No sure about this one lads- a guy who is 25 and never played pro rugby until now.

The USA were one of only two teams to not gain any points in the world cup and this is a guy who didn't feature for any of the academies (as far as I can find).

As with any signing I really hope it works out for both us and the player but is this a signing that improves our first team? Probably not, but it is at least another option off the bench

I think that he is a very good signing and a talented fly half, but why are they referring to him as a young Irish player? Born and brought up in Dublin but he is a USA international is he not? He is not Irish qualified and fills a NIQ as such.

Excited for this signing. He was one of the few bright spots for the USA. Would gladly take Seamus Kelly and Thretton Palamo as well.

Don't think he's a huge improvement on what we have in terms of 1st or 2nd choice at 10 but with Ronaldson being very injury prone and a shortage of options at time in the centre its a good squad signing for out half or if we need to move Ronaldson to 12. I'd worry if we had to play Conor McKeon at 10 for any major amount of time at the moment from a defensive viewpoint. From what I've seen in the World Cup he is a good player-maker as it says in the press release but goal-kicking is a work in progress.

Interesting, but don't fully get it... seems like a bit of a slap in the chops to Jack (and well Craig has already had a couple of them)...

I assume the logic is that Craig will only be considered at centre once Jack is back to fitness?
Assuming that AJ is coming in (as an international - even USA) as first choice flyhalf having done well at the RWC.

Oh Pat, you sneaky beaver. Great signing, this will have to put pressure on Carty and Ronaldson to improve and he should settle in quickly.

USA! USA!

International outhalf AJ MacGinty joins Connacht
19th October 2015

Connacht Rugby has recruited USA international outhalf AJ MacGinty for the 2015/16 season.

MacGinty started three of the USA’s pool B fixtures in the Rugby World Cup and despite a winless campaign the 25-year-old kicked 25 points for the Eagles to bring his tally to 90 in eight international appearances.

The Dubliner moved to New York in 2012 where he played for NYAC before moving to Marietta, Georgia to pursue a Masters in Exercise and Sports Science later that year. In Georgia he played for Life University Men’s Club until gaining eligibility for the Eagles in February of 2015.

MacGinty earned his first call up to the Eagles for the Eagle Select’s tour of South America in April. His first cap came against Samoa in the opening round of the 2015 Pacific Nation’s Cup in which he played the full 80 minutes at outhalf, kicking 11 of his side’s 16 points.

The creative playmaker, at one time a scrum-half, played schools rugby with Blackrock College. He then moved into the club game with Blackrock RFC’s academy and also featured for Blackrock’s 1st XV.

MacGinty met with his new Connacht teammates at the Sportsground in Galway today and will join full training with the squad on Tuesday.

Commenting on the new signing, CEO Willie Ruane said:

“We’re delighted to welcome AJ to Connacht Rugby. He has made a name for himself as a young Irish man playing for USA in the Rugby World Cup but has been doing very well in the States for the past few years and we are very pleased that he will strengthen our options at outhalf.”

Head Coach Pat Lam added:

“As a young Irish player playing abroad, AJ has been on our radar for quite some time now and we have been watching his games closely since he first played in the PNC during the summer. His performances in the Rugby World Cup were impressive and we’re very pleased that he’s now joining Connacht Rugby.

“AJ adds to our options at outhalf and we expect him to bring with him his experience of playing at the highest level. His skillset compliments our game and he has shown that he can execute the basics of kicking and passing in high pressure situations.

“I had the chance to meet him properly last week and discuss his future. He’s an extremely ambitious and determined young man when it comes to his continued development as a rugby player. That lined up with our own programme and what we are doing here at Connacht Rugby so we are really excited to have him on board and we know that he will add a great deal to our environment. “

Commenting from the Sportsground today, AJ MacGinty said “I am very happy to join Connacht for the season ahead. This is a great opportunity for me to develop as a player under the tutelage of Pat and his impressive coaching team. I can’t wait to get started.”

Pat should have a word with his cousin Jack, far too good a player to be playing second division rugby for Bristol

MOM for me today against Scotland, just brilliant :woohoo:

You're right about Rodney, but it means the others should provide more tackling/carrying effort. JHW back is good for that, but it's mainly the back-row, even without Heenan, which has to be up to it. Hope Fox isn't lazy, McKeon gets back to who he was before last season, and Masterson keeps on being busy around the field.

rodney has to play for as many minutes as possible in each game, he usually puts himself about a lot in the first 45 minutes of a game, so Lam needs to do his coaching/managing and ask him to concentrate on his primary duty, scrummaging instead of running round the park as he normally does. Anyone know is Muldowney injured, not sure if he has played any pre-season or maybe he is being managed.

we look ok in the backline, Peter Robb can't be too far off getting some senior game time. and we have quite a few players now who are interchangeable, elsewhere and particularily in the forwards it will be interesting to see if any of the young lads have improved and are ready to make the step-up, only Masterson made a significant move upwards last year. anyway looking forward to the start of the season and seeing a healthy and fit Jake Heenan returning to play soon

I'm kinda worried for TH, Ah You hasn't much more than 50 minutes in the tank, and we'll have to rely a lot (2 months!!) on J.P and Finlay, who aren't pure tightheads (both LHs for Munster game)...

The times was saying this morning that if Moore didn't play against Ulster he was out of the squad. So White looks to be in the driving seat.

If Moore is back for Wales, I'd be happy to have him back for Connacht tbh, now he had his international cap. On the contrary, Marmion would bring more than Boss to Ireland, and won't be missed too much down there with Cooney/Blade/Porter

Pity to see Nathan White only on the bench. I would've thought that he needed to start to force his way into the RWC final 31. Mind you with Marty Moore ruled out of Leinster's trip to Ulster, perhaps Nathan will be in that final 31 anyway!

I guess Pat wasn't lying about McSharry and Ronaldson imminent returns with both named among the replacements. Not surprisingly with the preseason drawing to a close the side has more of a first team feel to it.