connachtexile wrote: Happy with this but would be even happier if we signed Jake Heenan to a longer contract that boys a find.

I thought we had him on a 3 year contract

Happy with this but would be even happier if we signed Jake Heenan to a longer contract that boys a find.

Just relieved it's a 2 year deal, a small sign that the threat of a changed HEC or the overspend hasn't changed the thinking at the IRFU with regards to giving Connacht a fair chance to make a fist of it.

Excellent news, it's great that they're beginning to get contracts sorted out at this stage, hopefully more to follow soon

Matt Healy signs 2 yr contract.

I would be very dangerous to throw a few league games to lull the opposition into a false sense of security like that but I do believe if certain players can mix between running from deep and involve a few unexpected chips/grubbers it could be devastating.

it will be interesting to see if they give the ball to So'oialo in our half to kick for touch or territory from scrum and lineout. Is he any good kicking from the hand?

Maybe this has been the plan all along to make Saracens believe Lam's tactics.

rossie wrote: No its tactical. He was dropped I'm guessing for challenging the tactics on training( or kicking more than lam wanted).

On the length of kicks from hand the same happened to rog last season. I think its the body telling him the end is near. He will need to find length tomorrow night though or give responsibility to solialo. If Connacht try to run trough or around sarries they will be hammered. The only hope is for the pack to take it to them and play territory and in their half.

It seems that for penalties, coaches everywhere are stopping spiral kicks which give lenght, in favour of more accurate but shorter punts. I think this was the case with ROG, it may have been coached out of him. Don't know about Dan. But possession is so improtant that coaches would prefer to sacrifice distance.
Jonny Sexton used to spiral a lot but now only in open play. Only under pressure will he push it right down the line. Rob Kearney's is the best, he can get 70 metres from a spiral out of hands. Ironically, the only one I have noticed lately using spirals from penalties is Owen Farrell.

No its tactical. He was dropped I'm guessing for challenging the tactics on training( or kicking more than lam wanted).

On the length of kicks from hand the same happened to rog last season. I think its the body telling him the end is near. He will need to find length tomorrow night though or give responsibility to solialo. If Connacht try to run trough or around sarries they will be hammered. The only hope is for the pack to take it to them and play territory and in their half.

RonanL wrote:

phatguerilla wrote: well he was signed at least in part to kick long range penalties, <strong>parks' boot seems to be losing a bit of distance as it is</strong> and we're unlikely to see many scoring opportunities so I would think someone capable of putting them over from 60 metres would be a big asset for this game? Plus there's no real 12 option?

I noticed this too. His kicks from hand are losing distance too, which isn't going to help if we do see sense and play a bit of territory.

I'm only thinking out loud here but I wonder is this part of the reason why they're running the ball from their own 22 so much? I realise there are other players who could kick it so maybe not but I thought it might be a factor.

phatguerilla wrote: well he was signed at least in part to kick long range penalties, parks' boot seems to be losing a bit of distance as it is and we're unlikely to see many scoring opportunities so I would think someone capable of putting them over from 60 metres would be a big asset for this game? Plus there's no real 12 option?

I noticed this too. His kicks from hand are losing distance too, which isn't going to help if we do see sense and play a bit of territory.

clanman wrote: how can he be match fit. prefer to see McSharry on the bench.

Was playing club rugby in Auckland

how can he be match fit. prefer to see McSharry on the bench.

With the injury situation being like it is , there a good chance he'll play some part in the Sarreys game.

well he was signed at least in part to kick long range penalties, parks' boot seems to be losing a bit of distance as it is and we're unlikely to see many scoring opportunities so I would think someone capable of putting them over from 60 metres would be a big asset for this game? Plus there's no real 12 option?

It wud say a lot about what lam thinks of the squad so far if he is.