Apparently Leinster haven't offered Peter Robb an academy contract yet. If not we should sign him up he's skilful and a strong boshing type who could turn into a great 12. Well worth a punt if he doesn't end up at Leinster.

"Despite some season-disrupting injuries, Fifita has played fifteen games for Connacht, including three Heineken Cup appearances, and also had a significant involvement with the Eagles’ side in both season’s British & Irish Cup."

Didn't Mata play the last few B&I cup games.

Pretty certain that Gav is retiring.
I agree though, it should be announced. Himself, and a few others should get a send off from the fans

With regards to the players that are leaving, and in particular Gav (who I'm in two minds about) it would be nice if a decision was announced this week so that if he was leaving, fans could give him a send-off on Saturday.

I know he got the try away to Zebre in the Heineken Cup game, but I can't remember too much else. I know he's had injuries so presumably management see something they like when he's fit.

Just seen mata is also signed for another season. Has he played this season?

www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/pro12/mic...t-connacht-1.1776584

Swifty signs for another year

The IMF wrote: So Ms MacKenzie's piece today in the Advertiser is interesting in terms of trying to second guess what the squad will look like next season.

advertiser.ie/galway/article/68905/lam-faces-tough-choices-to-finalise-next-seasons-squad

"Our player budget is the same as last year and my responsibility to Connacht is to get the best possible team. I have to look at the depth chart, making sure a No 3 can realistically challenge for the top spot, and also who is in the academy for cover. <strong>As a result some players will have to move. The hardest bit is making those calls because careers are on the line</strong>, but I have to go back to the vision for Connacht and my responsibility to the rugby board and the people to have the best."

Of the players who have not had their contracts extended so far, who can you see being retained?

James Rael Hooker
David Nolan Lock
Michael Swift Lock
Aaron Conneely Flanker
Mata Fafita Flanker
Frank Murphy Scrum-half
Paul O'Donohoe Scrum-half
Dan Parks Out-half
Brian Murphy Centre
Gavin Duffy Fullback

Gav, Frank, Dan and Swifty I think would free up a good chunk of wages but to let all four go at the same time would be a big call when you think Gav & Swift were made joint captains not so long ago. From the rest, I thought Conneely has been there or there about's at times this year but has been unlucky with injuries.

Still a lot more signings to be made whatever way it pans out.

Exactly the club can not afford the luxury of sentimentality, only players who can or have the potential to mix it with the best should be on the Connacht roster.

We have to be ruthless in order to free up monies to invest in some more top quality players.
Lam is doing the right thing getting in fewer real quality players who can help in many ways not only with their abilities but also upping our overall professionalism and self belief which will seep done to younger lads in academy.

Of that group Perhaps POD, maybe Mata should be kept on imo.

But we certainly need 2-3 more top quality signings to kick on.

Would like to see young Sean O'Brien come through aswell and fingers crossed our captain Craig Clarke gets the all clear.

Talking about money, Lenihan in the examiner with some revealing insight into the signing of Bundee:

irishexaminer.com/sport/columnists/donal-lenihan/donal-lenihan-life-to-get-tougher-for-irish-raiders-266220.html

Munster have scoured the southern hemisphere in recent months but players of suitable quality are hard to come by 18 months out from the 2015 World Cup.

With a plethora of quality players likely to come on the market after that event, would it be more prudent to opt for a holding job by signing a more seasoned campaigner approaching the end of his career for a season?

That is the dilemma facing Munster’s new head coach Anthony Foley. It doesn’t help either that the Irish provinces are in competition with themselves, with Munster and Leinster also said to be interested in Connacht’s new signing Bundee Aki.

Surprisingly for a set-up that is underfunded in comparison to its neighbours, Connacht were prepared to pay about €40,000 per annum above the valuation put on the Waikato Chiefs centre by either Munster or Leinster.

It will be interesting to see if that gamble is justified but if Aki facilitates the growth and development of Robbie Henshaw playing in midfield alongside him then Irish rugby will ultimately benefit.

No money in the budget for keeping anyone just for their leadership. Parks can stay on as player/coach as long as he's coaching something he knows about, defense. :evil: Otherwise, money has to be spent wisely and I think Pat was getting at that in the Advertiser article.

Don't we have a former U20 All Black Captain in the side? Oh wait we do. Problem sorted!

P.S. White and Clarke have being captains in their time so wouldn't be to worried about leadership. We also have a gentleman called Muldoon who you can refer to as Mr. Connacht or 'Sir'

I think Marmion and to a somewhat lesser extent Henshaw will start to take up that leadership role next year. Marmion in particular would be my choice for captain if not next year then definitely the year after. Hopefully we can find a viable back up so he doesn't have to play every single game for a third season running.

Ger C wrote: I would offer Parks another year as a player/ kicking couch. Someone with his experience could pass on a lot of knowledge and act as cover.

As regards Swift and Duffy keep them for another year for leadership alone

I understand where you are coming from but I can't agree. Dan Parks has been up and down this year but hasn't been consistent enough at the level we need him at. Nikora, Carty and Ronaldson? There isn't the 10 there to get us over the line in many games imo. I'd be surprised if Dan's around next season.

Gavin Duffy has been a great servant but really I think his time is up. I think everyone appreciates the contribution he has made to Connacht and will wish him well but for a small squad it'd be hard to justify keeping him on. I don't expect to see him in the squad next season.

Swifty could probably stay on for another year and still make a decent contribution.

You make a fair point in terms of leadership. Who is going to come in and fill that void? It's difficult to know but if we need to be keeping players on for this alone it would be a worrying sign.

I would offer Parks another year as a player/ kicking couch. Someone with his experience could pass on a lot of knowledge and act as cover.

As regards Swift and Duffy keep them for another year for leadership alone

connachtexile wrote:

Apparently Shane O Leary is joining Connacht from Grenoble.

He looks like a good player but seems to be apart of the Canadian Rugby Set-up. Admittedly he's not a senior cap yet for them but I have no idea if there U20 is their designated second team. Is he still eligible for Ireland?


www.thescore.ie/shane-oleary-grenoble-2-1135135-Oct2013/

U20's are no problem, Canada A are the second side for Canada...

Men's and Women's Next Senior National Representative Team 2013.
www.irb.com/mm/Document/LawsRegs/Regulat...m2013-23-07-2013.pdf