POD fan here too. Delighted with all 4 guys staying!

simpleton wrote: Pleased with Tonnetti, Gannon and Moore re signing.

Surprised that we have resigned pod, didn't think he shone during murphys absence.

I seem to be in the minority, but I think Paul O'Donohue has shown plenty of promise. He's not consistent enough yet, but I think that will come. I'm glad we're keeping him on

Pleased with Tonnetti, Gannon and Moore re signing.

Surprised that we have resigned pod, didn't think he shone during murphys absence.

Id love to see stringer at connacht next season as well seapoint and think it would be the final piece in next seasons squad were it to happen but with O donoghue and moore resigning and murphy already contracted for next season i just cant see it happening. I also think it would have been a good move for him not to mention season ticket sales. Perhaps a season loan swap with Murphy there and stringer here but thats quite a leap so heres hoping.

On Qualter, he didnt show near enough leadership in his 3rd u20 6 nations series imo which is a worry in regard to his development. That said he is as u said a big unit already in the mould of swifty. Plenty of people told me, prior to seeing swifty regularly myself, that swifty was no good but he fills a role for connacht very well so maybe qualter will grow into a similar role and can share that role with nolan, another big unit, after swifty retires. Afterall the experts keep saying that for every POC you need a DOC!

The one thing im convinced of is connacht cant keep flogging the same players week in week out so we need to get to position where we have three decent options from 1 to 10 and 2 from 11 to 15 with a couple of utility backs thrown in. We are there in a lot of positions but some positions only have it in terms of quantity and not Quality. Prop, no6 and sh and fb are some positions that fall into that area imo.

rossie wrote: best of luck to him there, hopefully he finds some form in AP.

Both of these announcements probably rule out stringer to connacht though which is a pity but Munster will prob require his experience now as i cant see anyone coming in there.

Not sure what donoghue did to deserve two yrs over gannons one but im not behind the scenes. i can only assume that Gannons 1 yr deal has something to do with Qualters graduation from acadamy at end of next season but i wouldnt be entirely convinced by qualter just yet so big season for him.

It's be a real shame if Stringer settles for a back up role with Munster, would like to see him go out giving it a real go with us rather than waiting for chances in Red. Obviously there is a lot of emotional baggage to deal with though.

We're better served at utility back 5 forward which is why Gannon only gets the year, still it's an opportunity for him though. But we'll also have Dave Nolan and Andrew Browne back next season as well hopefully...

Apart from being a big lump I haven't really seen anything to suggest that Dan Qualter has the smarts/hunger/mobilty to make it at top level. Being a big unit at Kids rugby is all very well but only players with a bit extra about them generally make the grade. Like to be proved wrong on this, but don't see it though.

best of luck to him there, hopefully he finds some form in AP.

Both of these announcements probably rule out stringer to connacht though which is a pity but Munster will prob require his experience now as i cant see anyone coming in there.

Not sure what donoghue did to deserve two yrs over gannons one but im not behind the scenes. i can only assume that Gannons 1 yr deal has something to do with Qualters graduation from acadamy at end of next season but i wouldnt be entirely convinced by qualter just yet so big season for him.

swift4prez wrote: TOL is off to london irish next season. CONFIRMED

Didn't know they were in the market for Flanker/Prop/Hooker (delete as appropriate )... :blink:

Good luck with that one LI, hope you have a flyhalf with long arms....

Bernard Jackman has just tweeted that he doubts the Rees rumours. Not sure what he's basing it on, but can't be any less tenuous than a throwaway Guardian comment saying the deal was on!

I know what you mean about Rees. I disagree with you about whether it's an upgrade or not, but it makes me uncomfortable.

One big positive about it though, assuming it's true, is that this year we've been able to sign White, Parks and maybe Rees even though all three know there will probably be no HEC for them next year. That's something that has worked against us previously, but it seems we've got some sweet talkers in the branch all of a sudden.

But with these improvements we can position ourselves for a proper crack at winning the Amlin ourselves.

Split the thread from last years signing thread, think the Nathan White signging is good starting point..


Delighted to see Kyle make the move permanent, should have been the move he did 18 months ago. P'OD needs to really work hard on his game, he should really be positioning himself as first choice 9 for us. Bit preturbed by the Ritchie Rees thing though, if I was thinking about a scrumhalf I'd like us to sign he woudln't be it. He's certainly no better than what we have currently IMO.

Good to see Moore & Gannon staying on also, think a year is sufficient to allow them to make their case for a longer term contract.

The Culk just pointed me in the direction of a Tweet from Jamie Roberts saying the Rees was following Parks to Galway next season. I re-tweeted it on Twitter

Could be a bit of an in-joke as well though

TOL is off to london irish next season. CONFIRMED

they said the dan parks move was untrue as well so i dont take into account what they say, if cardiff said it then that would be a different story.

if they want to keep it quiet untill its a done deal then we cant blame them. no point giving us false hope

Connacht are playing dumb on the Rees rumour.
I'm going to hold on to my excitement for a little while longer.

The Cardiff twitter account is usually decent for announcing the moves

100% agree cows.

its confusing how to read into this. frank out and rees in? i think its a step forward if it happens.

frank looked bored this season and seemed other things on his mind just like fionn carr last season.
im now not surprised he went for an opp on his injury middle of the season when it could of waited till the summer but maybe munster ordered that so he would be fit for them pre season.

who knows who knows.

very very friendly guy so good luck to him where ever he will be

So Frank must be on the way out?

As frustrating as he can be, he's been a great servent to Connacht, and should always be welcomed back warmly to the Sportsground