We have 6 senior locks (7 if Browne stays) and 2 back rows who can play lock, with just 1 (Roux/Dillane) or none (if Beirne hits the ground running) likely to be in the international squads next year. Not sure why we'd need any more.

We need one loosehead, one hooker (Delahunt or replacement) and one other front row at an absolute minimum to be able to name 11 senior front row players in the EPCR squad. Also we have just 5 back rows signed up (6 if McKeon stays) and we have 8 this season, so there'll definitely be one signing there, maybe two. So it's conceivable all the remaining signings will be forwards.

Assuming Horwitz is signed as a starting 10, and assuming we have an as yet unrevealed plan for who will kick if he is
1)High quality Lock
2)Hooker
3) Back up 9 (not happening with everyone signed up I know)
4)Loosehead
5)Back 3 cover

Craggy Island las saying another 4 - 5 signings on the way. I wonder the likelhood of not getting into Champions going to be a stumbling block in getting remaining signings across the line.
Where would fans like see strensthened. Personally I see:

1) A loosehead
2) A hooker with O'Toole leaving
3) A back row
4) Possible young ten with bags of potential

hontherobe wrote: I'd prefer if this was announced officially. However, if it is true, I wish him all the very best for the future.

Tis true it seems, from the horses mouth...

I'd prefer if this was announced officially. However, if it is true, I wish him all the very best for the future.

Shame things didn’t kick on after starting in the win in Cardiff last season. Was there when needed to win the Pro12 so thanks for all the memories JP. All the best for the future.

JP Cooney just announced on Insta that he’s finished with Connacht this year.

I'm guessing you are right, and it was his decision to leave.
He played 15 times this year.
Robson McCoy played 5 times.

The other explanation, there could be a bigger signing

sligsup wrote:

sea_point wrote:

sligsup wrote: Surprised to see Coulson being released

www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-rugby-confirm-departing-players/

Yup, doesn't make sense to me. In fact pisses me off a wee bit, Absolute waste of s signing for a player that young if he's not getting a second season, one year isn't enough especially for a forward...

Going to hazard a guess that it's his shout, and that he'll rock-up at Bristol next season...

Might be a good call factoring in that Jack O’Connell has left them to sign for Ealing

sea_point wrote:

sligsup wrote: Surprised to see Coulson being released

www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-rugby-confirm-departing-players/

Yup, doesn't make sense to me. In fact pisses me off a wee bit, Absolute waste of s signing for a player that young if he's not getting a second season, one year isn't enough especially for a forward...

Going to hazard a guess that it's his shout, and that he'll rock-up at Bristol next season...

Might be a good call factoring in that Jack O’Connell has left them to sign for Ealing

sligsup wrote: Surprised to see Coulson being released

www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-rugby-confirm-departing-players/

Yup, doesn't make sense to me. In fact pisses me off a wee bit, Absolute waste of s signing for a player that young if he's not getting a second season, one year isn't enough especially for a forward...

Going to hazard a guess that it's his shout, and that he'll rock-up at Bristol next season...

sligsup wrote: Surprised to see Coulson being released

www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-rugby-confirm-departing-players/

Peter Dooley PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!

I think that leaves only Delahunt, Cooney, Browne, McKeon and Robb as neither re-signed nor released yet.

Surprised to see Coulson being released

www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-rugby-confirm-departing-players/

Connolly and Scholes staying next season too:

www.connachtrugby.ie/james-connolly-and-...cht-for-next-season/

I make that 35 definitely signed for next season, so another 5 to 10 announcements to go.

I see Jordan Conroy hasn't been included in the Ireland squad for the world cup qualifier in the Hong Kong 7's. Anyone have any idea what the story is regarding him and the Connacht senior set up?

pinky wrote: What does this quote from KK mean?

I felt he did a wonderful job. Now he’s probably going to go away from us, we are not going to get him, but we are really happy for him. I always believed [he’d do well]. Even if he had stayed in NZ, he would have done well.

www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/european-...f-connacht-1.3442301

Does he just mean we will see less of him due to international commitments?

Read this yesterday and one of the lads on a whatapp group im in was asking the same thing. I read it as we wont have him as much due (Games Player management) to his success and intenational level and KK is delighted for him, This also reflects what Nigel said in an interview two weeks ago about the signing of Godwin that due to him not being available they expect gowin to fill his boots so to speak.