MulMan wrote: While I think we are bring harsh on Robbie, only last Friday I was saying that I don't view him the same as when he was with us, even when playing with Ireland there's a subconscious ill feeling toward him. When he decided to leave it hurt more than McCarthy, Cronin, Keatley, Carr or anybody else that moved to other provinces or JOC or Duffy leaving to go abroad, he may be a Westmeath native but he was raised in rugby terms within Connacht, and his choice to leave was one of our own saying "Thanks, but no thanks", and that stung deep, you can't expect people to cheer him on with unwavering support now that he's playing in blue.

It was more that it was a bit of a vote of no confidence in the province beyond having a decent season (he couldn't have known that we'd win out that season) despite all the support he had been given within the province all the way up.

I still maintain that he jumped too early, and as a consequence it hurt our progress badly, certainly affected us more than Leinster would have been affected if he had stayed another season or two. Certainly would not have affected his Ireland chances one jot by staying. Himself and Bundee were the outstanding centre's in the country at the time...

While I think we are bring harsh on Robbie, only last Friday I was saying that I don't view him the same as when he was with us, even when playing with Ireland there's a subconscious ill feeling toward him. When he decided to leave it hurt more than McCarthy, Cronin, Keatley, Carr or anybody else that moved to other provinces or JOC or Duffy leaving to go abroad, he may be a Westmeath native but he was raised in rugby terms within Connacht, and his choice to leave was one of our own saying "Thanks, but no thanks", and that stung deep, you can't expect people to cheer him on with unwavering support now that he's playing in blue.

Congratulations to Buccaneers RFC along with all of the Connacht coach's both at various age levels right up to Eric Elwood and Pat Lam ect. for seeing the potential and developing a player capable of winning a Champions cup, not least for the bravery and confidence they showed letting him play Heineken Cup Rugby while he was still in school. Were it not for them, the majority of us would never have even heard his name let alone get to see him play. Real shame though, that he was out sick the day they were giving the loyalty classes.

columoc wrote: Bit disengenous there lads. So everyone should stay in their parish? He probably would not have won a Champions Cup with us. He should be celebrated for his achievements. Fine player well deserved, delighted for him.

Ummm.. I don't harbour any deep hatred for Henshaw or anything but I certainly don't have to respect or celebrate him for choosing to leave.

Ah get over yourself. If a player wanted to change province from Munster or Ulster on a central contract they'd be told what to do with themselves.

It's a chicken and egg thing for us, we need players on central contracts to get the likes of Henshaw to stay, but we need a Henshaw to stay to get that first central contract.

He was completely right to look after number one, but in terms of the province's long-term development it put us back a couple of years.

So the flip side of him being free to do what he likes is Connacht fans being free to (cordially) dislike him for it.

Bit disengenous there lads. So everyone should stay in their parish? He probably would not have won a Champions Cup with us. He should be celebrated for his achievements. Fine player well deserved, delighted for him.

I read during the week where Endorsement said that winning the Heineken with Leinster would outstrip winning the Pro12 with Connacht. Typical.

Anyway I thought he'd just left us to go to Leinster coz his girlfriend worked in Dublin.

Congrats to ex player who won with Leinster today.
I know he left to win things, and I'm over the moon for him. He is a great man and player.
And I will always miss him. I hope he goes on to win more in the future.
Well done Sean Cronin you are a legend


Oh!
I Better say well done to endorsement as well

wp_rathead wrote: Shane O'Leary starts at 10 for Ealing Trailfinders against a Leinster A team featuring Mick Kearney in B&I Cup final

So they located Mick Kearney again, thought he was still MIA after last game in Galway...

Shane O'Leary starts at 10 for Ealing Trailfinders against a Leinster A team featuring Mick Kearney in B&I Cup final

With the whole coach-arriving-when-the-season's-already-underway thing having worked so well with Kiss, we shouldn't really be surprised that McFarland will be in situ within days of their elimination from the Challenge Cup.

Confirmed apparently www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2018/0430/959246-...amid-ulster-rumours/

m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/ulster-rugb...ulster-36857773.html

New gig for big Dan? Be nice to see him get a shot as HC but would be going into a toxic situation

Rory Parata not being kept by Zebre
www.zebrerugbyclub.it/dieci-zebre-salute...onera-fine-stagione/

I guess he doesn't classify as an ex-player for a few weeks yet, but this is where he'll be if any of us is looking for him ...
www.bristolrugby.co.uk/news/muldoon-arri...m-for-201819-season/

They used to call him The Beast From the East when he was here, so if you hear any rumour of him coming back, let us know so we can get down to the bakery before the rush.