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

"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.

m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/guinness-pr...s-west-34674334.html

Leinster Academy fullback Cian Kelleher will play for Connacht next season in a move described by a Leinster spokesman last week as "very disappointing". Kelleher (21) has had one start this season, with five appearances off the bench - all games coming in the Pro 12 - despite being rated as one of the best young fullbacks in the country.

His only appearance last season for the senior side was as a replacement, in the last game of the league campaign.

"He had already agreed a development contract with us, and all the protocols were broken here," the spokesman claimed. "I'm sure that he'll do very well with Connacht - and we wish him well - but we're unhappy at the way this was done."

Leinster's upset is aimed at IRFU performance director David Nucifora, whose remit includes getting what he sees as the best spread of talent across the country. Nucifora was unavailable for comment.
Kelleher, who played for Emerging Ireland in the Tbilisi Cup last summer, has seen his route forward blocked by the extension last season of Zane Kirchner's contract. The Springbok originally signed in 2013 on a two-year deal, but that was extended into this season. It is understood Connacht are offering Kelleher a full contract.

Thought Kelleher was done.

Where is the Kiwi Lock rumour coming from?

Any word on Kelleher coming now ? Or this mysterious kiwi lock ?

He is normally a fullback but could easily play on the wing also.

Would Kelleher be seen as a winger or a fullback. Would he be similar to Gaffney?

I see both the Ospreys and the Cardiff blues have recruited big name backs from New Zealand for next year.

A few back players that lam could hopefully recruit and who I would love to see Connacht go for and that would also be great young project players and probably future Ireland players are in no particular order

1. Tevita Li (He would be an amazing addition)


2. Jason Emery


(3.50 great bit of back play)
3. Pita Ahki


(looks a big impact player)

4. Teihorangi Walden looks an intelligent five eights that could really gel well with aki.

www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/...hlanders-in-midfield

(at 40 seconds in classy bit of play from him)

Any word on another full back/wing?

With Robbie heading east we are potentially exposed here!

As we seem to privilege a high-profile 2nd row, I still think we can enlist a backrow prospect for n°8.

For now, the best option would be an IQ squad player to replace Naoupu, who can occasionally play blindside, to cover for McKeon/Muldoon/SOB, waiting for Masterson to be back.

Willie Ryan fits these conditions perfectly, and is out of contract with Rotherham. Apparently has got ball-carrying and tacking abilities, as we need...

Add the Kiwi lock, Ryan and Kelleher to what we already have, and that will be enough to claim our squad is ready to eat any team next year!

FACECUTTR wrote: Janties is a starting 10. Boshoff nowhere to be seen.

Boshoff is injured, sounds minor though - heard it described as a niggle
www.citizen.co.za/1084514/lions-change-six-for-kings/
Couple of other injuries in the team so he might get on the bench once he recovers.

Nobody would have any right to do so, in fact some people might say that doing so would be morally wrong, but that's what was done to Robbie Henshaw.

At a time when he himself was claiming that he hadn't made a decision (statements made by Pat Lam and others after the move was eventually announced made it clear that efforts were ongoing to convince him to stay) Gerry Thornley, and others, were announcing that his move was a "done deal".

I suspect that this was a concerted effort by the media to preassurise Robbie into what's looking like a dumber decision with every week that passes.

What right would anyone have to take the decision out of the players hands? Encouragement yes but you can't force a player to go where they don't want to go. Work need to be done to ensure each province is an attractive prospect for young players.

EDIT: formatting

sligsup wrote: A lot of talk about a Leinster Academy wanting to come specifically Cian Kelleher ... I wonder how much of an influence is Peter Robb having on the lads like Kellher Byrne etc as not only would he have played schools club etc but also irekand 20's with a lot of Leinster Academy

Should the media not be getting involved at this point? Maybe some senior Irish players? If the kid is trying to make up his mind about his future the decision should be taken out of his hands and an announcement made on his behalf.

Would be happy to see Cian Kelleher join think he would be much better off career and rugby wise in Connacht given our amazing coach and the way we play rugby. Big opportunity for him.

He had Ben Teo in his pocket for an derby game. The young guys at leinster are realising that there are posibilities elsewhere as one of their mates is thriving.