Tony Ward doesn't seem to agree with Sea-point:

www.independent.ie/opinion/comment/tony-...od-void-3249472.html

I dont often find myself agreeing with George Hook but tonight i think he had a point.
For those of u that didnt see it he said that the IRFU simply had to give the Connacht job to Eddie Cooder o sullivan or prob the most talented Irish coach of the last generation would be lost to the game forever. Quinnie concurred with this opinion.

Hes far from my first choice but if irfu feel they owe cooder anything he will be heading west.

I just heard about this today, was on a boat for the last few days. I'm gutted. I was a little wary when I first heard that EE was going to be coaching us, as I thought he might be a little too close to the players and staff and systems already in place, but he has steadily progressed this team and the structures around he team since his appointment.
I understand though that he doesn't want his family to grow up without him, and it's noble of him to be so up-front about his motives and intentions.

He could have waited until I was back from holidays though. A little bit selfish of him.

I don't think that EOS or Kidney should be mentioned at all for the Connacht job. Firstly isn't the point of the province coaches is that one of them will get the Irish job when the incumbent leaves? Gatland of Connacht left to be replaced by EOS of Connacht and them he was replaced by Kidney of Munster. If the IRFU are serious about this strategy then these guys should be automatically excluded from the short list. I also wouldn't have McFarland in the post and that's no criticism of McFarland I just think that we've had a continuity coach with EE replacing Bradley and its time for a new voice and a new pair of eyes to come in and do the job.

Feels a bit wrong talking about it but i guess we have to get on with it now but I do hope Elwood stays on for the whole season but typical Eric he comes out and says that he will do what ever is best for Connact.

My first preference at the moment would be for Mike Ruddock, but he is being talked about as the next Ireland manager in a big way, if and when Kidney vacates the position. The good thing is we hopefully have long enough to let the permutations play out between those two and come the end of the 6 Nations IMO I would like to think Ruddock would be confirmed as either the Irish or Connacht manager by that stage. (Don't think Schmidt will take the Ireland job and O'Shea definitely won't, outside of those two you haven't really got any alternative candidates).

Dan McFarland would be very high on my shortlist too. I think it would be good for the team that is being built at the moment for that continuity, we are not the finished product by a long shot but I do believe we are building something and for me Dan is very much central to that and would maintain the progress.

Wouldn't mind McLaughlin either if he fancied it, really liked what he was doing in Ulster, but (and I think EOS was a decent coach) appointing him would feel like a massive step backwards IMO.

Roy Keane was off to Turkey, but changes his mind just after the Connacht announcement. Coincidence?

any chance we can bribe michael bradley back. please please :evil: :evil:

mods please dont ban me

FurboFan wrote:
Too little ambition there.

Whats graham Henry up to these days?

He's taking up the Welsh job again as Warren is moving back to Galway apparently.

I've instructed my agents to let Connacht know that I would be pleased to take the job.

What have I started :oops:

menacethedenis wrote:

salmson wrote:
Can someone think up a good rumour please?

From Michael Corcoran's Twitter: "Reported that Clive Woodward is set to leave his post as director of sport at the BOA after six years."

Let's get that one trending #cliveforconnacht

Too little ambition there.

Whats graham Henry up to these days?

salmson wrote:
Can someone think up a good rumour please?

From Michael Corcoran's Twitter: "Reported that Clive Woodward is set to leave his post as director of sport at the BOA after six years."

Let's get that one trending #cliveforconnacht

ummm, wrote: McLaughlin is running Ulster's youth development programme and by all accounts he's loving it. Can't imagine he'd be too interested.

But IIRC Humpty created a role for him there, Gary Longwell was running the show with the academy before then.. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/18727575

Really depends on his ambitions, at the moment he has been demoted by Ulster but really depends on what Mclaughlin wants out of his coaching career...

You beat me to it!

Martin Johnson is still out of work...

salmson wrote: Can someone think up a good rumour please?

Oh, oh, just thought of one!

Robbie Deans is going to be on the market soon, right? :evil:

Creedence wrote: If they are going global maybe Jim Williams? I always loved his attitude and would be the sort of character that could suit our set up. We need someone humble, who doesn't see themselves as bigger than the brand as Eric said yesterday. I'd rule EOS out on that basis alone.

"Well, obviously like, the excuses I used at Ireland, you know, not having the playing base or the ability or funds to complete at, you know, the top table, they apply to Connacht just as well, so if you're, you know, asking me if there's maybe a good fit for my.. interview skills I suppose you'd call them, I'd have to say 'yeah', I think there is, alright."

Seconded, Creedence.

Can someone think up a good rumour please?