I'd have to agree with EvoGeo. If we have any hope of keeping Bundee after his contract is up Connacht are going to have to show vast improvement this season and IMO that will require an upgrade at 10. Jack is 25 when next season starts, still young but not very young and the progress he has made so far wouldn't indicate that he's going to make that leap up to the next level. Maybe Keane can get more out of him, but I wouldn't bet the team's season on it.

Horsebox44 wrote:
Why is it we need an out half so badly? We have a very good one, hopefully he will have sorted out the issues with his kicking this season. He's still very young and will hopefully hugely benefit with a new coach. Crosbie hopefully can get better and Ronaldson can cover. Word is Boschoff is definitely gone but wel wait and see.

A ball carrying forward and a back three player are the positions we need quality in. If we get an OH well and good.

Just ask yourself and answer honestly would our 10 make any other pro12 team starting line-up? Personally I don't think he'd even make the one of the Italian teams and even if you think he might make their teams he is not getting in a top 7 team.

If we have any ambitions of signing and retaining top talent them we cannot allow the team to be dragged down by at best a mediocre player (at pro12 level) for sentimental reasons. I would be in favour of keeping or 10 and hopefully he will develop into a good tactical 10 who understands the game but we need a first choice now or we will lose any quality players we have due to not being able to compete.

Horsebox44 wrote:

Wasrednowgreen wrote: Again ask, when in the name of all that is sensible &right are we going to sign a 10? Because, by Christ, we need one or two.............

Why is it we need an out half so badly? We have a very good one, hopefully he will have sorted out the issues with his kicking this season. He's still very young and will hopefully hugely benefit with a new coach. Crosbie hopefully can get better and Ronaldson can cover. Word is Boschoff is definitely gone but wel wait and see.

A ball carrying forward and a back three player are the positions we need quality in. If we get an OH well and good.

Carty is 25 so I think we need to face reality and stop playing the young card. He can mix the sublime with the horrific but we need consistency and reliability next season!

Wasrednowgreen wrote: Again ask, when in the name of all that is sensible &right are we going to sign a 10? Because, by Christ, we need one or two.............

Why is it we need an out half so badly? We have a very good one, hopefully he will have sorted out the issues with his kicking this season. He's still very young and will hopefully hugely benefit with a new coach. Crosbie hopefully can get better and Ronaldson can cover. Word is Boschoff is definitely gone but wel wait and see.

A ball carrying forward and a back three player are the positions we need quality in. If we get an OH well and good.

FACECUTTR wrote: They are stop feeding us squad filler signings which is good to see but so frustrating when waiting for a marquee name to pop up.
There were 2 people on here saying one was signed and 1 was nearly done but I really think that was poo poo.

The NIQ's will be filled which is 3 I think. So there will definitely be announcements- it's the calibre that is making the wait most difficult! It's like waiting for the leaving very results ... you know they're coming it's just how good they'll be .... pretty sh!t analogy but there ya go

They are stop feeding us squad filler signings which is good to see but so frustrating when waiting for a marquee name to pop up.
There were 2 people on here saying one was signed and 1 was nearly done but I really think that was poo poo.

there'll be announcements when he arrives. or during his time here it makes sense that its done on his watch so to speak

It being the Super Rugby season is still going and the Mitre 10 is yet to start, I don't see Keane arriving with players in tow. An announcement or two would be nice though.

I agree but I'm not so sure about him signing a 10.
I'd imagine he won't be alone next week when he arrives. Its a perfect opportunity for some big PR. New coach arrives with 1 or 2 marquee signings. Hopefully they make the most of it and get as much publicity as possible to shift a few tickets.

FACECUTTR wrote: If Boshoff goes we do but if he doesn't we don't.

Would one expect an NIQ signing or two given we have spots to fill when Kieran Keane arrives for his week. It would make marketing sense from a ticket sale end of it create a bit of hype etc!

If Boshoff goes we do but if he doesn't we don't.

Again ask, when in the name of all that is sensible &right are we going to sign a 10? Because, by Christ, we need one or two.............

Accidentally Onside wrote: I'm resigned to no major signings for next year

I think you're being pessimistic. If Boshoff is gone that's one of the higher earners unexpectedly off the payroll. A couple of others - Loughs & Poolman - would also have been on decent money as they were there a long time.

If he stays we'd still have only 3 NIE/NIQs. If we weren't bringing in a couple of NIE/NIQ player from down under we wouldn't have let Fox Matamua go.

Anyway, as far as major signings go, re-signing Aki and Dillane is as major as it gets. Even the likes of Saracens or Clermont would be wetting themselves with delight if they'd signed those lads up for 3 and 2 years respectively.

I think he's due next week isn't he?

I'm resigned to no major signings for next year, all of the ones so far have been low wage ones and I think that will continue, pat mentioned on the last craggy pod how guys were earning a lot more than the used to and were taking up more budget so I think holding onto guys is the major thing for us atm.

You'd have to assume that we'll hear a lot more on signings for next year when KK has his trip here.

I can hope right

sligsup wrote:

FACECUTTR wrote: What's the word on this guy ? Good to have new guys in the front row.

Looking at his stats - it looks like he has only one game of Pro 12 rugby under his belt at 25. I know props are late developers but definitely seems like a bargain signing or squad signing to me. I saw Aly Muldowney was tweeting pictures of him being out with Denis Coulson saying good bye etc, if his case in France has being put to bed I wonder can we expect an announcement on that front.

I would not be surprised given recent announcements in Wales; if young Coulson ends up at Rodney Parade for next season......