For the "high-profile" utility-back : Some logic in it, Healy is 29, Niyi nearly 28.
A decent young NIQ would know he'll have room to start on a regular basis if he signs a long-term contract.
Butler-like player would be nice

connachta wrote: Shane Delahunt Hooker 2019
Tom McCartney Hooker 2020
Jonny Murphy Hooker ????
Dave Heffernan Hooker 2019


Denis Buckley Prop 2019
New NIQ LH Prop
Peter McCabe ????

Conan O'Donnell Prop 2019

Conor Carey Prop 2019
Finlay Bealham Prop 2019
Dominic Robertson-McCoy Prop ????


Quinn Roux Lock 2019
Ultan Dillane Lock 2019
Gavin Thornbury Lock 2019
Joe Maksymiw Lock 2019
James Cannon Lock 2019
Cillian Gallagher Lock/Flanker 2019
Peter Claffey Lock 2019

Eoghan Masterson Back Row 2020
James Connolly Back Row ????
Sean O'Brien Back Row 2020
New Flanker (Connors?) Back Row
Robin Copelan n°8/Lock 2020
Eoin McKeon Back Row ????
Jarrad Butler Back Row 2020

Kieran Marmion Scrum-half 2020
Caolin Blade Scrum-half ????
James Mitchell Scrum-half 2019
Conor McKeon Scrum-half ????
(Kerrins)

Jack Carty Out-half 2019
David Horwitz Out-half/Centre ????
Craig Ronaldson Out-half/Centre ????

Kyle Godwin Centre/Outhalf ????
Bundee Aki Centre 2020
Eoin Griffin Centre ????
Tom Farrell Centre 2020
Peter Robb Center 2019

Matt Healy Wing ????
Niyi Adeolokun Wing 2019
Cian Kelleher Wing ????
Rory Scholes Wing 2019
Tiernan O'Halloran Wing/Fullback 2020
New NIQ utility back Wing/Fullback
Darragh Leader Fullback ????
(Adam Leavy)

Red : to sign

44-man senior squad

We definitely need a loose head as you say, think we could do with a tight head as well. O’Donnell is fairly small and could benefit from focusing on one position exclusively at this stage of his career. We’re a lot less experienced at lock than I would like but at least we’ve buckets of potential there.

Great news if it gets done.

Bazzo wrote: I was being slightly less than serious

It was too early in the morning for that Craic

No that’s all I heard, not sure if Niq or not. Just that they were starting material.

I was being slightly less than serious

DK just re-signed for Leinster

sligsup wrote:

Shelflife wrote: The utility back three player lined up is supposed to be starting material.

Have u further info that you want us to beg for or is that it Shelflife? NIQ I assume!

Dave Kearney

Shelflife wrote: The utility back three player lined up is supposed to be starting material.

Have u further info that you want us to beg for or is that it Shelflife? NIQ I assume!

The utility back three player lined up is supposed to be starting material.

Shane Delahunt Hooker 2019
Tom McCartney Hooker 2020
Jonny Murphy Hooker ????
Dave Heffernan Hooker 2019


Denis Buckley Prop 2019
New NIQ LH Prop
Peter McCabe ????

Conan O'Donnell Prop 2019

Conor Carey Prop 2019
Finlay Bealham Prop 2019
Dominic Robertson-McCoy Prop ????


Quinn Roux Lock 2019
Ultan Dillane Lock 2019
Gavin Thornbury Lock 2019
Joe Maksymiw Lock 2019
James Cannon Lock 2019
Cillian Gallagher Lock/Flanker 2019
Peter Claffey Lock 2019

Eoghan Masterson Back Row 2020
James Connolly Back Row ????
Sean O'Brien Back Row 2020
New Flanker (Connors?) Back Row
Robin Copelan n°8/Lock 2020
Eoin McKeon Back Row ????
Jarrad Butler Back Row 2020

Kieran Marmion Scrum-half 2020
Caolin Blade Scrum-half ????
James Mitchell Scrum-half 2019
Conor McKeon Scrum-half ????
(Kerrins)

Jack Carty Out-half 2019
David Horwitz Out-half/Centre ????
Craig Ronaldson Out-half/Centre ????

Kyle Godwin Centre/Outhalf ????
Bundee Aki Centre 2020
Eoin Griffin Centre ????
Tom Farrell Centre 2020
Peter Robb Center 2019

Matt Healy Wing ????
Niyi Adeolokun Wing 2019
Cian Kelleher Wing ????
Rory Scholes Wing 2019
Tiernan O'Halloran Wing/Fullback 2020
New NIQ utility back Wing/Fullback
Darragh Leader Fullback ????
(Adam Leavy)

Red : to sign

44-man senior squad

If Connors is confirmed, it means 3 IQ in a row and 2 NIQ spots still available

As we only need a utility back to replace Ili (if Adam Leavy is not is not ready yet to be 2nd choice) , and a LH for Coulson (if O'Donnell is not ready yet to be 2nd choice),
I suspect the 2 NIQ are there, our last signings.

Connacht Rugby are delighted to announce the signing of hooker Jonny Murphy from Rotherham Titans. The 26-year-old has previously represented Ireland at Under 18, 19 and 20 levels.



Murphy is a former student of Banbridge High School and came through the Ulster Academy before making his debut for the province in the 2016/17 season.



Commenting on the signing, Connacht Defence Coach Peter Wilkins said: “We are delighted that Jonny Murphy has signed for Connacht ahead of the 2018/19 season. He is a powerful and robust forward who will provide increased options to our game.”



Following his signing, Jonny Murphy added: “I am relishing the challenge of joining Connacht and looking forward to joining the squad for pre-season training. There is huge competition at the moment for that number 2 jersey and I hope to add to that further. Connacht have a loyal community of fans and I look forward to representing them when I arrive in the Sportsground.”

Bazzo wrote: Peter Dooley won't be joining anyway, one of 21 players to sign an extension with Leinster announced today. Goes to show you how much the branch are up against it when it's a real struggle for us to hang on to our clear cut first choice players even with equal money offers but their 4th/5th choice is happy enough to sit around getting a few caps a season.

No sign of Will Connors in the contracts. Caelan Doris is on a senior contract now.

We're just not an attractive proposition at the moment unfortunately.

Bazzo wrote: Peter Dooley won't be joining anyway, one of 21 players to sign an extension with Leinster announced today. Goes to show you how much the branch are up against it when it's a real struggle for us to hang on to our clear cut first choice players even with equal money offers but their 4th/5th choice is happy enough to sit around getting a few caps a season.

No sign of Will Connors in the contracts. Caelan Doris is on a senior contract now.

Why should they when after they play a few games for Leinster they become fixtures in the Ireland squad?
It's effectively financial doping by the IRFU, but it's a situation they are happy to see continue so don't expect it to change any time soon

Peter Dooley won't be joining anyway, one of 21 players to sign an extension with Leinster announced today. Goes to show you how much the branch are up against it when it's a real struggle for us to hang on to our clear cut first choice players even with equal money offers but their 4th/5th choice is happy enough to sit around getting a few caps a season.

No sign of Will Connors in the contracts. Caelan Doris is on a senior contract now.