Head Coach: Pat Lam
Captain: John Muldoon
Pro 12 Position 2013/2014: 10th
Stadium: Galway Sportsgrounds
Connacht Rugby Season Preview
It was a summer of transition at Connacht with Pat Lam signing eight new players and promoting five from their academy. There has also been some significant outgoings at the Sportsground.
Last season’s captain Craig Clarke has had to retire due to suffering 10 concussions in the space of two years. Dan Parks has also retired and both players are going to be huge losses to Connacht.
Bundee Aki and Mils Muliaina are their most high profile signings and should bring some excitement to a backline that lacked serious cutting edge last season. Aki could form a very exciting centre partnership with the ever impressive Robbie Henshaw, with Muliaina providing the class from full back.
One area that will be a bit of a concern to Connacht is the lack of depth at out half. Miah Nikora, Shane O’Leary and Jack Carty will vie for the spot vacated by Parks.
Nikora will be favourite to start in the position, but O’Leary and Carty will play their part too. It is vital for Connacht that whoever plays at out half gets their backline quick ball.
The retirement of Parks should also see a change of style. Traditionally Connacht liked to keep the ball in the forwards and play the territory game. Parks was exceptional at this game plan and his team used this to put pressure on opposition set piece play.
None of the out halves possess that ability, so keeping the ball for multiple phases is the likeliest option. Aki, Henshaw, Muliaina and another rising star in the province, scrum half Kieran Marmion have the necessary skill set to enable this type of play.
The question that Connacht face is: Do they have enough quality forwards to get the exciting the backline the ball? In my opinion, the answer is no.
Jake Heenan is a serious operator at openside flanker and showed how good he can be in their famous Heineken Cup victory away from home against Toulouse last year but he needs help from others.
John Muldoon is a hero amongst Connacht fans but his injury plagued career is starting to catch up with him. As already mentioned, Craig Clarke has had to retire and the gaping hole created in the squad due to his retirement has not been filled.
All in all I see it as being a tough season once more for Connacht. There is no doubt that there will be some exciting nights at the Sportsgrounds this season, but there is not enough quality within the squad to see them finishing high enough in the Pro 12 to get to the playoffs, or qualify for the European Champions Cup for the 2015/2016 season.
Players In:
Finlay Bealham (Prop) from Academy
Tom McCartney (Hooker) from Blues
Quinn Roux (Second Row) from Leinster (loan)
John Cooney (Scrum Half) from Leinster (loan)
Ian Porter (Scrum Half) from Ulster
Shane O’Leary (Out Half) from Grenoble
Jack Carty (Out Half) from Academy
Bundee Aki (Centre) from Chiefs
Conor Finn (Wing) from Academy
Niyi Adeolokun (Wing) from Dublin University
Shane Layden (Full Back) from Academy
Darragh Leader (Full Back) from Academy
Mils Muliaina (Full Back) from Chiefs
Players Out:
Dave Nolan (Second Row) to Bourgoin
Eoin Griffin (Centre) to London Irish
James Rael (Hooker) Released
Aaron Conneely (Back Row) Released
Frank Murphy (Scrum Half) Released
Paul O’Donohoe (Scrum Half) Released
Brian Murphy (Centre) Released
Gavin Duffy (Full Back) Released
Craig Clarke Retired
Dan Parks Retired
Kyle Tonetti Retired
Brett Wilkinson Retired
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