Connacht get the ball rolling against Treviso

Rob Murphy

IT’S difficult to know where to begin when assessing the forthcoming season for Connacht. It has been without question the most eventful and significant off-season in the history of professional rugby in the west, so much has changed on the field and, perhaps more significantly, off the field.

In one sense, the progress has been phenomenal but, at the same time, it's impossible to ignore the feeling of uncertainty that surrounds a radically changed Connacht squad.

The Connacht team that runs out at the Stadio Monigo in Treviso on Saturday afternoon (kick off 2pm Irish time) could have as many as 11 players from last season, but that doesn't even begin to tell the tale of the off-season changes to Eric Elwood's squad.

First and foremost though, they'll have a new captain. Gavin Duffy was unveiled this week with John Muldoon stepping down after three years in the role. The Portumna man will no doubt continue to inspire as he attempts to shrug off a season of injuries and get back to top form.

Duffy has a lot of new players to rally. Out of the entire RaboDirect Pro 12 league, Connacht have seen the most upheaval in terms of players coming in and out. No less than 15 players have come in and a total of 16 have left.

Of those 16 departing, four have grabbed the headlines. There has been a grudging acceptance that it was the right time for Sean Cronin to move on but the departures of Ian Keatley (Munster), Fionn Carr and Jamie Hagen (both Leinster) have left a bitter taste for some.

How Connacht replace the quartet may well determine whether or not they can better their seven wins in league action last season and remain competitive in the lofty surrounds of the Heineken Cup.

Ethienne Reynecke comes in from Saracens to battle with Adrian Flavin for the number two jersey, the long serving latter has been edging that battle in pre-season action.

Jamie Hagen's loss is arguably more significant in the pivotal position of tighthead. Former Kiwi under 20 world cup winner Rodney Ah You has to learn quickly at 23 years of age.

Then there is 21-year-old Leinster signing Stewart Maguire who impressed for Connacht A in a battling 22-20 defeat to Munster A last week. He'll keep some pressure on Ah You.

Many were hoping Ian Keatley would step up to another level in the ten jersey this season. Instead, he's off to Munster and the onus could fall on 26 year old kiwi Miah Nikora in his third season out west. He starts as marginal favourite to fill Keatley's boost but will miss the opener through injury.

Mathew Jarvis joins from the Ospreys. The 21-year-old was in good form against Saracens in pre-season while Ulsterman Niall O'Connor has been a little less to the fore. For Connacht to move forward, they'll need at least one of the trio to shine.

That leaves the try scoring prowess of Fionn Carr to be replaced. He bagged seven league tries last season, although he struggled to find form in the middle of the campaign.

New signing Fetu'u Vainikolo arrived this summer from New Zealand, he has some super 14 experience having scored tries for fun in his first year but his form dipped in the last couple of seasons. He was a late world cup call up for Tonga and thus will miss the first four games, but he is the key man when it comes to replacing Carr's scoring ability.

Outside of that, Brian Tuohy (five tries last season), Tiernan O'Halloran who has shown well in pre-season and Mark McCrea are among those who will be looked upon to make up the shortfall.

Injuries are a worry, David Nolan will miss most of the season having broken his leg against Exeter. The big Galwegian second row seemed set to make his mark. The other key long term injury is Keith Matthews who will be in a race to be back in time for the first Heineken Cup game at Harlequins on November 10th.

Former rugby league player Henry Fa'fili (joins from Leeds) is the man charged with filling Matthews boots. If he fails to spark, then Connacht options at twelve appear limited with Athlone native Aidan Wynne having being let go after failing to nail down a place last season.

For more, read this week's Galway City Tribune.