Connacht squad 2018-2019.

Rumour confirmed!

www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-rugby-anno...n-from-the-brumbies/

ThisYearWillBeDifferent wrote: Rumour confirmed!

www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-rugby-anno...n-from-the-brumbies/

I don’t know much about him but I presume he’s a second-five-eighth type of centre. Gives us a lot of options with two distributing 12s, and the option of playing Bundee in a similar role to the one he plays for Ireland. I wonder will Farrell play more at 13 next year.

It’ll be interesting to see what happens with Griffin and Robb.

Mark Mostyn wrote: I don’t know much about him but I presume he’s a second-five-eighth type of centre.

Watched him last week, he distributed well but was somewhat hamstrung by Lealifano inside him having an absolute mare at 10.

He's looks much a centre-type-of-centre from his starts, not sure where the notion that he can/does play 10 or 10ish came from (my best guess is under-researched Indo journalists). Has played more at 12 than 13, but has indeed played entire seasons at 13, which is where I suspect he'll end up up for us. Otherwise we're expending a good chunk of budget and an NIE spot on a sub/dirt-tracker (btw this is also why I think Copeland is definitely going to be our starting 8 next season).

Banm wrote: I'm very happy with this signing. He did very well with the Force when he broke into the squad.

He's a good 10. Not gonna smash people but does everything well. Solid player

A passing 12.

Dont think he is a 10 at all and from the announcemnt hasnt being signed ad a 10.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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