Connacht Squad 2017-2018

connachta wrote: Yeah not unhappy at all.
Just wonder what it means for Leader/Kelleher/Conroy.
Anyway definitely not much room for Ili in the back 3, he has to compete with Farrell/Griffin/Brennan for the 13 spot too if he wants some gametime

12. Aki/Ronaldson/Robb
13. Griffin/Farrell/Brennan
11. Healy/Ili/Conroy
14. Niyi/Kelleher/Byrne or Leavy
15. TOH//Scholes/Leader

With the caveat that Scholes will be primarily a fullback:

Leader will have to prove his form, he (very understandably) struggled when he came back last season.

For me Kelleher was much better for us on the wing, he'll get a lot of gametime there if he can stay fit, and will have established himself as first choice by the end of the season IMO.

We don't even know if we're planning on signing Conroy. Even if we don't he'll be stepping up a division with Buccaneers and playing top class sevens so his career will still be progressing.

Clear and obvious sour grapes with clanman getting all the publicity ☺. On another matter won't both Tom and Bundee be available for the Autumn internationals should they sign up to Ireland. Bundee certainly has a clear chance to impress with both Robbie and Gary likely out injured. If so it would be nice to have a recognized centre signed up. If not so I still think it would be great if we could sign a NIQ centre of note

Just reading this interview from when Rory joined Edinburgh. He see himself as more of a 15 and is his favorite position.
www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-union/rory-...-15-jersey-1-4199763

"playing FB is something I want to do.I can have more influence, come into the game more when I want and have a more kicking game. I like the responsibility in defence as well.”

We will appreciate that when TOH is away with Ireland!

If Scholes is the main FB cover, with Kelleher having the profile there too, and as we're short for centres, I wonder :

isn't it the right time to convert Leader there? Has he got more defensive potential than Kell/Ili?

connachta wrote: "playing FB is something I want to do.I can have more influence, come into the game more when I want and have a more kicking game. I like the responsibility in defence as well.”

We will appreciate that when TOH is away with Ireland!

If Scholes is the main FB cover, with Kelleher having the profile there too, and as we're short for centres, I wonder :

isn't it the right time to convert Leader there? Has he got more defensive potential than Kell/Ili?

I could see him at 12 sooner than 13. He reminds of Reece Hodge a bit, very similar build, running style, and monster boot.

When is the Academy being announced? Its getting quite worrying that we are 3 weeks or so till the beginning of the season and we still don't know who's in it. Im going to take a wild guess and say because many players from other provinces are waiting to see their LC result and find out were they will go to collage and then decide weather they want to be in UCD or Galway IT?

Cathalsmart wrote: When is the Academy being announced? Its getting quite worrying that we are 3 weeks or so till the beginning of the season and we still don't know who's in it. Im going to take a wild guess and say because many players from other provinces are waiting to see their LC result and find out were they will go to collage and then decide weather they want to be in UCD or Galway IT?

Hmm I don't think that's it. We don't sign lads to the academy straight from schools in other provinces, or even straight from our own schools.

Great to see Rory Scholes join. He'll play back up to TOH when Tiernan's away on Irish duty (fingers crossed), and will ensure good competition for Niyi, Matt, and Cian for the wing positions otherwise.

inpho.ie/cache/inpho/30/a6/39/5c9d3862eb...3/INPHO_01248322.jpg

Here we are, fresh start!

Do we think new squad recruitment is over for 2017-2018. I see that Western Force have been culled as a Super Rugby team. Some players may be available and looking for a move

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pekahou_Cowan
Well this guy would be the perfect NIQ experienced cover for Buckley if Coulson does not come

connachta wrote: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pekahou_Cowan
Well this guy would be the perfect NIQ experienced cover for Buckley if Coulson does not come

Curtis Rona, Jono Lance, some serious talent suddenly available if there's budget left (or if the half million from SARU hasn't been spent already).

As a Western Force fan who has abandon Australia rugby and now a proud Connacht fan they're a plenty of talented guy's looking for teams!

If you could swap Deegan for Lance would be a massive improvement. Pek would be a great pick up, just had his best seasons in years.

Rona will be going back to the NRL (rugby league) but there is some good talent that will be looking overseas that would be worth a look.

Not sure what positions you're a bit thin on and I know the start of the seasons not far away but I'd recommend looking at these guys.

Lock - Matt Phillip, Backrow - Kane Koteka and Angus Cottrell, Scrum/Flyhalf - Ian Prior

Welcome Western Force.
Loosehead and Centre are positions where we could do with adding guys. Not sure there is any money left in the pot though.