Connacht squad 2018-2019.

Official from Pau

Foley, Dougall and Butler released (all experienced capped players from 28 to 30 y.o).
Cannon, Gallagher, Claffey, Connolly, McKeon are out of contract in the 2nd/Back-row
I'm the feeling at least one of them will sign for us...

I don't think they'd be interested in coming to be squad players at Connacht, which with the depth we have in some of those positions is what they'd be, and while they'd be great additions, I'd prefer to see the likes of Gallagher and Boyle getting the game time, of the 3 Foley would be the one I'd have most interest in, and still he'd be behind Roux, Dillane and Thornbury at least for the big games.

Roux Dillane and later Thornbury will be used for Ireland
Foley would have as much time as Cannon has, which is way more than he has in Pau right now...

Cannon calls lineouts when roux and thornbury aren’t playing, can foley do this?
Maksymiw must be one the coaches rate as he’s captaining the eagles, I’d expect him to get more game time next season along with Gallagher. Don’t think a second row is needed

Foley seems to be always carrying an injury too. I think we are well stocked in the 2nd and back row.
A quality Tighthead and back 3 player is what's required.

Butler caught most of the lineouts today... Don't know if he can call

it's back 3 players and a back-up 10 we need not ex-Munster back row players who wouldn't improve us in a strong area.

That's been 10 years we're looking for backup 10...

connachta wrote: That's been 10 years we're looking for backup 10...

Agreed. But hopefully that's solved with the display Godwin gave against Ospreys - I know you can't judge anyone on one game, but he has experience of the role at top level and to be honest he was excellent against Ospreys.
I'd have confidence in seeing him at 10

overall i agree it's a possibility but he was guilty on the only Ospreys try, charged down so not that used to clear out...

I wouldn't be hugely excited to see him starting the big games at 10, but with Aki and Farrell in the centre it gives us a great option at 22 so we can have total coverage in the backs with a back 3 player at 23.

connachta wrote: overall i agree it's a possibility but he was guilty on the only Ospreys try, charged down so not that used to clear out...

I'll pick you up on that one - there were only two blockers in the line (should have been at least three) and none of them were showing any animation to receive the ball (and force the Ospreys players to consider/cover a possible carry). Carolan specifically called out the lack of an "escort" as the cause of the try when he was interviewed at half time.

Thought Stephen Fitzgerald's loan was only 3 months but obviously I was wrong - he's been added to our Challenge Cup squad along with Tom Daly.

salmson wrote: Thought Stephen Fitzgerald's loan was only 3 months but obviously I was wrong - he's been added to our Challenge Cup squad along with Tom Daly.

From what I read, it was 3 months initially, and has been extended

Must say after tonight's Treviso game, I think Jack Carty must be the most improved player in the Pro 14.
That 20 minute cameo tonight was something else.