Front row depth for next season:

Buckley, McCabe, McAllister, Burke
McCartney, Heffernan, delahunt, Murphy (?)
Bealham, Carey (?), Robertson-McCoy, Conan

Not sure what sort of contract Murphy is on and if he’s making any impression. Think it’s too early to promote Dylan tierney. Carey linked with a move to England, if he was to leave, a replacement would need to come in.

Looks like a beast in the photo on the Connacht site.
Hope he's not a replacement for Bucks

Connacht Rugby have announced the signing of prop Paddy McAllister from English Premiership side Gloucester. McAllister joined Gloucester from Aurillac in France having previously made 44 appearances for his native Ulster. He has played for Ireland at Schools, U19 & U20 level.

Announcing the signing, Connacht Forwards Coach Jimmy Duffy said: “We are delighted to announce that Paddy McAllister will be joining Connacht at the beginning of next season. Paddy is a powerful scrummager and strong ball carrier. He is a player that I have been impressed with and I think he will be a good addition to our squad next season.”

Commenting on the move to Connacht, Paddy McAllister said; “I am delighted to sign for Connacht and hugely looking forward to joining the squad next season. There is no doubt that Connacht are a team on the rise. There is huge excitement surrounding Connacht at the moment both on and off the field and I hope to contribute to that from next season. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the players, staff and supporters of Gloucester for their support during my time with the club and for my family for their continued support.”

Ends

Marmion is not even back in full-training...The most likely 21 is Cooney recovering, then Blade, then only Marmion, IMO. For England at least, too early..
But anyway yes Murray will play a full-game or close so..

Curran wrote: Of all the players mentioned Blade Farrell nor carty will be anywhere near a 6N match day 23.
The players mentioned by you could be called up but majority will be released back to Connacht for Cardiff match

First week of camp is abroad, not in Carton House. Highly unlikely anyone on it will be available for Cardiff, but would love to be proved wrong.

I'd love Blade to feature as he has had his best season yet but from all accounts Marmion is expected to be sound for England. The surgery was nearly timed specifically for it.

Regardless I'd expect Murray to stick the full 80 for England if he doesn't pick up an injury next week. He seems to be slowly regaining his form.

Of all the players mentioned Blade Farrell nor carty will be anywhere near a 6N match day 23.
The players mentioned by you could be called up but majority will be released back to Connacht for Cardiff match

connachta wrote: With Murray only sure fit solution, Cooney and Marmion uncertain, I reckon Joe will force Blade to sit out of one of the next two games. Hope it will be Bordeaux, not Cardiff

Blade will be in next week's 23. Neither Marmion nor McGrath will be fit for Joe's 6N warm weather camp, so Blade will almost certainly be unavailable for Cardiff, even if (if) Cooney's fit.

Neither will Bundee, Finlay, Quinn, Farrell, Carty and (at least) one of Dillane or Thornbury be available the following week. I expect we'll name a very strong squad for next week as against Cardiff we'll be missing almost an entire first XV due to injuries and callups.

daveydavey wrote: Your assuming Schmidt will pick Blade, Marmion & cooney will b fit I reckon, Murray is back to his best anyway so no need to get worried, Bordeaux is a must win next week so we can't be resting Blade

I don't know, in my opinion, think we should be concentrating on the Pro 14.
Sale are at home to Perpignan so unless a huge upset they will have 5 points out of the game and take the pool and best hope for us, if we win, is an away quarter final.
The Cardiff game is huge for us - as is the Ospreys game in the Sportsground, and a good run in the Pro 14 is a more lucrative option and more acceptable for corporate and sponsorship, meaning - hopefully - more money for the club. We are a small club and I know we used to target the Challenge Cup, when we had little or no hope in the Magners/Rabo or whatever else it used to be called.
We are more competitive now, although maybe still not quite big enough of squad to be competitive in both the Challenge Cup and the Pro 14
The fact that there is little or no TV coverage of the Challenge Cup says it all.

With Murray only sure fit solution, Cooney and Marmion uncertain, I reckon Joe will force Blade to sit out of one of the next two games. Hope it will be Bordeaux, not Cardiff

Your assuming Schmidt will pick Blade, Marmion & cooney will b fit I reckon, Murray is back to his best anyway so no need to get worried, Bordeaux is a must win next week so we can't be resting Blade

Kerins back. We should fully rest Blade for Cardiff.

McGrath is clearly out for the begining of 6N

If Cooney's struggling too with his back, we could well have both Marmion and Blade on Irish duties in February. Angus Llyod and Kerins have to step up quickly! To provide solutions behind Mitchell!

cabaiste wrote: Bindo reporting that Worcester Warriors are after Conor Carey.

I don't think this would be great if true as we are relatively light (metaphorically speaking!) in the front row.

Much as I hate to give them the traffic, here's the link: www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-...-carey-37701319.html

Understandable move if it's true. Finlay is the clear first choice and this season Carey does seem to have fallen behind McCoy in the pecking order. Would be a loss though especially if Finlay makes the WC squad

Carey would be a big loss if true. I’d be looking to get jager back from New Zealand if possible

Bindo reporting that Worcester Warriors are after Conor Carey.

I don't think this would be great if true as we are relatively light (metaphorically speaking!) in the front row.

Much as I hate to give them the traffic, here's the link: www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/connacht-...-carey-37701319.html

sea_point wrote: Sorry was meant to say that the three lads that moved up from the academy, very surprised if they weren't on two year deals. After three years in the academy they'd be on development contracts anyway not full, so two years would make sense.

Hmm I can’t see Claffey getting two years coming off an injury riddled academy stint with no senior appearances. Pat O’Toole and Rory Moloney both got 1 year deals out of the academy in recent years. Gallagher maybe could have gotten two as he is an elite prospect.