There's been no academy announcement, that does not mean there has been no activity. It would be nice to know but they're under no obligation to announce the academy intake, and only a very tiny percentage of fans care to be honest.

Cathalsmart wrote: 2 weeks till Glasgow and still no Academy... Connacht rugby have made some dumb decisions but not announcing an academy would top it.

Relax I'm sure an announcement will be made in due course. I'm sure academy signings and stuff have been made. Not issuing a press release hardly counts as a dumb decision.

ThisYearWillBeDifferent wrote: www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/kieran-ke...g-1.3187836?mode=amp

his great-great-grandparents having hailed from Waterford

He shoulda kept that under his hat til after the opening weekend ...

2 weeks till Glasgow and still no Academy... Connacht rugby have made some dumb decisions but not announcing an academy would top it.

It'll be very interesting to see who plays centre vs Glasgow. Can't wait now

KK in the Times today. No Bundee for Glasgow, but hopefully for Kings.

www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/kieran-ke...g-1.3187836?mode=amp

I agreed too
I thought it was a specific criteria before signing for Connacht to be injury prone, wasn't it?

connachta wrote: behindtheruck.com/2017/08/12/departing-d...ing-a-final-goodbye/

the most important part of that interview is "Over recent years I’ve been pretty fortunate with injuries"

sligsup wrote:

connachta wrote: behindtheruck.com/2017/08/12/departing-d...ing-a-final-goodbye/

Nice little article Connachta

Thought this too, you're welcome!
Hope the visa issue is sorted out asap to see the guy's promises coming true

“He talks about going to the line and then the space outside you will open up for others, and he believes you’ve got to be a running threat before anything else, because if you’re not, the opposition aren’t going to defend you, so you’re lining up the players outside you to get whacked.”

connachta wrote: behindtheruck.com/2017/08/12/departing-d...ing-a-final-goodbye/

Nice little article Connachta

behindtheruck.com/2017/08/12/departing-d...ing-a-final-goodbye/

RoadRunnerR1 wrote:

Western Force wrote: As a Western Force fan who has abandon Australia rugby and now a proud Connacht fan they're a plenty of talented guy's looking for teams!

If you could swap Deegan for Lance would be a massive improvement. Pek would be a great pick up, just had his best seasons in years.

Rona will be going back to the NRL (rugby league) but there is some good talent that will be looking overseas that would be worth a look.

Not sure what positions you're a bit thin on and I know the start of the seasons not far away but I'd recommend looking at these guys.

Lock - Matt Phillip, Backrow - Kane Koteka and Angus Cottrell, Scrum/Flyhalf - Ian Prior

As Loosehead and centre are the main areas that need strengthening, what's the general consensus among WF fans on Francois Van Wyk, Chance Peni & Luke Burton. Also like to know what you think of Isi Naisarani. Despite being well stocked at backrow, this guy looks on paper at least like a really effective ball carrier and off loader, a slightly smaller version of Leone Nakarawa possibly.

Naisarani is good. Even if we were allowed, tying up 4 NIQ slots and all that money in the backrow when we have obvious weaknesses elsewhere would be absurd.

Western Force wrote: As a Western Force fan who has abandon Australia rugby and now a proud Connacht fan they're a plenty of talented guy's looking for teams!

If you could swap Deegan for Lance would be a massive improvement. Pek would be a great pick up, just had his best seasons in years.

Rona will be going back to the NRL (rugby league) but there is some good talent that will be looking overseas that would be worth a look.

Not sure what positions you're a bit thin on and I know the start of the seasons not far away but I'd recommend looking at these guys.

Lock - Matt Phillip, Backrow - Kane Koteka and Angus Cottrell, Scrum/Flyhalf - Ian Prior

As Loosehead and centre are the main areas that need strengthening, what's the general consensus among WF fans on Francois Van Wyk, Chance Peni & Luke Burton. Also like to know what you think of Isi Naisarani. Despite being well stocked at backrow, this guy looks on paper at least like a really effective ball carrier and off loader, a slightly smaller version of Leone Nakarawa possibly.

Bazzo wrote:

sligsup wrote:

FACECUTTR wrote: Welcome Western Force.
Loosehead and Centre are positions where we could do with adding guys. Not sure there is any money left in the pot though.

Unfortunately Lance won't be an option either as Deegan will be taking the 10 NIQ spot.

We could just do a Munster on it and officially sign him in a position we have no intention of using him in.

Brilliant I love it:)

sligsup wrote:

FACECUTTR wrote: Welcome Western Force.
Loosehead and Centre are positions where we could do with adding guys. Not sure there is any money left in the pot though.

Unfortunately Lance won't be an option either as Deegan will be taking the 10 NIQ spot.

We could just do a Munster on it and officially sign him in a position we have no intention of using him in.