Shurl wrote: Surely he was good enough if Munster wanted to take him from the Connacht academy. All three of the hookers ahead of him are streets ahead of what we have here and he is is bound to have developed having played alongside those players in training.
Another Sligo lad McGovern over in France, anyone seen him play lately?

Dave McGowan, 2nd row La Rochelle?

We're well stocked given we have Macca, Swifty, Gannon, Browne, Kearney, George and Qualter coming through

True a good TH is essential, hard to win without a steady scrum. Might be easier to get one in a non world cup year 2012

I think Stringer would have to be feeling quite charitable to come to Connacht if they are back in the ECC next season. Sure I can see him passing up some money in order to go somewhere where he's the likely first choice scrumhalf, but he's going to have his limits. At his age I see him wanting the prospect of a stable scrum and HEC rugby. There's being hungry and then there's being a masochist.

IMO the best we could hope for is a decent TH to shore up the scrum which would help out our current half backs perhaps letting a pair of them to blossom and get the back line moving. The uncertainty of Connacht's HEC status and the lack of money really prevents them from fighting many large battles on the recruiting front.

He was never in the connacht academy.

He went to college in Limerick, played with UL and was brought into the Munster sub academy from there. He did play under age with connacht though.

Munster have 5 hookers on their books, he is fifth choice behind Flannery, Varley, Sherry and Fogarty.


I firmly believe we need to look at higher quality players then this

Surely he was good enough if Munster wanted to take him from the Connacht academy. All three of the hookers ahead of him are streets ahead of what we have here and he is is bound to have developed having played alongside those players in training.
Another Sligo lad McGovern over in France, anyone seen him play lately?

I dont think we should go near Sean Henry or Fogarty.

They are not good enough for Munter bech, they should ot be good enough for us. It would be nice to have a sligo man in the squad but if he is not cutting it down there why should we take them.

We have one this befre, it works sometimes but more often then not it doesnt

It would be good to get Henry alright and have a Sligo representative in the squad. Only 24 as well.

Would like to see someone like Sean Henry brought back to Connacht. Munster folk speak very highly of him, but he will still find it hard to break into their side with Fogarty, Flannery (if fit) and Mike Sherry ahead of him.
Either that or clone a Flavin/Reynecke mixture that can hook and throw the ball in.

I'd have to agree, very hard for any scrum half to look good behind a weak scrum. We have some good ball carriers in the loose. I thought Reynecke looked good last weekend and Swift and Macca never shy away from getting the ball. For ten minutes after we scored the try on Saturday we played with our tails up and got good go forward ball.
There seems to be some alot of fear and nerves running through the team of clocking up more losses and this is stopping them playing to their potential. Its hard to keep the head up after some tight games that keep going against you. To be honest I don't think we are playing particularly poorly just a lack of confidence at the moment.
No matter how bad we feel as supporters it must be terrible for the players at the moment. I've seen Muldoon put in big games before but I felt particularly for him on Sat. He gave absolutely everything he could and played out of his skin. I actually have a good feeling about this weekend for some unknown reason.

The IMF wrote: Peter Stringer is not going to get our backs going by himself.

A dominant forwards pack are the only thing that will generate the platform for any 9 to be able to do this.

It's a bit unfair on POD to say he is not up to standard when he is constantly on the back foot in games. When we have had a bit of go forward ball IMO he has done quite well the problem being that we just are not generating enough go forward through scrum or breakdown.

Just think any investment should be concentrated on the forwards rather than hoping by signing a quality 9 the forwards issue will take care of itself.

I agree completely, but I think Stringer would help. You're right though - even a great scrum half will struggle behind a retreating pack. On that front, I feel our problems are mainly in the front row.

Peter Stringer is not going to get our backs going by himself.

A dominant forwards pack are the only thing that will generate the platform for any 9 to be able to do this.

It's a bit unfair on POD to say he is not up to standard when he is constantly on the back foot in games. When we have had a bit of go forward ball IMO he has done quite well the problem being that we just are not generating enough go forward through scrum or breakdown.

Just think any investment should be concentrated on the forwards rather than hoping by signing a quality 9 the forwards issue will take care of itself.

We need to get an international level 10, as everybody has mentioned we have the young players showing that they are ready for the Pro12 and more on the way
Nick Evans has showed value for money at Quins, Rory Clegg is his backup (i think 21)
Young talent is great but you need experience to show them how to win

I'd love to see Stringer joining us for a couple of years - his passing is class, and it's what we need to get our backline on the front foot. O'Leary hasn't a notion of joining us - from being picked for the Lions a couple of years ago to playing for Connacht? I don't think so.

simpleton wrote: My wish list, trying to keep it a little real.

Denis Fogerty
Niall Morris
Jamie Hagen
Steenson
Paul Marshall

Ruddock and bearman would also be nice

Fogarty i the only one we'd get. Marshall will never leave Ulster, Ruddock will probably end up at Munster if he leaves, Morris will stay in Leicester, Hagan has a 2 year deal

My wish list, trying to keep it a little real.

Denis Fogerty
Niall Morris
Jamie Hagen
Steenson
Paul Marshall

Ruddock and bearman would also be nice

I reckon props are usually safer bets to stay than anyone else, just because of the problems with finding a decent one. I'd be surprised if we let two go on purpose.

Even if you have a half decent one the fear of letting them go and getting nothing in return puts the frighteners up everyone.

We were much better in our second season with Keats & Co, because we were a settled squad. I'd like to see as little player movement as possible next year. Upgrades only, no like for likes!