the previous year we had a lack of cover in the backrow, seem to be trying to fix previous wrongs, which means that we are always a step behind i suppose, but we can see a squad coming together, and a very good one at that

we made a mistake last year signing lots of backrow, grace, anderson etc.

this year our recruitment has to be exact. we are strong in backrow and centre. we do not sign another one. we are weak in front row. first person on shopping list has to be TH and if that takes majority of our budget so be it, but it is essential

do we have much money to spend anyway considerin players already signed and ongoing commitment to upgrading ground to decent standard? i think thats the main question.

D'arcy wouldn't come to Connacht.

As well as that, he'd command big wages, personally I don't particularly rate him anymore, and we have 3 good young centres here already and a couple coming through

swift4prez wrote: dont think we will be signing any out halfs though.
nikora and NOC signed on till 2013 and our best one jarvis only signed till 2012.

Yeah, I'd be very surprised if any significant money will be used at OH or SH for that matter (unless the tax advantage of finishing up in Ireland sends Stringer our way). TH is where I would put the money. I know the branch is recently admitting they dropped the ball on recruiting last year, but I'm not sure that mistake hasn't tied their hands to some degree for this year.

I think Browne will be offered another contract from Leinster, so I wouldn't count on him returning.

I wonder if D'Arcy is worth pursuing at all? Sure, he'll get another contract from Leinster, but he has to see the writing on the wall, their young backs will increasingly cut into his playing time and eventually overtake him. Perhaps BOD's chronic long-term absences make D'Arcy more important to Leinster and they'll want to hold on to him, but you never know. He would be helpful with the young lads at Connacht though I'm not sure they need him or at least his price tag.

Number 9 wrote: I think browne could be a very good bet to come back next year but with swift, mccarthy, kearney, gannon and nolan and a.browne back fit he might'nt be needed

As everyone has mentioned a TH, SH and OH are priorities, any additions other than that should be good imports and be definite starters when signed.

There are a lot of good young players coming through, hopefully they will get a chance rather than signing squad fillers from other provinces

Vitally important, we need to promote our own

dont think we will be signing any out halfs though.
nikora and NOC signed on till 2013 and our best one jarvis only signed till 2012.

Browne will get another contract at Leinster.

I think browne could be a very good bet to come back next year but with swift, mccarthy, kearney, gannon and nolan and a.browne back fit he might'nt be needed

As everyone has mentioned a TH, SH and OH are priorities, any additions other than that should be good imports and be definite starters when signed.

There are a lot of good young players coming through, hopefully they will get a chance rather than signing squad fillers from other provinces

I'll take Carr and Browne back thank you very much.

Feck it cant make up my mind. Can we take them all?

Here's the list on Leinster guys whose contracts are up at the end of the season. Apparently the only one whose definitely getting cut is Simon Shawe. There's conjecture about Macken and Sheridan with the rumor mill stating that one of them might leave but just rumor. I for one would love to see Nathan White head our way if we could get him but don't know what Leinster's intentions are. The majority will be kept on with maybe Berquist going since Madigan has come through and Ruddock's plans are shrouded in mystery; wouldn't be surprised to see head down Munster's way if they came calling.

Avua'a Leo May-12
Berquist Matt May-12
Boss Isaac May-12
Browne Damien May-12
Carr Fionn May-12
D'Arcy Gordon May-12
Dundon Aaron May-12
Fitzgerald Luke May-12
Flanagan Mark May-12
Cooney John May-12
Macken Brendan May-12
Madigan Ian May-12
O'Connell Jack May-12
Reddan Eoin May-12
Ruddock Rhys May-12
-_-ton Tom May-12
Shawe Simon May-12
Sheridan Eamonn May-12
Van Der Merwe Heinke May-12
White Nathan May-12

Maguire here on two year deal according to this.

www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2011/0328/connacht.html

Connacht sign prop Maguire from Leinster
Monday, 28 March 2011 17:53
Connacht Rugby have today announced the signing of Leinster academy prop Stewart Maguire on a two-year contract.

The 6'5" 130kg tight-head prop joined Leinster two years ago and to date has made 11 appearances for the province's 'A' side, including seven in the British and Irish Cup.

Maguire has also represented Ireland at under 20 level and was a member of the side that played in last year's under 20 world Cup in Argentina, where he played with Connacht trio Eoin Griffin, Tiernan O'Halloran and Denis Buckley.

This season he has also helped his club Old Belvedere challenge for Ulster Bank League honours.

connachtexile wrote: It's nice to see that we're finally getting some consistency and not having the massive turnovers of the past. To be honest I'd like to see alot of the younger guys get a try next year and us to save our dough and splurg it on a decent TH and maybe an OH.

P.S. Are any of our foreign players like Ah You Irish-qualified next year? I'm pretty sure Nikora is.

Think you're right about Miah, but we lose Ray from the IQ list (he qualified through residency but then played a game for Samoa last year).

Rodney only arrived late 2010 so he won't be IQ for almost another 2 years (if we keep him). Dylan Rogers is in the same boat, Etienne Reynecke's only here 6 months, Fetu and Henry are capped and Geogre played 7s so I don't think anyone else falls into Miah's category.

It's nice to see that we're finally getting some consistency and not having the massive turnovers of the past. To be honest I'd like to see alot of the younger guys get a try next year and us to save our dough and splurg it on a decent TH and maybe an OH.

P.S. Are any of our foreign players like Ah You Irish-qualified next year? I'm pretty sure Nikora is.

Maguire is on a development deal I'd imagine