Sweet. I've heard disparaging things about our level of fitness before so getting in a new guy who can take things up a notch has to be an improvement.

It does indeed. Seems to have a good background too. Increased funding behind it too.

Does this count as a new signing per sé?

If not, apologies..

The IRFU have announced the appointment of Paul Bunce to the position of Head of Fitness at Connacht Rugby.

Paul will commence work with the Connacht squad ahead of the 2014/15 season and joins the province’s backroom team from the Scottish Rugby Seven’s set up where he was the lead Strength and Conditioning Coach.

Previous to his work with the SRU, Paul held the role of Head of Strength and Conditioning at English Premiership club Bath and before that he was head trainer at the PRO12 side Newport Gwent Dragons.

Paul takes over from Tom McLaughlin who has worked with Connacht Rugby for the past three years.

The IRFU have committed in excess of €1million in additional funding to Connacht Rugby for the coming season, with Strength and Conditioning facilities being one of the areas to benefit from increased resources.

Dave Clark, IRFU Head of Fitness commented:

“We are delighted to welcome Paul to Irish rugby. He has a proven track record in rugby fitness and his experience and knowledge will not only benefit Connacht but Irish rugby as well. We would also like to thank Tom for his contribution to Connacht and Irish Rugby over the past three years.”

Pat Lam, Connacht Rugby Head Coach added:

“It’s an exciting time for Connacht Rugby with the increased investment and support from the IRFU to improve our rugby programme. Capturing someone of Paul’s considerable experience is in line with our vision and where we want to take Connacht Rugby.”

Welcome Newguy. Defence coach and 10 is priority and a cheap 8 would be a push. I think somebody mentioned the Buckley thing before but as a lock.

hey guys love this forum always look it for transfer news!! I was just wondering are we going to get a decent outhalf :ohmy: :ohmy: ???I think we could find a decent IQ back rower maybe "Dominic Ryan" not sure when his contract is up ???
Maybe even signing tony buckley hes a free agent "Could be a bit of a nick williams signing " ???

More than anything else we need a new defensive coach

We don't need a potential international guy, just a solid cover for Browne/McKeon/Muldoon/Naoupu and Clarke. We are a small-budget club, he is tall, strong, experienced, is used to play high level rugby, and probably want more gametime.. We had our big "coup", Aki and Mils, let's be realistic and smart now

Given his stats and the fact that he's in the championship right now he's probably worth a look by Lam and shouldn't cost too much. However the reality is he was never more than a bit part at Quins with only 3 premiership starts and despite being dual qualified (probably triple qualified now?) he never attracted any attention from Ireland, England or Wales.

I'm not saying he's a nobody only he hasn't replicated that form in the last two seasons. He also had a chance to come to Ireland and try and push for an Irish International place with Leinster a few seasons ago and turned them down. If he came I wouldn't be displeased but can't see it happening.

Former Quins player, 30 apparences that's not a complete nobody

Might have had a good game then but his form the last season or two has being nothing to write home about. I think Leinster went after him a few seasons ago and he turned them down also.

Peter Browne, 26 London Welsh IQ by his father had a great game in the semi final 2nd leg against Leeds. He plays 6/8 and even 5, just perfect to enlist

Someone get Lam on the phone and tell him I've sorted out that No. 8 problem for him.

When we have players of the quality of Szarzewski, Mujati, Lydiate, Sexton, Roberts, Fall, Hernandez et al we can be judged by those criteria.

I'm not saying that we don't need to be more consistent we certainly do but judging Racing Metro on the same criteria as Connacht is nonsense.

Since the 6 nations they have picked up some good wins but look at the opposition, all games they should be winning bar maybe Stade away and the season ended with Montpellier tearing them a new one on the final day.

A team like Racing has the duty to compete strongly on both fronts and they have failed miserably in that regard. If they win the Top 14 fair play to them and I take on board your point as I remember Wasps timed their run to perfection to win the Premiership a couple of times. However, a handful of decent results isn't reason to be breaking out the confetti, lets see can they finish the job in the Top 14 and / or put a consistent season together next season and maybe then ROG can preach about consistency.

I disagree. They have been very consistant. They were consistantly bad for the first 2 thirds of the season and consistantly good since the 6ns ended. Phatguerilla commented that rog took over defence around then. If that is true then he deserves credit. They looked a very strong team in all facets of play last friday night.
My point was and still is that they are now playing cinsistantly good rugby at the time of the season that matters most.Connacht fans would take that any day.

As you well know from last season rossie and as we know as Connacht supporters one big result does not make a good season. I don't have the figures in terms of budget but given the talent they have there falling over the line to scrape into the top 6 while putting in an absolutely pathetic effort in Europe shouldn't count as a successful season.

If they go on to win the Top 14 more power to them but there can't be any argument that they've been consistent. Looking at the teams below them, there is a lot of average sides in the bottom half of the table. If they failed to make Top 6 it would have been a total embarrassment.

Also, the worth of Toulouse has been well and truly exposed this season so even that result has a major asterisk beside it.