Mark Mostyn wrote:
So O'Toole and Brennan are graduating a year early, hope we get to see a bit of them next year.

Not necessarily - several recent graduates (Eoghan Masterson would be a good example) were only ever on two year academy paths, and the revamp of academies last years means there is no fixed length, with players being reviewed for promotion, release or retention from their first year.

I note that Carolan is down as the backs coach. It will be interesting to see if Keane takes the skills role or brings in another coach. Usual complement is 4 coaches per province, but Munster had 5 this year until Axel Foley's tragic passing, so there may be some wiggle room.

connemara man wrote: Connacht Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to announce that Academy players Conor McKeon, Cormac Brennan and Pat O’Toole have all been rewarded with senior contracts for next season.

So O'Toole and Brennan are graduating a year early, hope we get to see a bit of them next year.

Connacht Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to announce that Academy players Conor McKeon, Cormac Brennan and Pat O’Toole have all been rewarded with senior contracts for next season.

connachta wrote:

Mark Mostyn wrote:

FACECUTTR wrote: Has played English underage but hopefully he is IQ.
Seems well rated by the fans.
To be honest I'd prefer to hear of a centre or LH to be honest.

It'd be a bit strange to have 3 back up scrumhalves in and around the same age, especially in a Challenge Cup season. Do you think we'll get a centre? We already have 5, not counting Crosibe who has played a fair bit of 12.

Maybe Keane will see both Ili and Leader as utility backs. Still think we desperately need 2 poworful ball-carriers, including 1 back-line one...

I was counting Ronaldson, Aki, Farrell, Robb, and Griffin as our centres. I had forgotten about Ili tbh, Leader is exclusively back 3 for me. So that's 8 guys that can play centre if you include Dawai, are we likely to sign anyone else? I would like to see us bring someone in, but I do think those guys can improve with better coaching, which I think they'll get with Keane and Carolan

Mark Mostyn wrote:

FACECUTTR wrote: Has played English underage but hopefully he is IQ.
Seems well rated by the fans.
To be honest I'd prefer to hear of a centre or LH to be honest.

It'd be a bit strange to have 3 back up scrumhalves in and around the same age, especially in a Challenge Cup season. Do you think we'll get a centre? We already have 5, not counting Crosibe who has played a fair bit of 12.

Maybe Keane will see both Ili and Leader as utility backs. Still think we desperately need 2 poworful ball-carriers, including 1 back-line one...

FACECUTTR wrote: Has played English underage but hopefully he is IQ.
Seems well rated by the fans.
To be honest I'd prefer to hear of a centre or LH to be honest.

It'd be a bit strange to have 3 back up scrumhalves in and around the same age, especially in a Challenge Cup season. Do you think we'll get a centre? We already have 5, not counting Crosibe who has played a fair bit of 12.

Magic and fun to come

Has played English underage but hopefully he is IQ.
Seems well rated by the fans.
To be honest I'd prefer to hear of a centre or LH to be honest.

So none of our 4 SH above 25....
Good news though (if IQ)

Sale fans twitter says The Rugby Paper is reporting scrumhalf James Mitchell to sign for us.

Invalid consumer key/secret in configuration

Presumably IQ.

mahick wrote: Any truth he's moving west..

Earlier today All Blacks Assistant Coach Wayne Smith announced he is stepping down from the All Blacks at the end of the Investec Rugby Championship.


How to start a rumour.. but wouldn't it be nice

I wish

He's retiring(for now).

connachta wrote:

salmson wrote: Munster peeps on Twitter say McCabe is moving to Connacht.

Yeah saw that too, he's the new Coulson, but less advanced in his professional gametime...

munsterrugby.ie/player?PlayGuid=PM506003

salmson wrote: Munster peeps on Twitter say McCabe is moving to Connacht.

Yeah saw that too, he's the new Coulson, but less advanced in his professional gametime...

Munster peeps on Twitter say McCabe is moving to Connacht.

salmson wrote:

connachta wrote: Centre Francis Saili, prop Peter McCabe and lock John Madigan are also set to move clubs

Madigan is off to Massy in Pro D2

thanks for the piece of information.
Won't happen but could in Nov when Aki is IQ : a Bundee/Francis centre pairing.
Dreams, dreams...

connachta wrote: Centre Francis Saili, prop Peter McCabe and lock John Madigan are also set to move clubs

Madigan is off to Massy in Pro D2