New Signings.

www.the42.ie has Sammy Arnold and Conor Oliver coming to us from Munster for next season.
Let's hope this is the first of a number of signings as it doesn't address the areas where we clearly have no depth - a ball-carrying No8, one if not two Back 3 players - a winger and a full back, and another out half.
Arnold is another centre when we already have Bundee, Kyle Godwin, Tom Farrell, Robb, and Tom Daly. Struggle to see the logic in that.
Oliver is an out and out 7, so can see the logic in him as a replacement for Fainga'a; however he is injury-prone and maybe another Robin Copeland-type always injured. Would've preferred either Connors or Penny from Leinster who are better quality and a better injury profile. How are Leinster going to play their 10 back-rows next season anyway?
I presume we're still going to get Jasper Wiese from the Cheetahs which might solve the No8 problem, but a winger, a full back, and a 10 still crucial.

Why sign a centre?

I'm Just going to post this link.

www.connachtrugby.ie/tom-farrell-extends...tract-with-connacht/

Tall Paul wrote: Why sign a centre?

I'm Just going to post this link.

www.connachtrugby.ie/tom-farrell-extends...tract-with-connacht/

I'm wrong thank god

"Boost for Connacht as trio sign contract extensions" the42.ie/4879897

I stand to be corrected, but isn't Godwin's contract coming to an end this season?

Don't get me wrong, I love him as a player, and he's as as handy as a small pot with the amount of positions he's covered for us.

It would be disappointing to see him go but Connacht may want the flexibility of having a couple of NIQ spots available, with Colby also departing.

Jack Aungier - a tight head prop - has just signed from Leinster. Very good prospect apparently. Now we just need to complete the signings of Wiese from the Cheetahs, Harry Byrne from Leinster, and a 7, winger, and full back and tie down Godwin to an extension and we'll done some good business.

Tom Daly to the wing ?

Same physical stats as Duhan van der Merwe and George North. Has the height for catching Carty crosskicks and the pace and power to finish off an opportunity.

Kyle Godwin to Fullback ?

Another playmaker on the field like Beauden Barrett at FB for the AB's. Certainly big enough, smart enough, seems good under high ball, elusive and skillful, left foot another advantage and not too slow.

Connacht announce signings of four players ahead of 2020/21 season

Connacht Rugby are pleased to confirm the signings of Munster duo Sammy Arnold and Conor Oliver, and Leinster pair Jack Aungier and Oisin Dowling.

The quartet will become Connacht Rugby players from July 1st with Arnold, Dowling and Aungier penning two-year deals.

Irish international Sammy Arnold has made 44 appearances for Munster since joining the province from Ulster in 2016, scoring 8 tries in the process. The 24-year-old centre has been named both Ulster Academy Player of the Year and Munster Young Player of the Year, and made his International debut against USA in the 2018 Autumn Internationals.

Back row Conor Oliver has featured 28 times for Munster since making his debut in February 2016 and was named Munster Academy Player of the Year the following season. The 24-year-old can play on either flanks or as a number 8, expanding the coaching team’s options heading into the new season.

Oliver and Arnold both featured for Ireland in the 2015 World Rugby U20 Championship, who were then coached by current Connacht Attack Coach Nigel Carolan.

Jack Aungier made his Leinster senior debut last November and has gone on to make 5 appearances for the side in the current Guinness PRO14 season. The prop has also impressed at underage level, featuring for the Ireland U20s and U18 Clubs squad.

Oisin Dowling arrives from the Leinster Rugby Academy having played 6 times for the senior squad in the past two seasons. The 6’5’’ lock has also been capped at Irish U20 level.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Head Coach Andy Friend says all four players can make significant contributions to the squad ahead of the new season.

‘“In Sammy, Conor, Oisin and Jack we have secured the signings of four very talented and promising young Irish rugby players. They each have unique skillsets which will enhance our squad for next season and beyond, and will allow us to continue to grow as a program. We’re all looking forward to welcoming them to The Sportsground and integrating them into our playing squad.”

www.the42.ie/robin-copeland-connacht-france-5102150-May2020/

Robin Copeland off to Soyaux-Angouleme in Pro D2

Godwin leaving, contract not extended.
He wanted to stay.
Very tough as he’s been a great player and can cover so many positions.
I’m disappointed, I know he’s not Irish qualified, but has been a great addition to Connacht
Bon Voyage Kyle!

Irfu decision I bet.
He probably was at the top of most mins played last year.

Explains Sams signing.
He was a great player to have. Played in every position bar 9 for us.
He will be a big lost. He will be a great signing for someone

You'd worry about the signings thus far.

Out
Tom Mc
Copeland
Colby
Godwin

In
Oliver
Aungier
Dowling
Arnold

Very hard to paint any of those guys as better than the players they are replacing.

Don't want to talk down the lads coming in, all of them have the ability or the potential to be good squad players for us, but we were short on numbers, quality and size this year. All of the lads coming in could be considered on the small side for their position, with the exception of Arnold but with Farell, Aki, Robb and Daly already available center is probably the only spot we aren't short on size, depth or quality.
Elephant in the room is we have no idea where finances are at. Interesting point I noticed about Marx leaving the Lions:

World Cup winner Malcolm Marx is one five people who will leave the Super Rugby Lions after South African rugby introduced the industry salary plan (ISP) to deal with the repercussions of Covid-19. The 21-day window allows for players and staff to cancel their current contracts with immediate effect.

So is every SA union staff member up for grabs?
Surely there's a bargain to be had if that's the case, whether we can afford the bargain is a different matter.

Glass half full outlook: good to see some fringe players in other provinces challenging themselves and backing themselves to make an impact with us.

Looking at the budgets of the salaries going out and I would guess coming in.

I would say there has to more signings going to be announced. Fingers crossed a starting 8 and back 3 players

cabaiste wrote: I stand to be corrected, but isn't Godwin's contract coming to an end this season?

Don't get me wrong, I love him as a player, and he's as as handy as a small pot with the amount of positions he's covered for us.

It would be disappointing to see him go but Connacht may want the flexibility of having a couple of NIQ spots available, with Colby also departing.

Good call Shane.
Has the oracle any other predictions?

I think we're very nearly done. I'd expect de Buitlear, Murray, Sean Masterson, and possibly Tierney-Martin to be promoted from the academy, and Jasper Wiese to sign.

At lock if we keep Maksymiw and add Murray we're carrying two more than last year (thank God) and it's probably 2 out 3 in the backrow if none of Gallagher, McKeon, and Masterson leave.

That leaves us likely looking at an outhalf (unless one is promoted from the academy), (at least) one scrumhalf, (at least) one hooker.

There are some other possibilities; they may decide 6 back 3 players isn't enough given how last year went, they may need a loosehead if they let both Matthew Burke and McCabe go or decide we need 4 looseheads instead of 3 (we did last year).

We have only one NIQ - Porch - at the moment, with Wiese likely to be a second. Thus far the other provinces have only 6 between them for next year - Fardy, Snyman, da Allende, Carter, Coetzee, Faddes - so I'd imagine we'll only be signing one or at most two NIQs in addition to that.

(Those marked staying confirmed by branch and/or player themselves).

Back 3:

Staying: Adeolokun, Fitzgerald, Healy, O'Halloran, Porch.
Possible addition: de Buitlear
Likely leaving: Leader

Centre:

Staying: Aki, Daly, Farrell, Robb.
Addition: Arnold
Likely leaving: Godwin

Out-half:

Staying: Carty, Fitzgerald.
Likely leaving: Horwitz

Scrum-half:

Staying: Blade, Marmion.
Unknown: Kerins, Lloyd.

Loosehead:

Staying: Buckley, McAllister.
Unknown: M. Burke, McCabe.

Hooker:

Staying: Delahunt, Heffernan.
Possible addition: Tierney-Martin
Retiring: McCartney
Unknown: Murphy

Tighthead:

Staying: Bealham, Robertson-McCoy.
Addition: Aungier
Likely leaving: R. Burke
Unknown: Kenny

Lock:

Staying: Dillane, Roux, Thornbury.
Addition: Dowling
Possible addition: Murray
Unknown: Maksymiw

Backrow:

Staying: Boyle, Butler, O'Brien.
Addition: Oliver
Possible addition: Wiese
Leaving: Copeland, Fainga'a.
Unknown: Gallagher, McKeon, Masterson.

I could be wrong.
McKeown contract is up. I'm guessing Oliver will replace him.
JB back to 7.

We sign a new 8, Boyle Masterson, SOB to fight for 6. Boyle is favourite IMO to make the Jersey his own