Hard to know when we don't even know who the coach is but of those with contracts up for renewal.

I'd say the following senior players would be kept (if they don't want to retire/go elsewhere): Naoupu, Swift, Browne, O'Connor, McCarthy, Vainikolo, along with Fifita and Harris-Wright who've got decent game time so far.

Flavin may retire; likewise if he's not starting Reynecke is vulnerable as he takes up a NIQ/NIE spot. Gannon's fallen behind Kearney but we're not exactly swimming in locks. Ah You might yet survive (if he's deemed not to be NIQ, he's not here 3 years until a few months into next season).

Moore has got no game time despite being one of only 2 fit scrum halves, so he could go, as could Frank Murphy. With Carty and the Leaders coming up I wouldn't expect both of Jarvis and Nikora to stay.

Don't know if Brian Murphy or Healy will be kept or not, injury has certainly stopped them showing much thus far.

That leaves 4 players whom I would be amazed to see here next year: Anderson, McCrea, Grace, Loxton.

(Duplicate of above - mods please remove).

George
Redneck
Rodney
Fetu
Hopefully im wrong about George (the peoples champion) and Fetu.
Not too pushed on redneck and i think were all on agreement with rodney.

As a matter of interest who do people think are on the way out?

sea_point wrote:
Buckle (Year 3) & Kearney (Year 1) were academy last season, I'd say both are signed on Development Contracts for this year with a view to full next year. Not sure about Kearney but Denis is definitely doing a degree, so unlikely to be going anywhere yet..

How very freudian of you. You don't rate his scrummaging?

swift4prez wrote:
2015 - White, Loughney, Wilkinson, Marmion, Poolman, Buckley

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

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

Unknown - McKeon, Nolan, Kearney, Cooney, Naoupu.

Good news on Buckley, has done well this season and is only going to improve more. Happy with the 4 props signed up, add maybe a JP Cooney or Reilly from the academy and maybe another IQ option and we're well set for props.

Think George is out of contract at the end of this season. Came back on a 2 year deal I'm almost sure.

Some contracts to sort out yet but there could be a good few packing their bags come the end of the season. There is 4 or 5 you'd hope we'd sort out there but after that there's a few lads who should be worried about what the end of the season may hold.

Denis Buckley signs Connacht contract extension

Connacht Rugby have strengthened their long term front row options with the news that prop Denis Buckley has signed a contract extension keeping him at the club until 2015.

Roscommon born Buckley put pen to paper and singed a two year extended contract with his native province.

The 22-year-old loosehead prop made his debut for Connacht in September 2011 against Benetton Treviso and has since graduated from the Connacht Academy. He made a big impact in a number of Connacht's major games last season, standing out against European powerhouses Toulouse and playing his part in the famous Heineken Cup victory over Harlequins at the Sportsground.

With 20 Connacht caps to date, Buckley has made an appearance in all but one game this season including both Heineken Cup fixtures, in which he was picked to start against Zebre and Harlequins.

His work rate ensures that there is plenty of competition in the squad for prop position and Buckley is more than comfortable to contend with the likes of international props Ronan Loughney and Brett Wilkinson.

Denis said: “I’m delighted to have signed for another two years; it’s such a privilege to play for your province. Connacht are achieving more and more each year and I’m really looking forward to being part that and making my mark.”

Speaking about the most recent contract extension, CEO Tom Sears said “our aim is to build the strongest squad possible and Denis’ signing ensures that we are en route to doing so. He has truly played his part this season and we’re delighted to announce that he will continue to do so over the coming seasons."

that 4 top class props signed long term, well done connacht rugby. dont go mental now handing out more (rodney)



2015 - White, Loughney, Wilkinson, Marmion, Poolman, Buckley

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

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

Unknown - McKeon, Nolan, Kearney, Cooney, Naoupu.

The announcement for the academy places this year said Buckley and Kearney had been added to the senior squad but gave no contract details, which tallies with Seapoint's idea they're on development contracts.

Would be surprised if Frank Murphy gets another contract, he'll have missed all of this season and was carrying an injury for the first half of last season (according to Eric) prior to having surgery.

salmson wrote:

menacethedenis wrote: Does anyone know who else is out of contract next summer?

Most of the squad it seems!

2015 - White, Loughney, Wilkinson, Marmion, Poolman

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

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

Unknown - Buckley, McKeon, Nolan, Kearney, Cooney, Naoupu. I suspect all these are out of contract in the summer but could find nothing on the Connacht site or web with an (admittedly cursory) search.

Of those up for renewal/unknown I'd say Swift, Browne, O'Connor, McCarthy, Vainikolo, Buckley, Kearney and Naoupu will definitely stay. I imagine at least one scrum half and one hooker will retire or be let go, along with most of the rest.

Any updates on my "unknown" list?

Buckle (Year 3) & Kearney (Year 1) were academy last season, I'd say both are signed on Development Contracts for this year with a view to full next year. Not sure about Kearney but Denis is definitely doing a degree, so unlikely to be going anywhere yet..

I'd be worried about losing Vainikolo, the way he's playing at the moment for us & Tonga I think there'll be interest from a French club. And a moderate offer (by their standards) from a decent French club could be hard to turn down for a PI.

The local lads will stay (I include Swifty in that group by default).

After his Japan experience, George will definitely stay for at least a year under the new coach, and longer if we keep improving. But I cannot see how there wouldn't be interest for him from the other provinces, I know Munster like to develop their own bt who have they got at the moment that is a patch on George at No.8?

Scrum-halves I would see Murphy staying for another year as the wise old head, and with Marcus Walsh in the Academy Dave Moore will be cut.

I don't see how Connacht can offer Nolan a new contract at the moment, but if he's extremely lucky he'll be offered a development and then they send him back to 'Wegians for a season to play some rugby (and the occasional Eagles call up if he's going well enough) and see how his body holds up....

menacethedenis wrote: Does anyone know who else is out of contract next summer?

Most of the squad it seems!

2015 - White, Loughney, Wilkinson, Marmion, Poolman

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

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

Unknown - Buckley, McKeon, Nolan, Kearney, Cooney, Naoupu. I suspect all these are out of contract in the summer but could find nothing on the Connacht site or web with an (admittedly cursory) search.

Of those up for renewal/unknown I'd say Swift, Browne, O'Connor, McCarthy, Vainikolo, Buckley, Kearney and Naoupu will definitely stay. I imagine at least one scrum half and one hooker will retire or be let go, along with most of the rest.

Any updates on my "unknown" list?

Very happy with this and thoroughly deserved, I was critical of him earlier in the season but you can see him getting better with every game he plays. He's been excellent lately. Interesting to see if any other contracts are extended in the near future. Macca's in particular.... Does anyone know who else is out of contract next summer?

Excellent news, marmion has been amazing so far this season, its made a huge difference to how connacht play to have him there at 9. Surely a future Irish international.

I's say unless some stand out scrum half comes along Moore will be re-signed. With all 9s fit he's a 4th option and probably not that expensive. His biggest worry would be young players such as Blade coming through and overtaking him.

from connacht rugby 21 march 2012:

Centre Kyle Tonetti, lock Dave Gannon and scrum-halves Paul O’Donohoe and Dave Moore have all agreed contract extensions that will see them stay at the Sportsground into next season and beyond. Tonetti and O’Donohoe have signed up for another two years while Gannon and Moore have penned one year extensions.

Tonetti summer 2014
O’Donohoe summer 2014

Dave Gannon summer 2013
Dave Moore summer 2013

seems that we're stuck with po'd but moore is out of contract

ummm, wrote: Great news, the guy has been a revelation. Can't see Murph getting renewed at this rate.

he's by far the best scrum half at the club and not far behind murray reddan etc.

at this rate id be surprised if paul o d, frank murphy or dave moore get a new contract (depends if there run out in the summer).
better of taking a punt on someone new, the 3 above done nothing to deserve a contract.

Great news, the guy has been a revelation. Can't see Murph getting renewed at this rate.