Time will tell I guess. I wouldn't object to Gav being captain when he returns to fitness, but then he needs to make sure of his spot in the team first.

Looking forward to the start of the season proper now - full of hope as always at this time of the year!

Just the fact that he's injured I'd say

IMO no as he's injured for the next while. The other two are probably getting ready for zebre.

Can we read anything into the fact it seems to be Gav doing the press stuff, such as the launch of the pro 12, with the captains from the other teams?

pity Muldoon's 200th game is away, i'm sure though he'll lead out the team either on 199 or 201

I think having a hybrid model suits connacht, in any case it's neccessary to have a few players who can be leaders on the pitch and then the role of Match Day Captain is the player who primarily has to deal with decision making and manipulating the Ref. Some of the best captains are the ones who can get his point of view across to the Ref. I would like to see consistency in who is the Match day captain, no point in rotating that role. of the younger guys i thought McKeoin has shown that he understands the game, possibly a future leader.

Seems like it could be a mix of A and C but I think what it really shows is there's a pretty big gap between the old guard who can no longer be guaranteed a place in the team, and the new guard who seem really exciting but are just a bit too young/callow to take control of the captaincy. I think JHW as captain the other day was a step in the right direction, maybe next season or the season after it could be any one of JHW, McKeon, Brown, Faloon, Marmion, Griff or McSharry, but right now for various reasons none of them are the right choice.

salmson wrote: Duffy, Muldoon, Swift named as "club" captains. Note that Swift was "club captain" last year but did not perform any on-field duties.

So is selecting 3 players who are no longer a guaranteed first choice in the team for (club) captain

A a sop to the old guard before Craig Clarke becomes the on-field captain?
B a really devious way of elevating Clarke to the captaincy (assuming none of these will start the big games, injuries allowing)?
C just the muddled way we do things in Connacht?

Answers on a postcard...

My understanding of "Club Captains" is that they represent the club off the field. They are seen as ambassadors for the club, and take part in media meetings, meet sponsors, etc.
So, theoretically, the club captains should be those who understand what Connacht is about (tick for all three players), well known in rugby circles (tick for all players), have a long term connection with Connacht (tick for all players), and give a good representation of themselves and the club at all times (tick for all players)

Match Day Captains should be players who are respected by the players in the team. Have a good disciplinary record. Lead by example on the pitch. Have good communication skills for discussing matters with refs

Duffy, Muldoon, Swift named as "club" captains. Note that Swift was "club captain" last year but did not perform any on-field duties.

So is selecting 3 players who are no longer a guaranteed first choice in the team for (club) captain

A a sop to the old guard before Craig Clarke becomes the on-field captain?
B a really devious way of elevating Clarke to the captaincy (assuming none of these will start the big games, injuries allowing)?
C just the muddled way we do things in Connacht?

Answers on a postcard...