We will miss his presence in and around the squad, even more so with Elwood, Forshaw, Macca and Concrete on their way out too at the end of the year.

That is one massive brain drain not to worried about the coaching staff as they'll be replaced but we've losing three locker room leaders which is a bit of a worry. Reynecke is also meant to be a positive presence as well. Some of the guys there are going to have to step up next season.

Flavin is a good player and always comes across as being an even better bloke.

We will miss his presence in and around the squad, even more so with Elwood, Forshaw, Macca and Concrete on their way out too at the end of the year.

Good luck to you Adrian in your retirement!

He quickly became a favourite of mine after coming over from LI because of the effort he put in. Accepted his role in the squad and was always there to help out the team. On many occasions he came on and steady the lineout, a true team player. I suspect if they asked he'd stick around another season which leads me to believe they either believe they can get through with who they have or have someone lined up to replace him. He will be missed, but it sounds like we'll be hearing from him in some other capacity soon enough somewhere in the rugby world.

Congrats to Flav on a fine career. A great servant to Connacht Rugby. Perhaps not the best ball carrier in the world, but his throwing was excellent, and that's the main thing for me when it comes to hooker. All the best in the future Flav. I gather he is a real rugby nerd - watches every rugby game that's televised, so if he doesn't go into coaching, maybe video analysis would suit him!

Shame. Solid player that had enough left in him to continue on. Best of luck to him.

I'd like to see him in coaching. John Fogarty is the forwards coach for the Leinster A team it's a way of him getting experience and learning the Leinster system in a less pressured environment than the senior team. At some stage himself and Girvan Dempsey are going to step up into the senior positions maybe after Schmidt maybe the time after that. I don't see why we couldn't do something similar at Connacht in grooming the likes of Flavin for a coaching position by starting him on his way by making him the Eagles forward coach. We could do the same with JOC as well for fitness and conditioning.

As others have said, an absolute gentleman and consummate professional, who always had time for supporters. A very good hooker and a terrific lineout thrower, he always gave his all for Connacht. All the best Flav.

I really hope we still have a decent signing to make at hooker. Reynecke has never really impressed me and uses a valuable NIQ spot, and I think we need someone to challenge JHW for a starting place.

Best of luck to him, a really nice fella to have a chat with as well. He would make a great addition to the academy coaching set up I think. Front row knowledge is a rare thing, always admired him as he was never the biggest, but gave it everything anytime I saw him play. Good luck Adrian, whatever you do.

Borders no.2 wrote: Good player, good leader, soldiered through a lot of awful days and always gave 100%. I wish him well for the future. I have a feeling his future will be in the game.

With regards to next season, with Flavin off and Reynecke off we are a bit light on the experience front at hooker. Harris-Wright is a good option but I'd like a more experienced option to supplement our existing players. Henry is unproven and if last Saturday showed me nothing else its that the Heffernan at hooker experiment can't see the light of day in a competitive first team outing for a good while yet at least. James Rael has been mentioned, good player by all accounts but again short on experience and relatively unproven.

Don't think we should keep on Reynecke but we could do with an experienced head. Before rossie suggests Denis Fogarty thanks but no thanks.

too late borders. Fogs has signed a 2 yr contract with current top14 side Agen. He is the top fanked hooker in pro d2 this season. Henry was signed to bench for Jhw. If someone comes in it will be of raels experience imo. Scannell and casey ha e been promoted from acadamy to development contracts. Scannell a yr early. That leaves rael behind them in 5th place.

While I agree that it would be great to have an experienced Hooker I'd rather have an up and comer who has the potential to be great like Rael than buy in someone just for the sake of having a 30+ lad on the bench. It's the old catch 22 you can't be experienced unless your given experience.

Yeah its a difficult question on the one hand we could potentially have 4 or 5 hookers on the books, but the most experienced of those would be Reynecke and then Harris-Wright. (Is Reynecke definitely leaving? I know he has the auld highlights video up but I forget if anything was decided yet). It would be fairly hard to convince a hooker of Cronin's quality and/or experience level (or higher) to come to Conn if H-W is to remain first choice, and it would be somewhat unfair to drop H-W down the pecking order unless they find someone top notch. But at the very least we need a bench option of Flavin's ability who importantly can be depended upon to shore up the line out if things are going wrong - which Reynecke, Henry or Heffernan do not offer at this point in time.

(does any of that make sense?) :blush:

Good player, good leader, soldiered through a lot of awful days and always gave 100%. I wish him well for the future. I have a feeling his future will be in the game.

With regards to next season, with Flavin off and Reynecke off we are a bit light on the experience front at hooker. Harris-Wright is a good option but I'd like a more experienced option to supplement our existing players. Henry is unproven and if last Saturday showed me nothing else its that the Heffernan at hooker experiment can't see the light of day in a competitive first team outing for a good while yet at least. James Rael has been mentioned, good player by all accounts but again short on experience and relatively unproven.

Don't think we should keep on Reynecke but we could do with an experienced head. Before rossie suggests Denis Fogarty thanks but no thanks.

What an absolute gent and a class act. Great servant to the club. Himself and Johnny are big hits to the club on the experience front - hopefully they stay involved someway in the background as they are both too valuable to just let drift away!!

Super player...............

That's a terrible shame. At least he seems to have a plan set for himself with his degree and coaching.

Dare I say it: Flavin for Kidneys spot?

Deserves his own thread...

Adrian Flavin to retire
Monday, 08 April 2013 14:39
www.connachtrugby.ie/2013040883272/adrian-flavin-to-retire

Connacht Rugby stalwart Adrian Flavin has announced that he will retire from professional rugby at the end of the current season.

The London-born hooker joined Connacht in 2006, having come from London Irish where he played for nine years.

Flavin was part of the Ireland side that won the U-19 World Cup in 1998. He then went on to play for Ireland U-21’s in the 2000 World Cup and the 2001 Six Nations. He has caps for Ireland ‘A’ against England Saxons and Scotland A.

Flavin’s first game for Connacht in 2006 was away to Border Reivers, which the Irish province won by 29 points to 15. In 2010, he captained the Connacht side that defeated Samoa 26-22 at the Sportsground.

Over the last seven seasons, Flavin has made 138 appearances for Connacht and touched down for 12 tries.

Speaking about his decision, the 33-year-old said:

“While I will miss playing rugby immensely, I’m happy to retire at this stage of my life. I’ve had a great 16 years in the professional game and I’m proud that I’ve played with two fantastic clubs within that period.

“I am especially proud to have been involved with Connacht Rugby over the last number of years as the club has seen huge improvements. I’m honoured to have been associated with that change and hopefully I have contributed as much as I could. Galway has become a very special place for me, especially with my two sons Samuel & Joseph being born here.

“With a degree in Sport Science & Management Studies as well as a Level 2 IRFU Coaching qualification, I am ready for the next step in my career and I look forward to new opportunities within rugby.”

“I’d like to thank the coaches, management, players and supporters of both Connacht Rugby and London Irish.

“My long career in rugby wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing support I have received from my wife Clare and my parents and brothers. I can’t thank them enough.”

Head Coach Eric Elwood said:

“Since his arrival here in 2006, Adrian has always conducted himself in a professional manner on and off the field and is a very popular member of our squad.

“Here at Connacht Rugby, we always look to bring in good people who can add to our culture, have good values and contribute to our team. Over the last couple of seasons we have had our two best finishes in the Rabo PRO12 and it is through the hard work and commitment of people like Adrian that we have had that success.

“Through his dedication to his profession and his desire to do well it is no surprise that he has made the elite list of players who have represented Connacht Rugby over 100 times and that is something I know Adrian is very proud of.

“I would like to thank Flav for his contribution to Connacht Rugby and his friendship over the last seven years. I wish him every success in the future.”

Assistant Coach Dan McFarland added:

“Adrian has been a tremendous asset to Connacht Rugby, not only through the experience he has given us on the field but also in his leadership qualities off the field.

“I have used Flav’s extensive knowledge of the game for ideas and as a sounding-board consistently over the last few years and have no doubt those skills will continue to serve him well.”

Thanks for all the great service over the years, Flav and the very best for the future.