Connacht Squad 2016/2017

Of course a good number will be released. We released 6 and 3 departed of their own accord last season. We're carrying about half a dozen more in the squad this season compared to last, and the new man will want to bring in a few players. It's not nice but it's the way the game is, at least half Connachta's list won't be here next season.

salmson wrote: Of course a good number will be released. We released 6 and 3 departed of their own accord last season. We're carrying about half a dozen more in the squad this season compared to last, and the new man will want to bring in a few players. It's not nice but it's the way the game is, at least half Connachta's list won't be here next season.

I don't want to be somewhat repetitive again without causing offense. I just feel to need to raise finances again. We simply don't seem to have any money. Its my perception of things. Do we have money to buy players. This season suggests we have included players at minimal expense which suggests we are not in a financially good place to sign players. So I'm asking the question. Am I right or am I wrong. Are we being stuffed by the IRFU or can we not manage our finances?

We are and we aren't.
All four provinces get equal coaching staffs and equal numbers of basic provincial contracts, and a province can add to those contracts or increase the number of contracts according to their means.

Which means even if we get the same from the IRFU we're always playing catchup commercially. Per head of provincial population our attendance is twice that of Leinster. Comparing city sizes, consistently getting 6000 to games in Galway is like Leinster filling Croker every fortnight.

Where the IRFU don't play fair is central contracts - we don't have any, which is why Henshaw signing for Leinster on one was such a massive kick in the teeth. We'll see how thst side of things plays out in the next few years.

I'm expecting a fairly massive cull based on numbers, not anything the union is or isn't doing. If we promote 3, take 3 in from other provinces/AIL, take 3 in from abroad, and lower the squad size by 3 (which would still leave it bigger than last year), that's a dozen lads released/leaving.

Really the bottom line is we'll always be bottom of the queue as far as the IRFU are concerned. To be fair when you look at it objectively from a purely financial perspective they are probably right. Leinster have the greatest potential to generate revenue, Munster when they are going well have a huge base of support to tap into and Ulster have always had a good support. However, they may have missed a trick in not properly equipping Connacht to push on from the Pro 12 victory.

The changing of the European qualification to its current format meant that the other provinces actually had a threat to their automatic European qualification. The IRFU initially seemed to see it as an opportunity to get all 4 sides into Europe and the finances were there to add some big names. Seeing how Europe worked out for the provinces last season and how Munster were only one defeat away from missing out on the Champions Cup altogether I think we're seeing a return to the status quo in terms of where the IRFU's priority lies
1) Leinster 2) Munster 3) Ulster 4) Connacht

Off the field we've upped our game hugely but we just have to keep doing more for ourselves if we want to stay competitive. To be getting over 6,100 to a relatively unimportant game during the 6 nations against the Dragons is a day I thought I'd never see and shows how far we've come on and off the pitch. For a number of years that fixture was a banker for a crowd of about 1,100. Hopefully we can push on with stadium developments in the near future and give us the base to improve our budget.

salmson wrote: We are and we aren't.
All four provinces get equal coaching staffs and equal numbers of basic provincial contracts, and a province can add to those contracts or increase the number of contracts according to their means.

Which means even if we get the same from the IRFU we're always playing catchup commercially. Per head of provincial population our attendance is twice that of Leinster. Comparing city sizes, consistently getting 6000 to games in Galway is like Leinster filling Croker every fortnight.

Where the IRFU don't play fair is central contracts - we don't have any, which is why Henshaw signing for Leinster on one was such a massive kick in the teeth. We'll see how thst side of things plays out in the next few years.

I'm expecting a fairly massive cull based on numbers, not anything the union is or isn't doing. If we promote 3, take 3 in from other provinces/AIL, take 3 in from abroad, and lower the squad size by 3 (which would still leave it bigger than last year), that's a dozen lads released/leaving.

I really appreciate this answer. It clears things up so now I understand the balance of things. I know I always have one more question. I know what you say is true. So how did we afford Mils and Bundee based on what you say? My opinion is the IRFU is simply playing with us. They can tip any province this way or that way with an injection of funds. Is this what they did?
At least now I understand about how Munster can afford a new management team. As I understand it we are equals when it comes to management teams. I think what you are saying that each province gets equal cash but because, for example, Leinster have many centrally contracted players they do not appear on the Leinster payroll. So the province with the most centrally contracted players has much more spare cash to pay for new players, stadia, whatever.

Is this a correct reading of the situation. I know its probably not as simple as that but just trying to get my head around it

I'd be amazed if the IRFU weren't footing the bill for a significant amount if not all of Bundee's new contract.

phatguerilla wrote:
Why are you assuming players will be released? I know its possible, Ili and Stevenson are only on a one year contract for example, but its not guaranteed. We've lost 2-4 players to early retirement very recently, no matter who is head coach next year they would want to be increasing the squad size, not cutting down.

eta: with a limited recruitment period and not knowing the squad, I would think Keane would not want to jettison players unnecessarily as well.

Of course a good number will be released. We released 6 and 3 departed of their own accord last season. We're carrying about half a dozen more in the squad this season compared to last, and the new man will want to bring in a few players. It's not nice but it's the way the game is, at least half Connachta's list won't be here next season.

I think we can wisely solve the case by reasoning about squad depth rather than number of released. We probably won't find anyone better than what we already have to be 3rd/4rd choice. On the contrary, we could when we talk about weak areas, where the new recruit knows he will play often.

LH : I do think a pretty solid NIQ could come, he will have constant gametime and ease up Buckley job (who plays too much, too many times the full 80). That's why I think Loughney may be released

Hooker : Delahunt is good, not to be released, I'm even afraid the North comes for him...

TH : to be only 3rd choice behind Beal/Carey, I don't think we'd find better then McCoy or Saba. + IQ THs are rare and should be kept jealousely...

5/8 : One really strong ball-carrier NIQ is needed to replace Marshall/Naoupu and prepare the "after-Muldoon". That would mean 5 senior locks, which is a minimum. Can we find better than Qualter/Academy boys for a 6th spot only? Don't know.

SH : Worrying C McKeon was back to n°10 in the last Eagles match. I wouldn't be surprised if a new 9 comes to compete with Blade, especially now Marmion is a regular with Ireland and Kerrins is still young...

OH : with Ronaldson as cover, one of O'Leary/Crosbie will be released. We can't find better on low-money for a 3rd/4th choice IMO

Backs : as McSharry retired, maybe both Farrell and Parata can stay with Brennan graduating, but not sure...
For the back-3, Ili is too weak in defence IMO, but he is "Aki-bound...". I guess it will be between Gaffney stepping-up or Poolman staying... I won't be so sure about Leader status, he will have to fight in the next 2 months to impress, more than some here imagine IMO. Above all if, as I expect, Keane wants to bring at least one back of his own....

connachta wrote: Above all if, as I expect, Keane wants to bring at least one back of his own....

Wouldn't you love if it was this chap:

Starting against the Hurricanes at 12 and only 21!

I'd love anyone from the chiefs but it means one or more of Poolman/Leader/Parata/Brennan would be released.
And they didn't have many occasions to prove their worth this season. Heartbreaking

connachta wrote: I'd love anyone from the chiefs but it means one or more of Poolman/Leader/Parata/Brennan would be released.
And they didn't have many occasions to prove their worth this season. Heartbreaking

Most at risk is Poolman. I'm a big fan of his & his strike rate is excellent, but he's probably on better wages than many who are up for renewal and has been exiled to the Fionn-Carr-role (break in case of emergency only) this season. After that Ili and Fox-Matamua are next-least-likely to be kept as releasing them would free up NIQ spots for KK to bring in his own men.

After that a lot of the players who haven't been re-signed have hardly played, in most cases due to injury rather than form. The variables as to whether they stay on - injury status, how they're showing in training, what wages they're on, and whether replacements are available - are so many and so hidden from us we can't even speculate.

I can't see Brennan (or Gaffney for that matter) being released. First year pro deals/development contracts are for buttons, and in Brennan's case they have the choice or keeping him for year 3 of the academy or promoting him early to the senior squad like Blade and Masterson.

But I hear where you're coming from about "release season" for want of a better word. You can couch it in whatever language you want but you're effectively laying people off, so heartbreaking isn't too strong a word by any means.

Releasing players is rough but it is a reality of sport, they will get decent (maybe even better) contracts elsewhere

Nobody wants to react about him, but I still think, above Poolman/any NIQ, it's Loughney who's the most likely to be released (with Stevenson/Qualter)

LH : I do think a pretty solid NIQ could come, he will have constant gametime and ease up Buckley job (who plays too much, too many times the full 80).

+ I'm far from convinced by him in any of the few games he played since 2016... 33 next season, in addition...

Mark Mostyn wrote: Releasing players is rough but it is a reality of sport, they will get decent (maybe even better) contracts elsewhere

I take your point in that the players know what they're getting in to, but not everyone will get a contract. Of the 10 players who left/were released by Connacht last season 6 are still playing and presumably on decent or better (or much better) contracts: Ah You, Henshaw, McGinty, Muldowney, Naoupu, Pewhairangi (London Broncos RL); but 4 are no longer in professional sport: Carr, Finn, Harris-Wright (signed & apparently released by LI, back playing for Clontarf) and Porter.

It'll be interesting to see how many move on to other clubs this year as there are fewer ould heads (Loughs asides) in the group yet to re-sign.

connachta wrote: Nobody wants to react about him, but I still think, above Poolman/any NIQ, it's Loughney who's the most likely to be released (with Stevenson/Qualter)

LH : I do think a pretty solid NIQ could come, he will have constant gametime and ease up Buckley job (who plays too much, too many times the full 80).

+ I'm far from convinced by him in any of the few games he played since 2016... 33 next season, in addition...

Repeating myself a bit but Peter Dooley would be an incredible signing at loosehead, would make a lot of sense for him to move as well. Heard rumours Ulster were after him but we should be making a move as well IMO.

How many locks would you like to see in the senior squad next year? I'd like to see retain 5 and back the 3 academy lads to fill in beyond that

Mark Mostyn wrote:

connachta wrote: Nobody wants to react about him, but I still think, above Poolman/any NIQ, it's Loughney who's the most likely to be released (with Stevenson/Qualter)

LH : I do think a pretty solid NIQ could come, he will have constant gametime and ease up Buckley job (who plays too much, too many times the full 80).

+ I'm far from convinced by him in any of the few games he played since 2016... 33 next season, in addition...

Repeating myself a bit but Peter Dooley would be an incredible signing at loosehead, would make a lot of sense for him to move as well. Heard rumours Ulster were after him but we should be making a move as well IMO.

How many locks would you like to see in the senior squad next year? I'd like to see retain 5 and back the 3 academy lads to fill in beyond that

Yes that's what I said above for locks. But our 3 academy lads alternate between lock and blindside flanker, so a 6th one might be needed...

Dooley or Bent or NIQ/Project spot.

salmson wrote:

Mark Mostyn wrote: Releasing players is rough but it is a reality of sport, they will get decent (maybe even better) contracts elsewhere

I take your point in that the players know what they're getting in to, but not everyone will get a contract. Of the 10 players who left/were released by Connacht last season 6 are still playing and presumably on decent or better (or much better) contracts: Ah You, Henshaw, McGinty, Muldowney, Naoupu, Pewhairangi (London Broncos RL); but 4 are no longer in professional sport: Carr, Finn, Harris-Wright (signed & apparently released by LI, back playing for Clontarf) and Porter.

It'll be interesting to see how many move on to other clubs this year as there are fewer ould heads (Loughs asides) in the group yet to re-sign.

I'm sorry if this is very harsh but if a player is in his prime and can't get a contract at another province or Aviva/promotion seeking Championship/Top 14/promotion seeking ProD2 team then they're probably not good enough for a team with playoff/Champions Cup quarter final aspirations and shouldn't be kept out of sympathy. I'm not going to single out lads and I don't particularly like typing that but I think that's the harsh reality