ThisYearWillBeDifferent wrote: Any thoughts on Copeland's performance when he came on against Racing? (Couldn't watch it in peace where I was).

The game was lost by the time he came on but Munster's tails were up and he looked impressive again. He made one great run down the wing and looked to be in for a try but it was called back for a forward pass that looked iffy at the time but I didn't see any replays. I'm delighted he's coming to Connacht.

Still no sign of new signings bar Copeland, Horowitz and Godwin. Losing Mul, Heenan and Dawai leaves us very bare in back row. Honestly think we need at least 3 /4 top signings if we're gonna make any progress, especially at lock and prop.

Any thoughts on Copeland's performance when he came on against Racing? (Couldn't watch it in peace where I was).

Kyle Godwin started at 12 for Brumbies against Jaguares this morning. In a team going nowhere quick (lost at home 20-22 to go to 3 wins in 8 games), he looked pretty average. As usual against Argentine sides, the game was very much an arm wrestle.

Mark Mostyn wrote:

mahick wrote: Any potentials from Russia, Spain, Georgia, Germany, Belgium etc.. Could be individuals there worth having and prob not the highest in €€€?

Not sure but I would imagine there will be a lot of rough diamonds in MLR with the kind of physical capabilities we could really make us of. Mika Kruse for example at 19 is highly tipped to be a breakout star.

The games will be much easier to watch than those in Russia etc, and there's the Irish connection with guys like Tadhg Leader out there.

Another Guy highly rated is Ryan James Jr. just 18.

mahick wrote: Any potentials from Russia, Spain, Georgia, Germany, Belgium etc.. Could be individuals there worth having and prob not the highest in €€€?

Not sure but I would imagine there will be a lot of rough diamonds in MLR with the kind of physical capabilities we could really make us of. Mika Kruse for example at 19 is highly tipped to be a breakout star.

The games will be much easier to watch than those in Russia etc, and there's the Irish connection with guys like Tadhg Leader out there.

Any potentials from Russia, Spain, Georgia, Germany, Belgium etc.. Could be individuals there worth having and prob not the highest in €€€?

RoadRunnerR1 wrote:

Mark Mostyn wrote: There’s been a big clear out of the Munster academy, some of the players are heavily linked with us.

Can't say that fills me with hope for the future. There are some major gaping holes in our squad for next season, particularly at loosehead, a tough enforcer in the second row (As you yourself have pointed out), possibly hooker and another out-half at a minimum. I can't believe anybody in the branch believe's we can find the quality of players needed among the guys not considered good enough by Munster.

Yeah there's some decent prospects there but nobody who's ready to fill the holes you've mentioned, they would more likely be candidates to spend a year in the academy or get a development deal. For example Conor Fitzgerald is just 20, Nigel Carolan picked him ahead of Luke Carty for the u20s last year, and he has by all accounts had a great season leading Shannon to promotion back to 1B. The rest of the players are:

Joey Conway (loosehead)
Rob O'Donovan (tighthead)
Vincent O'Brien (hooker)
John Foley (backrow)
Jack Power (back 3)
Daniel Hurley (back 3)

RoadRunnerR1 wrote:

Mark Mostyn wrote: There’s been a big clear out of the Munster academy, some of the players are heavily linked with us.

Can't say that fills me with hope for the future. There are some major gaping holes in our squad for next season, particularly at loosehead, a tough enforcer in the second row (As you yourself have pointed out), possibly hooker and another out-half at a minimum. I can't believe anybody in the branch believe's we can find the quality of players needed among the guys not considered good enough by Munster.

Half our team is usually made up of guys the other provinces didn't consider good enough (often incorrectly)...

Bealham, Carey, Thornbury, Masterson, Ronaldson, Farrell, Healy etc etc etc

Academy contracts are relatively cheap so it certainly may be worth taking a look.

Mark Mostyn wrote: There’s been a big clear out of the Munster academy, some of the players are heavily linked with us.

Can't say that fills me with hope for the future. There are some major gaping holes in our squad for next season, particularly at loosehead, a tough enforcer in the second row (As you yourself have pointed out), possibly hooker and another out-half at a minimum. I can't believe anybody in the branch believe's we can find the quality of players needed among the guys not considered good enough by Munster.

RogueXV wrote: As Overstrander said not totally unexpected but sad none the less. Very handy player to have in the squad when healthy, great servant to Connacht rugby over the years. Haven't read his instagram post but the way this article is written certainly the possibility exists that he will continue to play on somewhere else. Either way best of luck to Andrew on his future endeavours.

Yep, same thought's, could go either way, play on elsewhere or retire from Pro Rugby...
From a selfish point of view, he and Damien are Galwegian's lads form underage.
So if he's pursuing a full-time career away form Rugby in the Galway area, hopefully if injuries/time allow he'll be togging out for Wegians in the AIL...

Very sad to see him go. Had a terrible time with injuries recently but a serious player when he managed to get on the pitch.

Hope himself and Mul get the send off they both deserve.

There’s been a big clear out of the Munster academy, some of the players are heavily linked with us.

It's definitely a big pity he's finishing up, with Mul moving on too that's two of our few remaining Connacht grown elder statesmen, could be another loss in terms of the core leadership group, as I'd say even during his injuries he was a great contributor (I could also be very wrong with that but that's just the impression I got). Also if he had been able to get back to full fitness he would have been a welcome bit of depth in what has been one of our poorer areas this year despite us having two internationals in the second row. We may now recruit another second/back row to fill the void, or maybe that's the space that needed to be created for Claffey.

As Overstrander said not totally unexpected but sad none the less. Very handy player to have in the squad when healthy, great servant to Connacht rugby over the years. Haven't read his instagram post but the way this article is written certainly the possibility exists that he will continue to play on somewhere else. Either way best of luck to Andrew on his future endeavours.

Disappointing but not entirely unexpected news. I wish him all the best for the future.