I don't think it's a sign that the money's all gone. They probably are just looking to spend it in different areas. Connacht are as well covered at prop as the market will allow.

Rodney....contract extension......WTF is this all about? Nice kid , but just not up to this level. Plain and simple..... Is all the recruiting cash gone already ?

So no then? :lol:

That said I don't mind if he is 30 and he's IQ. Also his performances this season have shown he's well able for Rabo level and he's a good thrower. Shame he's contracted to 2014.

rossie wrote: i thought i was losing it when i saw this.

You're not the one losing it, it being the ability to do simple arithmetic :oops: :blush:

rossie wrote:

salmson wrote: He's only 20, but he's signed until summer 2014. Pity.

i thought i was losing it when i saw this.

hes 31 in june and has played 18 times for Leinster in his career. hes listed as a clontarf player but i know nothing about him.

Aaron came to Dublin from Kiwiland through my old muckers at Seapoint RFC, the club had a series of players come for a few seasons and then recommend the club on their return home to buddies keen for an adventure in the NH.

He was part of the Point side that won the AIL Junior Cup in 2007, but which missed out on promotion to AIL in the Round Robins. After a couple of close runs a few lads left, Felix Jones was dual registered with Old Belvo and went into the Leinster Academy, Aaron and another KIwi Ben Focas went to 'Tarf (Focas returning to Seapoint two seasons later). Tarf were doing very well at that time and were in the running for the AIL most seasons, as a result Aaron was invited to play in the Club International XV, and from there a development contract with Leinster....

salmson wrote: He's only 20, but he's signed until summer 2014. Pity.

i thought i was losing it when i saw this.

hes 31 in june and has played 18 times for leinster in his career. hes listed as a clontarf player but i know nothing about him.

He's only 20, but he's signed until summer 2014. Pity.

is he not in his 30s and still at leinster playing ail.

Aaron Dundon of Leinster got MOM against Scarlets and he's someone whose being impressing me with his throwing and field play. He's also 3rd choice hooker. What do people think is he someone others rate and is he available?

ConnachtCows wrote:
Connacht Rugby CEO, Tom Sears said:

Both young props have displayed destructive scrummaging and ball-carrying skill this season and I’m looking forward to watching them develop even further with the province.

Don't know what matches Sears was watching. :lol:

Good to see JP Cooney getting a deal, hopefully he can push on in the next couple of seasons.

As for Rodney getting a new contract, its a backward step imo. Hopefully he can make prove me wrong and make it at this level but I'll be shocked if he does. After some good business in the last few weeks suggesting we were moving in the right direction, this is dissapointing as it also appears to use up a valuable project player slot for the first half of the season at least.

menacethedenis wrote: Still can't believe Brownie hasn't gotten a new contract yet.....

Andrew wears his heart on his sleeve, but after a frustrating year last year with injury, he seems determined to cement his place in the team. I believe he mentioned it in an interview sometime last year that he would love to see his brother Damien back at Connacht, but not if it will cost him a starting role. Bringing in 2 new second rows is a statement, and I wonder if this has anything to do with it.

He is a great player, and I am sure that every Connacht fan will want to see him sign an extension, I'm just hoping that the branch are trying to drip feed this news through to us to keep the feel good factor going with word of new signings/extensions.

Ah You is 24. Mike Ross was coming up on 27 when he started playing professionally for Quins. I guess they figure it's a bit early to throw him on the scrap heap.

Any news on Andrew Browne from PorterTease and the usual suspects?

Ah You is a good squad player without a run of games he will never be first choice, he is filling the gap between the development props and First team squad and hopefully doesn't cost the club too much in wages
First team squad props are Wilko White Loughney and Buckley

IMO

Going to assume Lam signed off on keeping Ah You for another season so at some point I will just have to trust the opinion of people who know more about this stuff. He came to the sport late especially by NZ standards and he is playing a position where players reach their peak a little later. I look forward to him repaying the faith the coaching staff have put in him.

Imagine that since Browne does not have an extension by now he is entertaining offers from elsewhere. Would be a disappointment if he doesn't resign.

Happy that Cooney has being retained I think he deserves a new contract and could become a good player for us in time. As for Ah You he really needs to deliver this season coming. He's being given a second chance and he needs to grasp it. He is also IQ this xmas so I think we're allowed another NIQ player. Something similar happened with Strauss and Leinster but maybe Ummmm or one of the other guys can enlighten us.

To Salmson I take your point but it's something we'll have to agree to disagree on.

rossie wrote: agreed ummm but what a difference a season makes! he was so comfortably no 1 sh last season that he took those liberties which was wrong of him. if he does get a contract he is now far from no1 in anyones estimation so there should be a better work ethic and attitude. afaik he is settled in galway and wont want to move so he has some selling to do!

Indeed even with a new HC, having the same back-room team means they will be able to sound out Lam about his level of performance over the last two seasons. The question remains has he got the hunger to deliver? Does he have the right attitude to be back up to Marmion and push him?

I'm not convinced, and at 31 his career is only going one way now. ..