Connacht 2021/22

[blockhead]

Connacht have already started the redevelopment of their stadium, only the pitch itself atm but still.
Soon it will only be us with the ramshakle, looked like it did a 100 years ago, temporary seating, dogs dinner of a venue.
Unbefitting for one of Europe's finest.

[Dave Cahill]

Connacht have already started the redevelopment of their stadium, only the pitch itself atm but still.
Soon it will only be us with the ramshakle, looked like it did a 100 years ago, temporary seating, dogs dinner of a venue.
Unbefitting for one of Europe's finest.

Good. Long may it last

[neill_m]

Connacht Rugby are delighted to confirm that Phase 1 of the historic redevelopment of The Sportsground has now begun with the installation of a new artificial playing surface and floodlight system.

Following preliminary works earlier this week, a full excavation of the pitch is now underway to allow the laying of a new state-of-the-art surface ahead of the 2022/23 season.

The new artificial surface will enable Connacht Rugby to retain The Sportsground as both its training and playing base long into the future with additional capacity to continue hosting the very many club and school games that take place in the Sportsground every year.

Meanwhile Phase 2 of the redevelopment will soon be entering the procurement phase leading to the construction of a state-of-the-art High Performance Centre and the construction of a new North Stand to follow thereafter.

The plastic pitch will no doubt get a mixed reception from their fans. New capacity of 12,000 once the work is complete.

[cormac]

Joe Joyce joining Connacht from Bristol for the start the start of the 2023/24 season.

[paddyor]

Joe Joyce joining Connacht from Bristol for the start the start of the 2023/24 season.

Why announce that now?

[OTT]

Joe Joyce joining Connacht from Bristol for the start the start of the 2023/24 season.

Why announce that now?

I had missed that bit, very strange.

[betty swallocks]

Joe Joyce joining Connacht from Bristol for the start the start of the 2023/24 season.

Why announce that now?

I had missed that bit, very strange.

Announcing he's joining Connacht now for the 23/24 season will likely render him eligible to play for Ireland in the RWC. He is a TH Lock. Could that be the reason?

[Ruckedtobits]

Joe Joyce joining Connacht from Bristol for the start the start of the 2023/24 season.

Why announce that now?

Because they've agreed it now and he's essentially pre-contracted (very normal in French rugby) and probably precluded from talking to others in the meantime.

[paddyor]

Joe Joyce joining Connacht from Bristol for the start the start of the 2023/24 season.

Why announce that now?

Because they've agreed it now and he's essentially pre-contracted (very normal in French rugby) and probably precluded from talking to others in the meantime.

Thanks.

[sunshiner1]

He's TH lock something that Ireland need. He looks good quality but don't know enough about him. What do people think? The Bristol fans aren't happy he's going so thats something. Could he be Quinn Roux's replacement?

[ronk]

He's TH lock something that Ireland need. He looks good quality but don't know enough about him. What do people think? The Bristol fans aren't happy he's going so thats something. Could he be Quinn Roux's replacement?

He's a starter for them. We were annoyed at losing our 3rd choice scrumhalf.

[Laighin Break]

Joe Joyce (born 7 February 1994) is an English-born, Irish-qualified rugby union player. He plays lock for English Premiership Rugby side Bristol Bears. He is lovingly known as "The King of the Mead" by fans after a commentator coined the phrase. He has played over 100 games for Bristol and scored 2.5 tries.

[Oldschoolsocks]

Joe Joyce (born 7 February 1994) is an English-born, Irish-qualified rugby union player. He plays lock for English Premiership Rugby side Bristol Bears. He is lovingly known as "The King of the Mead" by fans after a commentator coined the phrase. He has played over 100 games for Bristol and scored 2.5 tries.

A talent that should not be overlooked

[sunshiner1]

He's coming next year and asked for it to be made public now. It's also a 3 year contract he will be on. Looks like he is planning on retiring here and trying to pick up a cap or two along the way.

[munster#1]

I heard this on the radio the other day, and couldn’t help wondering if the timing of this announcement has anything to do with the timing of the RWC.

The announcement of his impending arrival may mean that rules could be bent to get him into the Irish setup prior to his arrival.
A strong TH lock would go a long way to assisting our lack of depth at TH.

[ronk]

I heard this on the radio the other day, and couldn’t help wondering if the timing of this announcement has anything to do with the timing of the RWC.

The announcement of his impending arrival may mean that rules could be bent to get him into the Irish setup prior to his arrival.
A strong TH lock would go a long way to assisting our lack of depth at TH.

The post above yours said he asked for it to be make public. They can hardly refuse as he'd be able to announce it himself on Twitter.

There'd be no need to bend the rules, he'd be available for the warm up games next summer as has been established by Beirne. Lock is a competitive area of the Irish squad, getting in would be a challenge. If he was good enough to parachute into the team he probably would have been capped for England already.

[leinsterforever]

Joe Joyce (born 7 February 1994) is an English-born, Irish-qualified rugby union player. He plays lock for English Premiership Rugby side Bristol Bears. He is lovingly known as "The King of the Mead" by fans after a commentator coined the phrase. He has played over 100 games for Bristol and scored 2.5 tries.

A talent that should not be overlooked

It's probably just a mistake, but it makes me wonder is it possible to get a share of a try - if two players touch it down at the same time.

[Oldschoolsocks]

A talent that should not be overlooked

It's probably just a mistake, but it makes me wonder is it possible to get a share of a try - if two players touch it down at the same time.

That’s a sure sign you’ve too much time on your hands…

[ronk]

If something on Wikipedia looks impossible…. it probably is.

Here’s an emotional interview where he talks about leaving https://twitter.com/BristolBears/status ... QTNjjm8mVw

Makes complete sense to me that someone who speaks like that in public would announce it now.

[sunshiner1]

Rumours that Conor Carey who was with Northampton could be going to Connacht.