Probably the best result for everyone, I'm surprised Leinster have sent Cooney over as they won't have control over his game time now (I hope?). It might sound daft but Connacht could end up with two many young scrum halves and still not know who's the best back up by the end of the season?

Loan Deals done:

Cooney and Roux to Connacht on loan deal
11th June 2014

The IRFU, Connacht Rugby and Leinster Rugby have agreed a loan deal for scrum half John Cooney and lock Quinn Roux to train and play at Connacht next season.

Roux will come to Connacht on an initial deal until December 31st and will link up with Head Coach Pat Lam’s squad next month for the beginning of the pre-season period.

Meanwhile, Cooney, whose terms have been agreed for the full 2014/15 season, will continue his shoulder rehab with Leinster during the summer months before departing for Galway.

This is the second instance of ‘player loaning’ from Leinster to Connacht following flanker Conor Gilsenan’s recent three-month stint at the Sportsground where the 21-year-old earned three PRO12 caps (two starts) in the back row. Gilsenan signed off with his first senior try, against Ospreys, before his departure to London Irish.

Galway-bound John Cooney has made a name for himself in the Leinster and Ireland set up as a highly intelligent scrum half.

The former Gonzaga College schoolboy, who plays his club rugby at Lansdowne RFC, made his debut with the senior Leinster team in September 2011 when he featured against Ospreys in Swansea. He has since gone on to earn 27 senior caps as well as playing a significant role in the success of the Leinster ‘A’ and British & Irish Cup squads.

Cooney has represented Ireland at U-18 and U-20 level and also played three games with the Emerging Ireland in the Tbilisi Cup last summer.

Also joining up with Connacht Rugby next season is 23-year-old lock Quinn Roux. The 120kg South African has played two seasons with Leinster having joined from Western Province in 2012. He also made four Super Rugby appearances for the Stormers before departing for Dublin.

Roux has played 21 times with Leinster in the PRO12 and European competitions whilst also featuring for the Leinster ‘A’ and British & Irish Cup team, most recently in their 44-17 win over Leeds Carnegie to secure the back-to-back cup title.

Roux’s first season at Leinster suffered a setback when he was forced to undergo shoulder surgery which ruled him out of action for several months. Despite serious competition for his position, Roux notched up ten appearances in year two, including a start in the second row for the RaboDirect Pro12 semi-final against Ulster at the RDS.

Speaking about the new deal with Leinster Rugby and the IRFU, Connacht Head Coach Pat Lam said:

“This is brilliant news for everyone involved. We’re delighted to get the loan deal over the line and again, I’d like to thank the IRFU and Leinster Rugby, especially Matt O’Connor and Mick Dawson, for their support.

“Our squad is constantly evolving and there will be plenty of new faces at the start of the pre-season. Kieran (Marmion), who earned his first Ireland cap at the weekend, has had a heavy load the last two years and there is a need to manage his game time a little more stringently. With the scrum half position, John (Cooney) will be pushing for a place along with the incoming Ian Porter as well as Caolin Blade from the Academy so it’s great for competition.

“With the unfortunate retirement of Craig Clarke, it certainly helps to have Quinn (Roux) coming in to bolster that area and offer us more selection options.

“We’ve had glimpses of what these young players can do and they are both promising additions to our squad. They are coming from a highly successful team where there is massive strength in depth and huge competition in their positions so this will be a great opportunity for them to push for more PRO12 and European rugby game time. They are ambitious, hard-working men and hopefully they can make the most of their time here. We’re certainly looking forward to welcoming them in to our team.”

IRFU CEO Philip Browne added:

“The IRFU are delighted that this loan arrangement has been agreed as it can only be a good thing in terms of player development and should provide an opportunity for more game-time for both John and Quinn.

“The IRFU are proud to support four strong and developing provinces and believe that the continued development of players within the Irish rugby family will benefit players, provincial and international rugby in the long-term.”

There could be a chance that he'd come here on a year's loan with Connacht and Leinster coming to some arrangement over his salary. Roux strikes me as a lad who needs to play alot to get up to full potential, something that isn't happening with Leinster this year. That Schmidt picked him up (who lets face it has an excellent eye for talent) should also count for something. Sometimes a player and manager don't click. It's happened with Roux and MOC but it doesn't mean he's a bad player.

It makes no difference what you call him, he'd take up our last non-Irish spot. Money wise we'd only have to give him what Leinster are as he's still contracted til next summer. You might want an option for an extra year so we don't develop him only to see him bigger off.

I'm not sure about him. he has failed to deliver and being honest, we can't afford to back a dud.

It would be a big risk unless he comes really cheap. I assume he would come as project player as opposed NIQ?

connachtexile wrote:

According to the Indo today, we're having a look at Quin Roux.

Makes sense for all concerned. He's IQ next year and would be cheap since Clarke is gone we will need someone in to replace him and Roux is Rabo experienced. Roux himself gets more gametime you would think and Leinster get rid of a player they don't rate.

Roux will be a better player with the year and a bit in the Pro12 behind him, at 23 he's a pup for a lock. Not surprised he throwing his lot in with Ireland mind, at 6'5 and 18'st he's a few inches too short for the Saffers who have quality locks coming out their backsides....

If he comes, great. If not, hey ho...

According to the Indo today, we're having a look at Quin Roux.

Makes sense for all concerned. He's IQ next year and would be cheap since Clarke is gone we will need someone in to replace him and Roux is Rabo experienced. Roux himself gets more gametime you would think and Leinster get rid of a player they don't rate.

According to the Indo today, we're having a look at Quin Roux.

Robinson was a catastrophie at goalkick for the play-off.. Doesn't semm to bare pressure..

Nicky Robinson would fit right in at outhalf. :evil: If they can get Ryan Jones healthy Connacht could probably take him off their hands until next May.

_nobody_ wrote:

FACECUTTR wrote: London Welsh qualify for the premiership at the expense of Bristol. Surely there will be a few void contracts because of this and possibly a signing g in it for us ??

Read on twitter that Andy Robinson said the big names have a clause in their contracts to go on loan for the season and return for the playoffs next season. It does make a bit of a mockery of the whole thing but would make sense.

Can Jack Lam play at 8?

FACECUTTR wrote: London Welsh qualify for the premiership at the expense of Bristol. Surely there will be a few void contracts because of this and possibly a signing g in it for us ??

Read on twitter that Andy Robinson said the big names have a clause in their contracts to go on loan for the season and return for the playoffs next season. It does make a bit of a mockery of the whole thing but would make sense.

London Welsh qualify for the premiership at the expense of Bristol. Surely there will be a few void contracts because of this and possibly a signing g in it for us ??

Probably not the right thread but Bundee aki came of the bench around 52 mins for the chiefs and after 9mins playing scored 2 trys

connachta wrote: Hope it's not over, we've a very small squad, especially in Sept/oct, waiting ITM cup finishes

I count 36 capped senior players and new signings in the squad tab, Masterson isn't listed although he's been capped, Qualter and Finn are listed too altho I don't think they've been capped at senior level yet. So between 36-39 players depending on how you count I think.

Considering Lam has had the academy training with the seniors for the past year now he must be hopeful that at least a couple of guys will make the step up next year. I imagine in addition to the already capped Masterson, Qualter, Finn, SOB, Blade, are all likely to make some appearances and Kindregan, T Leader, Walshe, Parata and Panter are all possibles and Layden is a hopeful. Obviously that just adds to the imbalance in the squads age but I think there are maybe 2-4 players there that could be useful.

Thanks green13.

I'm sure they're taking their time with the neurological tests to be certain. It really goes beyond just a man's career here.