Props: Brett Wilkinson, Ronan Loughney, Denis Buckley, Rodney Ah You (special project), Nathan White (special project), JP Cooney. Hookers: Jason Harris-Wright, Dave Heffernan, Sean Henry, James Rael. Second Row: Craig Clarke (NIQ), Mick Kearney, Aly Muldowney, Michael Swift, Danny Qualter. Back Rowers: Andrew Browne, Aaron Conneely, Mata Fafita, Jake Heenan (special project), Willie Faloon, Eoin McKeon, John Muldoon, George Naoupu (NIQ). Scrum-halves: Kieran Marmion, Frank Murphy, Paul O’Donohoe. Outhalves: Miah Nikora, Dan Parks, Craig Ronaldson. Centres:Eoin Griffin, Robbie Henshaw, Dave McSharry, Brian Murphy, Kyle Tonetti. Wingers: Fionn Carr, Matt Healy, Tiernan O’Halloran, Danie Poolman (special project). Fullbacks:James So’oialo (NIQ), Gavin Duffy.
While our squad is getting there in certain positions and we have a bigger squad, the question has to be asked have we as much depth as we'd like to think we do?
Front row: Hopefully the fringe players will push on next season but we look a bit short on depth & experience in all 3 positions given the injury issues we are certain to encounter.
2nd row: We're a bit stronger but we have to remember that Craig Clarke probably won't start any of the first 5 or 6 games (at least) and Swifty isn't getting any younger. Daniel Qualter has little experience and has it all to prove yet. Muldowney seems highly rated but we'll have to see.
Back row: Heenan looks a good bit of business but he still has little senior experience, Aaron Conneely's development looks to have stalled a bit, Fa'fita has it all to prove and we have lost JOC. Also John Muldoon isn't getting any younger. We are ok in theory but we could get stretched.
Scrum half: Marmion has come through well. After that I'd have little faith in any of the other options. Injury or an international callup could leave us in a bit of bother.
Out half: Parks isn't getting any younger and he'll mix the mainly good with the bad again I'd imagine. Nikora doesn't cut it for me. Has a couple of decent games from time to time but never commands the number 10 jersey. Ronaldson is worth a punt, he's done well at Landsdowne but he's playing in a dominant team at AIL so its a major step up.
Wings: I'm happy enough on the wings. I'd prefer to see Poolman at centre but we have good options with backup of a decent standard also. Hopefully Tiernan can push on next season.
Centre: Don't know will they reinstate Henshaw to his original position. We've had our injury problems. All our options there can do a job for us to some degree but McSharry being fit is critical and he looks likely to miss the early part of the season. Hopefully Tonetti will get a clear run also this season
Full Back: Don't know anything about So'oialo but reckon Pat Lam will give him the jersey having backed him to come over here. Gav is coming towards the end now as well.
You would hope that other options emerge from the academy as the season progresses. Shane Layden is a player who has huge potential but has had a tough time with injuries and you can only hope he can get a clean run and demonstrate his quality. Jack Carty needs to be viewing this season as an opportunity if he wants to make it. Darragh Leader, Ultan Dillane, Conor Finn etc. Don't know are these lads good enough to make it but there is always one or two who surprise you most seasons. You'd hope that Finlay Bealham, Jamie Dever and these lads can get plenty of Eagles gametime this season.
A couple of under the radar signings to the academy similar to previous signings like Dave McSharry, Mick Kearney, Kieran Marmion could be valuable in bolstering the squad.
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