If the IRFU are serious about Connacht Rugby, they'll get Nakarawa to plug the second row gap

Accidentally Onside wrote: Dead right.......not sure how I missed that :dry:

Maybe for a very short period loan but I doubt he'd uproot for 6 months alright.

Mark Flanagan wouldn't be a bad short term cover signing

Sol_ie wrote: Invalid consumer key/secret in configuration

Bundee stays for another three years.

Party tonight, folks.

Great, great bit of work.

Massive

Invalid consumer key/secret in configuration

Bundee stays for another three years.

Party tonight, folks.

Great, great bit of work.

Dead right.......not sure how I missed that :dry:

Maybe for a very short period loan but I doubt he'd uproot for 6 months alright.

Same thread he talks about getting a few more games before he finishes up, so most likely end of the season. We could provide that I'm sure but he'd hardly want to uproot the family if it's just for 6 months.

He's talking about sending out CVs and said this:

Andrew keeling‏
You retiring big man

Aly Muldowney
‏Verified account @AlyMuldowney
Nov 23

No point being a rugby player that doesn’t play, all good things must come to an end

Andrew keeling‏
Nov 23

Injuries

Aly Muldowney
‏Verified account @AlyMuldowney
Nov 23
No body all good, just it’s time. Too old to not be playing that’s a young mans game

Could be end of the year I suppose

Muldowney hasn't retired, though from his twitter feed it looks like he'll be gone at the end of the season. If he'd come he'd be a great signing.

Connacht boost as Aki edges 'closer' to first centralised contract in province's history

Cian Tracey

November 28 2019 2:30 AM

Connacht are increasingly confident that Bundee Aki will extend his stay with the club beyond the end of the season.

The Ireland centre, whose current deal runs out next summer, is currently locked in negotiations with the IRFU over a centralised contract.

Should Aki sign on the dotted line, he would become to first Connacht player to secure a national contract, which in turn would free up a large amount of the club's player budget for next season. The 29-year-old has attracted plenty of interest from overseas, but the Westerners are obviously desperate to keep hold of him.

Although Connacht are not directly involved in the contract talks, Andy Friend revealed that there have been positive developments.

"I believe that with every day it's getting closer," the Connacht head coach said. "There's certainly a lot of positivity coming out of Bundee around his energy towards Connacht and our energy towards him.

"Listen, he's been fantastic in his time here and we continue to see the man growing every day. He's got great energy around the group, he's very passionate towards Connacht and everything we're doing.

"He's a big part of us moving forward, so with every day we get closer and fingers crossed the decision is made the right way."

Muldowney is a good call, if his body is still in good nick as you say. We took Lewis Stevenson out of retirement who was probably retired for a much longer time than Muldowney. The only thing is it would be hard for Muldowney to move his family again which would mean he would be away for the holiday period which is when we need him most - that could be a big ask, especially if they're/he's looking forward to his first non-rugby christmas. I think you'd almost need to have a backroom/coaching role in mind for him for afterwards to sweeten the pot.

Thanks AO, hadn't seen that. Always had great time for him, hope he enjoys retirement.

Aly Muldowney retired a few days a go.

Very low key- said his body was still ok but he was too old to be sitting on a bench.

That was on his twitter I believe.....I'm not stalking him :whistle:

Maybe Aly Muldowney would consider coming back, He doesn't seem to be getting much game time with Bristol at the moment.

overstrander wrote: TOM FARRELL’S HOPES of playing in next year’s Six Nations have been dealt a blow with the Connacht centre set to be sidelined until the New Year with a fractured shoulder.

Farrell (26) scored a try against Toulouse last weekend in the Heineken Cup, but also sustained the scapula injury, which will leave him out for approximately six weeks.

Bad news on Farrell alright but Butler, Buckley, McKeon and Rory Burke are all back from injury according to the Thornley Gazette.

In non-injury news we're looking to recruit a lock, and Goddard will cannot be added to the EPCR squad as he's only here til January (which is short of the minimum three month contract required for eligibility).

TOM FARRELL’S HOPES of playing in next year’s Six Nations have been dealt a blow with the Connacht centre set to be sidelined until the New Year with a fractured shoulder.

Farrell (26) scored a try against Toulouse last weekend in the Heineken Cup, but also sustained the scapula injury, which will leave him out for approximately six weeks.

Squad training pictures

Bad news :

Butler (wearing hood) and Gallagher (brace) are out

Good news

Sean Masterson trained, might be included in the euro-squad AND Bealham seems training fully (scrum position), maybe a great surprise!