It also remains to be seen if Poolman will jump ahead of Griffin in the pecking order at 13 when he comes back to full fitness. I can see why he'd want to leave, but we should have been able to keep him. I wonder if London Irish will try to pick off more of our players since they haven't had any luck at any of the other provinces.

salmson wrote: Am I the only person who thinks he'd be nuts to stay? There's a lot of sneering on this forum - justified in my opinion - at the Nagles and Hollands and Butlers who are content to act as jersey-warmers for the first 15 - poor O'Malley spent his whole career waiting for BODot - so why would Griffin stay? What can Pat Lam offer him except a backup role?

Its a bit different to Nagle etc though because Griffin is first choice 13 and when McSharry is fit Henshaw moves to 15. Even if that wouldn't be the case long term its important for a team to have at least two options in every position. Yes I can understand why Griffin would be upset as he was the incumbent but Henshaw got ahead of him with Ireland but its up to him to prove he's good enough if he wants to play for Ireland.

Griffin going is bad news but can we blame him. He has gotten messed around with the Henshaw thing. Great news with the CEO then and les hope he can do us some good business. Does anybody think that we were holding back any signings until it got filled ?

Have heard the CEO position will be filled soon.

Connacht man to fill the post I'm told.

Am I the only person who thinks he'd be nuts to stay? There's a lot of sneering on this forum - justified in my opinion - at the Nagles and Hollands and Butlers who are content to act as jersey-warmers for the first 15 - poor O'Malley spent his whole career waiting for BODot - so why would Griffin stay? What can Pat Lam offer him except a backup role?

Heard that Griff is off to London Irish also. Can't grudge him the move, but not a great state if affairs if we can't keep our home talent.

Makes sense it would be L.I. they have a lot of money and with Connacht hardly doing well and with Henshaw the anointed one in the 13 shirt he probably felt why not? If he does go I hope it works out for him. Sorry to lose him though he's a big player for us.

From what I heard, Eoin Griffin is going to London Irish. That's a massive loss for us.

Where is Rory Malone playing now? Griffin would be a loss as would O'Hagen. when the best rumour we have is that we might get a new fitness coach next year you know things are f*cked.

I think the problem is that Connacht don't get the full backing of the IRFU and its more about living your dream where you can get better exposure to fulfill that dream. You only have to look at how the finances are shared from the IRFU to se this.
Look at the U20's how there problem is the front row and yet our two lads who were with the Ireland U19's last year can't get a look in. Rory Malone is another that was let go, and you speak of one of the best up and coming 7's around.
So maybe it's not our small garden patch that needs tendering too, but the large garden that is the IRFU that needs a new gardener.

If Griffin is gone, that will be a huge loss. I still feel that he is one of our most gifted players. A home grown talent too. If we can't keep hold of these lads it is a bad situation. I just feel that something is not right...... In general within the club. Not the players fault, if all was rosy in the garden they would be staying. Hope this rumour is not correct.

Is she bringing her husband with her?

Anyone heard a rumour about a player maybe heading to Gloucester Rugby? I've heard some speculation that a certain place kicking specialist might be heading across the waters. Probably just that , .......speculation ??

Heard Griffin is gone but not munster. Story to break Monday

Interesting views on O'Hagan - my own is this: I've watched him play for Corinthians on numerous occasions this year, he's a very talented place kicker, his tactical kicking needs a little work, in time and with more experience I'm sure he will also improve his control of the game at 10. Lots of hugely talented guys come through schools to age grade provincial set-ups but end up on the scrap heap after the U'20's campaign - the one's that secure academy contracts are not necessarily the most talented but the ones the coaches feel have the right attributes to ultimately become professional players. Ulster obviously feel he ticks the boxes in that regard but the Connacht Academy coaches (who know him best) don't. They make informed decisions, not all of which will be proven right but they are in the best position to make them.

I watched a Leinster Senior Schools Cup game the other day and during the warm up I noticed about 4 of the St.Marys squad kitted out in full standard issue age grade Connacht gear. We've been casting the net a little wider over the last few years with some success and it looks like Ulster have taken a leaf out of our book on this occasion. I wish O' Hagan the best of luck and yes he will be missed when Corinthians are playing in Div 1A of the AIL next season!

O'Hagan scored a try today in Corinthians win over Blackrock. I hope the deal isn't done yet with Ulster. Having said that McKinney has been awful recently and I'm not sure what other OH prospects they have up there. We are suffering big time for not having a locally based CEO. I think O'Hagans parents are from the west/has cousins in galway and hes going to college here so hopefully theres still time to make an offer.