One of the other 2 expected to leave is their skills coach... hmmmmmm...

I wonder will more chiefs coaches be making their way to Connacht.

www.stuff.co.nz/sport/opinion/89625271/K...-to-be-first-of-many

I don't know anything about the guy but I'm encouarged by what I've read here and elsewhere.

p.s. His name is going to raise a few eyebrows in Limerick.

"We're not high-risk; that's a perception from other people, Keane once explained"

Fairly sure I heard the same from Pat Lam at some stage. An intresting NZ perspective:

i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/89...ep-well-of-knowledge

dobby wrote: It sounds a promising signing for Connacht. But where does this leave player signings. This must be difficult. Obviously the new coach has to have input. In fact probably more input than Pat from this day forward. So as Pat is double jobbing with Connacht and Bristol, Keane is now probably expected to double job with Chiefs and Connacht.

The branch put out a statement shortly after Pat's Bristol move was announced saying he was off the signings committee (which I think now just comprises Ruane and Allnutt).

It might be Thornley trying to buy himself a few exclusives, but on Second Captains yesterday he said that Keane was always first choice for Connacht and that other names mentioned including Gibbes and Jackman were never in the running.

Which would be interesting, and heartening, if true.

Very little mention of the IRFU in this whole affair as well.

He will be right in the know of quality players from the feeder teams up to the super rugby teams. We don't need world class players that cost a bomb and he can do a job on a tight budget. I'd expect one or 2 signings from the sh before he arrives.

green13 wrote:

FACECUTTR wrote: Do you have a list of who was interviewed?

Did anyone else hear EOS on the Marian Finucan radio show this morning?
She asked him if he'd applied for the Connacht job. His answer was that as he understands, there was no application process as such but that 'they' (presumably Willie Ruane and PGB) are contacting the people they are interested in. And no; they haven't been in contact with him.
Hearing that gave me hope that we'll get the best that's available whoever that may be.

EOS was asked that question a couple of weeks ago and he was very honest in his answer. Best of luck to him with OldBelvo.

Now that we're the right end of the process its reassuring to know that the branch were proactive in getting the right man for the job and the province. Onwards and upwards.

It sounds a promising signing for Connacht. But where does this leave player signings. This must be difficult. Obviously the new coach has to have input. In fact probably more input than Pat from this day forward. So as Pat is double jobbing with Connacht and Bristol, Keane is now probably expected to double job with Chiefs and Connacht.

salmson wrote: On the whole timing thing, the Super rugby season is all over the place due to the Lions tour. Chiefs play their second last game of the (regular) season on June 20 vs. the Lions, and their last on July 15. Plenty of time to pop over to Galway to check preseason is going ok.

This is very interesting. Thanks for that Salmson. There's a three and a half weeks gap there and you'd imagine he'll be coming to Galway during that time for a week or 2 at least.

A bit of a concern if KK cannot be released early from the chiefs contract we seen what a poor pre season can do.

A new head coach is always going to be a gamble, but for someone to replace Pat Lam, Kieran Keane seems to tick all the boxs. Very pleased, hope it works out for all concerned.

The Chiefs' season opener is on Sky Sports 3 at 6.30 Friday morning if you want a sneak peak at next season's game plan (a bit early for me, I'll wait for the annotated highlights on here).

Fair play to Joanne cantwell, asking Eos straight out on against the head whether he had applied for the Connacht job lol

Apparently after the last time he didn't, so fair play to him for being honest.

On the whole timing thing, the Super rugby season is all over the place due to the Lions tour. Chiefs play their second last game of the (regular) season on June 20 vs. the Lions, and their last on July 15. Plenty of time to pop over to Galway to check preseason is going ok.

Culturally he seems like a great fit - used to the underdog mentality from Tasman, with (if the Chiefs style is anything to go by) a penchant for throwing the ball about and having a go. I'd share the concern about the Chiefs maybe/likely going deep into August but he'll hopefully offset that with a few Kiwi nuggets. Glass 95% full today.

I remember excitedly watching Waikato before Craig Clarke, then Bundee. Be nice to have a vested interest in my favourite Kiwi team again!