Connacht V Bourgoin. European Challenge Cup. 10th Apr. KO: 13:00. SS2

seanin4711

Lets light this mutha!
We couldnt be better prepared for this game and I am the most confident I have been in years about a performance.(lucky we dont have any relegation worries like bourgoin!)
For the first time in ages we have strength in depth in several key positions and our second string who started in the last 2 games played out of their skins!
Should have beaten leinster and deserved to beat a fancied edinburgh side

Even though I fancied the gunners all the way "YE OF LITTLE FAITH" i suppose!

Whats to say we wont give munster a run also the week later!

I think the team have found two words down the bottom of the laundry basket that haven't been seen in a very long time which are
Consistency and Belief.

Why is it that this belief has been 7 years in the making?

I hope Eric can tap into this and continue in the same vein!

Connacht by 10,there I said it!!!

See you all at the sportsground this saturday at 1pm!!!

Slan

sean;)

thomond2006

seanin4711 wrote: »

Lets light this mutha!
We couldnt be better prepared for this game and I am the most confident I have been in years about a performance.(lucky we dont have any relegation worries like bourgoin!)

Montauban have been relegated due to their financial problems and Albi are already relegated so Bourgoin have no relegation worries.

irishbucsfan

thomond2006 wrote: »

Montauban have been relegated due to their financial problems and Albi are already relegated so Bourgoin have no relegation worries.

Bourgoin are being investigated and I think the results of that (as well as Stade's investigation) are being announced soon.

The club is not healthy

chupacabra

When is this game on? Also is it on tv?

PhatPiggins

thomond2006 wrote: »

Montauban have been relegated due to their financial problems and Albi are already relegated so Bourgoin have no relegation worries.

They can still avoid relegation if they find the money. Bourgoin are in the exact same position but their case hasn't been heard yet. Relegation could still come down to points and its tight at the bottom.

Bourgoin can win this one I fear. Monster pack, good half backs and pacey back three. They also play without fear away from home in the CC.

Bradley will need to get his gameplan spot on for this one.

Podge_irl

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Bradley will need to get his gameplan spot on for this one.

I spot a flaw in your strategy

ScrubsfanChris

chupacabra wrote: »

When is this game on? Also is it on tv?

Saturday 10th
Sky Sports 2 @ 12:45
K.O 1:00pm

PhatPiggins

Podge_irl wrote: »

I spot a flaw in your strategy

If I were Bradley I'd play this one exactly as they approached the Leinster game. Move the ball away from the pack as much as possible, have the half backs consatantly upping the tempo of the game and attack from the outset.

If they try and play a percentage game they'll get murdered.

Digifriendly

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

Saturday 10th
Sky Sports 2 @ 12:45
K.O 1:00pm

Why was it announced just after QF's were decided that this game was on Eurosport but now it is Sky sports exclusively?

siltirocker

PhatPiggins wrote: »

If I were Bradley I'd play this one exactly as they approached the Leinster game. Move the ball away from the pack as much as possible, have the half backs consatantly upping the tempo of the game and attack from the outset.

If they try and play a percentage game they'll get murdered.

Bang! you got it. I was just saying the same to a mate at the Edinburgh game, great observation man.

Keep the ball moving on the lines and bring it into contact as little as needed. Kick only for territory. Dummy the centres and get it out wide asap (Matthews, Nathan, Ta'uso & Wynne are defenders anyway). And most importantly mind the handling. Simple formula that has been in all of Connachts decent performances this season.

outwest

a win here will be huge for conacht, money from sky will help.

any news on how many tickets have been sold for this game. connacht win this they get a home semi, which is money connacht needs,

connacht home form his unreal, bourgrain away form is awful. i say bring them on

siltirocker

I heard through the grapevine that 4,000 have been sold. :rolleyes:

I'll believe that when i see it. Seeing as the attendances this year are by far the worst in about 7/8 years at the Sportsground.

seanin4711

thomond2006 wrote: »

Montauban have been relegated due to their financial problems and Albi are already relegated so Bourgoin have no relegation worries.

we cant get relegated!
lost on you!
slan
sean

restaurants

chupacabra wrote: »

When is this game on? Also is it on tv?

I think it is on Setanta.

siltirocker

siltirocker wrote: »

I heard through the grapevine that 4,000 have been sold. :rolleyes:

I'll believe that when i see it. Seeing as the attendances this year are by far the worst in about 7/8 years at the Sportsground.

There's no way 4,000 have been sold I'd be amazed if more than half that would have been sold at this stage. The crowds recently have been very dissapointing but its up to us supporters to get on to anyone you think might have an interest in the game, get on to lapsed supporters, get on to family, friends, colleagues etc. We need a big crowd for this one.

thirdmantackle

there just is not the interest in Rugby around Connacht to get big crowds.

so few clubs
a stadium that has no atmosphere
the local public in Galway follow mainly football and hurling

thomond2006

It's on Sky, brilliant! Stream anyone?

Should When Connacht win, will their semi-final be home or away and if home is there restrictions on the stadium capacity like the HEC?

Podge_irl

thomond2006 wrote: »

It's on Sky, brilliant! Stream anyone?

Should When Connacht win, will their semi-final be home or away and if home is there restrictions on the stadium capacity like the HEC?

I think it'll be home as their are the no.1 seeds. I don't think there are any restrictions on capacity, and I seem to recall them playing a semi in the Sportsgrouds before (back in the days of the two-legged semi finals). Otherwise it would be in Thomond.

[Jackass]

It'sgas how Connacht have improved so much since learning that Bradley is leaving! What more motivation do you need? The iron fist of failure is leaving! How liberating!

I'd love to see Connacht win this one!

In truth, I don't think they have the quality to win the competition outright, although would love to be proved wrong, but a semi or even a final apperance would be great for Connacht rugby and the worst thing imaginable to the IRFU as they try and disband a branch as it is not feasable, but at the same time, are making it to the semi's or final or a major European competition. Bradley jokes aside, I think the maximum 1 year contracts at Connacht and talk of attempts to shut down the province after that have been the real motivators for the players and I'd say the coaches tapped into that. "You're playing for your careers and to keep the team alive. Go out there and make your point, show them we wont just lay down and die."

Dave Joyce

I really hope we pull a decent crowd for this one, I mean it is a big European match. There are 5 of my family going, 3 generations of rugby players:) and I've said it to loads of people to get there and support the team. There ARE NO EXCUSES, Sat match and 1pm kick off!!!

JustinDee

[Jackass] wrote: »

In truth, I don't think they have the quality to win the competition outright, although would love to be proved wrong, but a semi or even a final apperance would be great for Connacht rugby and the worst thing imaginable to the IRFU as they try and disband a branch as it is not feasable, but at the same time, are making it to the semi's or final or a major European competition

How exactly are the IRFU trying to disband the Connacht branch and team?
Do specify . . .

thomond2006

JustinDee wrote: »

How exactly are the IRFU trying to disband the Connacht branch and team?
Do specify . . .

Surely 1 year contracts means that the IRFU can disband Connacht nat the end of next season without having to pay people off by canceling contracts.* Meaning they can press the button if they so wish. I don't think they will though. Maybe they are forcing the Connacht branch to change the way they operate, Eric Elwood alluded to this on Area 22.

*Open to correction of course.

[Jackass]

JustinDee wrote: »

How exactly are the IRFU trying to disband the Connacht branch and team?
Do specify . . .

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0226/1224265201873.html

They're actively trying to do it. There's no future for rugby in Connacht. Very little playing competition, tiny support base, tiny player pool, completely overshadowed by GAA, and at the origional founding of the IRFU, it wasn't even deemed feasable to have a team in Connacht and only 3 provincial teams were set up. Connacht was formed later.

They've now made the maximum contract length 1 season. Presumably, there is only 1 reason they would do this...get everyone out of contract and shut down the branch.

I've heard (completely unconfirmed and no reliable source - take this as nothing but hearsay) rumours that the IRFU want a feasable 4th playing province for development, but need it to be viable, financially secure, have access to decent facilities and get bums on seats. Hence the rumour that the IRFU want to replace Connacht with a London based Irish team to tap into the ex-pat population over there and be able to put in a constructive team.

Connacht (no disrespect) have always been the poor cousin of Irish rugby. The IRFU have tried to shut them down before and are trying again.

JustinDee

thomond2006 wrote: »

Surely 1 year contracts means that if the IRFU can disband Connacht without having to pay people off by canceling contracts.* Meaning they can press the button if they so wish. I don't think they will though. Maybe they are forcing the Connacht branch to change the way they operate, Elwood alluded to this on Area 22.

*Open to correction of course.

I'll explain so.
The branch requested a review which is currently ongoing. This was in order to seek advice on finances and growth.
Pending this review, it was advised that contracts be limited to one year as it is carried out.
The reasoning for this is considerably less conspiratorial than some might have it.
If any contract is concluded that it should be a short term sign-up then nothing can be done if they have signed for longer than that before such a conclusion was able to be delivered.
Thats all there is to it.

Podge_irl

I'm fairly sure Connacht won't be disbanded. If anything they are becoming more important as more young players graduate from academies with no place in the big 3 senior squads available. I would be more inclined to think that the one year contract fiasco is so that connact can start afresh as something closer to a true development province. A team in London is a nonsense idea as they won't have the support of the RFU.

seanin4711

Can we please get back on the topic at hand which is the QF this saturday!
Thank You!
slan
Sean

toomevara

Podge_irl wrote: »

I'm fairly sure Connacht won't be disbanded. If anything they are becoming more important as more young players graduate from academies with no place in the big 3 senior squads available. I would be more inclined to think that the one year contract fiasco is so that connact can start afresh as something closer to a true development province. A team in London is a nonsense idea as they won't have the support of the RFU.

Totally agree, I think this season particularly has shown us the value of Connacht and what the fourth province (and I don't say that in a patronising way) brings to Irish rugby in terms of depth and development. Disbanding downgrading, whatever you want to call it, would be a massively retrograde step for irish rugby ANd I just cant see it happening...(I say this as someone who, a few years ago was agnostic about Connacht Rugby).

outwest

any news on the injured players, we need muldoon back at 6 and naopu, id keep joc at 7 as well,

team id like to see,

wilkonson
croinin
hagen
umpton
macarty
muldoon
joc
naoupo
murphy
keatley
carr
mattews
tauso
troy
duffy

flavin
loughney
morris
swift
ofisa
col
nikora
wynne

siltirocker

outwest wrote: »

any news on the injured players, we need muldoon back at 6 and naopu, id keep joc at 7 as well,

team id like to see,

wilkonson
croinin
hagen
umpton
macarty
muldoon
joc
naoupo
murphy
keatley
carr
mattews
tauso
troy
duffy

flavin
loughney
morris
swift
ofisa
col
nikora
wynne

Very hard to keep Ray Ofisa on the bench, but JOC has won his jersey back. I'd have Liam Bibo on the bench for Wynne as I don't think Aidan has done enough at the breakdown or in attack to justify his selection. (Strangely enough i can see Bradley giving Tuohy a jersey even though his positioning and defense has been muck). I think if Connacht put them under pressure in attack, Liam Bibo (or i suppose Tuohy:rolleyes:) coming on the wing and Nathan moving to centre (where all his decent performances have really been) for Niva Ta'uso could be lethal after the hour.

seanin4711

outwest wrote: »

any news on the injured players, we need muldoon back at 6 and naopu, id keep joc at 7 as well,

team id like to see,

wilkonson
croinin
hagen
umpton
macarty
muldoon
joc
naoupo
murphy
keatley
carr
mattews
tauso
troy
duffy

flavin
loughney
morris
swift
ofisa
col
nikora
wynne

strong bench to come on at 60 or so to shore it up,hopefully!
slan
c u there!!!

fatguy2k1

about 1,000 tickets have been sold for the game which is shocking for a quater final game. Connacht need the support at the weekend so please do your best to get down to the Sportsground on Saturday afternoon. It'll be massive for them if they win.

If they win the semi-final game will be a 'home' match. this doesn't meant it will be in the sporsground. It more then likley will be in Donnybrook.

outwest

only a 1000, were did u here that, that shocking.

if they win the semi is in the sportsground, different rules in the challenge cup i think, and even if we have to move, surly they move it to dubarry park if they must

ScrubsfanChris

How well is the media covering this game in the west? (Papers/radio ect: )
1000 seems very small, on the ERC website it says the crowd was 1700 for the game against Montpellier.

thomond2006

1,000 fans for a European Quarter Final?

Can't be that small surely..

Although the fact it's live on Sky might be a factor.

siltirocker

I think people aren't getting with the programme as such. Whilst 1,000 is poor (certainly isn't the 4,000 that was going round the city), that is always the case with Connacht games. Only about 20% of the tickets tend to be sold for games, it's always done on the door for the majority (even if it says ticket only ).

fatguy2k1

Outwest - i've some insider knowledge of how the Branch works. Trust me, that figure is accurate. People in Galway leave everything to the last second so there wil be a surge in sales this week and loads more people will just show up on Saturday to get tickets on the gate.

AS io said the semi is a 'home' match but will be played in a nutural location. I think that would rule out Dubarry park.

Media coverage is only alright out here. There is a press conference on tuesday which should be picked up on the national news stations. All the local papers (advertiser, athlone voice, mayo news, galway independent) are running match previews and most of them will have ad's in them this week for the game.

thomond2006

I would love a semi final at TP, you'd get at least 10,000 at that IMO.

Anyway, Connacht have to win this first!

Edit: Who is Connacht drawn against in the semis?

outwest

winners of toulan and scarlets. come on scarlets

fatguy2k1

The draw won't be made untill after the last QF on sunday. There is a massive amount of options for each possible outcomes so i wouldn't even hazzard a guess on the brackets for the SF draw

thomond2006

Connacht vs Bourgoin - Connacht
Newcastle vs Cardiff - Two poor teams, Newcastle to pip it.
Toulon vs Scarlets - Toulon comfortably
Wasps vs Gloucester - Wasps

PhatPiggins

thomond2006 wrote: »

Connacht vs Bourgoin - Connacht
Newcastle vs Cardiff - Two poor teams, Newcastle to pip it.
Toulon vs Scarlets - Toulon comfortably
Wasps vs Gloucester - Wasps

Dont think it'll be as straight forward as that. All the away teams are capable of winning. I fancy the two welsh teams myself.

Zzippy

Its 1,000 tickets pre-sold lads, there will be a lot more (hopefully) sold this week, and a lot of people will pay on the gate. I got mine a few weeks ago when they were selling them for a fiver less, hope to drag a few mates along for it.

Form has been great lately, best rugby we've been playing for a long time. Hopefully Ta'auso, Muldoon et al will be back for this one.
Wilko, Cronin, Hagan
Upton, Swift
Muldoon, JOC, Naoupu
Murphy, Keatley
Carr, Matthews, Ta'auso, Bibo
Duffy

would be the team I'd pick going on recent form. McCarthy in for Swifty after 50 mins, Ofisa in for Johnny and Troy in for Niva would be good impact subs.

Looking forward to this one. Come on Connacht!

thomond2006

The Irish Times - Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Muldoon doubt for Connacht

CHALLENGE CUP: CONNACHT COACH Michael Bradley is sweating on a string of injury worries ahead of his side’s biggest match of the season.
Captain John Muldoon is one of a host of frontline players who are struggling to be fit for Saturday’s Challenge Cup quarter-final against Bourgoin at the Sportsground.

Muldoon missed the 22-21 win over Edinburgh on Friday and remains a big concern with a groin injury as Connacht bid to nail down a third semi-final spot.

Centres Niva Ta’auso (knee) and Keith Matthews (hamstring), both of whom also missed the Edinburgh win, are also doubtful, along with winger Liam Bibo (calf).

The problems are not confined to the backs. Prop Robbie Morris (calf), number eight George Naoupu (hamstring) and flanker Ray Ofisa (vertigo), all of whom missed the Edinburgh match, remain on the casualty list.

“We will wait as long as we can during the week to give them the best chance of being fit,” said Bradley. “It’s part and parcel of the game, so we will just have to wait for progress reports.

“It is a huge game for us and we are all looking forward to it. We are going into it on the back of some good form so hopefully the injuries will clear up as a much as possible.”

Connacht will go into the match on the back of a seven-match unbeaten run at the Sportsground which stretches back to September.

outwest

not good news for connacht, we need muldoon or naoupo.

BoarHunter

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Dont think it'll be as straight forward as that. All the away teams are capable of winning. I fancy the two welsh teams myself.

If Toulon take this game seriously they should win this easily. They are almost qualified for the TOP14 play off so it's a matter of knowing if they want to get rid of the european matches or if they feel they can bear the work load. I would put them favourites of the tournament if i was sure they want to win it.

For Bourgoin i'd say it is 50/50.

evil_seed

Connacht have named a 26 man panel for their upcoming Amlin Challenge Cup quarter final against Bourgoin on Saturday. A number of players are carrying minor injuries and will be monitored throughout the week.

Connacht (squad)

Backs:
Fionn Carr, Gavin Duffy, Ian Keatley, Keith Mathews, Frank Murphy, Troy Nathan, Miah Nikora, Conor O’Loughlin, Niva Ta’auso, Brian Tuohy, Aidan Wynne

Forwards:
Andrew Browne, Sean Cronin, Adrian Flavin, Jamie Hagan, Ronan Loughney, Mike McCarthy, Mike McComish, Robbie Morris, John Muldoon, George Naoupu, Dave Nolan,Johnny O’Connor, Michael Swift, Bernie Upton, Brett Wilkinson


Ray still out with his vertigo

outwest

il be glad to see the team sheet with all injury doubts passed fit to play.

ofisa isnt much of a loss because joc is in cracking form. id be happier to haalf in on bench tho

seanin4711

evil_seed wrote: »

Ray still out with his vertigo

That clubhouse stand is a killer alright,must be two stories at least!
or is it that he is terrified of the hitchcock movie?:D

come on ray we want to see you make an appearance on saturday!
slan
s

eyeball kid

Will tickets definitely be available on the gate??

Thinking of going to this but have never been down to the Sportsground.
What will the roads be like on the way in from Dublin direction and is there parking close by?
Thanks.

fatguy2k1

eyeball kid wrote: »

Will tickets definitely be available on the gate??

Thinking of going to this but have never been down to the Sportsground.
What will the roads be like on the way in from Dublin direction and is there parking close by?
Thanks.

Anything not sold beforehand will go on the gate - so yeah, they will be available on Saturday morning. Note i'm saying gate - do not go to the Branch Office on Saturday morning.

Parking - use the Wellpark Retail Park and walk up from there. it's only a 5 minute walk away. I can't see the match having a great affect on the trafic coming in from dublin, it'll just be yor regular saturday traffic in Gawlay.

Diom

eyeball kid wrote: »

Will tickets definitely be available on the gate??

Thinking of going to this but have never been down to the Sportsground.
What will the roads be like on the way in from Dublin direction and is there parking close by?
Thanks.

You can get them on ticketmaster.ie. They;ll send you a pdf file and you can print that off. Much easier, and you'll have your ticket.
Traffic will be fine, same as any saturday at 1PM. You can park in the Mervue Industrial Estate, or Wellpark Retail Estate, both of those are a short walk away. Definitely come down. It'll be awesome.