Logical enough, the team-building was missed, but individual players are mostly ok. Narraway in particular is just magnificent. If we had the money for a 1-year deal...

I would have said that Franks is out of our price range, but according to Brendan Fanning the IRFU are giving the provinces an extra €500k in both of the next two seasons. That plus whatever is saved by the release of four or five players already would suggest we could potentially have enough cash for a two year contract. Competition from Premiership and French teams is another thing altogether.

connachta wrote: PS : Just realised L;I have a lock called Lloyd, and he's a kiwi, from Auckland just as Pat... Would it be him???

Maybe just maybe, the fact the Eoin Griffin is there to answer the FAQ's potential new players may have could be an advantage for us. I'd say there are a lot of teams circling the LI squad right now

Arrived late in the season, still young and not at all 4th choice : started 10 games since Christmas, including the win over Saints

I doubt it. Connacht recruitment over the last few years has been the best of the 4 provinces apart from the James Soioalo muck. I think Pat will have his homework well done on whoever it is. Really doubt it's a 4th or 5th choice at LI.

PS : Just realised L;I have a lock called Lloyd, and he's a kiwi, from Auckland just as Pat... Would it be him???

Franks yes but Court would only be a squad filler

FT London irish officially relegated.

Ben Franks or Tom Court to Connacht!

phatguerilla wrote:

salmson wrote: "very disappointing"
"all the protocols were broken here"
"we're unhappy at the way this was done"

Yeah, lads, karma's a b!tch. Go boards.ie yourselves.

Leinster retain a springbok fb, sign our international centre and still aren't happy when an academy prospect looks elsewhere for gametime. What a bunch of whingers.

O'Driscoll should have spent more time watching his own house then courting others

LH is definitely a problem for us. I'd rather have a good quality LH signed than an 8 right now. London Irish will lose Ben Franks next season. He would suit our style of play and would give Buckley a bit of a break.

connachta wrote:

wp_rathead wrote: TO'H, Leader, and Kelleher as FB options (and sure Healy if we're feeling devilish)
Healy, Poolman, Niyi, Parata, TOH, Kelleher, and Leader as wing options

Gaffney could make break through and become Fb/wing option
O'Keefe could make break through and become wing option

Not too shabby

Totally agree with you

IMO the indication is to triple each positions to be ready for ChampionsCup (45 men in the squad)

it's job done for the backline (assuming SOL and Finn stay)

9) Mamion, Cooney, Blade
10) Boshoff, Carty, SOL
11) Healy, Kelleher, O'Keefe
12) Robb, Ronaldson, McSharry
13) Aki, Griffin, Parata
14) Poolman, Niyi, Finn
15) TOH, Leader, Gaffney

for the forwards we need 3 last signings

1) Buckley, ???, Loughney/Cooney
2) McCartney, Delahunt, Heffernan
3) Bealham, Carey, White
4) Roux, ??? (the mysterious kiwi lock), Qualter
5) Dillane, Browne, Marshall
6) Muldoon, SOB, Connolly
7) Heenan, Fox-Matamua, Rory Moloney
8 ) Masterson, McKeon, ??? (can't be willie Ryan, just has signed with Ealing)

Loosehead might have become more of a problem position for us than lock right now, had hoped that Cooney could continue to develop but hard to see him as more than a pro12 squad player now. Him and Loughs would get eaten alive by most Champions cup front rows. Conan perhaps is an option but I don't think we've seen him in the first team since the first half of the season?

I know we'd all like a monster eight carrier type but that seems like a luxury right now until we sort out LH and lock.

Great signing one of the best academy prospects in Ireland in my opinion. He will be a great addition to our team next year and hopefully Ireland in the near future. The new Connacht Empire will soon be fully operational.

wp_rathead wrote: TO'H, Leader, and Kelleher as FB options (and sure Healy if we're feeling devilish)
Healy, Poolman, Niyi, Parata, TOH, Kelleher, and Leader as wing options

Gaffney could make break through and become Fb/wing option
O'Keefe could make break through and become wing option

Not too shabby

Totally agree with you

IMO the indication is to triple each positions to be ready for ChampionsCup (45 men in the squad)

it's job done for the backline (assuming SOL and Finn stay)

9) Mamion, Cooney, Blade
10) Boshoff, Carty, SOL
11) Healy, Kelleher, O'Keefe
12) Robb, Ronaldson, McSharry
13) Aki, Griffin, Parata
14) Poolman, Niyi, Finn
15) TOH, Leader, Gaffney

for the forwards we need 3 last signings

1) Buckley, ???, Loughney/Cooney
2) McCartney, Delahunt, Heffernan
3) Bealham, Carey, White
4) Roux, ??? (the mysterious kiwi lock), Qualter
5) Dillane, Browne, Marshall
6) Muldoon, SOB, Connolly
7) Heenan, Fox-Matamua, Rory Moloney
8 ) Masterson, McKeon, ??? (can't be willie Ryan, just has signed with Ealing)

Infairness if Kelleher had signed a contract with Leinster and then is able to move I can kind of see why they'd be pissed
But feck it, revenge for the whole Jamie Hagan fiasco

salmson wrote: "very disappointing"
"all the protocols were broken here"
"we're unhappy at the way this was done"

Yeah, lads, karma's a b!tch. Go boards.ie yourselves.

Leinster retain a springbok fb, sign our international centre and still aren't happy when an academy prospect looks elsewhere for gametime. What a bunch of whingers.

Exciting!!!!