We're still in the market for a prop

Well so much for that philosophy. :lol: I really want a IE guy though.

We're still in the market for a prop

I see that Maguire is listed as a Dragons player for the coming season on their website

Good luck to Maguire I hope he makes it.

As for Buckley its alot of responsibility but I think its needed. He's shown in the last season that he has the head for it and him knowing that he's 2nd choice replacement at LH is the nod of confidence that will perk him up. As shown by the Irish team we badly need new props coming through and I'd rather see Buckley get his chance then waiting in front of another project player for 2/3 years.

I see that Maguire is listed as a Dragons player for the coming season on their website.

That means we have Loughs, White and Rodney on full contracts to cover TH.
At LH we have Wilko, Buckley and two acadamy props. With only 3 THs and The B+i to take into consideration we are very light here and a lot of pressure/responsibility rests on young Buckley. Hopefully he is able for it over a full season.

i forgot about o reilly but isnt he a 1st yr acadamy recruit and Buckley is a former Int u20 himself afaik.
That said we have 1 specialist experienced LH in Brett. 1 specialist LH in Buckley(I rate him highly) on Dev Contract and 2 LHs in acadamy in Reilly and Bealham. We also have loughs as emergency cover. Given connachts budget it will probably have to do.

Is Maguire still with us? havent heard anything since all the speculation about him leaving.
If he is we have Loughney, White, Ah you and Maguire at tighthead. It will be huge benefit if Rodney develops into a decent scrummager on either side and new engagement rules should benefit a man of his size so we will see.

Probably we could trust Peter Reilly who is international U20 in case of Wilko+Buckley+Loughney injuries... I think we're ok...

While the signing of an out and out 12 wud be desirable i think we will be ok in the backs.

9. murphy/moore(my choice).
10. Parks/Nikora
11/14. TOH/mcCrea/Fetu/Poolman/loxton
12/13. Mcsharry/Jarvis/Griffin/Tonetti.
15. Duffy/Leydon.

A lot of the players can play multiple positions also so there should be plenty of cover here. There isnt a huge gap in player ability either so it should be possible to maintain performance levels while rotating players throughout the season.

My biggest worry is at loosehead prop. Brett is clearly the starting LH but who will share the position with him? Buckley is an exciting prospect but imo not ready for such a vital role and the jury is still firmly out on Rodneys ability to adapt to LH.
Loughs and White will share TH and imo it will be innapropriate to view Loughs as anything other than emergency cover at LH from here on.If connacht dont value his abilities at TH other provinces will and afaik his contract is up at end of season as is Bjs and afoas. If current rules are enforced only one of those can remain.
My one wish before start of season is the signing of an IQ( or project) LH prop with experience.

connachtexile wrote:

Connacht Rugby have bolstered their squad for next season by signing exciting centre Danie Poolman from the Stormers.

The headline from the official site.

I hope sea_point and Connachta don't feel to bad about themselves.

Think I can live with myself until he proves us right or wrong....

Connacht Rugby have bolstered their squad for next season by signing exciting centre Danie Poolman from the Stormers.

The headline from the official site.

I hope sea_point and Connachta don't feel to bad about themselves.

connachtexile wrote:

Don't know where people are getting the notion that Poolman is a centre, his adult rugby has been played on the wing so I'd hope that's the position that he's been brought in for primarily

It was probably that youtube clip of him in a 13 shirt kicking ass and taking names.

With respect that YouTube video of him as centre is a Varsity game and the standard would be well down on even Currie Cup. All his Pro Rugby has seen him selected at wing, so I presume his coaches in SA know something we don't. Could be that his preference is to play centre and that's part of the reason for the move I suppose, but will be interesting to see where positionally he gets his outings for us...

I thought he looked poor in that youtube clip. Looked far more lively at wing.

Don't know where people are getting the notion that Poolman is a centre, his adult rugby has been played on the wing so I'd hope that's the position that he's been brought in for primarily

It was probably that youtube clip of him in a 13 shirt kicking ass and taking names.

Totally agree. He is mostly a winger, can cover 13 and that's all.. He's 23, not 19 years old, it's useless to force him to be in the 12 position

Don't know where people are getting the notion that Poolman is a centre, his aduly rugby has been played on the wing so I'd hope that's the position that he's been brought in for primarily.

As a team we score far too few tries so personally I'd prefer to see us sign players based on the form they are showing in a specific position and then playing them in the same role. I want to see both Fets and Tiernan under presssure to deliver to keep their starting jerseys week in week out..

Borders no.2 wrote: For me scrum half is much more of a worry. None of our scrum halfs did enough on a consistent basis imo last season. Maybe the fact Frank Murphy will be out of contract next summer may focus his mind more.

I think they have all gained experience.. we could hope POD will channel his energy, Murphy and Moore will adapt to the HCup tempo, and Marmion will come to light thanks to his sucsesful U20 World Cup

Agree with BN2 regarding Jarvis. He has a superb pass and should be given a proper go this year.