Robbo wrote: I jokingly mentioned on Boards.ie that Isa Nacewa is the kind of player we should be going for since he's likely to be frozen out with these new NIE restrictions, from which we are exempt. What's not to like, brilliant broken play runner, hit 100% of his kicks on New Years in the Sportsground, seems fairly settled in Ireland, plays anywhere across the backs.

Of course he'd have to ring himself to advise against it...

I never condone booing your own team, but I think I'd have to find out Nacewas phone number if he ever signed for Connacht, and just boo down the phone at him constantly

I jokingly mentioned on Boards.ie that Isa Nacewa is the kind of player we should be going for since he's likely to be frozen out with these new NIE restrictions, from which we are exempt. What's not to like, brilliant broken play runner, hit 100% of his kicks on New Years in the Sportsground, seems fairly settled in Ireland, plays anywhere across the backs.

Of course he'd have to ring himself to advise against it...

I'd say it's 50/50 Leinster offer him a contract. They'd probably be happy enough to have him for another year, but if he insisted on a longer term they may question whether he's worth a spot one of their present academy players might just as easily fill. I can't see him coming back to Connacht especially the way this season has unfolded. He'd view it as a step back.

ummm, wrote: Shaddon?

Sharon + thick Dublin accent = Shaddon. Now you get the Snapper reference, is lunch staying down?

Shaddon?

eastcoastconnacht wrote: Just wondering whether people think Carr will be offered a contract extension with Leinster.

Would people like to see him back

do you think he would come back?

I think they probably will give him a new contract. They're going to be down 2 centres in the next few years, and while McFadden will replace one, O'Malley looked hopeless against Bath and Connacht recently so they might have to move Fitzgerald in there. Horgan doesn't look like making a comeback (been injured for ages), and Nacewa is on his way in a few years, so it'd make sense to keep him. He seems to have pushed ahead of Conway so he's doing something right.

I'd have him back in a heartbeat, and I'd say the same is true for most Connacht fans, with the possible exception of the bloke who kept yelling "Well done Shaddon, that was A 1!" every time he did some stretches during the Leinster match at New Year's.

Who knows if he'd come back, granted there's a few ahead of him where he is - Nacewa, Fitzgerlad, Dave Kearney - but if he did decide to go I'm sure Munster or a few of the English teams would be in for him.

Just wondering whether people think Carr will be offered a contract extension with Leinster. They seem to have alot of backs putting their hands up and Carr is finding it hard to force his way into the big game squads like this weekend. Maybe Eric should put in a speculative phone call. Would people like to see him back / do you think he would come back?

I think ronan loughney has done well at tight head for us since moving over there to cover for rodneys inadequecies and deserves to be considered our starting tighthead at this stage. In fact if it wasnt 4 his injury against leinster he could have been in irish squad as cover for ross as he has more game time than any other th eligable at this point and has done better.

So for me someone who can cover at loose head to give wilko a rest wud suffice. Rodgers can do that job at th and we have magiure and buckley in reserve as third choice.

It wud also free up more money to invest in a top 9 and decent goalkicking 10. Given the limitations of the budget it prob makes sense to go this way.

Lookin forward to friday nites game between buccs and galwegians to see how acadamy and squad players are doin.

To those of u travelling to toulouse bon voyage and heres hoping!

connachtexile wrote:

Western Force flyhalf Willie Ripia has resigned with immediate effect following an investigation into a theft scandal. The New Zealand born player allegedly stole from fellow players, with suspicions confirmed by CCTV cameras. The Force had reportedly been helping him with a gambling problem, and were considering suspension or tearing up his contract when the talented playmaker offered his resignation.

Lets put him in the 'maybe' column.

As for the list Number 9 its good to see the it laid out. Think we're ok on the wings with Layden, Tonetti and Boland able to play there as well. A TH and a Outhalf have to be the priorities next season.

Ehhh, no. Let's not.

We've enough problems to sort without trying to help solve this guys gambling problems, which are so bad that he resorts to stealing from Friends...!!

Becasue of it's physicality Rugby is very much based on trust, and I cannot see any way that the Squad would be happy to welcome him in.

Can anyone honestly see the Connacht players welcoming someone who stole from his fellow teammates? No thanks.

Western Force flyhalf Willie Ripia has resigned with immediate effect following an investigation into a theft scandal. The New Zealand born player allegedly stole from fellow players, with suspicions confirmed by CCTV cameras. The Force had reportedly been helping him with a gambling problem, and were considering suspension or tearing up his contract when the talented playmaker offered his resignation.

Lets put him in the 'maybe' column.

As for the list Number 9 its good to see the it laid out. Think we're ok on the wings with Layden, Tonetti and Boland able to play there as well. A TH and a Outhalf have to be the priorities next season.

Rugbydump.com
Western Force flyhalf Willie Ripia has resigned with immediate effect following an investigation into a theft scandal. The New Zealand born player allegedly stole from fellow players, with suspicions confirmed by CCTV cameras. The Force had reportedly been helping him with a gambling problem, and were considering suspension or tearing up his contract when the talented playmaker offered his resignation.

connacht dont have much cash thrown around the place so not a problem.

Some good players there coming through but tough to come through in a side thats struggling losing and lacking leadership.
When you look at the above list there are great positives coming through.
Add in a top class ten, 9, 2 and a seasoned tight head or Hagan and some coaches stepping up.
How has Charlie Cooper not moved up to the top level. Great coach and plays great rugby.

Slow day at work, so I decided to do a rundown on the squad lookin towards next year. Working from Porterbellys list and the squad list on the website.

1.Buckley Dennis Academy Year 3 - Sign up, hopefully he will keep improving with gametime.
Loughney Ronan 2013 - Retain, done well at LH and a good job covering TH
Wilkinson Brett 2013 - Prob be a lot of interest in him, hopefully will stay beyond 2013
Well covered here

2. Flavin Adrian 2013 - Solid,
Murphy Dermot Dev 2012 - Good enough for 3rd choice
Reynecke Ethienne 2013 - Good around the field, needs to improve darts
O'Byrne Kevin Academy Year 1 - Don't know much about him tbh
Resign Murphy as 3rd choice next year unless we can get Sean Henry or another with potential (not fogs!)

3. Ah You Rodney 2012 - I wouldnt renew his contract, a poor Tony Buckley
Maguire Stewart Dev 2012 - Retain, showed promise when played as long as he can stay fit.
Rogers Dylan 2012 - Good scrumager, I would retain him and get him fit.
Stevens Jamie Dev 2012 - Doesnt seem to be near the squad, but retain if no TH is signed
Cut Ah You loose, sign a decent TH who can scrummage. NIQ if needed. Id play rogers and Maguire for the rest of the year.

4.&5. Browne Andrew 2013 -Hopefully an injury free year next year, promising player
Gannon Dave 2012 - 50/50 on retaining, good player but if all fit maybe not needed
Kearney Mick Academy year 1 - Sign up on full contract, very impressed with him
McCarthy Mike 2013 - Having a grat year again, one of connachts best player
Swift Michael 2013 - Defies logic how he keeps going
Nolan Dave - Horrible luck this year, hopefully a big year next year
Qualter Danny Academy Year 2 - Looks very promising
Well stocked here, dont think there is any need for any additional signings, probably let gannon go even though he has done well. Enough players ready to step up

6. Anderson TJ 2013 - Another year to prove himself. Average at best so far.
Muldoon John 2014 - Class act
Heffernan Dave Academy Year 1 - Another promising looking player
Not too impressed with Anderson, still has another year to prove something. Browne can also do a job here if needed

7. Grace Eoghan 2013 - Needs to be pushing for a squad place, presseason injury didnt help
O'Connor Johnny 2013 - Makes a huge difference when he plays, just to keep him fit!
Ofisa Ray 2012 - Now NIQ and injury prone. Great player but prob last year
Conneely Aaron Academy Year 2 - Good prospect, hope to see him get more gametime
Conneely Shane Academy Year 3 - Is he injured this year? havent seen him at all
Someone needs to step-up as O'Connors replacement, if grace doesnt do it, Conneely should get a shot. Ofisa has been great for Connact but his time is up

8. Naoupu George 2013 - Starting to play better, hopefully he will finish the year strong
McKeon Eoin Dev 2012 - Has looked impressive in his appearances
Naoupu is getting there but needs to be better. Like what i have seen of McKoen, hopefully he gets more gametime

9. Moore Dave 2012? - Needs games to see can he offer something different
Murphy Frank 2013 -Lots of SH's have been signed yet he's still the most regular starter
O'Donoghoe Paul 2013 - Was impressed initially, he needs to step it up
Dolan Mark Academy Year 3 - Should be looking to make a break-through soon
Marmion Kieran Academy Year 1 - dont know much about him but heard good things
Not good enough here, we keep signing 9's but nobody has properly displaced Murphy. POD has been good an awful, Moore needs a chance to prove himself, Id dolan or Mariom should be 3rd choice next year for development.

10. Jarvis Matthew Dev 2012 - Good runner and backline play, needs to work on kicking
Nikora Miah 2013 - IQ soon, but not really good enough
O'Connor Niall 2013 - Suits elwoods gameplan but a limited player,love to be proved wrong
Carthy Jack Academy Year 1 - Needs time
Leader Tadgh Academy Year 1 - Also needs time
Very weak in this area, Jarvis should be given time to improve, Carty and Leader probably need another year or twos development but Id like to see them get sub appearances. Hopefully one of them can be the long term answer.

12. Fa'afil Henry 2012 - Very disppointing, strong runner but not much else, release
Matthews Keith Retired - Great player for Connacht, very unfortunate
McSharry Dave 2014 - What a signing, playing great stuff
Mcsharry is playing great stuff, Fa'afili needs to be offloaded. Id only like to see a young IQ player signed as cover as Tonnetti can fill in.

13. Griffin Eoin 2014 - If he keeps imroving he can make the irish 13 shirt his.
Tonetti Kyle 2012 - Played well since signed, deserves an extension
No need for a signing here unless its an academy player. Resign Tonneti as he has done well.

11.&14. McCrea Mark 2013 - bit hit and miss, hopefully he will get more consistent
O'Halloran Tiernan 2014 - great potential, lot to work on, could be a class act
Tuohy Brian 2013 - Average player, horrible injury though
Vainikolo Fetu'u 2013 - Needs to get his head into the game. He has safety of another year
Finn Conor Academy Year 1 - Cant say I know much, but getting A games
Hopefully Fetu or Mcrea can step up. Id take Fionn Carr back with open arms but it depends on Leinster renewing his contract

15. Duffy Gavin 2012 - Solid, good to have an experienced head at the back
Layden Shane Academy - Would like to see him get a couple more games, doing well
Loxton James Development? - Unfortunate injury, retain for next year
Boland Callumn Academy Year 2 -Dont know much again, can play win also
Id like to see some of the younger players getting gametime, no signing needed. TOH can do a job if required

Most of the squad is already contracted for next year, which is a good thing, there cant be a big turnover of players like last year. Overall, a TH is badly needed as is a OH, but Nikora, O'Connor are contacted for next year so OH might be tricky. Possibly need a young centre/wing as a squadfiller.

Any other signing made needs to be a guaranteed started. Squad needs stability next year, im hopeful if the young players a re given a chance, they will step-up

After a bit of talk on the Connacht v Aironi page about poor signings, thought I would draw up a few personal lists, open to correction.

In regards to our recruitment from outside of the province, I have composed a small list (ok, Im leaving out a lot) of recruited players who have been instrumental to the province

Other Provinces
Hagan
Cronin
Keatley
Carr
McSharry
Tonetti (might be a bit early to include on the list, but a current example)
Mark McHugh
Keith Matthews
Conor McPhillips
Chris Keane

(Eventual) Irish Qualified Imported players
Mike McCarthy
Brett Wilkinson
Micheal Swift
Andrew Farley
Matt Mostyn
Darren Yapp

Non Irish Qualified Imported players
George Naoupu
Paul Warrick
Ray Ofisa (was so close)

and then there is the list of failed imports, which I really couldn't be bothered to go into detail about, actually will include Ezra Taylor as hes the man of the moment. Its clear where our main sucessful recruits have been coming from, and thats tried and tested Irish based players with the exception of the stirling services from the names on the other 2 lists.

ididnotkillmywife wrote: My wishlist:

Need #1: Outhalf
Some say that tighthead prop is our biggest need. While it's unquestionably a big issue, what we need more is a goalkicking outhalf. How many games have been lost by 10 or fewer points? Mat Berquist, Dan Parks or Jimmy Gopperth would do nicely. None are world beaters but all will keep the scoreboard ticking over which is more than can be said for the motley crew we currently have. Berquist is only on a one year deal with Leinster and can become eligible to play for Ireland so he gets my vote.

Need #2: Tighthead prop
We badly need somebody who can anchor a scrum. Nathan White has captaincy experience in New Zealand and can lock a scrum. He signed a short term deal with Leinster and I'm sure he'd be open to a two year contract here if he was named as the starting number 3.

Need #3: Scrumhalf
Peter Stringer is down the pecking order at Munster but obviously thinks he still has something to offer otherwise he wouldn't have moved to Saracens on loan. A one year deal to finish out his career and an opportunity to mentor Paul O'Donohoe, Dave Moore and Kieran Marmion could be to good an offer for him to refuse.

Need #4: Backs coach
Billy Millard has singularly failed to get any sort of decent performances out of any of our scrum halves and outhalves. Others like Vainikolo and Fa'afili have some pedigree but aren't showing it. We already knew the quality Eoin Griffin and Tiernan O'Halloran possessed so the coach can't take much credit for their rise. Only Dave McSharry has noticably improved. I think we need a new backs coach with innovative ideas. Don't ask me who though!

Need #5: Winger
Tuohy, Vainikolo and McCrea don't cut it. Either bring somebody like Luke O'Dea, Andrew Conway or Fionn Carr in or promote Shane Layden now and see what he can do.

I think we're two positions, an outhalf and a tighthead prop, away from being a mid table Pro 12 team. With four or five new players we could be an upper mid table team in with a shot of making the playoffs in a good year. Whatever happens we need to recruit an awful lot better than we have done over the last two summers.

Very much agree with that. I think we had a good backs coach in Melrose but it looks like he didn't get the level of input he would have liked and decided to move on. Hard to know who for the wing, doubt any of the three mentioned would come here at this stage. Really if you are a player watching that game today who is considering Connacht you'd need to see names like Stringer, White, Berqvist etc. coming here otherwise you'd be better off playing B&I Cup, many mightn't agree but you couldn't be but disillusioned after this latest defeat.