After fifteen years of sterling service, both as a player and a coach, it has been announced that Connacht Assistant Coach Dan McFarland will leave the club at the end of the season to pursue further coaching opportunities abroad.

McFarland- who also played with Richmond and Stade Francais as a prop- was the second Connacht player to reach a century of appearances for Ireland’s Western Province during his stint in Galway between 2000 and 2006.

McFarland was named Connacht’s Forward’s Coach upon his retirement in 2006 and soon joined fellow Connacht stalwart Eric Elwood’s coaching ticket during the Irish U20’s Grand Slam winning campaign of 2007.

Eventually, after four years of impressive coaching of Connacht’s forwards, McFarland ascended to the role of Connacht Assistant Coach and his departure will be a significant loss to Pat Lam’s team.

Commenting on his departure, McFarland professed his thanks to everyone associated with Connacht Rugby:

 “This has been a very difficult decision for me. Connacht Rugby has been such a large part of my life for a long time, but I feel the time has come to explore new avenues and different challenges.

“I am extremely grateful to so many people for the opportunities I have been given here – it has been an honour to work with so many committed and talented players. My family and I have had a wonderful 15 years in Connacht. It is our home and we will greatly miss the place and the people.

“I wish Willie, Pat (Lam), Tim (Allnutt) and the whole organisation the very best and I have no doubt that the excellent infrastructure that has been put in place will provide continued success going forward.”

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Craig Gilroy’s wonderful line and double pirouette settled a tense Irish Interprovincial Derby between Ulster & Connacht last night.

Like a graceful ballerina, the 23 year old former Methodist College Belfast winger evaded the attempted tackles of several Connacht players with consummate panache before touching down.

With the Six Nations on the not so distant horizon, Gilroy will have done his reputation within the Irish National Camp no harm with this brilliant try and all round solid performance.

Youtube Credit: TheUAFC

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There’s seldom a nicer sight in Rugby than an accurate offload and Bayonne centre Matthieu Ugalde provided us with an example in the Top 14 sides recent Challenge Cup clash at home to Connacht.

The centre’s marauding runs brought him close to the visitors try line and his sumptuously delivered offload was met by the momentum and running line of winger Pierre Sayerse to score.

Ultimately, a plucky Connacht would secure the win, 29-27, but Ugalde can look back with pride on his run and offload.

Clip Credit: Le-Rugbynistere DailyMotion

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Number 5 – Kieran Marmion vs. Leinster

Last year Marmion came onto the scene from nowhere along with Henshaw as Connacht’s rising stars. He has improved immensely and become and integral part of Connacht’s winning form this year. His try earlier in the year against Leinster sums up how Marmion’s speed and quick thinking has helped Connacht. Brilliant individual try.

Number 4- Nick Cummins vs. Australia 

Nick Cummins scores against the Wallabies? Probably not a headline you expected to hear at the start of 2014! The aussie cult hero moved to Japan after the Super Rugby season which allowed him to tog out for the famous BaBas in November in one of the game of the year. This Barbarians side was one of the best we have seen in years and provided some awesome tries and moments of skill.

3. Number 3- Danny Care vs. Ireland

Ireland fans look away. In Ireland’s only defeat of the year, Mike Brown provided a bit of magic with a hard running line through the Irish defence. His superb last minute offload allowed the rapid Danny Care to dive over under the posts in one of the best tries of the 6 Nations.

Number 2- Bernard Foley vs. Brumbies

Can you think of a better way to secure your place in a Super Rugby final? Probably not. While the Brumbies are in attack Foley make an excellent tackle in defence before the Tahs break away from their own 22. The 6’10 Will Skelton delivers a delicious offload to Foley who raced back up the pitch to run in for the try. Absolute magic!

Number 1 -Fa’asiu Fuatai v North Harbour

We could watch this over and over and over and over and over… yeah you get the idea. This try has to be our number 1 here at RBP HQ. The execution of this immaculate move is beyond perfection. Is there anything else to say? It’s just complete madness from Otago.

Now it’s the fans’ chance to decide!

Vote below which is your try of the year or select other and let us know which is your favourite if it isn’t on the list!

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Youtube Credit: Pro12Rugby

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Bundee Aki is off to Connacht next year

The dam gates have been flung open, as Super Rugby players desert New Zealand in droves for the financial incentives in Japan and Europe.

As the All Black selectors unveiled their extended training group for the June internationals with England, the discards firmed up plans for strong overseas deals before the next World Cup.

A dozen players have confirmed they will not play Super Rugby next year while others like Tanerau Latimer and Andy Ellis are expected to reveal they are also joining the exodus.

Those on the march are Andre Taylor, Mils Muliaina, Zac Guildford, Jackson Willison, Bundee Aki, Alipati Leuia, Tyler Bleyendaal, Chris Noakes, Jack Lam, Jarrad Hoeata, Tom McCartney and now Corey Flynn, who tweeted yesterday that he was off to Toulouse.

Buxton Popoali’i and Benji Marshall have left already while there are growing noises about the impending departures of Latimer, Ellis, Ben Tameifuna and Gareth Anscombe.

There is a growing feeling amongst the Super Rugby players, whom feel they are unlikely to gain World Cup selection that there will be more opportunity in Europe and Japan now, then after the World Cup, when the aging super stars of the game look for financial sweeteners before they call a day on their careers.

Tyler Bleynendaal heading to Munster

Tyler Bleyendaal, for example, would feel his chances are pretty low, considering he has immense competition for the Crusaders 10 jersey, let alone the All Blacks. Daniel Carter, Colin Slade, Tom Taylor ahead of him as five-eighths at the Crusaders and others around the country rated higher too.

Bleyendaal captained the New Zealand under-20 side to the world title in 2010 and has played more than 20 games for the Crusaders but his way to the top in New Zealand is blocked by many rivals.

He is heading to Munster while another Irish club, Connacht, have picked up Muliaina, Aki and McCartney.

The New Zealand Rugby Union has been keen to trumpet the signatures of most of its wider All Black group who are committed to the next World Cup season.

That group is Richie McCaw, Israel Dagg, Charles Piutau, Cory Jane, Ben Smith, Julian Savea, Sonny Bill Williams, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Daniel Carter, Colin Slade, Ma’a Nonu, Francis Saili, Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock, Dane Coles, Liam Messam, Sam Cane, Steven Luatua, Jerome Kaino, Luke Romano, Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Afeaki, Brodie Retallick, Jeremy Thrush and Luke Whitelock.

That is a hefty pile of talent and the core of the All Blacks who will defend their global crown next year.

Their Super Rugby teams will need them to show their class during that series but the All Black coaches will also be asking coaches to monitor players’ workload and arrange some down time. That will put more emphasis on the quality of the remaining players across the five New Zealand sides. That pressure will increase in 2016 if the proposed tournament expansion occurs.

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