So thats 4 to go with the 5 from last season so where does that leave us for next season?

1. Buckley, Wilkinson, ?. Bealham acadamy.(cooney on development contract atm)
2. JHW, Henry, ?. O Byrne acadamy. (reynecke leaving, Flavin retiring?)
3. White, Loughney, ?. Reilly and Dever acadamy.
4. Clarke, Swift. Qualter out of acadamy?
5. Muldowney, Kearney. Gardiner and dillane acadamy.
6. Muldoon, Browne. Heffernan acadamy.
7. Faloon, ?. Coneely out of acadamy? JOC 1 more year?
8. Naoupu, Mckeon.
9. Marmion, Donoghue, ?. walshe in acadamy.
10. Parks, ?, ?. Carty in acadamy.
11. Carr, Toh. Finn in acadamy.
12. Mcsharry, tonetti. Leader in acadamy.
13. Griffin, ?.
14. Poolman, ?. Leader2 in acadamy.
15. Henshaw, Duffy. Leyden in acadamy.
There might be 1 or 2 others in acadamy that i have missed but thats the core. im not sure we will find a better backup 10 than nikora and equally i dont think he will be in major demand elsewhere so a deal could be done there.
Is there any more to come in thats the question?

Porterbelly wrote: Fets will almost certainly be leaving

+ big clearout

Rodney
Nikora
Gannon
Anderson
McCrea
Moore
Reyneke
Grace
Loxton

all departing

Not sure yet on Flavin or AIL lads (Mata, Murphy and Healy)

Frank Murphy?

The IMF wrote:

Borders no.2 wrote: 2016 - <strong>Clarke, Muldowney</strong>

2015 - White, Loughney, Wilkinson, Marmion, Poolman, Buckley, george, harris wright
2015 - mckeon, kearney, henshaw, <strong>carr, henry</strong>

2014 - Tonetti, O'Donohoe, Faloon, Parks, Duffy, McSharry, Griffin, O'Halloran, Muldoon Swift,

2013 - Gannon, Moore, Ah You, Anderson, McCrea, Brian Murphy, Reynecke, Flavin, Fifita, Browne, O'Connor, Vainikolo, Frank Murphy, Grace, Healy, Jarvis, Loxton, Nikora

Unknown - Nolan, Cooney,

4 signings in so far. Still another good few positions to fill. Today's signing may just turn a few heads of Irish qualified players elsewhere:

NIE players now:
1) White
2) Clarke
3) Naoupu
4) Parks
5) Vainikolo?? (Would hope he would stay now that we are seeing his best form)

Project Player: Poolman

Browne needs to be signed up, hopefully today's news can convince him to commit for another few years, with Anderson, Grace and JOC looking like they won't be retained someone of his age, caliber and potential is vital for us moving forward. I am getting a little worried that he has not be signed up at this stage.


In relation to Clarke becoming IQ it can't happen in the same way George could never represent Ireland given that he has played 7's for NZ, Clarke played for the equivalent of the Irish Wolfhounds so like the 7's in now ineligible to play for anyone else other than NZ internationally.

Porterbelly have you any news on Nolan?

The Clarke signing could be the end of him

Looks very unlikely he'll get a contract

Borders no.2 wrote: 2016 - <strong>Clarke, Muldowney</strong>

2015 - White, Loughney, Wilkinson, Marmion, Poolman, Buckley, george, harris wright
2015 - mckeon, kearney, henshaw, <strong>carr, henry</strong>

2014 - Tonetti, O'Donohoe, Faloon, Parks, Duffy, McSharry, Griffin, O'Halloran, Muldoon Swift,

2013 - Gannon, Moore, Ah You, Anderson, McCrea, Brian Murphy, Reynecke, Flavin, Fifita, Browne, O'Connor, Vainikolo, Frank Murphy, Grace, Healy, Jarvis, Loxton, Nikora

Unknown - Nolan, Cooney,

4 signings in so far. Still another good few positions to fill. Today's signing may just turn a few heads of Irish qualified players elsewhere:

NIE players now:
1) White
2) Clarke
3) Naoupu
4) Parks
5) Vainikolo?? (Would hope he would stay now that we are seeing his best form)

Project Player: Poolman

Browne needs to be signed up, hopefully today's news can convince him to commit for another few years, with Anderson, Grace and JOC looking like they won't be retained someone of his age, caliber and potential is vital for us moving forward. I am getting a little worried that he has not be signed up at this stage.


In relation to Clarke becoming IQ it can't happen in the same way George could never represent Ireland given that he has played 7's for NZ, Clarke played for the equivalent of the Irish Wolfhounds so like the 7's in now ineligible to play for anyone else other than NZ internationally.

Porterbelly have you any news on Nolan?

It's an odd one. Since he's Junior AB that makes him ineligible for Ireland but he still might be able to hold an Irish passport so to answer your questions I don't know but I'm pretty sure he's counted as a NIQ.

I really enjoy the creativity in the WoC anaylsis and genuinely think it is one of the best sites out there for the trainspotters among us and would like to think the standard of their analysis won't be affected by an anti Connacht bias - which unfortunately is more than can be said for one or two of the people that comment on it religiously.

Agreed. WoC will tell you himself he's a Leinster fan but his coverage is extremely good and waaaaaay ahead of most of the papers especially rags like the Indo.

p.s. Heard that Robbie Fruean turned down a contract from Munster so now's your chance Pat!

Fets will almost certainly be leaving

+ big clearout

Rodney
Nikora
Gannon
Anderson
McCrea
Moore
Reyneke
Grace
Loxton

all departing

Not sure yet on Flavin or AIL lads (Mata, Murphy and Healy)

You have me there Borders but like you I would not be sure

Woody wrote: Rumour has it that he is also Irish qualified, with a name like Clarke then the rumour might be true.

He's played Junior All Blacks so I think that rules him ineligible to become Irish qualified. Open to correction on that one though.

Rumour has it that he is also Irish qualified, with a name like Clarke then the rumour might be true.

Great day today, has put the macca saga to bed for good. Players like Clarke will have a big influence on the younger players as well. Think that a fly half is required now.

Haven't been on in a while but been keeping up with all that has been happening..great stuff really..
Looking forward to getting all the signings out of the way and when pat lam gets here..can't wait to see what approach he takes to them team..will he put the same guys favs out or will he really give the younger guys a go..

I would think miah will stay
Fets is a big maybe? Fifita is a big asset to the team..he's a true 8 though so maybe he hasn't been comfortable at that..

2016 - Clarke, Muldowney

2015 - White, Loughney, Wilkinson, Marmion, Poolman, Buckley, george, harris wright
2015 - mckeon, kearney, henshaw, carr, henry

2014 - Tonetti, O'Donohoe, Faloon, Parks, Duffy, McSharry, Griffin, O'Halloran, Muldoon Swift,

2013 - Gannon, Moore, Ah You, Anderson, McCrea, Brian Murphy, Reynecke, Flavin, Fifita, Browne, O'Connor, Vainikolo, Frank Murphy, Grace, Healy, Jarvis, Loxton, Nikora

Unknown - Nolan, Cooney,

4 signings in so far. Still another good few positions to fill. Today's signing may just turn a few heads of Irish qualified players elsewhere:

NIE players now:
1) White
2) Clarke
3) Naoupu
4) Parks
5) Vainikolo?? (Would hope he would stay now that we are seeing his best form)

Project Player: Poolman

If he delivers he'll prove to be the biggest signing in our professional history without doubt. Only see bits and pieces of Super 15 so wouldn't be as up to date on him as others but he impressed me late on in the Super 15 season when I watched some of the Chiefs games.

We've been crying out for the signing of someone who has won a serious trophy and we've got the captain of the team who won the biggest club competition in world rugby. He helped in turning things around for the Chiefs who went from also rans down the bottom to champions. He won't be here to battle it out for 8th or 9th place. Obviously the draft helps in this regard. Not saying we will win the league next season!!!

He will command the respect of all his team mates from the off. Signings like this change the mentality of a squad.

To Porterbelly.
Oh it was worth the wait !!!!
Really great signing.

it will be beyond pointless to sign toner. we wont be taking a step forward and i doubt he can improve, he's give the chance at leinster but still no good. we got cover in the second row now.
need to sign, 2nd choice, hooker, flanker, 9 + 10.

locks,
clarke,
muldowney,
swifty, (good year still left him, best player on the pitch friday)
mick kearney.

then more cover,
andrew browne
george

Are the clan going to hand out cowbells for his first game? Make him feel welcome.