wp_rathead wrote: Am I the only person who is expecting a Robb - Aki partnership rather than a Aki - Griffin one?

From what I saw Griffin was mainly played at 12 with LI (when he played that is). Maybe Pat is looking to continue that and keep Bundee at 13

Am I the only person who is expecting a Robb - Aki partnership rather than a Aki - Griffin one?

That team is inexperienced enough not to add Brennan now.
5-6 of the 23 players have less than 10 games in a top Championship

If Dillane can play, it's barely a 50/50... If he can't I can't see how we'll beat Glasgow TBH...

Cormac Brennan might be in with a shot at 11 or 23, given he started vs. Montpellier, but otherwise the team picks itself alright.

Best case scenario, with Marmion and Dillane available at least on the bench

15. Cian Kelleher
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Eoin Griffin
12. Bundee Aki
11. Danie Poolman
10. Jack Carty
09. Caolin Blade

01. Denis Buckley
02. Tom McCartney
03. Dominic Robertson-McCoy
04. Daniel Qualter
05. Lewis Stevenson
06. Eoin McKeon
07. Nepia Fox-Matamua
08. John Muldoon (captain)

16. Dave Heffernan
17. Ronan Loughney
18. Conor Carey
19. Ultan Dillane
20. James Connolly
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Shane O'Leary
23. Rory Parata/Peter Robb/Josh Rowland

Conor Lowndes/McKeon are there if Kieran can't play, but I can't see any potential 19 except Ultan. Fox is only 1m85

Darragh wrote: I get that Roux, Marshall and Browne are mostly permanently injured.

A tad harsh on Browney, he had the same number of appearances as Dillane (17) and two more starts than him (13) last season. Can't argue with you on the other two.

Darragh wrote: At this stage, we may have to go for a medical joker for a few months. Or find someone decent from the AIL.

Or swifty returns. If isa can return to Leinster, swifty can come back here

I get that Roux, Marshall and Browne are mostly permanently injured, but the three academy locks also is mind boggling to be honest.

At this stage, we may have to go for a medical joker for a few months. Or find someone decent from the AIL.

Nolan signed in English Championship.
It's either Dillane on the bench or... no one, literally.

Dave Nolan might be drafted in seen as Danny Qualter, Lewis Stevenson and hopefully Ultan are the only locks available, especially with SOB also injured.

So out of ten senior and academy locks, we have Qualter and Stevenson fit and will be begging Joe and Lucifora for Dillane to be made available so we have a sub available?

On the bright (?!) side the weather forecast is terrible so having our two of our larger and less mobile locks starting might be more advantage than disadvantage.

No word on what (if any) internationals will be available? Could really do with Ultan.

Just saw that, bad...
If Dillane is prevented from playing by Schmidt, we're scr***

From the Connacht site today....some amount of injuries, esp second row.

Squad Update ahead of Glasgow Warriors
30th August 2016

Ahead of Saturday’s Guinness PRO12 opener with Glasgow Warriors at the Sportsground, the Connacht Rugby medical team provided the following update.

Props:

Following a shoulder injury sustained with Nottingham Rugby last season, new Connacht signing Conor Carey has returned to full training and is due to be available for selection next week

Academy prop Conan O’Donnell is nearing a return as he continues to rehab from the foot injury that kept him out of the World Rugby U20’s Championship during the summer.

Nathan White is continuing his recovery from a head injury arising from concussion sustained last season

Locks:

Quinn Roux (hip) and Andrew Browne (thigh) are undergoing rehab with the medical and fitness team for their injuries sustained in pre-season. They remain unavailable for selection for 2-3 weeks.

Ben Marshall is continuing his recovery from a head injury arising from concussion sustained last season

Academy locks Cian Romaine, Peter Claffey and Cillian Gallagher are all unavailable to the senior coaching team due to respective injuries

Back Row:

Jake Heenan (hand) and Sean O’Brien (ankle) are both undergoing rehab with the medical and fitness team for their injuries sustained in pre-season. Both players are due to return in early October

Eoghan Masterson (knee) is continuing his recovery from last season’s knee surgery and is due to return in December 2016.

Scrumhalf:

John Cooney (shoulder) is nearing a return to partial training with the squad as he returns from the injury he sustained in the Pro 12 Final.

Outhalf:

Craig Ronaldson (thigh) is progressing well as he recovers from his pre-season injury and is due to return in late September/early October.

Marnitz Boshoff will arrive in Ireland in November following the completion of the Currie Cup competition.

Back Three:

Darragh Leader (hand) has undergone surgery on his hand injury and will return in February 2017.

Eoghan Masterson tweeted yesterday that he was back running on one of those reduced weight treadmills

Such a good player, really hope he's back soon in the full of his health

wp_rathead wrote: Pat told nice story of Ivan Sorkora emailing the branch asking for a trial - got trial and impressed the coaches earning himself a contract

Anyone have the stones to ask if recruitment is complete? :whistle: