Pat told nice story of Ivan Sorkora emailing the branch asking for a trial - got trial and impressed the coaches earning himself a contract

connachta wrote:

pinky wrote: I think he started in Super XV the weekend of the Pro12 final and scored a hatful of points. I could be wrong, I was distracted for some reason. Also he was playing away for Golden Lions in the Currie Cup prelims.

He did, I watched the 1st 30min just before Pro12 final. As I said, good kick, classic passing game, good positioning, but average in contact TBH

Yeah I recorded it and watched it after I watched the recorded pro12 final (after watching it live too). Looked a real player with ball in hand but very light in contact. They seemed to pull him out of the defensive line in defensive play as he seemed to be in more of a fb position. Just my unqualified observation though so I could be totally wrong.

pinky wrote: I think he started in Super XV the weekend of the Pro12 final and scored a hatful of points. I could be wrong, I was distracted for some reason. Also he was playing away for Golden Lions in the Currie Cup prelims.

He did, I watched the 1st 30min just before Pro12 final. As I said, good kick, classic passing game, good positioning, but average in contact TBH

I think he started in Super XV the weekend of the Pro12 final and scored a hatful of points. I could be wrong, I was distracted for some reason. Also he was playing away for Golden Lions in the Currie Cup prelims.

And Boshoff starts for the golden Lions this friday. Is this his first start for any team since his move was announced?

As far as I can make out kick off is 17:00 South African time, which is 16:00 here. Looks like it's being broadcast on Sky Sports 2.

Top info cheers wp

Ps I deleted my post as I didn't want to hog this topic up with replies to my question. I made a new topic in the forum instead (my first)

I'd imagine it'll be a sellout so both ends should have good atmosphere
The Screen is behind the Bohermore end, so standing down there could be annoying having to turn around if want to see it, although the screen might be hard to see from College Rd end..
I'd go Bohermore end as the sun (prob being optimistic) should be behind you at 5.15 and not in your face

Have to say my biggest concern about connacht was an exodus of players to england or france after such a fantastic season. Finlay has laid down a marker. This can only be seen as a positive. I like the Dave Ellis tatoo. I want to believe that players and management will stand behind this team and we will go from strength to strength. Let it not be a once off. I'm an incredibly proud supporter, as all others are, and want it to continue.

CountFurlo wrote: Last season, Bealham, who can play on both sides of the scrum, was the only player to feature for Connacht in all 31 games across the Guinness PRO12 and European Challenge Cup.

Well everyone knows it's far less risky for him to be on the pitch than off

May have not been noticed form below but SOB2 is leaning on crutches, we probably won't hear details until the squad for first match is due.

pbs.twimg.com/media/CqEJo1YXEAA0bB5.jpg:large

Hopefully nothing too serious, he was performing like a machine by end of last season....

connachta wrote:

connachta wrote: inpho.ie/assignment/nCCYCkGl17_8D6bbleo1...MILbsXiS1vofVE54A..a

who is he??????
picture with ?????

Brillant, he is definitely not Fox Matamua! Both on that pic
twitter.com/ANightForAlex/with_replies

Damn that's sure now, one last signing! (Speculation on board.ie : looks like Ben Lam, Pat 's nephew, All-black 7's International )

Some of us were right till the begining, as long as they haven't announced the end, there are more rejoices to come :woohoo:

Connacht Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to announce the contract extension of Ireland international Finlay Bealham. The 24-year-old prop, who was first capped for Ireland in this year’s 6 Nations, has signed a new contract that will see him play at the Sportsground until at least the summer of 2019.

Bealham earned a contract with the Connacht Academy following his performances with the Ireland U20’s in the 2011 Six Nations and Junior World Championship. He made his PRO12 debut when he came on from the bench away to Zebre in February 2014.

The Australian-born, former rugby league player, whose grandmother is from Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, graduated to a senior contract under Pat Lam ahead of the 2014/15 season and has since racked up 57 appearances. Last season, Bealham, who can play on both sides of the scrum, was the only player to feature for Connacht in all 31 games across the Guinness PRO12 and European Challenge Cup.

Commenting on the contract extension, Connacht CEO Willie Ruane said:

“We are delighted to announce that Finlay will continue to play his rugby with Connacht Rugby. Having come through the Academy system here, it’s tremendous to have witnessed his development and rise to the international stage over the last number of years.

“Finlay is an important part of our vision going forward as an organisation. I have no doubt that he has an exciting future ahead of him with Ireland and it’s fantastic that he will be representing Connacht at the same time.”

Head Coach Pat Lam said:

“Finlay is coming off the back of a very successful season with both Ireland and Connacht and I’m very pleased for us and our supporters that he will be with us for the next three seasons. From day one, I’ve been impressed with Finlay’s attitude and desire to continuously learn on and off the pitch. He is a real team man and extremely popular among our squad.

“As a young, versatile front row player, he has a lot to offer our team as we head into another challenging but exciting campaign in both the Guinness PRO12 and European Champions Cup.”

Finlay added:

“It was a fairly straightforward decision for me to sign on with Connacht. This place has become home for me over the last five years and I’m loving my rugby here. It’s been a great few years, with last season an obvious stand out. Pulling on the Ireland jersey in the same season as winning the Guinness PRO12 with my team mates will live long in the memory.

“I can’t wait to get back into it now in a few weeks’ time and I’m confident we can go on to achieve more and more as a team.”

connachta wrote: BTW do you know if at least one of Roux/Dillane will be allowed to play against Glasgow?
Hope so because I did not see any sign of Browne/Marshall...

From what I have heard it is up to pat as to which internationals he decides to start. When you consider that a month after the pro12 final the team was back training for the new season, and the fact that the Connacht lads had limited international exposure I can see quite a few of them starting. From an injury point of view tiernan may get further rest to recover from his rib injury.

Any news on cooney, ronaldson return dates?

RonanL wrote: It's Pat's son. Just training with the lads it seems. He won't be playing with Connacht.

Thanks! I sent you a PM

BTW do you know if at least one of Roux/Dillane will be allowed to play against Glasgow?
Hope so because I did not see any sign of Browne/Marshall...

That adds up for me sligsup but it doesn't really make sense from a club perspective as the Irish lads we have will be away on international duty so much.
An experienced NIQ lock could have been so beneficial from an educational point of view to the other locks so if this is actually what happened I would be very disappointed.

If they are trying to keep us down at munsters expense then I'll be seriously pissed.

I see Porterbelly on Planet Rugby reckons that we had an NIQ lock ready to sign but this was vetoed by the IRFU due to 3 other provinces having NIQ's in that position. Hence the signing of LS.