Pat has worked with him before so i will trust his judgement on this

clanman wrote: am i the only one who is completely unexcited about this new signing, with champions cup rugby still a possibility and NIQ spots precious to the club and the fact is we all know where our weakeness have been we end up throwing away our NIQ on an unproven no7. in fact any other position in the forwards and i might have a different opinion.

the other thing is with swift retiring and dan moving on surely there is cash in the pot for a significant signing

At this point I'd pay a million euro for a half decent openside that proves to be at all durable. Heenan and Faloon together over the past 2 seasons have equaled 1 player. As galway_gas said, F-M is not likely on big money so I'm sure there's more signings to come.

NIE/NIQ for next year (so far) are: Tom, Jake, George, Bundee, and the new lad Nepia Fox-Matamua.

Does that leave us with one or two more slots to fill?

I'd say this is a low cost signing in response to Jakes ongoing problems and willies premature departure. An extra niq/project spot could easily be part of the negotiations as part of the agreement with Ulster/irfu to let willie go early. Tom McCartney played with "Nepes" in last years itm cup and should know his potential. I was half hoping we'd get Vanderflier. Unlikely now.

am i the only one who is completely unexcited about this new signing, with champions cup rugby still a possibility and NIQ spots precious to the club and the fact is we all know where our weakeness have been we end up throwing away our NIQ on an unproven no7. in fact any other position in the forwards and i might have a different opinion.

the other thing is with swift retiring and dan moving on surely there is cash in the pot for a significant signing

Was ahead of Jake in the academy so hopefully another good piece of business by Pat www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/pro12/con...t&utm_medium=twitter

salmson wrote:

galway_gas wrote:
I've heard glasgow - surprising unless Townsend moving onwards.

Well played sir - Glasgow forwards coach leaving at end of season, so whoever was whispering to you regarding Dan looks bang on the money.

www.pro12rugby.com/news/16928.php

nothing confirmed but my clydeside friends are usually right

Tiernan O'Halloran and Eoghan Masterson added to ERC squad for knockout stages.

galway_gas wrote:
I've heard glasgow - surprising unless Townsend moving onwards.

Well played sir - Glasgow forwards coach leaving at end of season, so whoever was whispering to you regarding Dan looks bang on the money.

www.pro12rugby.com/news/16928.php

phatguerilla wrote: I realize it's a very dangerous comparison to make but size-stats wise he's not that different from steffon armitage.

A very dangerous comparison indeed. Does he have a perma-banned long string of misery for a brother?

I realize it's a very dangerous comparison to make but size-stats wise he's not that different from steffon armitage. If he offers something similar at ruck time that would be fantastic.

On paper it doesn't look like the most inspiring signing for a NIE player but Pat must see something in him to back him to come over so hopefully it'll work out. Worst case scenario at least he'll be able to do any electrical work for us!

Accidentally Onside wrote: Seems he only has 2 caps for Auckland's NPC side

+3 apps for North Harbour in 2013. As you say not a huge number for a 23 year old, and his size might be an issue (1.75 m. - 5'9" - and 99kg).

ConnachtBOB wrote:

ConnachtCows wrote: ConnachtBob from on here sent me a picture from the Independent. Seems we're signing flanker Nepia Fox-Matamua from Auckland this summer. Can't find it online though

Great name!
Seems he only has 2 caps for Auckland's NPC side, but also seems he was on a Blues development squad, though you might hope for more from a 24 year old

There's bits and pieces about university and seems he's about to become a qualified electrician so he has his head screwed on straight anyway.

Bar a certain Solialo Pat's recruitment has been brilliant though so happy to wait and see.

clanman wrote: it's been very quiet on the team news, also when was Lam due to be called up for sentence?

Travels to Glasgow for the meeting next week I believe.

ConnachtCows wrote: ConnachtBob from on here sent me a picture from the Independent. Seems we're signing flanker Nepia Fox-Matamua from Auckland this summer. Can't find it online though