Will Connacht keep thier Star players this time?

Connacht did suffer a loss of a lot of their top players in one go a few years ago, Carr, Keatley, Cronin. However the loss of these I believe was because the IRFU were doing a review on Connacht and only allowed them to offer one year contracts while this was ongoing, hence these players came to the end of thier contract and had option of one year deal by Connacht (who's future was not certain) or longer deal elsewhere, it also prevented Connacht tieing these players into longer deals.

Since then rather than disband Connacht (which was feared but though unlikely), they have seen there funding increase, and a proper plan put in place to allow them to grow at a sustainable rate. Connachts acamady is much improved and its supposed to be easier for other provinces to send players,that aren't quite making it in thier own Province, to Connacht (though Ulster seam to be the only ones doing this).

Right now Connacht have a talented batch of youngsters. So do you see them being able to hold onto them or is the lure of the other provinces going to be to much for some?

Below I'd listed the best young players, and what I feel will happen to them, feel free to add to this list.

Kieran Marmion, (scrumhalf) really come on the scene this season.
Welsh born scrum-half Kieran Marmion joined the Connacht Academy in 2011 from UWIC College. A product of the IRFU Exiles branch, he was a member of the highly successful Kirkham Grammer Schools Seven’s team. While in the school he was called up to the Ireland U18 youths squad and made his debut in the FIRA European Championships in France.
In March of 2011 Kieran was called up to the Ireland U19 training squad before making the step up to the U20 World Cup Squad. After impressing coach Mike Ruddock, Kieran started each of Ireland’s five games of the tournament. He made his Connacht ‘A’ debut against Russian side Enisei STM while on trial at the end of 2010/11 season.

Don't see Marmion having a close tie to Connacht so could be one that moves on, will be intresting to see if regions make a move for him, he's on a development contract. I think he could have big future, Munster have Murphy, Leinster/Ulster not sure if any scrum halfs are coming though, and one of these could have a move if they don't have a better option coming through.

Robbie Henshaw (fullback)
Glaway born hope he would stay with Connacht, Playing well for Connacht at fullback currently. Ulster are the ones lacking full backs when Payne leaves, will they make a move for him (Believe we tried to sign Duffy a few years ago).

Tiernan O'Halloran, (wing)
Galway born, winger think Connacht will keep hold of him.

Eoin Griffin (center)
Galway born, center very highly rated, could be one of the best young outside centers in Ireland, I think he'll have suiters, but being from Galway home Connacht keep him

Dave McSharry (center)
After coming through the Leinster academy McSharry joined Connacht Rugby in 2011. His preferred position is inside centre,
After coming from Leinster, I think if they come calling he would return.

Willie Faloon, (Number 7)
a rare proper number 7 in Ireland, moved from Ulster. Think that he will settle into Connacht and stay, will become an important part of thier backrow

Andrew Browne (lock)
Andrew Browne is a current member of the Connacht Rugby senior squad. He has represented his province at senior level since his debut appearance in 2007. Andrew is a product of the Connacht Academy system and has represented Ireland at U19, U21 and ‘A’ levels.
Andrew has all the attributes of a professional rugby player. His athletic and powerful physique makes him a potent lineout option, explosive ball carrier and strong defensive player. These together with a combination of his intelligence, engine, speed and handling ability result in an exceptionally well-rounded rugby player allowing him to comfortably interchange between second row and blindside flanker. His experience at both second row and six means he is a dynamic jumper, equally at home jumping at the front, middle or back of the lineout.
After Browne’s senior Connacht debut in 2007 and his performances since, he has emerged as a rising star and has quickly cemented his spot in Connacht’s match day squad. He received the Connacht Young Player of the Year Award 2010/11 and has accumulated a total of 68 caps for Connacht to date.

Locks are in short supply in Ireland, Being Galway born I'd hope he'd stay but irish qualified Locks could come to be in demand!

Jack Carty (outhalf)
The Athlone native is in his first year of the Connacht Academy with a bright future ahead of him. While playing for his club Buccaneers, Jack was selected for the Ireland U18 Youths team where he played with his Connacht U20 half-back partner Kieran Marmion.

Conor Finn (winger)
Galway native, Winger Conor Finn is in his first year of the Connacht Academy. The Aughrim native has made waves in his age-grade career to date and captained Cistercian College Roscrea to the Leinster Senior School’s Cup final last year. His performances for both his school and for Buccaneers earned him a call up to the Ireland U19 squad last season.
A member of the 2011 Connacht U20 side that won the Inter Provincial title, Conor’s season will be remembered for the match-winning try against Leinster in Donnybrook and his second half try against Munster in Dubarry Park, which helped seal, the title for the province. Conor is enjoying his season with Ireland U20’s under coach Mike Ruddock, starting in four of the sides five, Six Nations games this season.

Shane Layden (fullback)
From Roscommon , Having scored a hat-trick for Connacht U20 in their Inter-Pro victory over Munster, he made his senior debut against Leinster at the RDS last October, filling a gap left by injury to Eoin Griffin.
He has represented Ireland U18 and U19, and made his U20 Six Nations debut this season.

Tries against Wales, Italy and Scotland saw him consolidate his place in the starting line-up in the No 15 jersey, although he has also played on the wing and at centre. Ireland U20 coach Mike Ruddock says: “The fact that Connacht won the U20s Championship this year shows how far they’re coming on with their game. Shane is very skilful, and kicks and passes equally well off both feet. But one thing he needs to work on is patience, and knowing when to hold onto the ball rather than passing or kicking it.”

basically I hope they keep the Connacht born players, and Falloon. McSharry make move if Leinster wished him back, Browne could be an Irish lock in demand, and Marmion may not have the same desire to stay others do if someone comes calling.

Nice write up Kingshu,like you I hope they keep all their Connacht born players at the least,they are improving hugely and will become a decent team if they can sustain their current level of improvement.

On the scrumhalf issue Leinster have Luke McGrath and Ulster have Heaney (I think) so hopefully Marmion won't be lured away to another province

The other provinces have big enough squads these days so that'll help Connacht keep what they have as well as pick off unwanted players like McSharry.

There will be offers for some of their players. McSharry and Griffin look very good young players and Robbie Henshaw will also be in demand. Thinking about it they might also have to resist offers from outside Ireland.

So to sum up what I think will happen, they'll lose one or two but they will have plenty of options of fringe players from other squads.

They also have Shane Layden who was the fullback in last years under 20s squad. He looked very promising then but havent heard anything from him since.

Ulster - Pienaar will be off after next year most likely leaving Paul Marshall and not a lot else. Marmion could be an option. They won't look at centres with the reserves they have. Henshaw looks a talent at 15 or centre but with Payne and Nelson and D'arcy about I can't see ulster looking too closely at any of the young backs beyond 9.

Munster- could look at any of the options in the outside backs. Zebo and Luke O'Dea are there but bear in mind howlett, Downey, Laulala, hurley haven't loads of time left and jones is injury prone then any of henshaw, griffin, McSharry could be options. Can't see marmion going to he number 2 to Murray.

Leinster- depends on the progress of McGrath, Macken, O'Malley, Conway, and to a lesser extent McFadden and Carr. McGrath could be just as good a 9 as marmion. No one has really put there hands up at centre for them, albeit with limited chances. Henshaw I could maybe see going.


Just my opinion above andi sincerely hope Connacht can hang onto their youngsters and build something sustainable and lasting in the west.

For Leinster i think Cooney has been surprisingly (for me at least) good when called on this season and am excited about McGrath so i don't think they would look for Marmion even though he was picked ahead of McGrath for much of the under 20s.

At centre we have Darcy, O'Driscoll, McFadden, O' Malley, Macken and soon to be Goodman so we look well stocked however DArcy and O'Driscoll havent got long left McFadden isnt that great, and O'Malley and Macken need more gametime. I think the Connacht partnership looks very good and the Griffin and Mcsharry suit each other very well but i dont think they will end up at Leinster, at least not for a while.

Maybe send Carr back in exchange for Browne? Cullen hasnt much in the tank and Roux is only here for a year so an IQ lock would be very good. I havent seen to much of him though.

Again in the back 3 i think were well stocked provided we dont have another injury list like this year which i think was a bit of a freak. Keaerney x2 Nacewa Fitz, Conway, Carr, Hudson and McFadden. However i like the look of Henshaw, Layden and O'Halloran but think they would be better off at Connacht especially they first two who need a lot more playing time.

I'm actually surprised by how many of these Players have come through the Connacht acamady, and are not just moved from other provinces acamadies.

Only 3 of the 9 are from elsewhere. maybe a few forwards would be welcome but these normally take more time, and the Connacht acamady has only started producing in last 2 years (prob from investment years before) so maybe these will start appearing next year or so?

Honestly the acamady in Connacht has surprised me. Starting to being well on the way to producing th eplayers needed to keep the province going.

Munster have a big over supply of second rows. POC, DOC, Donn Ryan, Holland, Foley, Nagle, Hayes, Donnellan and O'Flaherty. I'd like to see a few of those leave, for their own careers sake.

Of all the players mentioned here, who is the most likely to break into the irish squad over the next few years?

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Of all the players mentioned here, who is the most likely to break into the irish squad over the next few years?

Denis Buckley, Griffin, Marmion, McSharry and Henshaw look the most likely. I'm not sure about O'Halloran but I wouldn't rule him out.

It would be very unlikely that all of them make it though. Out of those 5 I would choose Griffin, Henshaw and Marmion as the guys to make it. Even that would be very unlikely, 3 Connacht players in an irish back line. If they deserved it, then it shouldn't matter though.

With Kearney out, could Renshaw be in the mix in the AIs?

Fair play they are like the Dragons but with a much better more beneficial set up for them selfs n the whole of Irish rugby.

Henshaw & Marmion for me out of those mentioned.

Both young and very good players.

Just hope Connacht can keep hold of them for some time yet.

The bigger clubs/provinces come knocking though, to big an offer to turn down.

I actually think Connacht will have an easier task of keeping these players than years past.

Connachts budget is better, from IRFU, Sponsors and increased gates over the last year or two.

If qualification for H-cup is changed to 2 Irish, 2 Welsh, 1 Scottish 1 Italian team, and next two best non qualified teams, it would actually make it easier for Connacht to qualify for the H-cup (finish ahead of one Italian, Welsh and Scottish team) i.e last year they would have qualified on merit.

So with H-cup rugby achieveable players would be more inclined to stay, Almin is to be improved if they are in it.

And with Connacht players making the Internation team and training squad now, it doesn't mean you have to move to gain international recognition.

All good signs for our Western neighbours.

Kieran Marmion has signed his first pro contract until 2015. Connacht fans should be happy because theres no doubt other teams would be interested.

Marmion has signed a new 2 year contract to keep him at Connacht. I think its a central contract which is better.


As Marmion is Welsh qualified there has been talk of Gatland sniffing around.  

Great news for him and for Connacht.

How many central contracts are there?  It seems a bit strange that we would tie Marmion with a central contract when there are Murray, Boss, Reddan, Marshall, McGrath, Cooney..... all available.  Thought they usually only rolled the central contract out for a select core squad players.

I really doubt that this is a central contract in the way that say, Heaslip and POC are one, technically every player at any of the provinces (including NIQ ones) are contracted to the IRFU.

Pity he wasnt capped during the summer tour.

"when Payne leaves"

Where is Payne off to?

Do Connacht really have any star players though ? I ask this as a serious question, they have shown so much promise over the past two seasons, but this season they seemed to have gone backwards at a rate of knots. I know they do not get the same funding as the big three in Ireland and they are looked at with a development eye, but star players, I haven't seen any.

LordDowlais wrote:Do Connacht really have any star players though ? I ask this as a serious question, they have shown so much promise over the past two seasons, but this season they seemed to have gone backwards at a rate of knots. I know they do not get the same funding as the big three in Ireland and they are looked at with a development eye, but star players, I haven't seen any.

Craig Clarke has only just started, he captained the Chiefs to two Super XV titles in a row. Quality player, Leinster would love to sign a player like that.

Mickado wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:Do Connacht really have any star players though ? I ask this as a serious question, they have shown so much promise over the past two seasons, but this season they seemed to have gone backwards at a rate of knots. I know they do not get the same funding as the big three in Ireland and they are looked at with a development eye, but star players, I haven't seen any.

Craig Clarke has only just started, he captained the Chiefs to two Super XV titles in a row. Quality player, Leinster would love to sign a player like that.

I mean Irish players, sorry I perhaps should have explained myself better, Fion Carr and Willie Falloon both had the potential to be big players but their careers seem to have fizzled out with regards to making it into the big time for Ireland, other than those two though I cannot think of any others that have stared for Connacht.

Connachts problem is season is their injury list. They've the following injured for most or all of the season so far- White, Loughney, Buckley, Harris-Wright, Muldoon, Faloon, McKeon, McSharry, Griffin, Tonetti, Nikora etc. So'oalio has left after 1 game.


They have only Henshaw in the Ireland squad and Marmion will be included in the future. They're after putting in place underage structures to try and bring through more players and they're getting plenty of players making Ireland U20 squads these days (almost as much as Munster in the past few years).


Going by playing numbers they would be doing well with 3 players making a first choice Ireland squad.

GunsGerms wrote:"when Payne leaves"

Where is Payne off to?

orginal article was written last year, when Payne hadn't said anything about playing for ireland and the New NIQ rules would have prevented us resigning him

profitius wrote:Connachts problem is season is their injury list. They've the following injured for most or all of the season so far- White, Loughney, Buckley, Harris-Wright, Muldoon, Faloon, McKeon, McSharry, Griffin, Tonetti, Nikora etc. So'oalio has left after 1 game.


They have only Henshaw in the Ireland squad and Marmion will be included in the future. They're after putting in place underage structures to try and bring through more players and they're getting plenty of players making Ireland U20 squads these days (almost as much as Munster in the past few years).


Going by playing numbers they would be doing well with 3 players making a first choice Ireland squad.

Seriously, Connacht do not/did not, have any acadamies or any under age structures with their province ? Christ, how do they even operate as a province without anything to keep the players comming through ? Even the Dragons have an acadamy and a few feeder teams below them in the Welsh Prem.

In regards to star players, Kieran Marmion and Henshaw are making names for themselves.
Craig Clarke was a major coup, and Jake Heenan is making a very good impression.

We were all expecting Connacht to come on this year, and to be fair although they haven't been winning they have been pushing teams close, they have a horrible injury list and they can't cope with that as well as bigger teams can.

Hopefully the break will see them get players out of rehab and onto the pitch, and really push on this second quarter.

I also don't think calling them a development team is fair anymore. They do have different structures in place to try and bring them up to the other provinces level, allowed more NIQ's grassroots and acamady being built up etc, and while the funding is less than the others, it prob is about par for the league. They are developing rugby in Connacht, but they aren't a development team, If Henshaw is good enough for a central contract he will get it with Connacht, and won't be asked to move. IRFU are not to fond of Connacht losing players to other provinces, and this wouldn't be the case if they were a development team.

They do have teams from Connacht in the AIB league, and had acamadies, however the IRFU are working with them expanding these and getting a better level of coaching in, they are trying to get the Connacht acamady up to the same level of development as the others.

Connacht having a big clearout.

http://www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-confirm-outgoing-players/#ConnachtNews

Connacht confirm outgoing players
29th April 2014

Connacht Rugby can confirm that the following players will finish with the province at the end of the current season: Gavin Duffy, Frank Murphy, Dan Parks, Paul O’Donohoe, Aaron Conneely, Brian Murphy, Dave Nolan and James Rael.

Head Coach Pat Lam said:

“It’s a tough time of year for players and management who have to make decisions about the future of the squad. In the professional game, no squad is ever the same from one year to the next and there are always a number of players moving on. These guys have given so much to the club and we have nothing but respect for them as well as appreciation for what they have done.

“Guys like Gavin Duffy exemplify what Connacht Rugby is all about. Born and bred here, he has been a fantastic ambassador for the club and has always conducted himself with the utmost professionalism.

“Over the last two seasons, Parksy in particular has contributed massively to the development of our young back line and I know they have taken a great deal from the wealth of experience he brought with him.

“Gavin, Frank and Parksy all played a vital role in our leadership group this season. They acted as a great support to the management team as well as the other players and there is a lot of respect there for them – both from within the club and from the supporters and the wider community.

“All these men are extremely committed and ambitions individuals and I know that they will go on to achieve great things in other areas of their lives, bringing with them the values and skills they have honed at Connacht.”

Connacht Team Manager Tim Allnutt paid particular tribute to his former teammate Gavin Duffy:

“Gav is one of Connacht’s longest-serving players, and someone I had the privilege of playing with myself for two seasons going back over 10 years.

“It’s hard to imagine the place without him. He’s achieved so much with the province and also spent three successful years in his early career over in Harlequins. He’s one of the most respected and hard-working guys that has gone through the ranks at Connacht and I have no doubt that whatever he chooses to do now will bring him great success. I wish himself, Sara and their family all the best for the future.

“Everyone who comes through Connacht contributes to the organisation in some way or another through hard work and dedication. Frank has played over 100 games for Connacht while Parksy and Paul have become such a central part of the Connacht family over the last two to three seasons.

“The younger guys who haven’t played as many games but have worked just as hard in training and within the organisation deserve all our thanks and appreciation.”

Outgoing Players 2013/14: Brett Wilkinson (retired), Gavin Duffy, Frank Murphy, Eoin Griffin (London Irish), Paul O’Donohoe, Dan Parks, Kyle Tonetti (retired), Aaron Conneely, Brian Murphy, Dave Nolan, James Rael.

Incoming Players (confirmed) 2013/14: Bundee Aki (Chiefs), Tom McCartney (Blues), Darragh Leader, Jack Carty, Conor Finn, Finlay Bealham (all Academy graduates).

Dave Nolan is the name that really jumps out at me there as a surprise. I knew that Griffin was leaving, which is a massive shame to be honest, but am surprised about Nolan. Anyone know where he's going?

Also slightly surprised that Duffy and Frank Murphy are going to London Irish. They aren't great signings for them.

Darragh Leader and Jack Carty coming up are going to be classy players for Connacht.

Duffy and Frank are just not getting a new contract. Its not confirmed yet where they will be going. I know thats the way it looks when you read it though.

Is Duffy retiring? Would like to see him integrated into the Connacht coaching set up if he is.

With parks off I presume Nikora will be first choice for a year or two. Cartys very promising but its probably a bit early for him or Ronaldson to be first choice.

Where is Clarke health-wise at the moment? Is there an enhanced concussion protocol which he has to follow in the close season? Anyone know if he is under any restrictions next season?

The other point is that with Parks going, there is a great opportunity for a young IQ 10 to make the position his own. Whom is that likely to be?

I think it is only Griffin that is coming to London Irish and the way that it is written implies that Duffy and Murphy are as well. I would be surprised if all three came our way!

GC, Clarke is still undergoing tests. He's had a load of concussions in NZ so he could retire.

Don't know who will be the next 10. Parks wasn't playing great so no great loss IMO. Theres Nikorah and a few youngfellas there so it'll be one of those unless they bring in a 10.

Golden wrote:Is Duffy retiring? Would like to see him integrated into the Connacht coaching set up if he is.

With parks off I presume Nikora will be first choice for a year or two. Cartys very promising but its probably a bit early for him or Ronaldson to be first choice.

Duffy is retiring alright. I wouldn't bring him in as a coach because he might not be a good coach. Not saying he isn't but you'd want someone who is proven and with a bit of coaching experience.

Did anyone see the rumour that Mils Muliaina is moving to Connacht?

Credance is added to it with Duffy going and Henshaw playing more at centre. A good fullback would be required.

Hi, just joined. Have enjoyed reading your comments and discussions for years now, even on the old BBC 606 and thought its time to get in on the action.

All Blacks great Mils Muliaina agrees move to Connacht. Oops can't post a link for 7 days been a newbe.

This is my first comment and this is great to see as now the Rabo will start to get more competitive and I believe this is a statement of intent as is Zebre's win last Thursday.

Welcome Ninja! great to see a new rabo fan   

This is a huuge signing for Connacht, now lets hope Craig Clarke doesn't have to retire.

Thanks Vince. I'm not from Connacht but I'd love to see them step out of the shadow of the 3 other provinces. The stronger our 4th province are the more competition for places and the better the national side. Also I think the young backline can learn a huge amount from him.

As Ninja can't post, yer tiz

(Welcome Ninja)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/27283192

http://www.thescore.ie/mils-muliaina-connacht-all-blacks-1449119-May2014/

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/pro12/all-blacks-legend-mils-muliaina-to-join-connacht-1.1784149

Couldn't ask for a better mentor for the likes of Leader and Henshaw.

This is brilliant. played with some of the acamedy lads at club level this season (now up in the big smoke) so great to hear they're playing alongside players of this calibre as the talent is definitely there. Player to watch out for next season: Finlay Bealham, an IQ prop who can play both sides and a great character too.

galwegian101 wrote:This is brilliant. played with some of the acamedy lads at club level this season (now up in the big smoke) so great to hear they're playing alongside players of this calibre as the talent is definitely there. Player to watch out for next season: Finlay Bealham, an IQ prop who can play both sides and a great character too.

Bealham was in the Ulster Academy a few years ago and I'd heard good reports... so they sent him to Connacht! Well O'Hagen is a fair exchange, so hope he does well.

Anyone else hear of a separate rumour Bundee Aki also from Chiefs was about to join Connaught - If so I wonder if they managed to get Mils instead. If they do get both that would be something!

Bundee Aki is already confirmed to Connacht.

Nice one - have seen him in action for Chiefs and he is a very destructive player - I can't imagine Mils and Bundee are cheap - did Connaught win the Lotto or something?!?

Can anybody tell me why Rob Penny is having a go at Connacht because they have signed in particular Muliaina? He has a maximum 3 games left and then departs so why say something that might rattle a few cages. Schmit thinks its is a good thing for Connacht. I don't recall big issues, (not that there were any on my part), when Munster had signed, Halstad, Mafi, Tapoki, Howlett, Botha, etc
I would hope the young Munster backs especially Earls learnt a lot from Howlett as I would hope Leader, Henshaw can learn from Muliaina.
With the new structure in place of the H Cup Connacht have every right to chalange for a top 6 finish next year and I think it is a little unfair that any of the other 3 provinces take issue with this signing.
Or is this just the powers that be misquoting yet again and trying to sell newspapers.
You are all a lot more clued in than me on provincial rugby so your view will be interesting. As I have said before the stronger our 4th province the better for Irish rugby.

Its pretty clear in the article(s)...try reading them.

I've read the articles thanks. Do you agree with Penny. I'm not having a go at Munster or Penny I just want to see what other posters think. Obviously if my posts are going to irritate you, don't respond.
As I've stated before I may be new to the board, (posting), but I have been reading these for many years and have no interest in trolling or otherwise. I'm here to discuss opinions but if I am on the wrong site can you please point me in the right direction to a better forum.
I have an interest in all the provinces and enjoy the informed posts from yourself, Sin, Rodders, Notch, Munstermac, Bluemuff etc. I really have no intention of being dragged into an arguement.