The Outlaw wrote:

Borders no.2 wrote: Top class deflection tactics from the Connacht Branch there, top marks

In fairness, well done to all concerned this looks like a good coup.

Just hope it doesn't mean somebody else is off. Anyway need a 10.

Did have me slightly worried there may be some bad new on Clarke which hasn't been released yet but for now I'll grab hold of any positivity I can find.

10 and an 8. One who can move off the base of the scrum !! And actually take the ball into contact

Borders no.2 wrote: Top class deflection tactics from the Connacht Branch there, top marks

In fairness, well done to all concerned this looks like a good coup.

Just hope it doesn't mean somebody else is off. Anyway need a 10.

Top class deflection tactics from the Connacht Branch there, top marks

In fairness, well done to all concerned this looks like a good coup.

How the hell did we pull that off

Boom indeed !! 3 year deal too which will make him iq.

Boom.

www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-sign-centr...ee-aki/#ConnachtNews

I take it this was the 'Outhalf' that Pat and Dan were rumoured to have travelled down to see.

Today's headline:
"Pinky denies ever having denied beating wife"

Shelflife wrote: Sorry pinky for casting any doubt on your good name

'Pinky' was never a good name!

I wouldn't read too much into it, as pinky said the actual quote doesn't really say anything of substance, the papers have lazily fleshed it out.

Eg Pinky is asked do you beat your wife, pinky replies of course not !!

Paper runs with headlines of Pinky denies ever beating his wife !! Technically it's true but then the rumour mills start about Pinkys wife beating antics when there is no basis to it at all.

Sorry pinky for casting any doubt on your good name

rossie wrote: Lads this is a storm in a teacup.
Its a knee jerk reaction to comments made by henshaw about his own future published on the 6ns website yesterday. He was clear on his wishes re his future for the next 3yrs. The Dublin media not liking what they read went asking difficult questions off the irfu and got the textbook answer that they wanted to hear.

I reckon you're spot on here Rossie.

Good on Rob for saying where he see himself but iwas more worried about this from todays Times

The IRFU president has said that Connacht’s only current international Robbie Henshaw will have to move to another province if Irish coach Joe Schmidt insists on it.

Pat Fitzgerald said that the national team has to come first and that Henshaw, who recently signed a contract extension to remain with Connacht until 2016, would have to move.

Connacht coach Pat Lam is determined to hold on to the gifted 20-year old who burst on the scene at the start of last season. The Athlone native went from playing schools’ rugby to the Heineken Cup in little over six months and by last summer picked up the first of three Irish caps.

Fitzgerald, the first member of a junior club to be elected president of the IRFU when the Longford RFC official was appointed last summer, was speaking on Shannonside radio yesterday when he asked what guarantee he could give that Henshaw would not be plucked by one of the other provinces.

“That’s a difficult one, I don’t have the answer. All I can say is that if the national coach feels that Robbie Henshaw would be better playing in another province, then the green team I’m afraid has to come first.”

Am I still allowed to say feck?

Agree with you there Rossie. If you look at the only actual quote from him on the subject, there's feck all in it.

That’s a difficult one, I don’t have the answer. All I can say is that if the national coach feels that Robbie Henshaw would be better playing in another province, then the green team I’m afraid has to come first.

He didn't actually say he might have to move while still under contract.
Technically he didn't even specify which green team!

The headline should have been:
"New CEO and increased funding for Connacht"

Lads this is a storm in a teacup.
Its a knee jerk reaction to comments made by henshaw about his own future published on the 6ns website yesterday. He was clear on his wishes re his future for the next 3yrs. The Dublin media not liking what they read went asking difficult questions off the irfu and got the textbook answer that they wanted to hear.

CountFurlo wrote: can someone tell me which players who have left Connacht to improve their international chances in the last five years HAVE improved their international careers?

Cronin is the only one I can think of. Macca moves to Leinster & loses his place to Toner. Hagan & Fionn, Keatley, Downey even. Leaving Connacht is about the worst thing you can do

I accept the logic for any Irish player to gain test caps he needs to play at the highest level possible but equally there needs to be an appreciation of exceptional talent when it's available.

Question: How many Heineken cup caps does Joe Launchbury have?

Answer: 0

Question: How many International Test caps does Joe Launchbury have?

Answer: 19

I don't accept that the Aviva Prem. & Amlin is so superior to the Pro12 that it would allow Launchbury to develop into a test player but the pro 12 would somehow hinder Henshaw. If you're good enough, you're good enough.