The Outlaw wrote:

Borders no.2 wrote: Not the highest priority but we could do with a dependable option at 13 with Robbie gone for a good chunk of the season and Dave McSharry and Bundee Aki having had their share of injuries.

Be better off looking for a permanent replacement. He ain't going to be with Connacht beyond 2015-16

I'm glass half empty most of the time but god are you ever positive. We all know he probably won't be here past next season but we can't just throw in the towel that easily. Obviously no established quality player is going to join us for next season when they won't play in the big games so we have to look to unearth someone like for example McSharry who is surplus to requirements elsewhere or else Pat has to unearth a player using his contacts. With it being World Cup year and with Munster's centre options being very average it'll be tough to find anyone.

RogueXV wrote:

pinky wrote:

warrenbeattie2 wrote: Mils Muliana should be released at the end of the season he offers nothing on the pitch,let Tiernan Darragh Leader and Shane Leyden battle it out for the 15 jersey!

Nice debut Warren.

A bit harsh on Mils there, but maybe the right ruthless business decision. He did come to Connacht on the back of a decent injury so expecting him to be at anything approaching an All-Black level was unrealistic and he has injured himself before really getting into proper game shape so from that point of view I'd be inclined to give him another year if the price was right. On the other hand considering his age, his likelihood to get injured again, the money he might be looking for and the impediment he might present for gametime to players like TOH and Leader it might be better to let him go or sign him as a player/coach or just coach. His recent injuries could have him thinking about retirement anyway.

Very harsh. Leader has been out of form all season. tiernan has never done it for Connacht on any sort of a consistent basis. In juries haven't helped but a lot of it is down to him.
Mils has been a good signing in terms of the experience he brings and the professionalism required for a winning culture. There is only so far mediocre can bring you and the second best full back in the history of the game adds to the mix hugely. think about that sentence for a minute. The second best full back in the history of the game is in our setup

Borders no.2 wrote: Not the highest priority but we could do with a dependable option at 13 with Robbie gone for a good chunk of the season and Dave McSharry and Bundee Aki having had their share of injuries.

Be better off looking for a permanent replacement. He ain't going to be with Connacht beyond 2015-16

Not the highest priority but we could do with a dependable option at 13 with Robbie gone for a good chunk of the season and Dave McSharry and Bundee Aki having had their share of injuries.

That's what I was thinking but having someone you know will never probably be more than a squad player doesn't exactly excite me as a signing. He might be a good winger but it's a position in which we are strong in. I'd let him off to England and see if that is the making of him. I think we have better prospects in our own academy.

Not the highest priority but we could do with a dependable option at 13 with Robbie gone for a good chunk of the season and Dave McSharry and Bundee Aki having had their share of injuries.

He has size and speed but not much else? Doesn't tackle that well for a guy his size either iirc. Maybe the premiership will toughen him up, or he could be a wing option? I think he could be a liability in centre tbh.

Brendan Macken of Leinster going to Gloucester for the rest of the season on loan. He won't be a Leinster player next season so I'm wondering if he could be a target for us? Have to say he's never impressed me anytime I've seen him and any Leinster fan I've talked to have told me he's never come close to reaching his early potential. That said he's an IQ centre so who knows.

pinky wrote:

warrenbeattie2 wrote: Mils Muliana should be released at the end of the season he offers nothing on the pitch,let Tiernan Darragh Leader and Shane Leyden battle it out for the 15 jersey!

Nice debut Warren.

A bit harsh on Mils there, but maybe the right ruthless business decision. He did come to Connacht on the back of a decent injury so expecting him to be at anything approaching an All-Black level was unrealistic and he has injured himself before really getting into proper game shape so from that point of view I'd be inclined to give him another year if the price was right. On the other hand considering his age, his likelihood to get injured again, the money he might be looking for and the impediment he might present for gametime to players like TOH and Leader it might be better to let him go or sign him as a player/coach or just coach. His recent injuries could have him thinking about retirement anyway.

warrenbeattie2 wrote: Mils Muliana should be released at the end of the season he offers nothing on the pitch,let Tiernan Darragh Leader and Shane Leyden battle it out for the 15 jersey!

Nice debut Warren.

Mils Muliana should be released at the end of the season he offers nothing on the pitch,let Tiernan Darragh Leader and Shane Leyden battle it out for the 15 jersey!

wp_rathead wrote: So it is exactly like we were all saying, Robbie will be staying with us next season and given a central contract by IRFU at end of 15/16 season - then be given pick of whatever Province he wants.

Think a slow round of applause for The Independent, Evening Herald and Joe,ie for trying to turn rugby into the transfer pantomime that is soccer by posting rumors from the Babblingbrook as "sources"..

I'm sure it generated lots of hits for their sites, and boosted the ego's of the Leinster goys...

So it is exactly like we were all saying, Robbie will be staying with us next season and given a central contract by IRFU at end of 15/16 season - then be given pick of whatever Province he wants.

Think a slow round of applause for The Independent, Evening Herald and Joe,ie for trying to turn rugby into the transfer pantomime that is soccer by posting rumors from the Babblingbrook as "sources"..

I'd like to wish Willie Faloon all the very best on his return to Ulster. Willie's been a good pro in his time here. Always gave of his best and without doubt the most effective of our Ulster imports over the past few years.

connachta wrote:

fatgav wrote: What would Connacht have received, if anything, for Willie? Freeing up funds and letting youngsters come through seem to be slim justification for letting him go

Why not Ian Humphreys? :whistle:

would prefer sean o'hagan


any chance van der flier might come our way?

fatgav wrote: What would Connacht have received, if anything, for Willie? Freeing up funds and letting youngsters come through seem to be slim justification for letting him go

Willie has done well for Connacht when healthy so I'd be a little hesitant to let him go myself considering Jake hasn't had a decent run of games since he came to Connacht. But as has been stated Willie has been a bit of an injury concern himself so freeing up money to sign someone else and providing Masterson and later on Romaine game time isn't the worst move Connacht could make. I wish him the best on his return to Ulster and fully expect him to be a thorn in Connacht's side over the next few seasons.

Why punish us by forcing us to take Humphreys as well as losing Willie ???