It depends how involved he's going to be over the autumn and 6 nations.

Afaik they try and manage the total minutes a player plays in a season so if he is called up but not used he should be free for most of our games. He is knocking on the door of the first 15 though and an injury or two would catapult him to first choice very quickly.

EvoGeo wrote: Dillane and Roux will likely be unavailable for large parts of the season though and coupled with Muldowney leaving we will be down three top class locks. This is unsustainable for a team trying to compete in the pro12 as well as Europe.

Do backup players really miss that many provincial games? Dillane got like 40 minutes on the South Africa tour, I don't think he'll be subject to the same player welfare protocols as the likes of McGrath, Best, Heaslip, etc.

I'd like to see Caolin Blade get a few more starts this year, dangerous player in his own right and a lovely sharp pass off the ruck that lets the rest of the team get running, but there were a couple of times his lack of experience showed. Same for Shane O'Leary, thrown in at the deep end last season he played well, and Eric will have helped with the kicking accuracy.

I would expect another signing or two as after the final Willie and Pat stated they were still actively recruiting and precedent has shown that in the press release with the final signing there usually is a line along " this concludes our recruitment or Connachts squad has now being finalised for the coming season" Definitely think there is an NIQ there and maybe 1 possibly two more IQ's.

EvoGeo wrote: I think we will see bundee 12 and either rob or griffin 13. I think once Griffin gets up to speed with the "processees" he'll be a real big positive next season. I'm delighted we were able to get him back.

Ronaldson is an option too if Boschoff has to leave the defensive line as ronaldson can take up that position defensively and still offer something if we get turnover ball.

I fully expect buckley to called up in autumn as apart from mcgrath he is the best lh in the country currently imo. He might not make the 6 nations squad if healy is about but I think JS will have a look in the autumn.

The luxury of choice, Bundee might even get to put his feet up for the odd match.

With Buckley missing the end of last season I wouldn't be surprised if he has to prove himself for longer, he should have Sept + Oct to do it, but if the squad is being formed in JS's mind early he might miss out. He should be called up for his scrummaging and turn-overs even if you ignore his passing and tackling, it'd be great for him if you were right about the AI's and I was right about the 6nations, he's earned his chance.

It's a good question.

I think we were very lucky with Muldowney. He wasn't exactly a marquee player and was Irish qualified. Plus we had no International locks when he was initially signed.

I wouldn't really hold it against Nucifora if he felt we were reasonably stocked at lock.

Perhaps I am over cautious, but I just feel we don't have a test 8, (reading Muldoon as a 6) so perhaps more likely to succeed there.

EvoGeo wrote:

Devils own wrote:

Darragh wrote:

EvoGeo wrote: Dillane and Roux will likely be unavailable for large parts of the season though and coupled with Muldowney leaving we will be down three top class locks. This is unsustainable for a team trying to compete in the pro12 as well as Europe.

I get that, but look at Leinster, all they could sign was Triggs and he is shite.

Ulster don't really have locks coming through.

Munster signed Chisholm and he has been shite too.

I'd rather the young lads play over an average or below merc.

Really don't thing we will get a marquee name, but maybe at 8.

I'm definitely with that unless they are going to be real quality then go with youth like romaine etc as back up a core of the academy lads won us the title let's keep backing Carlon and his connacht pups

The only thing with that is we had the experience of Muldowney pulling it all together. Can it work without that experienced hand?

Another good point it's hard balancing act, another Muldowney will be hard to come by tho by far the best more mature under the radar second row signing in the 4 provinces against bigger names. He, McCartney and Muldoon were the experience glue. Difficult to replace. I think I'm just gonna trust the lads on this one Aly, McCartney and bundee, Kelleher etc all top signings. hopefully two more fingers crossed.

Devils own wrote:

Darragh wrote:

EvoGeo wrote: Dillane and Roux will likely be unavailable for large parts of the season though and coupled with Muldowney leaving we will be down three top class locks. This is unsustainable for a team trying to compete in the pro12 as well as Europe.

I get that, but look at Leinster, all they could sign was Triggs and he is shite.

Ulster don't really have locks coming through.

Munster signed Chisholm and he has been shite too.

I'd rather the young lads play over an average or below merc.

Really don't thing we will get a marquee name, but maybe at 8.

I'm definitely with that unless they are going to be real quality then go with youth like romaine etc as back up a core of the academy lads won us the title let's keep backing Carlon and his connacht pups

The only thing with that is we had the experience of Muldowney pulling it all together. Can it work without that experienced hand?

Darragh wrote:

EvoGeo wrote: Dillane and Roux will likely be unavailable for large parts of the season though and coupled with Muldowney leaving we will be down three top class locks. This is unsustainable for a team trying to compete in the pro12 as well as Europe.

I get that, but look at Leinster, all they could sign was Triggs and he is shite.

Ulster don't really have locks coming through.

Munster signed Chisholm and he has been shite too.

I'd rather the young lads play over an average or below merc.

Really don't thing we will get a marquee name, but maybe at 8.

I'm definitely with that unless they are going to be real quality then go with youth like romaine etc as back up a core of the academy lads won us the title let's keep backing Carlon and his connacht pups

Maybe I'll be disappointed so Darragh but I have faith in Pat to pull a rabbit out of the hat.

Between Muldoon, Masterson, SOB and Mckeon I think we're covered at 8 as well as can be expected though for International breaks so I don't think we'll see much movement here.

EvoGeo wrote: Dillane and Roux will likely be unavailable for large parts of the season though and coupled with Muldowney leaving we will be down three top class locks. This is unsustainable for a team trying to compete in the pro12 as well as Europe.

I get that, but look at Leinster, all they could sign was Triggs and he is shite.

Ulster don't really have locks coming through.

Munster signed Chisholm and he has been shite too.

I'd rather the young lads play over an average or below merc.

Really don't thing we will get a marquee name, but maybe at 8.

would like a 23 suggested (minus internationals). I am struggling

Can't see it Darragh. Kelleher is the only possible but I think he is only 5'7" or 5'8" which will be fine in ail or schools rugby but won't cut it in big boy rugby imo

Dillane and Roux will likely be unavailable for large parts of the season though and coupled with Muldowney leaving we will be down three top class locks. This is unsustainable for a team trying to compete in the pro12 as well as Europe.

We have a lot of young talent to manage next season in the back three.

Wonder would any of them make a good 13?

Ya i know the he didn't play much argument but he did play and was absolutely crucial! in semi finals and final and munster game. We are a big big target now as champions and we need top top quality if we want to stay on champions and especially if we want to compete in Europe. I do like your faith in Griffen however but imo we need a true diamond at 13 it's a vital position. I also said we needed a lock so we are in agreement there.