Not a fan of Kelleher but K.K seems to be. Others would think the same for Griffin/Ronaldson.
Good overall to consolidate squad options IMO

connachta wrote:

Mark Mostyn wrote: Eamon Sheridan
Piers O'Connor (don't know anything about him found him on Connachta's list)

Sheridan doesn't start any game with 12th club of French 2nd Tier rugby (Carcassonne) ....
And O'Connor signed with Pat Lam

Renewals here lads which puts some opinions to bed.

www.connachtrugby.ie/kelleher-ronaldson-...to-extend-contracts/

Mark Mostyn wrote: Eamon Sheridan
Piers O'Connor (don't know anything about him found him on Connachta's list)

Sheridan doesn't start any game with 12th club of French 2nd Tier rugby (Carcassonne) ....
And O'Connor signed with Pat Lam

With Godwin Griffin and Ronaldson (not that much injured this season) + Aki/Farrell + a utility-back straight in for Ili (13/14), we'd have 5 and a half centres on a 43-44-man-squad. That's enough IMO

Put money on a real top-quality 10 and Connacht will be brillant again

Mack the knife wrote: I thought Griffin was out of contract too at the end of the Season,I thought he would be a candidate to be set loose, in favor of a less injury prone, up and coming option. Maybe an IQ recruit from the championship.

He is. I think throughout the season we've gotten a good idea of who Keane does and doesn't rate. Griffin has played 15 times, I wouldn't put him into the latter category with the likes of Scholes, Ili, Deegan, Crosbie, Cooney etc. who can't get a look in.

I'm trying to think who might be available, off the top of my head:

Darren Cave
David Johnston
Tom Daly
Brendan Macken
Eamon Sheridan
Piers O'Connor (don't know anything about him found him on Connachta's list)

www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-union/bru...20180320-h0xr2p.html

I thought Griffin was out of contract too at the end of the Season,I thought he would be a candidate to be set loose, in favor of a less injury prone, up and coming option. Maybe an IQ recruit from the championship.

It's definitely a 2 year deal, Craggy got the info directly from Connacht.

connachta wrote: So NIQ spot for Ahki is used
Now easy calls are straight use in the same posisition of Deegan/Ili NIQ spots (utility-back/fly-half)

Remains Dawai's spot.
As we have very young locks from Academy + partly unavailable Roux/Dillane I'd be in favour of signing a good NIQ there, if Browne leaves

I'm convinced we could sign a IQ guy like Dougall/Butler (not ours, the other one ) /Gilsenan/Timmins to replace Dawai as 20

We don't really know what the NIQ policy is now, not that it was ever particularly opaque.

I think we'll definitely need one more player that can at least cover centre to a decent standard. I'm assuming Robb will leave and we'll be left with Aki, Godwin, Farrell, Ronaldson, and Griffin. I don't think that's enough given Ronaldson's injury record and the fact that Aki's minutes are likely to be managed more next season. We've relied hugely on Tom Farrell this season (most minutes played of any of our centres). He's been great but if he were to get injured we'd be very thin. Plus we're probably going to lose a few guys who could cover centre in an emergency, like Crosbie, Ili, and Brennan.

I've been banging on for ages about signing a hardy grizzled lock to add a tough edge to our pack and mentor the myriad prospects we have, so I agree with you there. Wouldn't be worried about losing Dillane and Roux to Ireland duty too often, think they'll be fifth and sixth choice next season. A lot depends on Browne, if he stays I think having 8 senior locks and O'Brien and Copeland as cover would be hard to justify for a team with our limited resources.

Back row is an interesting one. I guess a lot depends on whether management feel Masterson, Boyle, or Fox are good enough to be options next season. Ignoring them, we only have 3 backrows signed up for next season.I think we definitely have the most need for a 7, even if Connolly stays. I've seen very little of Timmins but I'd have faith in a player who's spent so long in a Leinster system that's churning out world class back rows to cover 6/8 if needed.

So NIQ spot for Ahki is used
Now easy calls are straight use in the same posisition of Deegan/Ili NIQ spots (utility-back/fly-half)

Remains Dawai's spot.
As we have very young locks from Academy + partly unavailable Roux/Dillane I'd be in favour of signing a good NIQ there, if Browne leaves

I'm convinced we could sign a IQ guy like Dougall/Butler (not ours, the other one ) /Gilsenan/Timmins to replace Dawai as 20

Did you see what Nigel said yesterday.
More big signings to follow after Godwin official announcement.

Fingers crossed they make a big impact.
And great to seeing new blood being added to the squad.
Great work so far Willie and the boys

Godwin talks about " play a significant part in that over the next few seasons." A sign it's a 2-y-deal maybe...

pinky wrote: No mention of a contract length. Sounds like he's available available once the Brumbies season is over though, i.e no NRC commitments.

Craggy podcast are saying 2 years in the tweet for the new episode. Dunno if they just assume that as standard contract length or not.

No mention of a contract length. Sounds like he's available available once the Brumbies season is over though, i.e no NRC commitments.

Canberra Times reckon he'll be a loss to the Wallabies so must be handy enough.
www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-union/bru...20180320-h0xqso.html

Yea I see there is no mention of him being signed as a ten but he can play 10 and has played 10.

Whatever position he plays in I think it's a good signing.