Colm O'Shea more than never needed

Very hard on Tonetti but not a surprise unfortunately. Will be a loss to not have Brett but I think we're pretty well stocked at prop for once and can afford to give him enough time off to recover. Hope Clark's scan goes well, but at the same time if he's had 10 concussions in two years plus potentially a few others in the 5+ years previously in his career you would say for his own sake he has to really think about whether playing again in the right option.

Centre is fast becoming a bigger problem area than 9/10 for next season. If the fabled super xv 10 is signed then I could see any of Parata, Finn, Leader(s) and Ronaldson used at 12 if McSharry doesn't stay fit. Even if he is fit with Henshaw away with Ireland more and more any of those young lads could be pushed into 13 alongside McSharry or Ronaldson.

Shame about Tonetti but saw it coming. His body kept breaking down on him so he's better off not risking it. Shame I saw him when he was younger and I thought future Irish International.

Worried about Brett also he's being out for a while and it looks like it could be a troublesome injury. Also hope Clarke comes through but if any doubt he has to retire.

With Griffin and Tonetti gone next season and McSharry fairly injury prone we're going to need at least one new centre. Hopefully Conor Finn and Rory Parata are given a chance.

just seen it and very disappointed about kyle. there was talk that pat never seen him play even though pat is here a year. it was always coming. hopefully clarke wont hang up the boots but my gut feeling is he will.

we are very short on centres, griffin going, kyle retiring and brian murphy out of contract and doesnt seem to be rated.

Really sorry to hear this about Kyle. I thought he was a huge addition to the centre and was very visible around the Sportsground as well. Even though he was injured he was at most of the matches, I like that sort of commitment.
Spoke to him once or twice too, he is a gentleman.

Best of luck for the future.

Think we can all agree that unless Clarke 100% to play it not worth the risk

Gutted about Kyle - Was big fan

Hope Brett recovers well also

Also Brett's neck scans apparently show his injury hasn't healed as expected and we won't be seeing him any time soon.

Clarke having crucial scan that could decide future today

That's an absolute shame. Only 26! Best of luck to him.

Edit: And the Irish Times say that Clarke will be having a scan early next month to determine if he can continue: www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/pro12/con...ucial-scan-1.1729812

Very sad. Tough game.

Another player who had so much unfulfilled potential. Best of luck to him for the future.

Kyle Tonetti has been forced to retire

www.connachtrugby.ie/#ConnachtNews

Good Interview up by Nigel Carolan. When asked about the next Connacht talent coming through he name-checks Caoilin Blade. If he gets the Carolan seal of approval that's good enough for me. So that's third choice Scrum-half sorted for next year then!

The other player Carolan has advised TheScore.ie to watch out for is a scrum-half that may press Marmion for the No.9 jersey over the next decade. “Caoilin Blade is an exciting rugby player that could prove very good off the bench. I wouldn’t be surprised if he featured at some stage too. If he got the opportunity, he wouldn’t let the side down.”

You can read the article here:

sport.ie.msn.com/rugby/connacht-academy-...nternational-stardom

Apparently ex-leinster second row Mark Flanagan is kicking ass and taking names down in France. If Clarke has to retire we should look to maybe signing him.

Connacht should look at trying to get Conor McKeon into their academy next season, especially after losing O'Hagan.

If true, we can suppose he didn't made 10000 miles just to play for Trinity..

I wouldn't know about that. Trinners for Winners etc

connachtexile wrote:

homonym

?

r

+ 1

Glad you asked. Could always check dictionary I suppose.