True but Jackson and Henderson are something special. Carty is on exactly the same trajectory at that age as 95% of young guys and the position he's playing outhalf is along with TH prop the most pivotal on the team but agree I think sticking him on the bench more wouldn't hurt him or us.

connachtexile wrote:

I cant understand the logic of why carty is nowhere to be seen the guy comes on a basically scores/sets up two fantastic tries after we went all game with no invention and then is not given another opportunity, jarvis brings nothing to the table imo and was a non entity when he came on against munster.

I like Jarvis and he can cover 10-15 which is a rare thing but I agree I'd like to see more of Carty. While he is getting 'A' gametime this season I think he needs to be made 3rd choice outhalf and should be rotated with Nikora and Parks. He's not going to learn otherwise.

Has anyone seen how Qualter, Dillane or Kindreagan have done in the Eagles games? Are any of them ready to make the step up?

Dont think the A games are good enough for development, paddy jackson, iain henderson has a million times more experience than carty at this stage Heineken cup etc, even the team that is playing connacht tomorrow is comprised of many young lads who will benefit..im a big proponent of the if your good enough you old enough..

Ryan Caldwell has re-signed for Bath next year. Another IQ second-rower off the list.

21 December 2012, 6:06pm
Six Bath Rugby Players Extend Contracts

Bath Rugby are delighted to announce that six first team players have extended their contracts with the Club.

Matt Banahan, Ryan Caldwell, Nathan Catt, Carl Fearns, Lee Mears and Ben Williams have all put pen to paper as Bath look to cement a core of experienced, high class players whose work ethic and values fit perfectly with the Club's developing ethos.

Speaking of the news, Head Coach Gary Gold said: "These signings represent a huge declaration of intent from our playing squad. We put a real emphasis on taking care of our current players and their contracts, so we are very happy to have completed these deals in such good time. That these guys were all keen to stay and be a part of what we are trying to achieve here at Bath says an enormous amount for the Club. They are all outstanding individuals as well as outstanding players, so it's fantastic news that they will all be wearing the Bath jersey for seasons to come."

I think that we already have too many inexperienced guys in the first team and squad at the moment.
We need to contract in big experienced guys who can lead and finish out games.
If not then guys have to start stepping up to the plate and the dietitian needs to start bulking them up.

I cant understand the logic of why carty is nowhere to be seen the guy comes on a basically scores/sets up two fantastic tries after we went all game with no invention and then is not given another opportunity, jarvis brings nothing to the table imo and was a non entity when he came on against munster.

I like Jarvis and he can cover 10-15 which is a rare thing but I agree I'd like to see more of Carty. While he is getting 'A' gametime this season I think he needs to be made 3rd choice outhalf and should be rotated with Nikora and Parks. He's not going to learn otherwise.

Has anyone seen how Qualter, Dillane or Kindreagan have done in the Eagles games? Are any of them ready to make the step up?

JHW who threw well and was a nuisance around the field (we'll forget about the yellow card) but he is another light and small player (for a hooker)

he is 100kg thats in line with the late great flannery and strauss, best is 106kg not much difference. bismark du plessis is a monster at 114kg. We cant afford playing a hooker who misses throws in vital sections of the pitch might as well be a golfer who cant putt useless.

I cant understand the logic of why carty is nowhere to be seen the guy comes on a basically scores/sets up two fantastic tries after we went all game with no invention and then is not given another opportunity, jarvis brings nothing to the table imo and was a non entity when he came on against munster.

To cross a well placed defensive line, we desparetly need strong players on their feet. None of our forwards or backs (except Vaini) is able to gain 5 or 10 metres without space

I think mcsharry and poolman are not bad but maybe to similar and a bit on the light side aswell thats why id like to see mata when fit again get a few full games if we need go forward ball its on a plate at 113kg and tongan so he must have some skills

Reynecke and O'Donoghue OUT.

Ya they defiantly have a few flaws to iron out, we need a serious culling alright only leaving the real quality think reynecke is half decent but if he has to catch himself on with his throwing. We really need to see the likes of heffernen and gardiner and others etc from the academy given run outs

Snippet of what elwood said

“It was not a penalty try — that’s my view on it,” said Elwood. “I don’t know where that came from to be honest, like a couple of other decisions, and it was the turning point in the game."

So frustrated with the unbelivable defeat.. Of course there are circumstances of the match (Keatley tackle, Naoupu "try", referee, Parks missed kicks)
But it's much more interresting to think about the structural causes, to improve now and with the new coach

1) Reynecke and O'Donoghue OUT. I used to support them but it's obvious they've crippling insufficiencies (throws, slowness around the ruck)

2) Parks has to be controlled by his Captain or SH. two quick penalties in a row at 78 it's madness (He wouldn't have done that with a good hooker for the lineout)

3) Our support in attacking position is too far : it means penalties in the rucks, slow balls, no pace, no useful combinations...

4) We've to work these combinations : pick and go, or pass and crush aren't enough in modern rugby

5) To cross a well placed defensive line, we desparetly need strong players on their feet. None of our forwards or backs (except Vaini) is able to gain 5 or 10 metres without space (like Laulala, Coughlan etc). Creating space by himself is an essential quality and the other players must be organised to support.

After watching the Munster vs Connacht game I have to say I was impressed with JHW who threw well and was a nuisance around the field (we'll forget about the yellow card) but he is another light and small player (for a hooker). I bring this up because one of the lads on the Leinster forum who was bemoaning Leinster been beaten up front by Ulster mentioned a relevant point about the likes of Bernard Jackman.

Jackman was a big guy who added a huge amount of heft to the scrum and was also a big lad when it came to crash ball yardage. Just like Fogarty after him. An while Strauss and Cronin are very good players there a different type of player. Anyway the long-winded point I'm getting to is I'd love for us to get another big b*stard ball carrier who could help beast up front and make go forward ball and it is a type of player we should be looking for. He could add heft in the front row to help the likes of Buckley and Loughney and could be rotated with JHW depending on the opposition. Thoughts?

connachtexile wrote:

looks a decent player alright..on the strange side found this on lions site favorite tv show GOSSIP GIRL!..eh what!?

His favourite hobby could be seal clubbing for all I care as long as he kicks ass on the field!

Hahaha even that's still slightly more in tune with being a rugby player tho

looks a decent player alright..on the strange side found this on lions site favorite tv show GOSSIP GIRL!..eh what!?

His favourite hobby could be seal clubbing for all I care as long as he kicks ass on the field!

connachtexile wrote: You should check him out. He's 6'6 and near 18 stone and only 23 with 3 super rugby appearances. He's also captained alot of the teams he's on so he's a real leader on the pitch as well. Not many guys that age make that many appearances at that age so I think he'd be a great asset. He'd also be 26/7 becoming IQ so would be a great asset for Ireland as well.

looks a decent player alright..on the strange side found this on lions site favorite tv show GOSSIP GIRL!..eh what!?

www.lionsrugby.co.za/index.php/all-rugby...david-james-bulbring

You should check him out. He's 6'6 and near 18 stone and only 23 with 3 super rugby appearances. He's also captained alot of the teams he's on so he's a real leader on the pitch as well. Not many guys that age make that many appearances at that age so I think he'd be a great asset. He'd also be 26/7 becoming IQ so would be a great asset for Ireland as well.

connachtexile wrote: I think if we're going to recruit a second row we should look to get a project player 2nd rower it would mean less money and I can't see the IRFU kicking up considering the whole McCarthy situation. There's a lot of good South African lads who we could recruit and while Sykes didn't work out for Leinster and the verdict is out on Roux I think we could be onto a winner if we're clever/lucky. The Scarlets recruited one recently Johan Synman who'll be an asset to Wales in 3 years time. Ditto Edinburgh with Izak van der Westhuizen.

Personally I really like David Bulbring.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bulbring

Ya few good quality "project" players have been brought in id have no problem with that as long as we get real quality. I dont get to watch much southern hemisphere rugby bar the internationals no idea about Bulbring? have you seen much of him?..name's intimidating at least ..

I think if we're going to recruit a second row we should look to get a project player 2nd rower it would mean less money and I can't see the IRFU kicking up considering the whole McCarthy situation. There's a lot of good South African lads who we could recruit and while Sykes didn't work out for Leinster and the verdict is out on Roux I think we could be onto a winner if we're clever/lucky. The Scarlets recruited one recently Johan Synman who'll be an asset to Wales in 3 years time. Ditto Edinburgh with Izak van der Westhuizen.

Personally I really like David Bulbring.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bulbring

salmson wrote:

connachtexile wrote: Keeping the likes of Anderson who'll never break into the first team but will draw a wage that could be used to get a better player and hold a position on the Eagles that an up and comer could be put into to gain valuable experience is pointless.

John Muldoon said in a Sky interview last year that a non-international Rabo-level player could expect to earn about 100K per year. Letting a player on that amount of money go would allow 2 extra development contracts and a few extra in the academy. Simple maths to my mind.

I agree no sense at all in keeping so many players that havent and will never make the grade. The future of connacht and its entry into the big time is all about getting a high quality conveyor belt coming from the connacht academy and supplementing that with a few other exceptional players in required positions. Having a a load of below par players on the roster only drains our cash reverses and stifles the academy players chances. Any players brought in should at the very least be pushing or likely to in future for a fisrt team place in ireland. Run through our players and make the call.

i dont think any of the following would be even bench players with other provinces
TJ, Ah yo, flavin, healy, loxtan, mcrea,nikora, murphy's etc

I would venture many would have ridiculed had henshaw been touted for fullback at the start at this season 19 no experience etc etc would have beeen the norm..i say fantastic more please lets not be forced into these type of decisions due to injury..bring up gardiner, heffernen carty etc (jackson same age and getting big time exposure. Make a good case to Marshell and Nagle etc. Its the next level no dead wood is acceptable anymore, lets get serious

connachtexile wrote: Keeping the likes of Anderson who'll never break into the first team but will draw a wage that could be used to get a better player and hold a position on the Eagles that an up and comer could be put into to gain valuable experience is pointless.

John Muldoon said in a Sky interview last year that a non-international Rabo-level player could expect to earn about 100K per year. Letting a player on that amount of money go would allow 2 extra development contracts and a few extra in the academy. Simple maths to my mind.