theCulk wrote:

clanman wrote: As a Connacht fan I find all this positivity and feel good factor a bit OTT, the reality is we've improved marginally on last year, our league status is partly down to some results going our way when in previous years we would have lost, also the fact that the other provinces have dropped their level also reflects on us being better than we are. So although I'm pleased with the re-signings I feel the only way we can improve siginificantly is through quality player signings in key positions, and i'm not talking from home grown\grass roots either as the quality is just not there. all theses re-signings will mean nothing if we can't do that.

Munster is a case in point where they rested on their laurels and mistakenly trusted in the players they had coming through their system.

This is how leagues work. You win some, you lose some and you can draw some. Well done!

Indeed and how much mileage would Mick Bradley have made out of turning loads of 8 point losses into single score wins...?

Eric laid the platform for the increased investment by challenging the IRFU directly, Pat is getting the benefit which is enabling him to utilise his NZ contacts for recruitment at a level that neither previous coaches had the profile there to do...

clanman wrote: As a Connacht fan I find all this positivity and feel good factor a bit OTT, the reality is we've improved marginally on last year, our league status is partly down to some results going our way when in previous years we would have lost, also the fact that the other provinces have dropped their level also reflects on us being better than we are. So although I'm pleased with the re-signings I feel the only way we can improve siginificantly is through quality player signings in key positions, and i'm not talking from home grown\grass roots either as the quality is just not there. all theses re-signings will mean nothing if we can't do that.

Munster is a case in point where they rested on their laurels and mistakenly trusted in the players they had coming through their system.

This is how leagues work. You win some, you lose some and you can draw some. Well done!

clanman wrote: the reality is we've improved marginally

Marginal? 17 points better off in the league compared to last season, with 9 games to play - I would call that an exceptional improvement. I agree that some of the other teams have fallen off a little (or a lot in some cases), but that is countered by the fact they're all fielding full strength teams against us now, when they never did before.

I agree that this is great news. 3 years is a long time, and things can change quickly, but there is no doubt in my mind that he is a class act, and I'm confident he'll continue to bring us on. We can't expect miracles, not least because I feel the rugby climate has changed in the last year or so, and without big budgets (and big players), teams will find it hard to compete at the top level. But for me, continued improvement in the league should remain the focus. Irish teams' domination of the European club scene may not continue, but perhaps we'll all be satisfied by the national team's continued improvement, and forthcoming word cup win

As a Connacht fan I find all this positivity and feel good factor a bit OTT, the reality is we've improved marginally on last year, our league status is partly down to some results going our way when in previous years we would have lost, also the fact that the other provinces have dropped their level also reflects on us being better than we are. So although I'm pleased with the re-signings I feel the only way we can improve siginificantly is through quality player signings in key positions, and i'm not talking from home grown\grass roots either as the quality is just not there. all theses re-signings will mean nothing if we can't do that.

Munster is a case in point where they rested on their laurels and mistakenly trusted in the players they had coming through their system.

Stability is the key for me and thats what this gives. Delighted and with Eric back I could not be happier. Stability allows planning to take place properly.

Fantastic news, it's rare enough for a coach to stick with a club (or vice versa)) for 5 years these days. If the signings continue in the same vein and some of our weaknesses are addressed we can continue our trajectory over the next 3 years.

Quite happy with this news. Wasn't convinced for a lot of last season as we conceded some big scores and a lot of soft tries but Lam and his backroom team have definitely helped us take a couple of steps forward this year. Christmas and the New Year summed us up, we showed the potential of a team that can have a good future but it also showed us how far we still have to go. The key for me is that we have the guts of a good team and have more options is a lot of positions now than at any stage in the past but also there is definitely more of a sense now that the team know what they are trying to do in most games.

The most encouraging thing has been the signings made, Pat Lam has good contacts and a good hit rate and is clearly well respected. A good coach is one of the most important cogs in the wheel, the team can continue to be built from a good foundation.

Super news for everyone involved. Great stability and hopefully will bring more big names to Connacht. (Still clinging onto roumer that Madigan is heading west!)
Has anyone any idea why Tim Allnutt has been up in the box with Pat over the last few weeks?

Really happy to have Pat for another 3 years. Tbf I wouldn't be surprised if Northampton had there eyes on him as a potential replacement for Mallinder down the road. Not that I'd begrudge him the Saints job after doing 5 years here. Great news and vindication to the branch on their pick.

Pay Lam will be on 2fm shortly

More good news!

The off the field stories have been great the past few weeks.

I wonder is Pat planning a trip home like he did last season to do some recruiting.
Taking a week back in NZ after this weekend's game would make most sense

Yep, it's hard to stress how significant locking Pat in for the three years is.

He said himself that he had a five year vision for Connacht Rugby, if some of the players didn't believe it wholly before... they will now...

Good news for recruitment drive for rest of season, regardless of who stays and goes we need to add some heft to our pack with a view to next season...

Wonderful news. Well done to all. To Pat himself and his family. To Willie Ruane and co at the Branch, and in fairness too to the IRFU for backing us.

Well done Willie and all involved. Thats a great signing which will help the long term planning.