Dan Parks signs for Connacht

Am I right in saying, this is an excellent signing for Connacht? Or is it a waste of time keeping Niall O'Connor out of the team?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17191403

He's now added scoring tries to his game

Very poor signing in my opinion. It will hold back O'Connor from getting game time and Parks is exactly the wrong type of fly half to get the best out of Connachts talented young backs.

What the flip are the IRFU thinking allowing this?

Hes a good player who unfairly (for the most part) gets a huge amount of stick. He will have a huge amount of things to teach Niall O'Connor. I presume this means Nikora will be going as they hardly need 4 outhalfs for the rabo and amlin when none of them will be missing for internationals.

With Griffin, Mcsharry and o hallaron in the backline hopefully Parks will be able to get the most out of them. Would have preferred someone with a more complete game but I think he will improve the team

Great signing. It will ensure they take th points when on offer. Nathan white will be a big sig in for them aswell.

My issue with this though is if Connacht go to something like 10 foreigners - they must be well on the way how does that benfeit Irish rugby.

Think this is a great signing for Connacht and will make them more dangerous in that they'll convert a lot of penalties into 3 points

Geoff theybwill surely have to lose some. Nikora and ah you will most likely b gone. Its just a higher class of foreigner. That said. Anything that can generate interest in rugby out west has to be positive.

Golden wrote:Hes a good player who unfairly (for the most part) gets a huge amount of stick. He will have a huge amount of things to teach Niall O'Connor. I presume this means Nikora will be going as they hardly need 4 outhalfs for the rabo and amlin when none of them will be missing for internationals.

With Griffin, Mcsharry and o hallaron in the backline hopefully Parks will be able to get the most out of them. Would have preferred someone with a more complete game but I think he will improve the team

They'll be in the Hino after the Leinster v Munster/Ulster final in Twickers.

This is an excellent signing for Connacht. Parks will bring a wealth of experience with him for others to learn from, and he's a big name still as well that will help generate interest. Good move all around in my opinion

I think it is a good signing as I think his kicking will win Connacht games, quite a lot of games. On a windy day in Galway there is nothing better than having a guy who can kick better than most. Granted he is not the best with ball in hand but I feel he is to Scotland what P.Wallace is to Ireland....a scapegoat. Better than given credit for.

I kick it's good to have a proven point kicker in the team, now if stringer would move to Connacht in the summer that would be a very experienced half back pairing.

Great signing from a Welsh perspective, means the Blues can now fire the backline at will (provided any backs are left by next season ) and in contrast any flair Connacht were developing: down the toilet

Seriously now, Blues signed him when he'd just had arguably his best season with Scotland, Connacht are signing him just off one of his worst and at the tail end of his career. He'll bring experience for the young blood to maybe learn from but I think that's it.

Good signing for Connacht as he will suit their frequent need to keep the opposition at bay for long periods and then make sure of the three points.

Also agree with Knowsit that its got to be good for the Blues and for Tovey, hopefully they will finally have a OH who can move the line and Tovey will have a team that can give him an opportunity to shine at a higher level..... if they dont all leave before he gets there!

I can understand why he is signed, and I think he may be a good signing. However I don't buy this passing on expecience nonesence, Connacht have Elwood, who was IMO a better fly half then Park.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:I think it is a good signing as I think his kicking will win Connacht games, quite a lot of games. On a windy day in Galway there is nothing better than having a guy who can kick better than most. Granted he is not the best with ball in hand but I feel he is to Scotland what P.Wallace is to Ireland....a scapegoat. Better than given credit for.

I don't think he's a scapegoat at all Pete. Its no coincidence that Scotland have started to score tries now he's gone.

He stands far too deep in the pocket in attack and lacks pace and physicality. He can't tackle for toffee.

In fact his signing is totally at odds with the attacking gameplan that Connacht have been developing and he adds a weak link to their relentless commitment in defence.

Hes a truely awful signing in my opinion. He'll kick the odd drop goal and kick the corners well but at what cost if guys like O'Hallaran and Griffin are starved of quality ball?

geoff998rugby wrote:My issue with this though is if Connacht go to something like 10 foreigners - they must be well on the way how does that benfeit Irish rugby.

But Geoff, the problem Conact struggles with is that they lose their descent IQs, and have no hope of attracting IQs. If they want to be on a par in terms of competing for their share of quality Irish players, they will need to start doing better in their competitions. Dan Parks alone could effectivly jump them up the league a few places next season with his kicking.

It doesn't seem attactive with all the NIQs right now, but it may be their only hope for the future.

I agree they lose good players but that do get others in return - 3 from Ulster alone last summer.

Was expecting this, heard the rumours quite a while back.

Damn i was hoping he would go to the Dragons.

Connacht don't have a cutting edge, nor are they likely to get one anytime soon. Their strength is in the pack and maybe Parks can tap into that better than NOC. I can't see NOC making it much further as a 10 and maybe he could have a role as a footballing 12?

The last post on this thread was back in February when there seemed to be divided opinion whether Parks would be good or bad for Connacht.

Always felt he was substandard bordering on useless, a big boot but nothing else, standing so deep that it's virtually impossible for his back line to get over the gain line. Well, after his display v Leinster last Saturday, confirms for me that this is an awful signing by Connacht. Sure, he might kick more goals for them, but as for helping to develop young talent like Griffin, McSharry and O'Halloran forget it.

brennomac wrote:The last post on this thread was back in February when there seemed to be divided opinion whether Parks would be good or bad for Connacht.

Always felt he was substandard bordering on useless, a big boot but nothing else, standing so deep that it's virtually impossible for his back line to get over the gain line. Well, after his display v Leinster last Saturday, confirms for me that this is an awful signing by Connacht. Sure, he might kick more goals for them, but as for helping to develop young talent like Griffin, McSharry and O'Halloran forget it.

If I were a Connacht fan, I would definitely have Keatley back or bring through another young-gun instead of signing Parks. Parks's kicking is overrated, he can't pass and he is invariably the slowest player on the pitch. As a Glasgow fan, I do feel a bit sorry for Connacht - they seem to lose the players they develop to a reasonable standard the second a team with better finances is interested.

Good short term signing to bring some valuable experience to the side. May not be the right type of 10 for their style but will bring a steady head.

Very bad signing for Connacht imo, he's been a big reason (one of a few mind) the Blues havent made use of a world class backline this season.

His kickings not where it was up until 2010.

I've seen tesco security guard put in more committed tackles than him.

Good luck to Connacht with him, hopefully he'll fit in to some sort of grand scheme.

good signing for him - he couldn't find a better mentor than Elwood - pity for his sake it's at the end of career and not the beginning