Connacht 2017 - 2018

[Ruckedtobits]

We've yet to see how Aki will go at International level. However, I suspect that he will be 1st choice center when fit. Gary is very good, very good indeed, but Aki/Henshaw could be brilliant. More games for Ringrose with Leinster would be the fallout. Not so bad.

... for us sure! But of course Ringrose won’t be happy about it- and it’s likely to lead to him either moving from the club (unlikely)-or push to change positions. Garry to 15 possibly? Not a bad option or result: a sort of reverse Jarrod Payne.


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It'll be Henshaw to FB.
The RWC isn't too far away.
Carberry is Sexton's likely cover up to it and replacement after it.
Ergo we need to find w FB post RWC - Henshaw is the obvious candidate.

Lots of logic in that post @Oldschool.

[paddyor]

No to Henshaw to 15. He'll just end up being the same type of 15 Kearney is now. Would much rather a play-making 15 ala Payne or Carbery

[simonokeeffe]

No to Henshaw to 15. He'll just end up being the same type of 15 Kearney is now. Would much rather a play-making 15 ala Payne or Carbery

Im with Paddy on this one
Henshaw was always seen as a 13 but played 15 in his debut season just so they could get him on to the field

A bit like Jamie Roberts who started as a fb, I dont think he has the wheels for 15 at international level and it doesnt solve our 2nd distributor problem either

Shoehorn someone in at 14 if we are shoehorning

[artaneboy]

No to Henshaw to 15. He'll just end up being the same type of 15 Kearney is now. Would much rather a play-making 15 ala Payne or Carbery

Yeah- in the medium term for Ireland, Garry to FB gives us a second playmaker and frees up Carberry to move back to 10.

Henshaw’s skill set could be developed to fulfill that needed second playmaker role, but limited evidence I’ve seen from his Connacht days I’d suggest FB isn’t the best place for him to develop those elements. As Paddyor suggests a sort of poor mans Rob.


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[paddyor]

No to Henshaw to 15. He'll just end up being the same type of 15 Kearney is now. Would much rather a play-making 15 ala Payne or Carbery

Yeah- in the medium term for Ireland, Garry to FB gives us a second playmaker and frees up Carberry to move back to 10.

Henshaw’s skill set could be developed to fulfill that needed second playmaker role, but limited evidence I’ve seen from his Connacht days I’d suggest FB isn’t the best place for him to develop those elements. As Paddyor suggests a sort of poor mans Rob.


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Actually I think he could be an upgrade on the current version of Kearney but I don't think he'd be much different in terms of passing or finding space. He seems to like contact.

[sunshiner1]

Rumours of Jake Heenan heading off to France next year. Makes sense. The international career hasn't happened and he can make great money over there.

[scentofgunpowder]

I think Butler looks better than him and he only managed an average of 13.5 games per season over his first 4 seasons so don't think I'd be too disappointed to see him go.

[simonokeeffe]

I think Butler looks better than him and he only managed an average of 13.5 games per season over his first 4 seasons so don't think I'd be too disappointed to see him go.

Have to agree there. At least he made all those project XVs. Dont think he would be on great money but he would certainly make more, hes a good player just terribly injury prone

[Ruckedtobits]

Tactically that's been a very good first half for Connacht against the Cheetahs with a 13-3 scoreline at h-t. Adioluckan scored a super try with great pace from 40m. But even allowing for playing with the wind, the boys in green are playing smart rugby. The 'Keane Edge' is getting sharper!

[sunshiner1]

Even smarter when you see the injuries they had. Bealham was playing in the second row for a lot of the game.

[neiliog93]

Matt Healy's woeful defence showing why he has only the one Ireland cap. Adeleokun looks sharp after coming back from injury, might come into 6 Nations reckoning.

[blockhead]

Jake Heenan leaving at end of season, dont know where though.

[sunshiner1]

by blockhead

Jake Heenan leaving at end of season, dont know where though.

Supposedly it's France but I heard a rumour about Munster too!

With Heenan gone rumours are now swirling around Denis Buckley's head being turned. With him not getting any international notice he might fancy two years in France on big money and come back to Ireland when Schmidt has left. If this is the case apparently Peter Dooley is Connacht's target to replace him.

[Ruckedtobits]

by blockhead

Jake Heenan leaving at end of season, dont know where though.

Supposedly it's France but I heard a rumour about Munster too!

With Heenan gone rumours are now swirling around Denis Buckley's head being turned. With him not getting any international notice he might fancy two years in France on big money and come back to Ireland when Schmidt has left. If this is the case apparently Peter Dooley is Connacht's target to replace him.

That's the cost of improvement in standards and internal competition on the island. Understandable from Buckley's perspective, he has given great service to Connacht but just hasn't got any traction with JS and, with Kilcoyne's selection based on improved scrummaging, it's hard to fault him looking around.

[scentofgunpowder]

He's contracted to 2019. I'd still like to bring in Dooley to rotate with him and then take over if he does leave at the end of next season. It's probably way too early to write off Coulson but he hasn't shown much yet.

[sunshiner1]

by scentofgunpowder

He's contracted to 2019.

Really? I heard it was this season. Where did you find that out? I couldn't see the contract signings length anywhere.

[scentofgunpowder]

http://www.the42.ie/connacht-contracts- ... 7-Dec2016/

[sunshiner1]

by scentofgunpowder

http://www.the42.ie/connacht-contracts- ... 7-Dec2016/

Thanks. Good to put that rumour to rest. Have you heard anything about Heenan going to Bristol to rejoin Lam?

[scentofgunpowder]

One of the worst Connacht performances I've ever seen today, a real throwback to the dark old days. In addition to being inept in almost every aspect of the game, the players lack any intensity or commitment whatsoever and team spirits look really poor. I'm curious what the perception is from neutrals?

Realistically if we are to improve we need new unit coaches at least, a few Fardy/Lowe tier NIQs, and a couple of Leinster's elite prospects. Not that I want you guys to lose home-grown players, but our academy is not producing at the moment and our representation in Ireland underage teams is extremely low.

[scentofgunpowder]

by scentofgunpowder

http://www.the42.ie/connacht-contracts- ... 7-Dec2016/

Thanks. Good to put that rumour to rest. Have you heard anything about Heenan going to Bristol to rejoin Lam?

I heard France but who knows. Not sure why anyone would throw big money at him, he's constantly injured.