This has made my day, good man Robbie, putting the rumour to bed.

Robbie Henshaw committed to Connacht and gunning for Ireland jersey

www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/provincial/2015/0...mmitted-to-connacht/

Babbling Brook's 'Rumour Mill' should make interesting reading over the next few days... :whistle:

Agree regarding Kearney, he'd probably be better off waiting, but he is from Dublin and will eventually look to head back there.

In fairness to Keatley he got to spend a couple of years learning from O'Gara, while he would have been first choice here if he stayed, you can see why he went

phatguerilla wrote: With swifty retiring Kearney to Leinster would be a bigger blow than henshaw IMO. Can't see how it would make sense for the irfu either to hamstring us with only 2 viable locks for next season like that, although the World Cup does cause Leinster to get extra greedy.

This isn't really an issue of Leinster poaching though, or of IRFU "hamstring us" - if he want's to go I see no issue with it
I think it is a silly move though, he is 23, he should sign a 2 year deal and continue getting first team rugby here. If he want's to move at 25 when he would prob be guaranteed selection (basing this on his development trajectory) then off ya go and good luck (he is a Dublin lad after all)
Whole thing seems like an Ian Keatley to Munster kind of move. Few years down the line prob make first team but why move and sit on bench till then when can stay and play

With swifty retiring Kearney to Leinster would be a bigger blow than henshaw IMO. Can't see how it would make sense for the irfu either to hamstring us with only 2 viable locks for next season like that, although the World Cup does cause Leinster to get extra greedy.

Henry will play his future when he comes back in April
Qualter and Browne weren't particularly efficient but one of the two must be kept as we're short of 5/6/8
Cooney (JP) has to show himself with Eagles at least, same for Fafita and O'Leary
John Cooney should be signed if Leinster gets rid of him
Fionn and Miah, sadly, should be released
Swifty as McFarland assistant
Mils : it depends on the physical situation

The rest of the list, with Poolman as prime emergency, has to be renewed

Since 'tis the season of speculation, I updated the squad list in the stats section to highlight the contracts that are up for renewal.
25 in all. Time to start getting some business done.
connachtclan.com/stats/squad-2014-2015

I was away for a while there so let me know if I missed any announcements. AFAIK there were only 3.5 so far (Buckley, Leader, Adeolokun, Roux).

Some dropped the name of Sandford, for once I think it's a pretty bad idea.. he didn't play a single minute with London Welsh, despite of the fact they're bottom of the table with 1 point.. If they don't try him in this desperate situation, he's not worth it...

Jamie Hagan is in the situation he currently is in because of the rule changes in the scrum.

menacethedenis wrote: Roux's loan extended until the end of the season, hope we can get him permanently before then.

www.connachtrugby.ie/squad-update-ahead-...nburgh/#ConnachtNews

I think that I read that he's out of contract this summer, so he should be free to make his own decision then

Over on the Leinster supporters forum, they think that they're getting Mick Kearney, and we're keeping Roux.
Personally, I think Kearney needs a few more years of consistent game time, or he will become the next Jamie Hagan.

Roux's loan extended until the end of the season, hope we can get him permanently before then.

www.connachtrugby.ie/squad-update-ahead-...nburgh/#ConnachtNews

we should have at least one NIQ spot to use so I think we need to be recruiting an experienced Backrow player in preperation for next years Champions Cup, nothing stands out in Ireland anyway. Most of the younger guys at Leinster need a year or 2 more experience.

4 senior backrow are up for contract renewal, along with marshall who has been playing more lock this year but can cover at 6. Along with 3 academy backrow graduating this season.

7 guys who play the same positions and whose contract is up. You'd assume some or at least one will go. Who are the three academy players? I'm thinking Van der Flier, Coughlan and Leavy?

Havent seen it anywhere that Sarries have offered Sheriff a new contract, he is on loan at Bedford Blues this season. All 4 of those locks I mentioned could do a decent job for you.

4 senior backrow are up for contract renewal, along with marshall who has been playing more lock this year but can cover at 6. Along with 3 academy backrow graduating this season.

Could go after an irish qualified lock in Brian Hayes, Eoin Sherrif, James Sandford or Mark Flanagan.

Saracens want to keep Sherrif and have offered him a contract afaik. He might want to come back though to fight for a international place but I can't see it happening. Of the four above Flanagan would be my pick hands down. Anyone know how Dave Nolan is doing with Bourgoin?

With regard Leinster I think 5 of their backrowers contract are up

Jennings (never going to leave)
McLaughlin (wouldn't touch him with a barge pole waaaay to injury prone and wouldn't be surprised if he ends up at L.I.)
Ryan (would love to have and might come here for first XV rugby to boost his international chances)
Murphy (Leinster really want to keep him so can't see him moving)
Van der Flier (might move but doubt it)

The one backrower who might wash up on these shores is Ben Marshall. He's 24 and hasn't gotten anywhere with Leinster so now is the time to move. He's a player like Browne who can play second row but is probably a better six. Could easily see him in green next year.

Any else see the tweet from Linley McKenzie?
Roux staying with us for the rest of the season and free to sign for us thereafter. Great news!!

Second Row: Muldowney has being a revelation this season after a spotty one last year. Kearney is still on his up-ward trajectory of being an international some day and Ultan Dillane has come in and shown he can mix it with the big boys. Swift and Browne haven't had a great season and i think there is a definite argument for making Browne a permanent six. We also have Leinster's Quin Roux who has shown that he is a class player and seems to be enjoying his rugby with us. With rumours going round that Swift might retire it is imperative that we hold on to Roux. In the youth ranks Cian Romaine has being kicking ass and taking names so wouldn't be surprised to see him getting elevated sooner rather than later.

Replacements: Holding on to Roux would be the first imperative. Also wouldn't mind a older second row coming in guiding some of the younger lads who are still quite young.

Thought I heard that Mick Kearney is pretty much Leinster bound for next season no? Would hope for his own sake is untrue as he wouldn't be guaranteed first XV rugby there..
We gotta keep Roux. He has just been getting better and better every game