Loughney has something like 92 caps for Connacht, albeit mainly as a sub over the last 6/7 seasons, he is still young, in prop years anyways. He could really progress to be a rock for us at TH, this season could be the real making of him

Delighted for Loughney, richly deserved and hopefully he'll put his hand up.
Saw Liam Toland comapring him to John Afoa recently, don't think he's there just yet, but it's company to be keeping all the same.
Really disappointed for Hagan and Carr, a pity they are not getting the gametime to show their worth.

Good news for Connacht. Ok it is a bit of a PR stunt from the Irish Management but its a positive development all the same. Don't understand why Nagle is there though, given he's so far down the pecking order at Munster he should not be considered until he's at least able to force his way on the squad consistently. Gilroy for example and maybe Marshall should have been in there.

Good news in the A squad too. Ronan Loughney deserves his moment for battling his way back at Connacht after it looked like his career would peter out a few years back.

Sad to see how things have gone for Hagan in particular but hopefully it'll show players that the grass isn't always greener.

Good on all the lads! It will be a good experience for them especially TOH and with the one Wolfhound game two weeks before Connacht start back up in the Rabo there should be little disruption in camp. Hopefully those selected for the Wolfhounds will get a chance to show their stuff, though selfishly I wouldn't mind if most of them got a rest.

Well done to all Connacht players selected in both The main squad and the Wolfhounds.

I get your point Ummm but it's long term gain for short-term pain. I think there's only one Wolfhound game this season? So they won't be away for long. Also it will be a great morale booster for guys knowing that their efforts have been seen and rewarded at International level. Guys who think they have a chance of getting into the Irish squad playing with us will be less likely to leave in the future. In that respect Kidney actually did us a big favour not picking Hagan or Carr.

Happy for all the lads named, but to be honest for the majority it will be tackle-bag holding duties with little chance of breaking down the impenetrable wall that is Declan Kidney.

While I hope the lads learn new stuff I'm more interested in seeing that improve them at Connacht. We need a win desperately and losing players for meaningless Wolfhound games when they could be released for Pro12 matches that are must wins will really annoy me if it happens.

But no NOC? I'm so confused!

Careful with comments like that Ummmm or its-Phil will give you a moral sermon. Fair play to Tiernan he's there on merit. Would have been interesting to see were Griffin ended up on the pecking order with Spence and McFadden in the mix as well. Good to see are younger guys getting recognition and it shows that Connacht isn't a graveyard for International ambitions!

Fair play Tiernan!

congrats to tiernan ond locks as well as others.

i said it on other threads that locks scrummaging at tight head was good enuf and he cud be in with a chance. not bad for a 2nd choice lh a couple of months ago.

fair play to him!

I think the main one here is Loughney, really delighted for him, with him getting the nod ahead of Hagan. McSharry and Tonetti could put their hands up for future selection, but its great to see young local talent such as O'Halloran and Griffin being included.

Hagan and Carr's moves to 'bigger' things and improve themselvs has obviously worked out fabulously well for them.

He's not in the squad itself, he's there basically to make up the numbers while the wolfhounds are away and get a feel for the international camp. Do you really think Nagle would be picked ahead of Touhy, McCarthy and Toner for the squad or O'Halloran ahead of Luke Fitzgerald? While it will be an experience to train with the team itself, he's not going to be featuring for Ireland this year

But it is good to see Kidney rates him in that promising group of players

Darragh507 wrote: about right i think?

would have thought griffin or mcsharry might have got a vote.

Griffin was included in the "Not considered due to injury list" so obviously close to the wolfhounds.

about right i think?

would have thought griffin or mcsharry might have got a vote.

ummm, wrote: But no NOC? I'm so confused!

Saucer of milk for you, sir!