Now we have Arnold. That's the change
Should we keep Godwin, we'd be overstocked for centre, which we can't afford, weakening our budget for other positions
He's not a winger on a permanent basis, even if Wootton contract is not concluded
The only way to keep him is to convert him as 10, it's possible,
but paying him (not cheap) to play 2nd/3rd choice 10 and occasional winger wouldn't be that wise...

Betty Swallocks wrote: If this isn't a done deal yet I would urge Connacht Rugby that we retain Godwin. He has been perhaps the most versatile and busiest member of the squad for the last two years and offers great quality too. The rest of the names rumoured to be leaving above I can live with.

Looks like Maksymiw is going to the Dragons.

If this isn't a done deal yet I would urge Connacht Rugby that we retain Godwin. He has been perhaps the most versatile and busiest member of the squad for the last two years and offers great quality too. The rest of the names rumoured to be leaving above I can live with.

Connacht players set to depart as new squad takes shape
Linley MacKenzie Galway Advertiser, Thu, May 21, 2020


A host of players are set to leave Connacht Rugby, following Robin Copeland's announced departure to France this week.

The No 8 had been expected to retire at the end of the season, but was offered a chance to move to French ProD2 side Angouleme.

However, along with openside Colby Fainga'a's move to France and the expected departure of fellow backrow player Eoin McKeon, Connacht will be looking to add some strength, particularly at No 8, when the new season begins.

The four new young players from Munster and Leinster who are moving west to the Galway Sportsground will fill some of the void.

Munster's Sammy Arnold (centre ), Conor Oliver (backrow ), and Leinster's Jack Aungier (prop ), and Oisin Dowling (lock ) have all featured for Ireland at U20 level.

While Arnold, Aungier and Dowling have agreed two year deals, Oliver, a backrow player who has featured for Munster 28 times, is on a one-year contract.

All four talented players are expected to get game time in Connacht, particularly with the departure of some players in key positions. In addition to those already announced, two overseas players Kyle Godwin and David Horwitz are expected to be leaving.

Horwitz struggled to make a mark in the west, having been signed as a outhalf rather than a centre, while many will miss the versatile Godwin, who has delivered in every position and occasion in which he has played.

No doubt his departure, like that of McKeon, would be a tough call for Connacht, but given the current economic climate, and with five midfielders already on the books - in addition to newcomer Arnold, who made his international debut against USA in 2018 - Godwin appears to be the player who could lose out.

It is believed some 11 players could be departing the Sportsground when the new squad is revealed, including lock Joe Maksymiw and possibly crowd favourite Niyi Adeolokun.

Investing in Ireland's youth is a policy heightened by Covid-19 and the lack of revenue available to the sport. Thus the young quartet of Arnold, Dowling, Aungier and Oliver will be able to get game time in the west, a policy advocated by coach Andy Friend.

Arnold (24 ) made 44 appearances for Munster since joining the province from Ulster in 2016, while also having been named both Ulster Academy Player of the Year and Munster Young Player of the Year.

Back row Conor Oliver has played 28 times for Munster since making his debut in February 2016, was Munster Academy Player of the Year the following season, and can play on either flanks or as a number 8.

Jack Aungier has made five appearances for Leinster since making his senior debut last November, while Oisin Dowling, another Leinster Academy player, is a 6’5’’ lock who has also been capped at Irish U20 level.

Coach Andy Friend says: "In Sammy, Conor, Oisin and Jack we have secured the signings of four very talented and promising young Irish rugby players. They each have unique skillsets which will enhance our squad for next season and beyond."

Kyle Godwin, the versatile backline player, who could be leaving Connacht, on his way to scoring his side's fourth try during match against Cardiff Blues. Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

So we agree except for the NIQ spot : 2nd row, 10, and/or back-row

Dowling is more a 6, Masterson even if he doesn't leave, won't be converted permanently
If Macksymiw isn't kept we need a big lock

Thonrbury/Roux are injury prone, Murray is 20 y.o, barely 100 kg
Remains Dillane

4 and 2halfs guys for 3 spots are not enough at all

IQ (all under contract but who knows with financial cuts)

Sexton (Kings)
Brandshaw-Ryan (Nevers, ProD2)
Joyce (Bristol)
Nagle and old chap Mick Kearney! (Zebre)

if not NIQ

Fainga'a Butler (qualified), Godwin, and Horwitz made 4 spots available

a n°8, an outhalf, this 2nd row, and maybe an Academy Project player (back-row if you want, and if we have money ...)

connachta wrote:
...The 11th (bad) surprise is either Macksymiw, Niyi, or Gallagher, maybe Murphy, I'd have kept those 4...

...The NIQ spots, are under my intuition, Wiese and a 10, as Carty may be picked with Ireland and Dean is still young for this position...

Agree with you on keeping those lads.

Maksymiw was involved in 14 of 19 matchday squads last term. They'd want to be very confident in Dowling and Murray to let him go.

Niyi is a bit of a shocker, he signed a two year deal Jan. 2019, so unless it was a 1-and-1 option deal or he wants out it's hard to understand what's going on there. He may have struggled with injury the last couple of years but IIRC correctly he's still our 3rd highest try scorer ever, behind Fionn Carr and one try ahead of Conor McPhilips.

Can't see Gallagher being let go unless on injury grounds, he could be our SA-style-big-as-a-lock 6 for years, and he can cover TH lock as well.

As regards Murphy, he hasn't played much but has been excellent when he has. Where would we find half the player for twice the money?

Finally on the NIQ spots, I can't imagine we'd waste one on a 10 who'll be at best second and possibly 3rd choice. Carty has seen off 3 NIQ 10s over his career. Given we've lost an entire back row (McKeon, Fainga'a, Copeland), that SOB has played 2 minutes in the last year and a half, and Gallagher had a long term injury too, I wouldn't rule out both NIQs going on back rows.

Well Niyi would be for me the surprise in your list, Mackymiw is not a surplus either...

If he goes, that means De Buitlear, despite his injury, will be promoted, Murray too, if Joe goes

Masterson was rumoured to Edinburgh
Llyod will be released as we have Reily as 4th choice
McCart
Horwitz
Godwin
Leader
R. Burke
Fainga'a
McKeon
Copeland

That's 10 I've seen leaving for a while

The 11th (bad) surprise is either Macksymiw, Niyi, or Gallagher, maybe Murphy, I'd have kept those 4

Cillian should absolutely stay
Murphy, hard to see a NIQ hooker on low money coming, except if Friends consider Heff/Delah have weaknesses (throws..).
in 2nd row we need a big cover like Joe, maybe Jerry Sexton back from Kings (if they struggle financialy),
Niyi is ageing, McNulty/Sullivan are there, Wootton likely, maybe it's the most likely to leave indeed...

The NIQ spots, are under my intuition, Wiese and a 10, as Carty may be picked with Ireland and Dean is still young for this position

Real pity to see McKeon go if that's the case, was always a very solid player for us and another from the 2016 match day squad gone.

Eoin MC LinkedIn says he's looking for new opportunities.

I think he needs to get onto copeland agent

salmson wrote: Linley in the Advertiser saying 11 going: www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/114834/...ew-squad-takes-shape

3 are confirmed: Copeland, Fainga'a, McCartney; she calls out 5 more: McKeon, Adeolokun (maybe), Godwin, Horwitz, Maksymiw; Rory Burke looks to have already been replaced by Aungier, and Leader is almost certainly going.

That leaves one or at most two others. Anyone know who?

Against that we have 4 solid signings in, likely 2 more NIQs to come, Wootton rumoured, and we should have a decent crop from the academy this year. It's starting to look like we could end up with a bigger, better, cheaper squad (I know, it's the hope that kills you).

Linley in the Advertiser saying 11 going: www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/114834/...ew-squad-takes-shape

3 are confirmed: Copeland, Fainga'a, McCartney; she calls out 5 more: McKeon, Adeolokun (maybe), Godwin, Horwitz, Maksymiw; Rory Burke looks to have already been replaced by Aungier, and Leader is almost certainly going.

That leaves one or at most two others. Anyone know who?

Against that we have 4 solid signings in, likely 2 more NIQs to come, Wootton rumoured, and we should have a decent crop from the academy this year. It's starting to look like we could end up with a bigger, better, cheaper squad (I know, it's the hope that kills you).

Except Dean, we don't rely on Academy for 3rd choice in any position.

We still have a NIQ spot, I suspect one last signing there for fly-half, in addition to rumoured Wootton and Wiese

That's assuming we keep
one of Gallagher/McKeon (at least)
both Fitz, M.Burke, Macksymiw, Murphy, S.Masterson, De Buitlear, and Kerrins on the "out of contract" list,
maybe Goddard as an IQ prospect for 10, if we can't sign a 3rd choice on low money

I think it's possible, none is rumoured elsewhere

That means 10 released

I don't feel underwhelmed at all.
Wise and promising recruitement

Jesus, this is a very underwhelming season of transfer business so far. We'd want to be announcing in the next couple of days the signing of Wiese (or another bulky ball carrying No8) a decent 10, a winger (Wootton?), and a full back.
Very disappointing to hear Godwin is going. A wonderful player for us. Fainga'a we've known for a long time was going, so had adjusted to that reality. Copeland may as well not have been here.

I could be wrong.
McKeown contract is up. I'm guessing Oliver will replace him.
JB back to 7.

We sign a new 8, Boyle Masterson, SOB to fight for 6. Boyle is favourite IMO to make the Jersey his own

I think we're very nearly done. I'd expect de Buitlear, Murray, Sean Masterson, and possibly Tierney-Martin to be promoted from the academy, and Jasper Wiese to sign.

At lock if we keep Maksymiw and add Murray we're carrying two more than last year (thank God) and it's probably 2 out 3 in the backrow if none of Gallagher, McKeon, and Masterson leave.

That leaves us likely looking at an outhalf (unless one is promoted from the academy), (at least) one scrumhalf, (at least) one hooker.

There are some other possibilities; they may decide 6 back 3 players isn't enough given how last year went, they may need a loosehead if they let both Matthew Burke and McCabe go or decide we need 4 looseheads instead of 3 (we did last year).

We have only one NIQ - Porch - at the moment, with Wiese likely to be a second. Thus far the other provinces have only 6 between them for next year - Fardy, Snyman, da Allende, Carter, Coetzee, Faddes - so I'd imagine we'll only be signing one or at most two NIQs in addition to that.

(Those marked staying confirmed by branch and/or player themselves).

Back 3:

Staying: Adeolokun, Fitzgerald, Healy, O'Halloran, Porch.
Possible addition: de Buitlear
Likely leaving: Leader

Centre:

Staying: Aki, Daly, Farrell, Robb.
Addition: Arnold
Likely leaving: Godwin

Out-half:

Staying: Carty, Fitzgerald.
Likely leaving: Horwitz

Scrum-half:

Staying: Blade, Marmion.
Unknown: Kerins, Lloyd.

Loosehead:

Staying: Buckley, McAllister.
Unknown: M. Burke, McCabe.

Hooker:

Staying: Delahunt, Heffernan.
Possible addition: Tierney-Martin
Retiring: McCartney
Unknown: Murphy

Tighthead:

Staying: Bealham, Robertson-McCoy.
Addition: Aungier
Likely leaving: R. Burke
Unknown: Kenny

Lock:

Staying: Dillane, Roux, Thornbury.
Addition: Dowling
Possible addition: Murray
Unknown: Maksymiw

Backrow:

Staying: Boyle, Butler, O'Brien.
Addition: Oliver
Possible addition: Wiese
Leaving: Copeland, Fainga'a.
Unknown: Gallagher, McKeon, Masterson.