Ah You signs new two-year deal
16th December 2013

The IRFU and Connacht Rugby are pleased to announce that Rodney Ah You has signed a new two-year contract with the IRFU which will see him remain at Connacht until at least June 2O16.

Prop Ah You can play on either side of the scrum giving the Connacht coaching team continued options up front.

The 25-year-old New Zealander is one of four squad members to have played in all 13 games so far this season, including the recent Heineken Cup back-to-back fixtures against Toulouse.

Ah You joined Connacht in 2010, coming from Canterbury (NPC). Growing up in Christchurch and attending Christchurch Boys High, the former boxer switched to playing rugby full time when he was 16 years old. Five years later, he caught the attention of the Irish province while playing for New Zealand’s juniors and soon made the move to the West of Ireland.

He has been capped by the All Blacks at U-19 and U-20 level and was also a member of New Zealand’s winning Junior World Cup sides in both 2007 and 2008.

Over the last three and half seasons with Connacht, Ah You has notched up 57 senior caps.

Welcoming the news Connacht Head Coach Pat Lam said:

“When I arrived here at the end of last season, Dan and I decided to give Rodney a one-year extension to prove to us that he has the ability to fulfil his obvious potential. With his performances this season and the progress and development he has made physically and mentally, his determination to succeed is more than evident.

“We are now delighted that he has signed a new contract which will secure him to Connacht for two more seasons. As a young prop who can play loosehead or tighthead and a good team man, Rodney will be a huge asset for Connacht Rugby and we look forward to seeing him develop further.”

Means that our players are a target then too!! I'm sure there wages would out weigh ours.

Butler can play 6 and 8 whereas beta is an out and out 6. Anyway with Muldoon and Browne ahead of him why would he go to Connacht. He is as close to Munsters team as he would be at Connacht. Butler on the other hand is behind him at 6 and 4th choice at 8. Its worth it for him.
We are all competing with London Irish now for these players too according to their new CEO. They want a third of their squad to be quality Irish players and they are going to be spending the full salary cap from now on too.

connachtexile wrote:

Brian Hayes at aurillac, paddy butler at Munster.

Would take these two. Butler can't be happy with the Copeland signing pushing him back to fourth place. I remember seeing him in the U20 for Ireland and being very impressed with him hasn't done much to light up the world yet but between injuries and lack of chances he hasn't had any opportunity. Dave O'Callaghan's contract is meant to be up this year. Anyone fancy asking if he wants to come here or does he want to be the next Ian Nagle?

O Callaghan has another year but he should really try and get out of it, way too good to be playing A rugby. He has enormous potential imo. Massive power in the lad. Tore our A's to shreds down in Musgrave at the start of the season. I think he would be a terrific signing if we could get him, good lineout option at 6 and a big ball carrier that we are craving. Would allow Mul to wind down a small bit as more of a bench player and rest up for games where we need the muck and bullets approach.

George Naoupu has another year on his contract and Mckeon has a big future so I think we need a flanker rather than an out and out 8

Brian Hayes at aurillac, paddy butler at Munster.

Would take these two. Butler can't be happy with the Copeland signing pushing him back to fourth place. I remember seeing him in the U20 for Ireland and being very impressed with him hasn't done much to light up the world yet but between injuries and lack of chances he hasn't had any opportunity. Dave O'Callaghan's contract is meant to be up this year. Anyone fancy asking if he wants to come here or does he want to be the next Ian Nagle?

Your right Craic head but they need to be playin regularly and apart from ronaldson none of the others get much first team game time. We need wins and that's why parks is used so much. Kind of a catch 22 need parks experience to help win games but the younger guys don't get games.

In Ronaldson, Jack Carty and Sean O'Hagan we have some real young talent, as good as any province. Personally I would trust them all. Before anyone says about inexperience, what would have happened to Kieran Marmion if his ability was not trusted over his inexperience? He would just be a second year academy player instead of a first team regular on the verge of a full international call up, same could apply to Robbie actually. I would not swap the three of them.

OldSchool wrote:

theCulk wrote: of all the above mentioned I'd def try for iHumph

theCulk must have hit his head

the last out-half we got from Ulster was Niall O'Connor amd we all remember what a flop he turned out to be.

theCulk wrote: of all the above mentioned I'd def try for iHumph

theCulk must have hit his head

clanman wrote: maybe Clarke could convince Gareth Anscombe to leave New Zealand, plays Full-back for the chiefs but is equally as comfortable at out-half which is the position he played at under-age level. plus he has connections in Ireland

Great player. May not want to be under Pat Lam's wing again as many felt he didn't get enough game time when Pat was in charge of Blues.

some nice words by joe tekori in the papers this morning about pat lam.

he would make a nice number 8 for us next season!!

Seapoint

Here you go mate:

discussion.theguardian.com/comment-permalink/29679674

clanman wrote: maybe Clarke could convince Gareth Anscombe to leave New Zealand, plays Full-back for the chiefs but is equally as comfortable at out-half which is the position he played at under-age level. plus he has connections in Ireland

He's hot stuff in NZ at the most (like All Black hot), so don't see him leaving. And if he was coming it'd be to join Daddy at Ulster (who could probably afford him)....

Droptheclaw wrote: Salmson, you're right - my mistake.

BTW, I saw your post on the Guardian (at least I think it was you) - really good points you made, nice work.

Link please....?

A return to the sportsground for Paul Warwick?

maybe Clarke could convince Gareth Anscombe to leave New Zealand, plays Full-back for the chiefs but is equally as comfortable at out-half which is the position he played at under-age level. plus he has connections in Ireland