salmson wrote:

rossie wrote: Not necessarily. CEO manages the business side of things AFAIK and only hires and fires on rugby side. If Eric came in as director of rugby then it would undermine lams position.
Lams position will be determined by results on field regardless of who's CEO.

4 words for you: David Moyes. Alex Ferguson.

(And don't forget, Ferguson is only retained in a marketing position)

Actually Ferguson is on the board of directors, just like Bobby Charlton is. They are there to help with the direction of the football club in the boardroom but obviously don't help with the business side of things. He would have a say on whether to sack the new manager or not.

If you wanted to get Eric involved in that kind of position, you would nominate him to the PGB. But he probably wants a clean break and enjoy the games right now. It should be considered in the future though.

It was a tongue in cheek suggestion really in response to um ms suggestion that it was a done deal .

I never really bought the undermining the manager theory. IMO its on Moyes if fergies presence around old Trafford affects his performance. Fergie has earned the right to remain at old Trafford in some capacity if he chooses. I think this can also be said for Eric at Connacht. As to whether he would be a good CEO?

He definitely meets the criteria you set out salmson.

rossie wrote: Not necessarily. CEO manages the business side of things AFAIK and only hires and fires on rugby side. If Eric came in as director of rugby then it would undermine lams position.
Lams position will be determined by results on field regardless of who's CEO.

4 words for you: David Moyes. Alex Ferguson.

(And don't forget, Ferguson is only retained in a marketing position)

I completely see where you're coming from on this: for all Sears experience and unquestioned ability to represent us, from what I've heard he had no feel for Connacht rugby. In a startup or expanding small company - which is effectively where we are in Connacht rugby - your CEO must, about all things, be evangelical. He/she is selling a belief system, a vision, a future.

But I think it's probably too soon for Eric. Maybe when the next coach comes in, or if Lam's contract is extended, and Eric hasn't coached for 3 years or so, then you could think about this.

Not necessarily. CEO manages the business side of things AFAIK and only hires and fires on rugby side. If Eric came in as director of rugby then it would undermine lams position.
Lams position will be determined by results on field regardless of who's CEO.

rossie wrote: Eric for CEO?

that would undermine Lam's position

I think we should hire someone that lives in the locality, Menlough for example, who has had past dealings with the IRFU. Some coaching experience would probably be helpful. Mates in the indo would be a plus.

Eric for CEO?

Closing date for applications is the end of this month? Jeez, get the feeling the IRFU already have who they want in mind and don't want to have to field too many other applications?

Sears Job Readvertised

Chief Executive,

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) is the governing body for the sport of rugby union in Ireland. It comprises four provincial branches Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster, as well as the national governing body. We are currently inviting applications for the position of ‘Chief Executive, Connacht Rugby’.

The Role

The Chief Executive is responsible for leading Connacht Rugby to develop, foster and promote the game of rugby in line with the strategic goals and values for Irish and Connacht Rugby, and the primary responsibilities will be:

To develop, lead and manage the creation, implementation and evolution of the long and short-term strategic goals of Connacht Rugby.

To work with the Professional Game Board and Connacht Branch Management Committee to manage and develop professional and community Rugby in Connacht. This will include all financial and commercial aspects of the business affecting players, contracts, sponsorship, staff management, facilities and relationships with all key stakeholders.

The Candidate

The successful candidate will:

Be educated to degree level, preferably in a financial management or related discipline and be able to demonstrate a track record of leading a commercial organisation in a competitive business environment.

Have a recognised professional accounting qualification, while not necessary this will be an advantage.

Have demonstrated excellent leadership and people management skills at the most senior levels in an organisation and can successfully operate within and lead a Non-Executive Board or Committee environment.

Be an excellent communicator with the ability to motivate, build relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders and be at ease presenting, including to government/ local authority departments and officials and the media.

Have the credibility to command respect at senior levels of Rugby, business and local government while having the skills to lead and motivate a large team.

Have a strong involvement in or connection with Irish Rugby
The Opportunity

This is an exciting and challenging time for Connacht Rugby, this position represents a fantastic opportunity for the right candidate to play a strategic role in the development of both professional and domestic rugby in Connacht.

The successful candidate will receive a remuneration and benefits package commensurate with this responsibility. This position is being offered on a 3 year fixed term basis. Applicants should note that this role will be based in Galway.

Please forward your Curriculum Vitae (in confidence) with a covering letter of not more than one page supporting your application to recruitment@irfu.ie"> recruitment@irfu.ie or Human Resources Department, 10-12 Lansdowne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

Closing date for applications is Thursday, 31 October 2013
- See more at: www.connachtrugby.ie/2013101183529/chief...sthash.VEmaNNQ4.dpuf

This possibly belongs on hec thread but I'm following welsh and Scots opinion closely re euro debate. What's clear is welsh region and general public preference is for abandoning pro12 and playing in england . Wru won't allow it ATM but it got me thinking. Who wud PRl want? Irish provinces or welsh regions?
IMO a home nations lge of Munster, Leinster, ulster, Scarlets,ospreys, Glasgow, tigers, sarries, quoins, saints, bath and Gloucester would be s great premier. Connacht, edin, blues, dragons, chiefs, London Irish, Worcester, newcastle, wasps, sale + Italians or 2 promoted teams for lge 1 with promotion/ relegation would be worth within.

RogueXV wrote: A little afraid a perfect storm is starting to brew as far as the IRFU is concerned. They have the overspend in their back pocket. If the HEC thing turns out badly for the Rabo teams and then Connacht take a step backwards on the field the IRFU will get little resistance when they decide to wind things down out west. At that point, most people would be saying they'd be foolish not to.

True, but if Connacht were to go, it throws the whole Pro 12 into question, as Zebre cannot be financially viable, and Dragons at risk also. A Pro 10 is not a viable league. Without the HEC, I think the league will have to revert to a Semi Pro status, or else much smaller squads, resigned to the fact that the best players would leave to France or wherever, either way, this will be negative for fans and players alike, and not just in Connacht.

A little afraid a perfect storm is starting to brew as far as the IRFU is concerned. They have the overspend in their back pocket. If the HEC thing turns out badly for the Rabo teams and then Connacht take a step backwards on the field the IRFU will get little resistance when they decide to wind things down out west. At that point, most people would be saying they'd be foolish not to.

Borders no.2 wrote: Big questions to be answered here. Connacht is at a vital stage in its development. We have made slow painstaking progress to edge up a level (on and off the field) from where we were at but unless someone puts the ship back on course things could go right back to square 1 very quickly. Each organisation needs a strong leader and at the moment there is effectively no-one in charge.

That is actually so true. IRFU need to really show that they mean business by having 4 professional teams in this country with real intent. Now more than ever

Big questions to be answered here. Connacht is at a vital stage in its development. We have made slow painstaking progress to edge up a level (on and off the field) from where we were at but unless someone puts the ship back on course things could go right back to square 1 very quickly. Each organisation needs a strong leader and at the moment there is effectively no-one in charge.

As far as I have been told he left by mutual consent all right but it wasn't down to him or his Mrs being unsettled or anything like that, the fact is he has gone and we have to hope who ever comes in is up to the job

mary hinge wrote: Thanks Salmson. Not sure if the idea of having an IRFU-appointed Interim CEO is a good or a bad thing to be honest. Do you know his/her name?

Wouldn't necessarily think it would be a good thing for Connacht having someone with loyalties to the bean counters at D4, but with a €400K overspend not at all surprising. With the injuries starting to mount up you might have a look around for players to fill some gaps on short-term deals. Can't see that idea even being kicked around now.