From connachtrugby.ie

Connacht have completed the signing of versatile front rower Frik Venter ahead of the new season. Venter enjoyed a previous spell at Connacht in 2005/06 and also had spells at Aviva Premiership leaders Saracens and South African giants Natal Sharks.

The 30-year-old front row player brings a wealth of experience to the front row and Connacht manager Tim Allnutt expects him to be a good addition to supplement the existing front row options.

“Frik is a typical ball-carrying loosehead prop, who can develop into the complete package. He can also play at tight head, making him even more valuable in light of the IRB’s proposed law changes relating to the front row”. Venter also has experience of starting at hooker. "Frik will give us a lot of options for the coming season".

rossie wrote: For me the utility backs to sign are scanlon and dineen. Its painful to say it but its a symptom of whats wrong in munster atm that these lads( and barnes) are being released while poorer players are retained. Scanlon is a very quick player who plays fb and wing. You know about dineen. Both will be a loss to munster but could be connachts gain.

Dineen is not better than any of the options we currently have, even our wider centre cover. There has been no substantive performance wise to back up the hype for some of these younger Munster players. Just because they've worn Munster red on a few occasions does not make them by default better players. If what is in the news is true Barnes is leaving not being released, fair to say of the three he is one that Munster would extend but not necessarily play regularly.

Let them move on elsewhere for a season or two outside of their province UK/France/Italy/Wherever and track them, but signing them just because they've not made the cut at Munster would be lunacy..

Even if we keep Fafita, we can't imagine a pro squad with just him and Faloon as 7. With D.Ryan staying in Leinster, I think we'll use one of our 2 NIQ/project spots, and Pat will bring a guy from the south...

PS : like Alafoti Fasilvia

Great news about ronaldson, looking forward to seeing him in a green jersey next year.

Is there a chance that fafita is going to be kept on as a utility back/backrow seeing as there doesn't seem to be any backrow signing on the horizon? I know he didn't impress in the last A game when played there but I think that was his first time playing in the backrow in ages. The only other options I see atm would be moving muldoon to seven (pretty unlikely!) or Heffernan or Conneely from the academy? Gardiner too but at 6'5'' I assume he's a 6 or 8?

Prolific talent Ronaldson signs for Connacht

AIL leading points scorer Craig Ronaldson has signed a one year contract with Connacht Rugby.

The 23-year-old out-half plays for Lansdowne RFC and has had a phenomenal season with the Dublin club, kicking 206 points in 16 games.

Lansdowne were crowned AIL division 1A champions following their 32-25 win on Saturday over second placed Clontarf.

Earlier this year, Ronaldson brought his excellent Ulster Bank League form to club international level when he was named, for the second year running, in the Ireland Club team. The former Kilkenny College captain landed six of his seven shots at goal for a 15-point haul in Ireland’s richly deserved 30 – 20 victory over England Counties.

Ronaldson will join up with Connacht Rugby for pre-season training in June 2013. He said:

“I’m delighted to have been given this opportunity with Connacht Rugby. I’ve really enjoyed my rugby with Lansdowne this year and I’m looking forward to the chance to develop further as a player with a club that is really going places.

“There are a lot of changes at Connacht with a new Head Coach in Pat Lam coming in and I’m excited about the move to Galway and linking up with everyone there.”

Commenting on the recent signing, CEO Tom Sears said:

“Craig is a talented young player who has earned his opportunity in the professional game.

”He has consistently demonstrated in the AIL that he has all the ability to make the step up and we have no doubt he will thrive in a professional environment. He is a player we have watched closely for some time and he now has an opportunity to develop his undoubted talent and fulfil his potential.”

Official for Ronaldson

www.connachtrugby.ie/2013040183265/proli...n-signs-for-connacht

we heven't many other IQ solution for the 13 jersey

Don't worry as we speak Mark Roche is walking across the Shannon (without using a bridge) to be the next Messiah of Connacht Rugby.

For me the utility backs to sign are scanlon and dineen. Its painful to say it but its a symptom of whats wrong in munster atm that these lads( and barnes) are being released while poorer players are retained. Scanlon is a very quick player who plays fb and wing. You know about dineen. Both will be a loss to munster but could be connachts gain.

There getting rid of Scanlon?! If he's going take him and sure Dineen as well. To be frank I'm more worried about us signing a backrower than another potential back, with JOC going we're treadbare before injuries.

P.S Would like to see how Tonetti does at 13.

P.P.S Jonathan Gardiner is he any good? Is he a 6 or 7?

In other news, according to the rugby paper, Vainikolo has turned down London Irish because they only offered him a 1 year deal and may instead sign for Pau in France

No way would signing Burke me of much use imo

32, he's very very light for rugby at pro 12 and Heineken/Amlin level, only about 84kg

If he was that good a Prem team would have signed him up long ago

Would prefer to see us bring through our own lads,maybe even Mark Roche

For me the utility backs to sign are scanlon and dineen. Its painful to say it but its a symptom of whats wrong in munster atm that these lads( and barnes) are being released while poorer players are retained. Scanlon is a very quick player who plays fb and wing. You know about dineen. Both will be a loss to munster but could be connachts gain.

sea_point wrote:
For me he's too old and just shy of the required calibre...

Indeed, his stats aren't extrodinary but he is a 31 y.o regular starter, so he could be a squad member like B.Murphy for one year, 'cause Poolman and Griffin are regulary injured and this summer we heven't many other IQ solution for the 13 jersey, except maybe Dineen..


Competition Championship 12/13
start sub Points Tries Convs Pens Drop Gls
14 4 12 2 1 0 0

connachta wrote: After Paul Rowley, I propose Bedford Blues outside centre Brendan Burke who just has been named in the Rugby Times RFU Championship Dream XV, to cover Griffin's injuries.

"Schooled at Leinster alongside Brian O'Driscoll it is no wonder Burke brings a touch of quality to proceedings. Burke's composure on the ball and ability to open up defences, as well as making his own tackles, makes him an integral part of the Blues set up."

He is on a one year contract, so free in may!

Nope the 2009-10 team not this seasons, not sure why that story has reprinted.

www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/Sport/Bedfor...eague-dream-team.htm

For me he's too old and just shy of the required calibre...

No he played most of his match as 13

Don't know enough about Rowley to have an opinion but I though Burke was primarily a fullback? Also nothing against him but he's being knocking around for a few years and no one has asked for him to come back don't think he's up to Rabo level tbh.


P.S. Here's a link for Rowley's profile
www.plymouthalbion.com/team/first_team_p...ile.php?player_ID=16

The video might have already been posted last year, but anyway it shows how top class he is!

After Paul Rowley, I propose Bedford Blues outside centre Brendan Burke who just has been named in the Rugby Times RFU Championship Dream XV, to cover Griffin's injuries.

"Schooled at Leinster alongside Brian O'Driscoll it is no wonder Burke brings a touch of quality to proceedings. Burke's composure on the ball and ability to open up defences, as well as making his own tackles, makes him an integral part of the Blues set up."

He is on a one year contract, so free in may!