But what are those rules? Ah You is also a project player, isn't he?

ummm, wrote: The plot thickens. Our centres all seem quite lightweight.

Bemused that Henry was let go because of the quota, but an NIE player is signed.

Poolman is a project player, we have different rules to the other provinces

I'm beginning to think the Henry thing was a product of his age and his nationality. At 32 and having been capped by Samoa (or so Wikipedia says), it would have been quite hard to justify a renewal to Landsdowne Road. At the very least, Poolman has the potential to be IQ through residency.

Other than that, our status in terms of project players seems to be "unusual" to say the least.

The plot thickens. Our centres all seem quite lightweight.

Bemused that Henry was let go because of the quota, but an NIE player is signed.

I see they're calling Poolman a centre

www.connachtrugby.ie/2012070382881/conna...ture-storming-centre

Connacht Rugby have bolstered their squad for next season by signing exciting centre Danie Poolman from the Stormers.

With the Heineken Cup returning to the Sportsground next season Head Coach Eric Elwood continues to build and develop the team and has signed the 23 year old on a three year deal.

Pretorius born Poolman has excelled for the Cape Town based team in an international backline that includes Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana and Gio Aplon.

Hailing from the famous rugby school Paul Roos Gymnasium the powerful runner is an exciting prospect who already has serious rugby pedigree, scoring a try in the VodaCom Cup Final to help Western Province beat the Griquas to lift the 2012 title.

At 1.89m and 100Kg Danie is a sizeable yet deceptively nimble centre who can also play on the wing and with the three year deal could qualify to play for Ireland in years to come.

He will be joining a settled Connacht side which has been strengthened by some astute signings in recent months and when the RaboDirect PRO12 kicks off in September Eric Elwood will be able to call on Heineken Cup finalists Nathan White and Willie Faloon, as well as former international Dan Parks.

Poolman’s signing is further indication of the hard work that is going on off the pitch to strengthen the depth of this Connacht side for the rigors of the league and their second Heineken Cup campaign.

With the emergence of Academy stars such as Denis Buckley, Mick Kearney and Shane Layden, coupled with the experience of Connacht legends John Muldoon, Michael Swift and Gavin Duffy the new signings will help to shape the future of the team in an exciting time for the development of the club.

Speaking about the signing Head Coach Eric Elwood said:

“We are delighted to be signing a young exciting prospect such as Danie who has already gained valuable Super XV experience. He’s coming from a club with an excellent reputation for developing young talent and he has starred alongside some quality international players. He’s a strong ball-carrier with an excellent work rate both in attack and defence and I am really looking forward to working with him.”

Danie added:

“ I am very excited to be joining up with Connacht! I am looking forward to learning from their coaches, players and structures. It will be a truly international experience, I think of Ireland as a long term goal, and I am confident I can add value to the squad for next season’s league and Heineken Cup campaign.

I am grateful and want to thank Western Province for all that I have learned and achieved, but this is really an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity…to be able to experience life and rugby in beautiful Ireland! ”

As for MacAuley, I'd say let's not get ahead of ourselves. As recent JWC's have shown over the years Irish lads are behind the SH nations in terms of physical development after they leave schools and are generally playing catchup even at 20 he's still going to need coaching to fill the uniform as the yanks say. He's been playing B&I Cup standard rugby, so there's another big step to be made that's for sure...

I take your point but 9 tries in 14 appearances is impressive even if it was a big pack in front. It shows he has an eye for the try line even if it was B&I level.

McAuley is training with the seniors

connolly wrote: Anyone have an idea who this Alex o'Meara is just seen Callum o'Connell retweet him and i went into his page and his bio is "Connacht Rugby player from july. bring it on!!" i presume he is an academy player

He's from my current neck of the woods (Surrey) by the look of things, went to Johnny Wilkinson & Ugo Moyne's old alma mater Lord Wandsworths College (Public School in nearby Hampshire), played some club rugby for Camberely RFC (between Reading & Woking, equivalent to AIL3/J1), represented Irish Exiles at u-19's and played some Sevens for the development side White Hart Marauders RFC (7's)....

As for MacAuley, I'd say let's not get ahead of ourselves. As recent JWC's have shown over the years Irish lads are behind the SH nations in terms of physical development after they leave schools and are generally playing catchup even at 20 he's still going to need coaching to fill the uniform as the yanks say. He's been playing B&I Cup standard rugby, so there's another big step to be made that's for sure...

GTTC wrote: Can someone confirm the McAuley signing, heard that it fell through??

He's going to be in the academy afaik

Can someone confirm the McAuley signing, heard that it fell through??

McAuley is with us!?! Holy F*ck and not even a mention from the dead site? If I was on the branch I'd be crowing about that move all day long. He's a great acquisition and will probably fill in as Duffy's replacement. Exciting times.

Ya MacAuley is with the academy as well

Have to say, we're really on the ball when it comes to recruiting young talent. This guy had a massive reputation in 2010, a star player in the Leinster Schools Cup, went to the Leicester academy and did very well there and now we've got him. This, after getting Ultan Dillane and some other good academy prospects as well. Very impresssed

Mc Auley (Leicester) 19, seems to be on the last Connacht trainning picture.. our last Academy recruit problably, and a promising one..

Ah just the side step and turn of pace.
Only said he reminds me not that he is very like :woohoo:
Looks good and at that age can only develop !!

FACECUTTR wrote: Dare i say it he reminds me of a certain Leinster and Ireland outside centre legend in his younger days !!!

Ah now, steady on there Father Dougal!

Dare i say it he reminds me of a certain Leinster and Ireland outside centre legend in his younger days !!!