If the IRFU is serious about developing Connacht they should give him a 3 year central contract and leave him here.

Of course that's about as likely as me winning the Euromillions.

Time to give Macca his own thread, I'll move any later Wolfhounds posts back to that thread...

salmson wrote:

ConnachtCows wrote: Just trying to get some debate going

Might be worth a separate thread...

who might be leaving/let go in the summer (Rodney, Etienne, TJ, McCrea, POD, Frank Murphy, Moore, Tonetti, Loxton, Jarvis) who do we want to stay (Fetu, Macca) and who might or might not be retiring (JOC, Swifty, Flav) snd so on....

id keep tonetti subject to him recovering from his injury.the rest, with poss exception of reynecke and hes niq, havent done enough imo to earn a new contract.(i presume frank is on big money?)

Swifty, joc and flav should stay as good experienced impact players next season. I like the way EE is using faloon and Joc this season for instance. Kearney needs 10kg if hes to do similar with swifty though(which isnt realistic). We will be in the market for at least one decent hooker. im not convinced by what little ive seen of harris-wright so far.

phatguerilla wrote:

ConnachtCows wrote:

salmson wrote:

ConnachtCows wrote: What would people think of losing Macca to Leinster on a 3 year contract, if it meant Leinster won those three Heineken Cups, meaning we played in it each season (ignoring whats going on with the French and Englsih right now)

If my auntie had balls etc.

Just trying to get some debate going

I think our competitiveness would be down a mark straight away, we have no like for like replacement. I personally feel that Macca would be a forerunner for captain next year, he's been a key player this season in so much of our play, he's assertive around the pitch, he's one of the senior players, think it could be time for a promotion. We would lose all those extra qualities along with his playmaking abilities. Couple that with Swifty likely finishing up soon or at least winding down and we'd be left with a massive 2nd row hole like Leinster have now but without a giant man child to make up the difference. (not that I think toner is the answer to anyones problems atm).

I think they will have to offer him the captaincy and the contract(financially and time) that goes with it. He woud need a contract of a 4 yr type variety with a captains salary tokeep him here if an offer comes in from the other provinces. I would be surprised if he was offered a central contract given his age profile.
Connacht wont be able to match the others financially so length of contract and future role are the only cards left to play.

ConnachtCows wrote:

salmson wrote:

ConnachtCows wrote: What would people think of losing Macca to Leinster on a 3 year contract, if it meant Leinster won those three Heineken Cups, meaning we played in it each season (ignoring whats going on with the French and Englsih right now)

If my auntie had balls etc.

Just trying to get some debate going

I think our competitiveness would be down a mark straight away, we have no like for like replacement. I personally feel that Macca would be a forerunner for captain next year, he's been a key player this season in so much of our play, he's assertive around the pitch, he's one of the senior players, think it could be time for a promotion. We would lose all those extra qualities along with his playmaking abilities. Couple that with Swifty likely finishing up soon or at least winding down and we'd be left with a massive 2nd row hole like Leinster have now but without a giant man child to make up the difference. (not that I think toner is the answer to anyones problems atm).

I wouldn't put any money on Macca staying at Connacht that I couldn't afford to lose. Lots of variables come into play. First, there's the matter of a new coach coming in at Connacht. Always an outside shot that it's not someone he wants to play for over the next 2-3 years. Beyond that he'll probably want some assurances that Connacht will continue their squad improvement and bring in another 3-4 quality players next season including a new second row partner. Then there is no guarantee of HEC rugby next year for Connacht. Ulster are playing well and Leinster could always up their form for the business end of the tournament, but that well can only be gone to so often. Plus there is the concern about what the English and French can accomplish regarding the number of Rabo teams qualifying for the HEC going forward.

Finally, Leinster are a professional outfit and if he is truly on their radar they will be able to promise things and put on the pressure that Connacht cannot. Guaranteed HEC involvement, larger crowds, better facilities, perennial chance for hardware, more money, perfect shop window for the Irish selectors (some might argue that) and if his form continues he'll be in their starting second row. It could be hard to pass up even if he prefers Galway to Dublin.

ConnachtCows wrote: Just trying to get some debate going

Might be worth a separate thread...

who might be leaving/let go in the summer (Rodney, Etienne, TJ, McCrea, POD, Frank Murphy, Moore, Tonetti, Loxton, Jarvis) who do we want to stay (Fetu, Macca) and who might or might not be retiring (JOC, Swifty, Flav) snd so on....

salmson wrote:

ConnachtCows wrote: What would people think of losing Macca to Leinster on a 3 year contract, if it meant Leinster won those three Heineken Cups, meaning we played in it each season (ignoring whats going on with the French and Englsih right now)

If my auntie had balls etc.

Just trying to get some debate going

ConnachtCows wrote: What would people think of losing Macca to Leinster on a 3 year contract, if it meant Leinster won those three Heineken Cups, meaning we played in it each season (ignoring whats going on with the French and Englsih right now)

If my auntie had balls etc.

What would people think of losing Macca to Leinster on a 3 year contract, if it meant Leinster won those three Heineken Cups, meaning we played in it each season (ignoring whats going on with the French and Englsih right now)

Now mightn't be the best time to go to Leinster. Many of the superstars and equally vital dogs - at least 7 from the first 15 (O'Driscoll, D'arcy, Nacewa, both scrumhalves, Ross, Cullen, Browne) - are the wrong side of 30.

As Munster found out, when you lose half a team over 2 years then the most you can hope for is to stay competitive and not fall over a cliff.

My thoughts exactly Ummm. You don't think he'd be a squad member at Leinster do you Seapoint? He's far better than what they have now anyway. Although I agree what happened to the 3 lads over there would surely be in his mind

My biggest worry about that is Macca has now played in the HEC and might be lured by the promise of more of the same. Barring another Irish ERC winner we'll be in the Amlin next year. He's one of the best locks in Ireland right now and he'd easily start for Leinster.

menacethedenis wrote: I really fear the worst when it comes to Macca's contract. It's no secret Leinster like him and lock has been a problem position for them. Wouldn't be surprised if Damien Browne came the other way.

Not overly concerned actually about Macca, he likes it in Galway and he likes playing for Connacht. Playing HEC for us and getting Ireland recognition means a great deal to him also.

I don't think he's the sort of person who would go to a province just to pick up a HEC medal as a "squad member", it's why he refused before and I don't think Leinster or Munster for that matter would be able to give him the guarantee of regular rugby that we can.

But I seem to remember saying something similar about the three amigo's too...

I really fear the worst when it comes to Macca's contract. It's no secret Leinster like him and lock has been a problem position for them. Wouldn't be surprised if Damien Browne came the other way.

connachtexile wrote: ... if his form holds there has to be a good chance of a Central Contract right?

Sure. With Leinster.