strength and conditioning coach leaving

Might not be for the worst there's being serious questions asked about our conditioning the last season or two so a new person coming in might be a positive.

strength and conditioning coach leaving

Tom Mclaughlin ‏@TomMclaughlin83 2m
After 3 seasons the time has come to move on. Leaving @connachtrugby in May, to return to the motherland!

salmson wrote: I don't think anyone's questioning Marmion's status as no. 1 scrumhalf, but seeing as he handed Eoin Reddan his backside in both matches against Leinster I expect he'll be missing several months every year with Ireland from now on.

This. The undeniable fact is we are not the same team without Marmion, and we need to wake up to the fact that we will be without himself and Henshaw for a substantial chunk of the season. Strong, experienced cover in these positions is therefore essential, lightning is unlikely to strike twice in such quick succession.

paratro wrote: dont forget it was the turnover by Frank Murphy that changed the game for the Toulouse win. I have always rated Peter Stringer the best half back in ireland but to bring him to Connacht now I would say no. Not when you have the best up in coming in Marmion and then you have Walsh and Blade whom are both great rugby players.
marmion doesn't need to emulate him as his own game right now is good enough.

I don't think anyone's questioning Marmion's status as no. 1 scrumhalf, but seeing as he handed Eoin Reddan his backside in both matches against Leinster I expect he'll be missing several months every year with Ireland from now on. With Murphy probably not going to be re-signed (a senior player's wages would pay for several youngsters on development contracts) and no sign of POD doing so either we may be in the market for an experienced scrumhalf.

dont forget it was the turnover by Frank Murphy that changed the game for the Toulouse win. I have always rated Peter Stringer the best half back in ireland but to bring him to Connacht now I would say no. Not when you have the best up in coming in Marmion and then you have Walsh and Blade whom are both great rugby players.
marmion doesn't need to emulate him as his own game right now is good enough.

connachtexile wrote:

Ian Nagle would be foolish to move abroad as it would be far harder, nigh on impossible to get into the national team, currently in munster there are 5 players challenging to be POC's sidekick either him or roux would make a decent replacement for swift who will be retiring soon.

Nagle is nowhere near the 1st team Munster squad let alone the first team Irish squad. 2/3 years ago he was arguably 5th choice lock behind POC, DOC, Ryan & MOD now he's 6th choice behind POC, DOC, Ryan, Holland and Foley. He needs to leave Munster NOW. He needs at least 2 years at some other club to rescue his reputation before he can even think about Ireland. If I was him I'd be ringing up LI and asking if there is a contract going. I agree thought that our pack needs a little more heft as it's quite lightweight.

im not convinced by browne or Mckeon's ability to really hit the levels required .

Browne last year played himself into the Ireland A squad with his performances and McKeown was a tackling machine last night so disagree with you over these two but yes we could do with another big backrower if only for rotation.

Yes of course im not suggesting nagle is near the Irish squad right now as he is behind so many players at munster, but while munsters academy hasnt been churning out amazing numbers of world class players at present they have produced a number of real quality second rowers so it does not reflect too badly on those stuck behind POC ( World Class), Donnacha Ryan, O'Callaghan, Foley, Holland (All good Quality). Yes he does need to leave munster, but no need to go abroad, he should come to Connacht where he will still have the possibility to impress the Ireland coach if he plays to his potential and forces his way into the team, at LI he would be realistically out of sight and mind like thomas o leary same goes for CJ and Roux.

Browne played very well as did mckeon I agree, but not sure they have the "x factor" so to speak which you need to push for an Ireland spot. Heenan has that little extra I think.

We recruited well last year and let go a number of under performing players. Connacht has started to see some very successful in house promotions from our academy which is where our future has to be like the other provinces.I agree we need tto continue promoting more players like marcus walsh etc rather than bringing in players who are not in their prime and whose heart may not be in it and who may be simply there to pick up a pay check. If we are forced to recruit outside connacht it should either be young players with serious potential or if its an established player they need to still be very hungry and we need to be sure that they seriously buy into the idea of making Connacht a great team.

I'd be all for signing Stringer, but if it was anything close to a six figure package we had to put together for I would be saying thank but no thanks. All about the financials for me and I don't think he will be cheap.

We have an issue whereby the experienced backs are past their best - Parks, Duffy, Murphy. If he's physically up to it, and signs are he is, he'd be a great signing.

Two years ago I would have snapped at him but Marmion and POD haven't done a lot wrong so with that in mind I'll pass. Admittedly when Marmion is playing 6 Nations we will need a good 3rd sting SH but the academy boys haven't let us down yet so I'd give Walsh or Blade a chance to shine.

I will gladly help pay his wages if he comes !!
Still a great player and what a mentor for Marmion

Given the Frank Murphy debacle, I saw that Peter Stringers agent is trying to get him a new contract for next few years. He describes him as the Ryan Giggs of rugby, that I'd believe. He would be fantastic for a season or two, his pass is the best in Aviva Prem IMO and he would be great for Marmion to emulate. I think he is only contracted with Bath until end of March.

Ian Nagle would be foolish to move abroad as it would be far harder, nigh on impossible to get into the national team, currently in munster there are 5 players challenging to be POC's sidekick either him or roux would make a decent replacement for swift who will be retiring soon.

Nagle is nowhere near the 1st team Munster squad let alone the first team Irish squad. 2/3 years ago he was arguably 5th choice lock behind POC, DOC, Ryan & MOD now he's 6th choice behind POC, DOC, Ryan, Holland and Foley. He needs to leave Munster NOW. He needs at least 2 years at some other club to rescue his reputation before he can even think about Ireland. If I was him I'd be ringing up LI and asking if there is a contract going. I agree thought that our pack needs a little more heft as it's quite lightweight.

im not convinced by browne or Mckeon's ability to really hit the levels required .

Browne last year played himself into the Ireland A squad with his performances and McKeown was a tackling machine last night so disagree with you over these two but yes we could do with another big backrower if only for rotation.

Bayern wrote: Van Der Flier and Byrne are still in Leinster's academy.. Both have missed most of the season with injury..

Jack O'Connell appears to be Leinster 3rd choice LH, a position Connacht are actually quite strong at.

Roux and Stander are project players, who if they leave their current province I can only see returning to SA or heading abroad.

Ian Nagle should have moved to connacht or the prem two seasons ago.. now I don't think he would even start for Connacht, smart move for him would to go abroad and get serious gametime in england.. that is what he needs to reach his potential.

Finally McCluskey just joined Ulster's academy, would be surprised to see him leave.

Im aware Stander and roux are project players thats why if the have ambitions to play for Ireland then they should consider switching to another Irish province preferably Connacht, heading abroad would make less sense.

Ian Nagle would be foolish to move abroad as it would be far harder, nigh on impossible to get into the national team, currently in munster there are 5 players challenging to be POC's sidekick either him or roux would make a decent replacement for swift who will be retiring soon.

The leinster academy guys byrne and flier i have seen play they are a couple of talented guys once they break onto the leinster scene more consistently they will be glued to Leinster and cost a good deal more.

Tonnetti has been the walking wounded since he was brought, mcsharry not to far behind but as you say since mcCluskey just joined it would be doubtful he would leave but again a very serious amount of competetion ahead of him.

A backrow with Heenan and CJ and Flier all possible future Ireland players would be good. We still need a few Connacht academy backrowers to really step up soon like Masterson or O'Brien im not convinced by browne or Mckeon's ability to really hit the levels required .

On Jack O'Connell yes he would be third choice in leinster now but that really means nothing at a province with the resources of leinster, of the two players ahead of him both are irish internationals. Cian possibly the best loose head in europe and mcgrath a great player in his own right. I think O'Connell could possibly be the no.1 at Connacht

A lot of names mentioned are those of player who will never play for ireland and who have passed their peak and have never hit the top level. We should be after more guys of Heenan's ilk lads who have real potential but who are currently stuck behind world class players.

Warwick might be an option his wife is Irish which you'd assume would make a move more attractive for him.

Van Der Flier and Byrne are still in Leinster's academy.. Both have missed most of the season with injury..

Jack O'Connell appears to be Leinster 3rd choice LH, a position Connacht are actually quite strong at.

Roux and Stander are project players, who if they leave their current province I can only see returning to SA or heading abroad.

Ian Nagle should have moved to connacht or the prem two seasons ago.. now I don't think he would even start for Connacht, smart move for him would to go abroad and get serious gametime in england.. that is what he needs to reach his potential.

Finally McCluskey just joined Ulster's academy, would be surprised to see him leave.

Would like to could convince a few of these players elsewhere that Connacht Rugby is the place where they can show the Ireland coach what they can do instead of perhaps languishing behind others for another 2-3 yrs. Dont think it would harm our balance sheet much and of course we need to find a seriously high quality 10 prospect to work alongside carty/parks perhaps lam might find another baby black.

CJ Stander (Back Row)(Munster)
Josh van de Flier (Back Row)(Leinster)
Quinn Roux (Second Row) (Leinster)
Ian Nagle (Second Row)(Munster)
Adam byrne (Wing/Full Back) (Leinster)
Jack O Connell (Prop) (Leinster)
Stuart McCluskey (Centre)(Ulster)