Connacht squad 2018-2019.

I wouldn't agree at all Sea Point. Dillane is still a key part of our squad and in our top three locks in front of Cannon and Maksimiw. Presuming he wants to continue in the running for Irish caps he needs to play for an Irish province. You're not advocating Munster getting yet another player handed to them by the IRFU after Haley, Carbery, Mathewson, Beirne are you?

To be honest I couldn't disagree more. He has more league appearances and starts than any of our locks this season, more minutes (by about 240) overall, and has played the full 80 eight times, which rather knocks any mobility/fitness questions on the head. Sure he runs funny but if we're releasing players on that basis Carty and Farrell will be out the door with him.

Roux is probably first choice lock but Thornbury has a way to go to overtake Ultan, and Cannon (much as I'm a fan) isn't in the same ballpark at all.

No way he'll go to Leinster or to Munster - with Beirne down south and Ultan not scrummaging at tight head lock he wouldn't make the 23 for the big games.

If he decides Ireland don't want him and he heads to France good luck to him. But he'd be an almost irreplacable loss for us.

He has some interest from a French side but if he stays it will almost certainly be with Connacht.

Bazzo wrote: He has some interest from a French side but if he stays it will almost certainly be with Connacht.

That’s what I heard .... from a connacht man living in Munster that Racing have a significant offer on the table.

The Indo says Cian Kelleher is “likely” to rejoin Leinster on a two year deal

That's really disappointing, and for him I would have thought things look tougher at Leinster than when he left. with Lowe, Byrne and Daly having come on the scene, while he can challenge them he's definitely in a better position at Connacht to get decent gametime.

Whilst it would be disappointing it wouldn't be a mortal blow.
He's been quite good for us but nothing that couldn't be replaced.
If he's moving back to Leinster I'd imagine it's for largely personal reasons.

Swop deal with Adam Byrne and we'll have had the best of the transaction! Still, this is a pity to hear if it's true. Cian has played well for Connacht and hopefully will have a Pro14 medal to show for it at the end of the season.

He should have a chat with Fionn Carr before he decides to go. He's been pretty good going forward for us while fit, especially over the past couple of seasons, but I genuinely think it would be a poor career move for him.

That said, if he does go all the best to him and it's completely understandable why he might make that choice.

I like Kelleher, I really do, and I think it would be a bad move for him Professionally.
Saying that, I wouldn't be heart broken to see him go, as long as we signed a decent replacement.

Realistically, I'd say he's just sick of getting wedgies from Quin Roux every game

It reads any awful lot like leveraging for a new contract to me. Couldn't see him and Byrne both at Leinster at the same time tbh.

ConnachtCows wrote: Realistically, I'd say he's just sick of getting wedgies from Quin Roux every game

Yeah, his lucky blue boxers just aren't going to last if it continues. No choice for the lad really.

RonanL wrote:

ConnachtCows wrote: Realistically, I'd say he's just sick of getting wedgies from Quin Roux every game

Yeah, his lucky blue boxers just aren't going to last if it continues. No choice for the lad really.

How did we miss this before? The jocks are Dublin blue. Of course he's moving home. He's been telling us all season

That or he just owns one pair of jocks, and if thats the case, then he deserves a better contract. Have you seen his jeans? They must be ancient. Rips all over them

Let's all relax and realise this is in the independent, so it has about a 10% chance of being based on any legitimate evidence.

Besides Kelleher is a useful player, but given the choice I'd rather hold on to any of Niyi, Healy, Tiernan or Leader thb.