rossie wrote: Mainly local opinion in Limerick from people whose opinion i respect. They think hes ready for Pro12 and has served his time at B+I level. In many ways his development has followed a similar pattern to JHW until he ended up at Bristol last season and i dont know if he chose to move or was released. either way it was decision time for Henry and hopefully the move works out for all concerned. The option is still there for connacht to go after Rael aswell as its a position that munster are top heavy in.
I cant comment about Fla prior to the last year and half but imo hes been poor in that time, ave at best. They may give him a yr extension because of his experience but i think his time in 1st team squad are over save for injuries.

I presume this signing puts to bed the cronin rumours once and for all.

When Flavin was back up to Cronin he did very well whenever he was introduced. Going back a few seasons, I would have rated him as a solid performer.

Mainly local opinion in Limerick from people whose opinion i respect. They think hes ready for Pro12 and has served his time at B+I level. In many ways his development has followed a similar pattern to JHW until he ended up at Bristol last season and i dont know if he chose to move or was released. either way it was decision time for Henry and hopefully the move works out for all concerned. The option is still there for connacht to go after Rael aswell as its a position that munster are top heavy in.
I cant comment about Fla prior to the last year and half but imo hes been poor in that time, ave at best. They may give him a yr extension because of his experience but i think his time in 1st team squad are over save for injuries.

I presume this signing puts to bed the cronin rumours once and for all.

rossie wrote: sean is a good solid hooker and imo will do a veey solid job for connacht. he is a better player than both reynecke and flavin and imo is of a similar level to jhw which augers well consistancy wise.

he is 3rd choice at munster behind sherry and varley. hes 1st choice with b+i squad who have topped their group again. scanll and rael are 5th and 6th choice at best behind casey who benches ahead of them for b+i.

i think this is a good signing for all concerned. great on the back of carr. they cant all be former heroes but its good imo that they both have history here.
. id love to hear some movement on 2nd row though.

Sorry Rossie, what are you basing that on, 84 minutes of senior rugby for Munster?

Reynecke and Flavin may have issues, but they've both operated at much higher levels than Sean for a lot longer and I'd be pretty confident that either would be able to show Sean a thing or three about Hooking, especially after his performance against Cardiff. And B&I is B&I, it's a step up from AIL but definitely below Pro12 and especially ERC rugby...

Don't get me wrong, It's great that he's native and in that context it's a good signing, but he's a rookie still and he'll have to work hard earn his stripes like better prospects before him (Fla & Cronin for example) that have pulled on a Connacht jersey ...

Hopefully Dan is sticking around for next season to iron out any shortcomings, he has a much better track record of player development than any other provincial forwards coach...

he was in UL afaik and impressed in their rugby acadamy. the head of that acadamy was hired by munster and henry + kilcoyne came into munster set up through that route.

University.

rossie wrote: sean is a good solid hooker and imo will do a veey solid job for connacht. he is a better player than both reynecke and flavin and imo is of a similar level to jhw which augers well consistancy wise.

Hope you're right, I've only seen him on the box twice - against Cardif a few weeks ago and the B&I Cup final last season - and he had a hard time of it on both occasions.

Any idea what a Sligo lad was doing at Munster in the first place?

sean is a good solid hooker and imo will do a veey solid job for connacht. he is a better player than both reynecke and flavin and imo is of a similar level to jhw which augers well consistancy wise.

he is 3rd choice at munster behind sherry and varley. hes 1st choice with b+i squad who have topped their group again. scanll and rael are 5th and 6th choice at best behind casey who benches ahead of them for b+i.

i think this is a good signing for all concerned. great on the back of carr. they cant all be former heroes but its good imo that they both have history here.
. id love to hear some movement on 2nd row though.

Not over the moon about this signing, but it depends who he is replacing. Anytime I have seen him with Munster he has never stood out for me and I personally think they are in need of a good hooker. I would have prefered one of last years under 20 hookers.

I presume there will be another signing to replace either Flavin or Reynecke so am not getting worked up about this. It is always good to see us signing though.

I dont know anything about Sean.
Anyone able to give some details? He's obviously coming to replace Flavin or Reynecke. Still need to bring in another lad

Sean Henry to come to Connacht


Connacht Rugby is delighted to announce that Sean Henry has signed a two-year contract with the province. The Sligo-born hooker has been with Munster Rugby for the last three years. Henry represented Connacht at Youths and U20 level before moving to Limerick. His performance in the number two jersey earned him a place in the Munster Rugby Academy in 2010.

He has impressed at British & Irish Cup level and was the starting hooker in the 2010 B&I Cup Final. He was also a member of the squad that captured the B&I Cup title last season. He earned his sixth cap for Munster during the 2013 opener earlier this month against Cardiff Blues.

Speaking on the recent signing, Connacht Rugby CEO Tom Sears said:

“We are delighted to have been able to bring Sean back to his home province and have no doubt he will bring real quality to our squad and increase the competition for a place at hooker. He was very highly regarded at Munster and it is great news that he sees his future with Connacht.”

Also, am I the only one hoping that Fionn bring his imaginary friend back to Galway as well?

EDIT: I better include this link in case anyone thinks I have lost my marbles

(around the 4 min mark)

sparking wrote:

menacethedenis wrote: He'll score in his first game and all will be forgotten

Miah could be very frustrating at times but he certainly had his moments for us. I wish him all the best if he does leave. If he's going does that mean Jarvis is staying?

Heavens forfend, Jarvis just hasn't pushed on at all in my opinion. I would really like to see some of the academy players get some game time at out half rather than giving Jarvis 10 minutes every now and then.

Maybe that's why he hasn't pushed on? Chicken/Egg.... :whistle:

Personally I am delighted to welcome back Fionn into the Connacht squad, he was a great player for us while he was here. He has had the taste of being in Heineken Cup winning squads, and people should remember that when he left Connacht we had the 1 year contracts in place. He will be coming back into a different Connacht backline with a greatly changed atmosphere of new supporters.

This should be a great move for all involved, Sears has another few signings up his sleeve, so it is going to be very interesting how we continue to improve next season with some big names moving on.

Cusack definitely not. Playing with that Spanish team in Perpignan's Challenge Cup group. Wouldn't strengthen the squad at all.

We need a back up 10 and obviously has to be IQ. He's a bit lightweight imo but Noel Reid probably the best option available. It would help if we had an alternative goal kicking option to Parks somewhere in the backline.

columoc wrote: If Nikora goes, we need another 10. Who???

Think you're right, a 2nd/3rd choice. So I imagine Cusack, Quinn Mc Donnagh, or McKinney ex Ulster 22 years old.

Don't think Carr will get as many tries second time round as now there are more/better players around him to score, but he is a more complete player. I think he really has upped his defensive game since he went to Leinster, he misses very few one on ones. Example: in RDS at Chrismas TOH lost the run of himself, tried to skin Carr just outside Connachts 22, to show him who was boss and Carr creamed him. Old dog etc etc. He also really stood up to Visser in Edinburgh recently + his kicking has improved too. Glad he's back. On other hand, Hagan has declined imo and Leinster scrum is always weakened when he comes on. Prefer some Argentinean or Georgian with a grudge! :evil:

I'd love Stringer as a #2, he won't do breaks (only in HC finals and vs All Blacks) but he is still the best passer in Ire imo (though Marshall is close)...never takes a step and always gets the 10 on front foot. Bath is only for 7-8 weeks...so here's hoping.

If Nikora goes, we need another 10. Who???