Players In/Out 14/15 (other league teams)

[simonokeeffe]

Connacht Players Out:

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.

updated list
most of those players quite old and most featured v little if at all this season and in most cases good promising players in their positions, have to be signing a 9 from somewhere though

[cormac]

Martin Kelly - one year development contract at Munster. Ian Nagle is leaving

[simonokeeffe]

Martin Kelly - one year development contract at Munster. Ian Nagle is leaving

yeah Nagle offered new deal but wants to play, 2 tyears first team would do him good then return when Donners and Paulie retire

Connacht couldve done with Nagle especially if Clarke retiring, with Nolan gone only lock more than 6'5 is Clarke and not like theyve a Croft or Potts in backrow

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Surprised Duffy is leaving. Definitely the right decision given how he's played this season but still surprised he's actually going.

I would imagine that Swift extending his deal is down to Clarke retiring.

I feel for POD, his career hasn't exactly worked out like I had imagined it.

[simonokeeffe]

Surprised Duffy is leaving. Definitely the right decision given how he's played this season but still surprised he's actually going.

I would imagine that Swift extending his deal is down to Clarke retiring.

I feel for POD, his career hasn't exactly worked out like I had imagined it.

Swift is still in fine fettle and IMO theyve been missing him from starting side

Duffy could also be a relatively big earner which may have come into it and they did recruit a serious NIQ fullback last summer

POD I always felt could have made a decent 10 or maybe fullback, everything about his game was great except his pass which is fatal for a 9

[JB1973]

regan king is going back to the scarlets, lot of talk in the local press about london irish 8 Chris Halaufia joining them.

The drags have certianly brought some experienced older heads in stankovich and gough (if they stay fit and out of jail) will help that powder puff front row and byrne and brew willl give them a cutting edge behind.

I know we are still looking at a lock , a 9 and if adam leaves a tight head.

However the level of player leaving Wales is far higher than those coming in

[Morf]

Connacht Players Out:

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.

updated list
most of those players quite old and most featured v little if at all this season and in most cases good promising players in their positions, have to be signing a 9 from somewhere though

Without being spiteful I'm happy to that Connacht are letting go of players who aren't up to standard/holding back more promising younger lads. The 9s and Duffy/Parks really I'm talking about, don't have huge knowledge of the others to comment.

I wish them all the best elsewhere.

[simonokeeffe]

regan king is going back to the scarlets, lot of talk in the local press about london irish 8 Chris Halaufia joining them.

The drags have certianly brought some experienced older heads in stankovich and gough (if they stay fit and out of jail) will help that powder puff front row and byrne and brew willl give them a cutting edge behind.

I know we are still looking at a lock , a 9 and if adam leaves a tight head.

However the level of player leaving Wales is far higher than those coming in

Halaufia and Liam Williams in the one team guarantees at least one citing per match
BOD based hypocrisy aside not sure how much use King is at 34 when he hasnt played much past two years either

Thought yee lot were well stocked at 9?

RE Connacht: Parks was brought in for experience/leadership/kicking the ball into the sea for home/winter games and then Lam tries to use him in an a SH style attacking open gameplan when he had zero running threat (which scuppers that) and mostly passed standing still and/or couldnt spin pass (which fairly scuppers that)

as it stands only NIQs at Connacht next season are McCartney, Naupou, Heenan, Clarke, Poolman and Aki
only NIEs Naupou and Clarke (if he plays again), Poolman year 3 of residency and Heenan and Aki look like viable contenders for caps

[cormac]

Ian Porter and Shane O'Leary confirmed for Connacht. Andrew Smith joins Munster on a one year deal from the Brumbies

[simonokeeffe]

Spotters badge to Goreyguy for the Porter one

[Morf]

Andrew Smith? Is he 3rd choice 12 at ACT?

[IanD]

Luke McLean: Sale Sharks sign Italy international full-back

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/27260546

Italy international full-back Luke McLean will join Sale Sharks from Treviso at the start of next season.
He will fill the gap left by Rob Miller, who is joining London Wasps.
The 26-year-old, who was born in Australia and has won 56 caps for Italy, is the fifth new signing confirmed by the Premiership side.
Chris Cusiter, Nathan Hines, Alberto de Marchi and Darren Fearn will also link up with Sale, who host Leicester Tigers on Saturday, next term.
"Luke is an exceptional international full-back. He is a genuine 15 and great under the high ball," director of rugby Steve Diamond told the club website.
"Luke will bring a lot of experience with him and will compliment and help push our standards.
"We have now brought in four internationals to replace the lads who are leaving. Luke is also a very competent goal kicker."

[simonokeeffe]

Andrew Smith? Is he 3rd choice 12 at ACT?

I think he was a 13 as he was on bench a lot with McCabe who always plays 12

in fairness Brumbies started midfield Tevita Kuridrani and Christian Lealiifano is one of the best in the world

McClean is a good player, Sale looking like a decent side for next year

[Morf]

Andrew Smith? Is he 3rd choice 12 at ACT?

I think he was a 13 as he was on bench a lot with McCabe who always plays 12

in fairness Brumbies started midfield Tevita Kuridrani and Christian Lealiifano is one of the best in the world

I half recognised his name but thought I'd only seen him once or twice for ACT (haven't seen any Super XV this year though).

[simonokeeffe]

Andrew Smith? Is he 3rd choice 12 at ACT?

I think he was a 13 as he was on bench a lot with McCabe who always plays 12

in fairness Brumbies started midfield Tevita Kuridrani and Christian Lealiifano is one of the best in the world

I half recognised his name but thought I'd only seen him once or twice for ACT (haven't seen any Super XV this year though).

my best guess was he was same Andrew Smith who played on the wing for Wesley College with me

[leinster4life13]

Andrew Smith? Is he 3rd choice 12 at ACT?

I think he was a 13 as he was on bench a lot with McCabe who always plays 12

in fairness Brumbies started midfield Tevita Kuridrani and Christian Lealiifano is one of the best in the world

McClean is a good player, Sale looking like a decent side for next year

Aren't they losing Braid though? Big loss, he's been an awesome signing for them, quality player

[simonokeeffe]

Connacht winning the recruitment so far, Ulster up to 10th departure now

[simonokeeffe]

Edinburgh are going to break this thread, 20/44 senior players leaving.