Will Connacht keep thier Star players this time?

First topic message reminder :

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.

You asked can anybody tell you why Penney was having a go...the articles are clear on this...its not a level playing field for all the provinces now. Whether he is right or wrong is irrelevant. He might have a point but its about developing Irish players and that is also part of his point....(although the historical interest in players moving from one province to another is low).

Also the previous signings were under different rules and even then the amount of NIQ was minimal enough and in positions of weakness for the provinces. Storm in a teacup and maybe something to do with his relationship with Schmidt...who knows.

Who do you support by the way?

Munster. As I said I was not having a go at Penny or Munster. I am just interested in different opinions. If any of the Connacht backline can benefit from Muliaina's presence and take the step up to getting into the regular Irish set up, (while playing for Connacht) then thats great for Irish rugby). That is in my own opinion though.
Same for Earls becoming a better player because of Howlett, O Brian because of Elsom and Henderson because of Muller.

I think Penny is out of line, Connacht have less central funding and different rules on NIQ player limits to help promote them, and a few big names will help excite the province and push it on, they are building from the ground up.

Would Penny swap with Connacht's budget, if it allowed him more NIQ, I very much doubt he would.
Connacht's plan is clear to see, over the last few years the acamady has be improved, and attentances have increased. Now they are looking to push on again, and a few high profile NIQ players is the way to do this, they will bring a higher standard to training and a better culture, making the province more professional, and hopefully swelling the crowds even more.

Why wait to now? Well, even though less teams will qualify from the Pro 12 for the new H-cup, it is actually easier for Connacht to qualify.

Under the old rules they would have had to have finished 3rd in the table (above Ulster) to have got in, whereas in future a top 6 place would pretty much guarantee it, so now is the time to be pushing on to qualify for the top table in their own right.

If everyone is fit Connacht have a team that will trouble most, and they have depth in a number of positions as well. That said, as proved this year a number of injuries to key personal and they can still struggle, but they are making strides to having a squad that can make the top 6.

Mils Muliaina,
O'Halloran,
Henshaw,
Bundee Aki,
Darragh Leader,
Marmion,
Nikora/Jack Carty

D Buckley,
Tom McCartney,
R Ah You;
A Muldowney,
Craig Clarke,
J Muldoon,
Jake Heenan,
George Naoupu