www.connachtrugby.ie/squad-update-ahead-of-zebre-clash/
Does not make for pretty reading, losing Browne straight away after coming back in is annoying, and Tiernan will be a big loss also.
On the plus side great to see Butler back, but given Dawai's performance I'd keep him in the starting side and ease Butler back in.

RoadRunnerR1 wrote:

Bazzo wrote: Honestly I'd hope we are chasing someone at a higher level than Copeland. Good squad player maybe but he has been an enormous disappointment at Munster.

Copeland was an excellent No.8 at Cardiff and to be fair to the guy, he's been used primarily at lock since his move to Munster and not been given a chance at 8.

That's not the case at all. Far as I can tell he's started about 30 times for Munster, with two thirds of those appearances at 8 and the rest split roughly evenly between 6 & lock. He was excellent at Cardiff but that was 4 season ago; he's also (just) the wrong side of 30 now. I'd be really surprised if we signed him, he'd be behind SOB/McKeon/Masterson in the 6/8 pecking order IMO.

Bazzo wrote: Honestly I'd hope we are chasing someone at a higher level than Copeland. Good squad player maybe but he has been an enormous disappointment at Munster.

Copeland was an excellent No.8 at Cardiff and to be fair to the guy, he's been used primarily at lock since his move to Munster and not been given a chance at 8.

Is he linked to us ?

salmson wrote: Haven't seen any rumours but I do note that there is now only one ex-Western Force player unaccounted for (the others have retired, moved to another Super Rugby franchise, or joined the new Western Force/old Perth Spirit) - Ben McCalman.

He had a bad time with injury the last 2 years, but he played 4 times for Australia in the autumn internationals & there aren't too many 50 cap international no. 8s as young as him (going on 30) and available.

Rumour : Waratahs were waiting on Ben McCalman to pass a medical, dodgy shoulder.
No news are good news? Would be nice to have an Aussie international

Bazzo wrote: There's no doubt it's true that we're recruiting. Heenan, Muldoon and probably Dawai all on the way out.

I thought we were not not bad with SOB/McKeon/Masterson
But I guess Gallagher may be moved back to 2nd row, and without Heenan, SOB/Masterson would, then, be used as blindside more than n°8

So it makes sense to have
Lock : Dillane/Roux/Gallagher
6 : SOB/Masterson
7 : Butler/Connolly
8 : the new big NIQ/McKeon

Honestly I'd hope we are chasing someone at a higher level than Copeland. Good squad player maybe but he has been an enormous disappointment at Munster.

Maybe with a bit of a run at 8 but would he be above Masterson?
Somebody of Butlers class but primarily an 8 would be perfect but who is available ?

What about Robin Copeland ?

Deegan isn't going anywhere, the only other backrow I can see leaving Leinster is Timmons. The best IQ 8 (Jordi) is already going elsewhere and I don't think any of the other options are any better than what we already have so we probably have to look abroad.

No one is leaving that Leinster setup by choice, they have no reason to: best pay and facilities in the country, largest (and best) squad so lighter workload and better competition, play a handful of games and the Dublin media will start baying for your inclusion into the national team which leads to more money and opportunities.

Deegan is barely out of nappies and is already seeing game time with them, really looks a quality player who I'd love to have on our books but can't see it happening, particularly with Jordi Murphy moving on.

Who ever we get I'd love to see us get a big ball carrier, we have good quality in the backrow but no one to get us some go forward when plan A isn't working. In that regard I'd like to see someone like Nick Williams come in, he gets a lot of flack and in some ways is very limited but put the ball in his hands and he's tough to take down.

Deegan from Leinster I would say. That would leave us with back row resources of Masterson and Deegan for 8, McKeon and SOB for 6, and Butler and Connolly for 7 with Gallagher in reserve.

Haven't seen any rumours but I do note that there is now only one ex-Western Force player unaccounted for (the others have retired, moved to another Super Rugby franchise, or joined the new Western Force/old Perth Spirit) - Ben McCalman.

He had a bad time with injury the last 2 years, but he played 4 times for Australia in the autumn internationals & there aren't too many 50 cap international no. 8s as young as him (going on 30) and available.

"It is understood that Connacht are shopping overseas for a replacement for iconic captain Muldoon and are close to landing a new No 8."[/quote]

I thought Masterson would be the Natural successor to Mull, with McKeon, SOB, Gaffney going for the 6 Jersey.
I think we need a 7 as well. have Fox or Jake been replaced yet?

Also with the amount of back row talent in Ireland. Would the irfu allow us to go abroad?

There's no doubt it's true that we're recruiting. Heenan, Muldoon and probably Dawai all on the way out.

Mark Mostyn wrote:

FACECUTTR wrote: Is there any word on who is going to be signed at 8 if it's true at all ?

Is the word on the street that we’ve signed someone?

There was a line or two at the bottom of an article in one of the papers (Indo?) last week announcing Mul going to Bristol. Said something along the lines that they were actively recruiting overseas.

It's here:
www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/internati...-start-36549729.html
"It is understood that Connacht are shopping overseas for a replacement for iconic captain Muldoon and are close to landing a new No 8."