next few years? I can't see it myself.

Interesting times eh.

The other thing to consider is an Irish provincial coaching role is an attractive position from abroad. We have a better reputation as a nation at provincial levels.

I think it wouldn't be that hard to tempt the next schmit, penny, ainscombe here?

I think the irish coaches people would want , will not realistically be available to us (mccall, o'shea)

Being forced to look at Eddie because of who he is is laughable. He hasn't been deemed good enough for any other half decent role in Europe recently, so why is he good enough for Connacht? I don't think any of the Senior players would want him either, nor any of the existing support staff.

The job has now moved on from taking a chance on an AIL coach, or someone new like Jeremy Davidson or Bernard Jackman also.

This has to be a good piece of work my the branch and the board.....this is their test, not the teams.

Someone with a proven record with young players and knows what it takes to build a winning habit would be top of my list.

I want a guy from the outside this time round. I hate Steady Eddie and make no bones of it. If McFarland or Carolan want the job I'd tell them next time ala Axel Foley and Rob Penney at Munster. We promoted from within last time lets get someone new in with a fresh perspective.

salmson wrote: Overstrander wondered why people think coaches from a foreign set-up are better.

Well, sorry to break it to you, but if we pick from the Connacht setup - McFarland, Millard, or O'Carolan - <strong>then it's a 2 from 3 chance we end up with a foreign coach</strong>.

As for the "Irish" setup, we pick from that, well, all the undercoaches on the national ticket are foreign - Small, Kiss, Feek - as is the oustanding "Irish" candidate, Mike Ruddock.

We could act as a leg-up to a big job to EOS or Anthony Foley, but is that in any way helpful to Connacht?

It's not it'd be 1/3, Dan is English of course, but he's been with us since god was a young man (ok 2000 ) and has done all his qualifications over here and is very much seen as part of the Irish coaching set up hence his previous involvement with Ireland U-20's & Ireland A back in the day..

Dan is one of us in exactly the same way that Swifty is one of us.....

McFarland reaches ton for Connacht.
Europe Intelligence Wire |
December 22, 2005 |
Copyright (From Irish Independent)

David Kelly


PROP Dan McFarland will become only the second player to chalk up 100 caps for Connacht when he plays against Munster on Tuesday.

Connacht coach Michael Bradley has named a 22-man squad for the Thomond Park clash, but has confirmed that McFarland - "a positive influence on and off the field" - will start at loosehead.
McFarland, 33, has been with Connacht since 2000, having previously been with Stade Francais and Richmond.

Eric Elwood, now assistant coach, was the first player to make 100 appearances for the province, retiring last season after 173 games.
And McFarland looks set to follow Elwood's example into coaching as he is currently in charge of the Connacht U21s.

McFarland experienced the ruthlessness of professional rugby when Richmond were closed down due to financial pressure and found a similar threat at Connacht.

"When I joined, straight away it was backs to the wall, so we had to pull together or simply fail. I'm very proud of the green jersey and it's an honour every time I put it on," said McFarland.
"You don't arrive with a sense of belonging to a team. That has to come over time but out of all the places I've been this was the quickest it came to me.

"The turning point for Connacht came in the final game of my first season. We had lost five Challenge Cup pool games, and we were determined to beat Neath in our final game. We beat them 13-11 and it was a huge lift."

McFarland, a native of Oxfordshire, said he has many memories of his time in Connacht and singles out the European Challenge Cup semi-final ties with Harlequins two seasons ago, when Connacht won the second leg at home but not by enough to go through to the decider.

"They were both the highest and lowest points of my time in Connacht," he said.
"We played so well to win at home but were just edged out on aggregate which was devastating," he said.

Connacht coach Michael Bradley said that McFarland has been a wonderful servant to Connacht rugby.
"He has a huge positive influence on and off the field. This is an important milestone for himself and Connacht and I wish him well," said Bradley.

Comments on vaious postings on this:

Rossie pointed out that he who pays the piper etc.

But if so why does the IRFU expect more tunes for less coin from Connacht? If they want more influence in who the coach is then send Cronin and McAllister and a few others our way on central contracts.

Rossie also asks if we'd accept Yoda as head coach.

This is of course never going to happen - he could hardly do a reverse-Harry-Redknapp and manouvre for the Connacht job while trying to negotiate to stay on as Irish coach. That said he'd be infinitely better than EOS as he has a proven track record as a professional provincial coach: 2 wonderful spells with Munster and a less-than-awful one with Leinster. You also wouldn't be worried about Yoda stunting the growth of the coaches below him in the manner EOS might.

Overstrander wondered why people think coaches from a foreign set-up are better.

Well, sorry to break it to you, but if we pick from the Connacht setup - McFarland, Millard, or O'Carolan - then it's a 2 from 3 chance we end up with a foreign coach.

As for the "Irish" setup, we pick from that, well, all the undercoaches on the national ticket are foreign - Small, Kiss, Feek - as is the oustanding "Irish" candidate, Mike Ruddock.

We could act as a leg-up to a big job to EOS or Anthony Foley, but is that in any way helpful to Connacht?

Have to agree with Menacethedenis here. I think they should pick the person with the best CV and the best pedigree, regardless of where they are from.

Connacht have made huge strides over the last 2 years - the trajectory is definately rising. Anyone going regularly to the games can see it on the field and feel it in the stands. Although nowhere near good enough yet, we are now in a position where we are starting to attract a higher calibre of player and if we keep going, then this can only be better for the team. I have noticed a much greater interest this year from the media, print, radio, blogs etc. Other people are talking about Connacht in a different way now. In a positive, rugby on the field way.

It's very early days yet, but it is slowly going in the right direction. This is why I feel that setting a prerequisite on Connacht, to hire an Irish coach, would be a retrograde step. Great if the best one is Irish. But if they aren't - then Rossie and others are probably right and there is a problem with coaching in Ireland. (not convinced - but we'll see)

However, please don't let Connacht be burdened with trying to put a plaster on that wound! We have enough to be getting on with in trying to develop professional rugby here in the west without that to have to deal with too!.