you need 2 in every position and especially the position specific bench spots.

Agreed it's the old cliche that teams don't win things Squads do. Not impressed by POD either he's just very average.

you need 2 in every position and especially the position specific bench spots.

Presume he wouldn't be cheap though and think we'd be better spending money on areas where we don't already have an excellent player

imo he would have a significant impact on everything at connacht including attendances.

Stringer would be a good signing, he mightn't have the speed of pass of a few years back but the game against Connacht before Christmas summed up his value even this late in his career. He didn't do anything special but he recognised the pressure Munster were under during the 2nd half and used his head to keep his forwards on the front foot. He undoubtedly was the difference on the night.

With Dave Moore and Frank Murphy likely to be off, I'd be more than happy with just the one signing to replace them if it was Stringer. I don't rate Paul O'Donohue and he offers us little off the bench. At the time I couldn't see why he was given a two year contract and I still can't. Remember him being a decent underage player but he stayed waiting for his chance for too long at Leinster.

Who else could we realistically get at scrum half that will improve the squad and bring the wealth of experience Stringer has? For me it'd be important we stick with Marmion but its a 23 man game now and we need better and/or more experienced options in the squad.

Marmion has talked about how Parks is like a coach on the field for him. Whoever is our backup outhalf/planned successor to Parks next year would surely benefit from having Stringer beside him doing a similar job.

Good point. The likes of Jack Carty or Tadgh Leader would develop a lot more quicker with someone like Stringer in front of him.

rossie wrote: 1 poster has it there that peter is signing on at connacht as a player coach under pat lam.

I'm sure it's just talk but if only. Stringer was superb for Munster against us at Christmas, even behind a beaten pack. Marmion has talked about how Parks is like a coach on the field for him. Whoever is our backup outhalf/planned successor to Parks next year would surely benefit from having Stringer beside him doing a similar job.

peter stringer made his debut for bath at the weekend and scored two tries in the process.
this has got the bath fans excited about him on their forum( if u doubt his worth read their comments). . 1 poster has it there that peter is signing on at connacht as a player coach under pat lam.

wud be great if true. anyone hear anything? porterbelly?

He was a rising star at Grenoble but has made little impact at Bayonne. His dad, who came to France to play rugby XIII, played under an Irish passport.

Good to know and someone we should keep an eye on his stats aren't great though but sometimes a new club can rejuvenate a player.

salmson wrote:

connachtexile wrote: Can anyone tell me the name of a french winger who played U20 for France a season or two ago his surname was O'Connor. Anyone know where he's at and is he any good?

Marvin O'Connor, Bayonne, had a great first season then a bit off the boil. His dad's Australian so any Irish connection could be generations back.

He was a rising star at Grenoble but has made little impact at Bayonne. His dad, who came to France to play rugby XIII, played under an Irish passport.

Has not scored this season.

connachtexile wrote: Can anyone tell me the name of a french winger who played U20 for France a season or two ago his surname was O'Connor. Anyone know where he's at and is he any good?

Marvin O'Connor, Bayonne, had a great first season then a bit off the boil. His dad's Australian so any Irish connection could be generations back.

Can anyone tell me the name of a french winger who played U20 for France a season or two ago his surname was O'Connor. Anyone know where he's at and is he any good?

From Connacht Rugby Site:

Dan McFarland is to remain in the position of Assistant Coach with Connacht Rugby and will work alongside incoming Head Coach Pat Lam.

McFarland has signed on an initial two-year contract with the option to extend for a further period.

The former prop, who played for the province from 2000 to 2006, has already carved out an excellent coaching reputation with Connacht Rugby, having first been appointed as Forwards Coach in 2006 and then Assistant Coach in 2010.

McFarland, who also played for Richmond and Stade Francais, became only the second player ever (after Eric Elwood) to chalk up 100 caps for Connacht when he played against Munster in 2005.

In 2007, he linked up with Elwood to guide the Ireland U20 team to a grand slam of victories in the Six Nations Championship.

His experience as both Connacht player and coach over the last 12 years is a huge asset to the club going forward.

Chief Executive Tom Sears said: “Dan McFarland is a key part of our coaching structure and we are delighted he will remain so. We always stressed that we wanted an element of continuity during this period of change and Dan’s involvement will be crucial to ensuring we have that. He is a high quality technical coach and just as importantly he is Connacht through and through.

“From the outset Pat Lam was adamant he wanted to have Dan as his assistant and we have no doubt they will work well together. We are still working on finalising the full make up of our coaching staff for next season and will release further details in due course.”

Speaking from New Zealand, incoming Head Coach Pat Lam said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside Dan. I've been very impressed with the work he has been doing with the Forwards and it provides us with some real continuity which is very important as we aim to build on Eric's foundation. He is held in high regard by Connacht and Irish Rugby so to be able to secure his services going forward is a real coup for our team."

Dan McFarland said: “Connacht and Irish rugby are in my blood and I have been very lucky to be a part of them over the last 12 years, as a player and coach. The opportunities and experiences afforded by working and living alongside people with the ability, passion and determination found in the west of Ireland are very special. These are exciting times for Connacht Rugby and I am very much looking forward to working with Pat and learning from his undoubted experience and knowledge.”

Yeah it's a two year contract as well which is good. The Indo quoted Lam as saying he's really happy to keep him.

_nobody_ wrote:

ConnachtCows wrote: Where's our daily announcement? :huh:

Dan to stay on. Have to say personally I am delighted with that. I think he has done a very good job with our forwards!

That is great news, probably the best this week to be honest. We're blessed with probably the best yet most underrated Forwards coach at any province...