MulMan wrote: On a total aside (didn't know where to put this) the game at the weekend is close to sold out even the college road terrace is sold out, interestingly the college road terrace is also sold out for the Cheetahs and Ospreys games according to the website which is unusual for non-interpros and very unusual to be sold out this early.

If you had kids at a Connacht rugby camp last summer you should have got an email from the branch recently, with free tickets for them for one of these matches, and an option to buy an adult ticket to accompany them at a discounted price (18 euros I think). That probably explains the take-up...

Is the Sevu Reece thing dead I wonder?

On a total aside (didn't know where to put this) the game at the weekend is close to sold out even the college road terrace is sold out, interestingly the college road terrace is also sold out for the Cheetahs and Ospreys games according to the website which is unusual for non-interpros and very unusual to be sold out this early.

Better career move would be staying but can understand him going home.

Can’t see how Leinster would need both kelleher and Adam Byrne. Very similar levels. Would hope Connacht would be after him as a replacement.

Times also saying friend looking to make Tom daly’s move permanent, presumably that means one or both of Robb and griffin leave?

Would also like Stephan Fitzgerald signed permanently especially with kelleher likely to go.

Would hope back three options next season would be something like:
Healy
Niyi
Toh
Leader
Fitzgerald
De buitlear
New signing Adam Byrne or niq ( has to be first team starter quality)
And possibly sign jack Kelly or Keenan from Leinster

sligsup wrote:

Sol_ie wrote: That's such a shame. Can't really begrudge him the move as I said above, just hope for his own sake that he progresses the way he hopes he will.

The IT article says a number of times that a move to Leinster is necessary to get a crack at international rugby? Am I missing something? Are Ireland not allowed select players from Connacht? Must come as a bit of a shock for Bundee, KM, Quin etc. etc.

Edit: May have misread the article. It says "international honours", so might reference Champions Cup. 'Cause Connacht don't play in any international competitions.

While I safely assume the article is accurate re his return pass no heed of the extra padding Cummiskey is the lowest of the low in relation to rugby journalism and really is not aware of much happening outside D$.

It was actually GT in the Times, hence why I was surprised. That said, best reading is him having a mild dig at the Irish selectors going with Leinster players, and not a dig at Connacht.

Well it's official now, he's gone, best of luck to him I still feel staying in Connacht was a better move but then I would feel that way. Hopefully we can get a decent replacement.

Anyone got a list of players that are out of contract at end of season?

By the looks of it Kelleher and lots of others only got a one year extensions to play this season.

Buckley will get plenty of cash if he moved in a World Cup year. He would be a huge loss.

Best of luck to him - Leinster is his home province, and also the best club team in European (perhaps world?) rugby, so fair play to him for backing himself. In any sport, ambitious players are going to gravitate towards the biggest/most successful teams. Our challenge is to get to a point where we're consistently playing at the top level, and competing for titles - that is when more of those ambitious players will decide to stay here.

Sol_ie wrote: The IT article says a number of times that a move to Leinster is necessary to get a crack at international rugby? Am I missing something?

You couldn't blame Kelleher for looking at Adam Byrne and wondering how is he capped and I amn't? Also, with the Kearneys and McFadden fast approaching retirement, Kelleher would surely back himself to take the last place in his home province's back three alongside Larmour and Lowe.

Of course all the players who've made a success of moving East (Henshaw, McCarthy, Cronin) had already established themselves as internationals while at Connacht. If you were a betting man you'd back back him to go the way of Carr, Hagan, and Kearney.

Best of luck to him anyway, he's been great while he was here.

Sol_ie wrote: That's such a shame. Can't really begrudge him the move as I said above, just hope for his own sake that he progresses the way he hopes he will.

The IT article says a number of times that a move to Leinster is necessary to get a crack at international rugby? Am I missing something? Are Ireland not allowed select players from Connacht? Must come as a bit of a shock for Bundee, KM, Quin etc. etc.

Edit: May have misread the article. It says "international honours", so might reference Champions Cup. 'Cause Connacht don't play in any international competitions.

While I safely assume the article is accurate re his return pass no heed of the extra padding Cummiskey is the lowest of the low in relation to rugby journalism and really is not aware of much happening outside D$.

That's such a shame. Can't really begrudge him the move as I said above, just hope for his own sake that he progresses the way he hopes he will.

The IT article says a number of times that a move to Leinster is necessary to get a crack at international rugby? Am I missing something? Are Ireland not allowed select players from Connacht? Must come as a bit of a shock for Bundee, KM, Quin etc. etc.

Edit: May have misread the article. It says "international honours", so might reference Champions Cup. 'Cause Connacht don't play in any international competitions.

Not a surprise but The Irish Times now says Kelleher “will return” to Leinster - no ambiguity in their reporting.

chops123 wrote: Our Sean o brien in a sling for his right arm!

In a video on Johnny o connors twitters page

Hope it’s not too serious!

Shoulder injury, will be out for “a while”.

well I suppose there's the answer as to why he wasn't involved against Munster. Hopefully he won't be out for long.

Our Sean o brien in a sling for his right arm!

In a video on Johnny o connors twitters page

Hope it’s not too serious!

Betty Swallocks wrote: Yes Bazzo. That kind of duplicitous nonsense should be beneath our management to be honest. Having said that Tom Farrell was phenomenal tonight and surely has now surpassed is namesake Chris and Henshaw for inclusion in the Six Nations squad.

Thought Tom Daly was solid for first time out. Hope he will add to our Centre partnership options.