I actually like the Reynecke/Flavin combo I think they compliment each other in areas that the other is lacking in. That said I'm surprised they let Murphy go. He couldn't have been on that much money and considering he was 3rd choice it suited both sides. If we bring in someone new they'll probably cost more and still only play a couple of games more because of squad rotation etc. I'd rather have kept Murphy and splurged on a center.

i agree that jarvis will probably be used as a utility back next season offering cover at 12 and 15 and even wing.

Hooker has to be a priority now with flavin aging and poor defensively. reynecke also prone to the rush of blood which is a worry. if a signing is to be irish it will prob be fogarty. Hes a decent pro but no more but thats probably all that they can afford atm. He will do a job and is prob better imo than flavin. Reynecke has pot to be avery good hooker if he can keep his composure and not give silly penalties away at vital times. Hes not alone in that tho.

Sherry is starting the weekend instead of Varley.
Fogarty seems relegated to the A team.
Would not like to see him coming to Connacht because although he isnt a bad player i would like to see somebody different coming in

I think we have more needs than scrum half at the moment. Wouldn't say no to Rees, but would prefer spending cash on a centre or hooker.

Well its definate that a hooker will have to come in.
Jarvis could be moved between 10 12 and 15.
Would they consider converting Rodney to hooker.
Reason behind this is that he in gonna get beaten up in th again but he is hard to stop and not a bad ball carrier.

Think we aren't too bad in the front row, Tight Head is fine, Brett Wilkinson and Ronan Loughney are more than capable on the loose head side, Bealham and Buckley are developing players. Don't think we are going to get any better IQ players on the loose head side as backup.

Would prefer if Rodney had departed and we'd got a replacement to cover both sides but he's staying now so hopefully he can prove his many doubters wrong

We certainly need a signing in the centre to replace Henry.

If Richie Rees rumour is true it'll be great. Not confident at scrum half at present but Dave Moore offers hope, the fact Frank will be in his final year might focus his mind.

Loughs can play 1 & 3, so there's ok cover there. Whichever side he plays there will be 3 others to chose for the other side.

Jarvis moving to 12 might be an option, I guess. Not sure if he'll be interested, though. Perhaps McCrea will get more consideration in the centre next year.

We're only short a loosehead, a hooker, and a centre, I think.

1: Wilkinson, Buckley, Bealham

2: Reynecke, Flavin

3: Loughney, White, Maguire, Ah You

Lock: McCarthy, Swift, Nolan

Lock/Flanker: Browne, Gannon, Kearney

6: Muldoon, Anderson

7: O'Connor, Faloon, Grace

8: Naoupo, McKeon

9: Murphy, O'Donohoe, Moore

10: Parks, O'Connor, Nikora, Jarvis

Centre: Griffin, McSharry, Tonetti

Wing: O'Halloran, Vainkolo, McCrea, Loxton

Fullback: Duffy, Layden

The IMF wrote: I wonder do we have the luxury of waiting around til May before we sign guys up though?

Like last year all the guys leaving had their contracts signed long before the final so it will be difficult for us to pick anyone up of quality once we know if we're in or not.

It's definitely a catch 22. We were lucky to sign Henry after humping Benson Stanley's leg for so long.

ummm, wrote: Interesting quote from Gav when announcing his new contract

Staying with Connacht means a huge amount to me, as a team we have become a really tight knit group this season <strong>and that is only going to get better next season as we add even more quality to the side</strong>

Good to hear. Here's hoping we don't get gamzumped while waiting on HEC news.

Could be a reference to the players that we already know are coming in. Still hoping for another 2 signings to balance out the numbers of players leaving.

I wonder do we have the luxury of waiting around til May before we sign guys up though?

Like last year all the guys leaving had their contracts signed long before the final so it will be difficult for us to pick anyone up of quality once we know if we're in or not.

Interesting quote from Gav when announcing his new contract

Staying with Connacht means a huge amount to me, as a team we have become a really tight knit group this season and that is only going to get better next season as we add even more quality to the side

Good to hear. Here's hoping we don't get gamzumped while waiting on HEC news.

Probably waiting to see if we get Heineken Cup Qualification before they finalise any last minute signings

I think we'll see one, possibly two signings.

With Parks and Faloon in and Henry, Dylan, Dermot, Jamie, Brian and Ray out we need more players.

There will probably be some promotion from within. Dennis Buckley and Finlay Bealham are development/academy guys who are doing well, so Jamie was alway in the dangerzone. It's interesting to note that Jamie was also the only player in the team who didn't have a personal sponsor, I wonder if that counted against him.

Loxton should hopefully slip in for Tuohy, and Jarvis should surely be upgraded to a full contract.

But I'd still like to see some new blood. We haven't had a major clear out like last year, but there are still some glaring areas that need attention, especially centre and hooker.

I'm happy to be patient, though, because with the possibility of HEC rugby next year we'd be able to attract better quality.

From his tweets Henry sounds genuinely gutted to be leaving. He isn't one of the Ezra's of this world who turn up, get paid then skip town without a backward glance.

I'm sure it's just business, but I feel for the guy. It's not often someone says they're gutted to be leaving Connacht!

From one perspective I suppose there's a positive in all this. When people are sad to be leaving us it can only mean the camp is positive, the players have faith in what is happening at Connacht and we're not the pimple on the arse of the Pro12 that we're made out to be.