connachtexile wrote: Speaking of second rows does anyone know if Aidan Browne and David Nolan are back on their feet and training again?

Browne definitely is back, not sure about Nolan

Speaking of second rows does anyone know if Aidan Browne and David Nolan are back on their feet and training again?

Borders no.2 wrote:

ididnotkillmywife wrote: Ultan Dillane who played in the second row for the Ireland under 19s this season has signed for Connacht for 3 years.

traleerugby.com/index.php?option=com_con...id=16:cat1&Itemid=21

Is this an academy or development contract? Gives us extra options with B&I Cup in mind. If he can make a breakthrough next season similar to Kearney last season it'll be a major positive but he's probably one for the longer term.

I'd imagine it's an academy contract to be reviewed at the end of each season with the view to being upgraded depending on progress. He's u20 next year so this is a signing for the future, but certainly an exciting one given he's pretty highly rated in Munster

ididnotkillmywife wrote: Ultan Dillane who played in the second row for the Ireland under 19s this season has signed for Connacht for 3 years.

traleerugby.com/index.php?option=com_con...id=16:cat1&Itemid=21

Is this an academy or development contract? Gives us extra options with B&I Cup in mind. If he can make a breakthrough next season similar to Kearney last season it'll be a major positive but he's probably one for the longer term.

I really hope McCrea pushes on. We need competition in the squad and a good run in the B&I could do wonders for fringe players such as the likes of McCrea and Grace as well as young guns coming through such as Layden and Marmion. Will be interested to see who get chosen when the first game comes round. Anyone know were we're playing these? There was talk off moving them around counties is that still on or is it Dubarry or the Sportsground?

I think you will see Mark McCrea utilised alot in the centre in the B&I and cover for wing and centre in Rabo, hopefully he will get a good injury free run this year but will be ahead of previous mentioned for B&I.

B&I centers : check B Murphy and the Sligo man maybe
Cover academy prop : check P Reilly
2nd row cover : check Ultane Dillane


Now we're ok in quantity with a large squad for B&I.. in quality for Hcup we just need one centre (a 12), hope we will catch an IQ during the season (like a Shane Monahan come back if he hasn't enough gametime in Gloucester), or will have the federation authorization for a NIQ in case of injury (joker player)

I've seen this guy play before he's a big unit. Admittedly it was J Rugby but he was impressive. I had no idea he was that young though!

Ultan Dillane who played in the second row for the Ireland under 19s this season has signed for Connacht for 3 years.

traleerugby.com/index.php?option=com_con...id=16:cat1&Itemid=21

Posted in other thread but might as well post it in here as well. Peter Reilly, Irish u20 prop is joining our academy

Isn't he primarily a LH? Anyone got more info on him?

Connacht Rugby looking forward 2012/2013 season

Connacht Rugby is certainly undergoing a huge transformation as it looks to compete at the highest level of European rugby. 2011/12 was the first chapter in the Connacht rugby success story, as progression both on and off the pitch gathered huge momentum.

Heineken Cup boosted the profile both nationally but also on a global scale, and victory over a highly fancied Harlequins outfit in January was just rewards for a debut season that saw too many narrow defeats. The home match against Toulouse in particular saw a record breaking crowd of 9,120 at the Sportsground. A highest ever league finish of 8th was achieved, during which Connacht achieved three victories in a row for the first time in nearly ten years. New players were blooded through the squad, the Connacht Juniors and U-20’s won the Interpros’, and the Irish squad currently in New Zealand has four Connacht representatives in props Ronan Loughney and Brett Wilkinson, second-row Mike McCarthy and Connacht captain and full-back Gavin Duffy.

Season ticket sales last season increased from 800 to over 3,000, while the average home gate attendance was up 105% from the previous year. The Clan Terrace was built giving the home team more vocal support, and the Clan Bar was a welcome addition for fans to meet before and after matches. Media interest naturally spiked, with a 45% increase in coverage.

The players are already back in pre-season training, and the aim to build on last year’s momentum. Eric Elwood has the luxury of a settled squad for the first time, as all the marquee players have committed to Connacht, while he has bolstered the squad with high calibre signings. The acquisition of Scottish out-half Dan Parks demonstrates the ambition of the province, and will bring a wealth of experience to the out-half position. Prop Nathan White and flanker Will.......................................
Rest on www.sportsnewsireland.com/soccer_irish/112972/

Posted in other thread but might as well post it in here as well. Peter Reilly, Irish u20 prop is joining our academy

Ulster have finally announced they have signed NOC

www.ulsterrugby.com/news/10589.php

Just saw on Munsterfans that Peter Borlase has signed for Hawkes Bay in New Zealand, so defo not coming to us.

Robbo wrote: I'm sure it's come up before and been answered, but isn't one of the positives of Royce Burke-Flynn that he can play both sides?

Des Merrey if he was amenable to travelling would be a great addition.

Yes RBF is mainly TH but can play LH... the real problem with him is discipline, he's a kind of Henson version prop^^

I'm sure it's come up before and been answered, but isn't one of the positives of Royce Burke-Flynn that he can play both sides?

Des Merrey if he was amenable to travelling would be a great addition.