Nope Rodney is gone already!

Maybe it's that George is going? As a NIE player who is now getting limited game time he may well be moving on to pastures new?

hope at least it means Moore is on his way..

Instagram by Sene Naoupou saying #GoingtomisstheAhYoussomuch
looks like Rodney is going lads

Paul Wallace made the point in his piece over the weekend that it was never even considered an option that a provincial icon like Paul O'Connell would move from Munster, Brian O'Driscoll from Leinster, or indeed Rory Best from Ulster to another province. Let's hope Robbie can be convinced likewise.

not really sure Griffin adds anything extra to our backline, i always thought he was average enough player, there;s no doubt he's honest, hard working and committed on the pitch and got on well with the other players. although with the uncertaintity over who we'll have next year he's a guy that can do a job if we are hit with injuries. hopefully henshaw listen to us and most of the media and stays with us. I've been constantly over the last few years saying that we need a big power backrow ala nick williams or cj stander. there's got to be one out there willing to travel to connacht

Regardless of who or who may not be leaving this is a good (re-) signing. When you see Munster using the likes of Denis Hurley in the centre it's clear that there aren't many Irish qualified options available and we already have Bundee in the centre so whether he lines out at 12 or 13 Eoin Griffin should strengthen our options. We know he's a good player. Even if his spell in England has been mixed with injuries, it has hopefully helped his game. Players coming in having experienced different cultures and ways of doing things is never bad.

Delighted to see Tiernan O'Halloran staying on. I remember when he got a 2 year deal a couple of years back there were question marks as to whether he deserved it but he has got an unbroken spell and has really proven himself in the last calendar year. He has a big future ahead.

As it is, Leader is converting to winger, Muliaina is gone, TOH can play 14 too, so Henshaw has his spot reserved to play FB. Which may also suit Ireland as Rob Kearney is on the decline.

Certainly this could be Connacht preparing for life without Robbie, but considering how things have been going it seems like you can never have too many centres. Both McSharry and Ronaldson are proving chronic injury concerns and just maybe Pat has gotten word from on high to play Robbie at fullback. Though Griffin returning coupled with the emergence of both Parata and Robb does seem to indicate they are filling a hole. I just hope it's not Henshaw followed in a year by Aki.

Great to see Tiernan signed up for another 2 tears, onwards and upwards for him after a couple rough patches over the last couple of years.
I'm delighted to see Eoin Griffin returning, looking forward to seeing him thrive here. Only 'downer' to that news is wondering who's leaving.

menacethedenis wrote: Speaking of McGinty, what little we've seen of him has been excellent and I reckon he needs his contract extended before someone else snaps him up.

From what I've read, USA won't call up anyone on a pro contract in Europe to show up for the new Americas 6N in Feb/March - so should be no impact there to available for us.

He could jump over to the new ProRugby competition after Connacht's season is over - they finish up that league in August, with a break in the middle for US games in June against Italy and probably Canada and Romania. With pro league only running April-August, he might hedge his bets for a bigger payday with another European club at the end - Connacht signing him for 16/17 and letting him play/leasing him out to ProRugbyNA for the Summer in the US mightn't be a bad option (they will centrally contract and have a Nucifora style guru to distribute the national players around the clubs). Only issues are (a) missing a good preseason for S&C (b) burnout later in the season - although having Carty and Ronaldson should help avoid that.

Speaking of McGinty, what little we've seen of him has been excellent and I reckon he needs his contract extended before someone else snaps him up.

pinky wrote: Great to see Eoin back.
Alas this surely confirms the expected departure of an out-of-contract centre.
Not sure whether it'll be Pewhairangi, O'Leary or Finn, but whichever one it is, he'll be missed.

Agreed. Not sure if it's an indicator of Henshaw leaving, especially as he has been playing fullback for Connacht.

I'd add McSharry to that list given the number of concussions he has had (maybe 5 this year?) - he might need to take a prolonged period out of the game. I hope he can come back right, but not at the expense of his health.

Pewhairangi hasn't a full crack of the whip yet - if it's a conditioning issue, Connacht seem to give people the benefit of the doubt there - Ronaldson is going great this season but had a similar run of injuries last year, the step up to pro without being in an Academy probably needs a year to get the benefits of S&C work. (I'd put McGinty in that group of players needing another year of training like a pro too, although he came through the RWC alright).

Great to see Eoin back.
Alas this surely confirms the expected departure of an out-of-contract centre.
Not sure whether it'll be Pewhairangi, O'Leary or Finn, but whichever one it is, he'll be missed.

This is great news. Delighted for Tiernan who has finally found his best position at full-back and has been outstanding for some time now. He was in the wilderness for a while there and it's fantastic he's turned it around. Also very happy to see Griffin coming home. Great player and hopefully the Premiership experience will stand to him. Agree he is probably Robbie's replacement. I wish they'd just announce it if it's happening, I don't want it ruining my Christmas dinner.

So, ok I'll have to take Griffin instead of Whitten... will fit in easier, at least