HC: Connacht v Saracens. KO: 8pm, The Sportground. Sky sports 1 red button

freyners · 10-10-2013 6:40pm #1

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The 2013/2014 Heineken cup (and quite possibly the last one) gets under way Friday night with Saracens travelling to the Sportsground for the opening fixture of Pool 3. On the face of things, this looks like one of the mismatchs that Saracens owner Nigel Wray et al have been using as one of their arguments for a new tournament.

Background

The fortunes of these sides could not be more polar opposite. Connachts season, after inspiring so much hope with signings of players such as Craig Clarke and Jake Heenan and new coach Pat Lam, has had a familiar ring to their supporters. 5 games have only registered one win against perennial minnows and Pool 3 companions Zebre. A normally mean defence has been extremely leaky and some aspects of the game plan, such as passing around in their 22, has been the subject of much chagrin around the bar stool. Another contribution to their poor run of form has been another familiar sight, the injury list. Currently shorn of 13 players due to injury, Connachts squad is beginning to look threadbare at best

Saracens on the other hand have had no such complaints, with a perfect record of 5 wins from 5. Another positives is signs that England winger Chris Ashton is showings signs of returning to form. Brad Barritts injury however is blow to the English side

The Teams

Connacht have had to open the Academy cupboard to name a full 23, as Peter Reilly and JP Cooney are called up to the bench as replacements. Rodney Ah You, after showing signs of form last week vs Treviso at LH, gets the nod at 3 ahead in the absence of injured duo Nathan White and Ronan Loughney, with Brett Wilkinson restored to the number 1 jersey. The other change to the pack is the selection of Michael Swift at 4 and captain, ahead of the impressive Aly Muldowney. One spot of good news is the return of JHW to the bench after a bicep tear

The backs see a raft of changes from the Treviso Game, with Marmion restored at scrum half ahead of another man to impress in Treviso, Paul O'Donohue. Tiernan O'Halloran drops to the bench in favour of Danie Poolman at 11. Robbie Henshaw, rested last week under player welfare rules, returns at 13 to partner the debuting So'oialo at 12.

A historic complaint of Premiership sides is that Pro12 sides can rest their players more than their english counterparts. Obviously Saracens haven't read the memo as they feature nine changes from the team that played wasps last weekend. Last weeks starting front row drop to the bench, with Vunipola, Brits and Stevens returning. Borthwick also returns at 4, dropping Hargreaves to the bench while Kelly Brown also returns to side at 6.

In the backs, Alex Goode is moved to full back replacing Ben Ransom to allow Lion Owen Farrell to steer the side from outhalf. David Strettle also returns to side at 11, dropping Tagicakibau to the bench.

The Match itself

Connacht have it all to do in this battle between Pro 12 minnows and Premiership giants. Saracens are a very well rounded and experienced team and were unlucky not to upset eventual winners toulon in the semi-finals last year. Connacht will need to seek parity at least at the scrum and line out in order to have any chance, similar to their upset wins over Quins and Biarritz at this level. The defence will need to be tightened significantly and penalty count dramatically reduced, as a kicker of Owen Farrell's class will punish any mistakes. Silly errors, like playing the ball in their own 22 will also need to be eliminated.

I don't watch alot of Saracens but they have the players and skill set required to cause any team headaches. Owen Farrell, already a noted kicker, has matured immensely in his open game in the last year (training with Sexton with the lions surely helps) and is deserving of his starting OH spot with England. Furthermore, players of the quality of Alex Goode and Chris Ashton will exploit any gaps in the defence. In the pack, Saracens have a mean edge, with players like Borthwick, Brown and Brits well able to dominate an opposition pack given an opportunity.

However Connacht have some aces up their sleeve also. Wingers Fionn Carr and Danie Poolman are able try scorers, with Carr almost peerless in broken play along with Poolmans strength and finishing ability. Robbie Henshaw and Kieran Marmion are two other players well able to exploit a gap. In the pack, the impressive Jake Heenan will be a key player alongside back to back Super 15 winning captain Craig Clarke.

Prediction

Its hard to see beyond a Sarries win but that was the case before the Biarritz and Quins games. Connacht have shown numerous times their ability to turnover high quality opposition and on their day, can be devastating. Saracens however will be well aware of this and will not take this game lightly, with coach Mark McCall already alluding to the impact Connacht have made in their past two seasons. A lot will need to go right Friday night for Connacht to have any hope of even a bonus point, everything needs to go right for a victory. The bookies have installed Saracens as massive favourites, with odds as short as 1/14 for a Sarries win.

Where can I watch this

For those of us who cannot make it to the match or are looking to channel hop with the ulster game, it will be available for viewing on the red button on SS1. Anyone without access to sky (or a dodgy stream:P) can get match updates via the ERC website or the Connacht Facebook or Twitter pages.

freyners · 11-10-2013 9:07am

Weather looks good for tonight, promised clear and cloudless

Larbre34 · 11-10-2013 10:38am

It's an awesome task, I just hope the Connacht pack do themselves justice.

Hopefully Dan Parks will be able to orchestrate some good things and they build up a head of steam in front of a huge home support.

Would love nothing more than to see them take down the Premiership Barbarians a peg or two. G'Wan Connacht

The Lost Sheep · 11-10-2013 7:10pm

9 mins gone and Connacht down 12-3
Connacht in lot of trouble

ouncer · 11-10-2013 7:11pm

Marmion very poor kicking and poor defense from carr

CatFromHue · 11-10-2013 7:20pm

The try might have been a slight bit lucky but good pressure from Connacht

10-14 now.

mrincredible · 11-10-2013 7:21pm

Anybody got a working stream? PM please

ouncer · 11-10-2013 7:23pm

Marmion did well

thomond2006 · 11-10-2013 7:29pm

Please please win. I'll dine on it for months.

LeeroyJones · 11-10-2013 7:35pm

Lovely Try Connacht - Poolman.

17-17!

ouncer · 11-10-2013 7:35pm

Poolman is just a great winger. Great game

CatFromHue · 11-10-2013 7:37pm

Good pressure and good try from Connacht.

17-17 now.

Dravokivich · 11-10-2013 7:39pm

CatFromHue wrote: »

Good pressure and good try from Connacht.

17-17 now.

I had a feeling this' ll be a game to watch alright. Poxy red button!

Funk It · 11-10-2013 7:42pm

Go on Connacht, keep fighting

17-17 after 35mins, an especially big game for a lot of the players who are playing in their first HC game, about 4 or 5 so far making their HC debut

CatFromHue · 11-10-2013 7:44pm

Not looking good fro Swift now!

He got kinda lucky there, that could have been a yellow.

ouncer · 11-10-2013 7:52pm

Very good play Connacht. Henshaw excellent. Ronaldson done well at 12. After a shaky start by connacht Saracens have a game on their hands. Pack have been immense considering this is Saracens strength

full_irish · 11-10-2013 7:53pm

Speaking of dodgy streams... where can I get one? Feel free to send one by pm. Pkease and thank you.

thomond2006 · 11-10-2013 7:54pm

ouncer wrote: »

Very good play Connacht. Henshaw excellent. Ronaldson done well at 12. After a shaky start by connacht Saracens have a game on their hands. Pack have been immense considering this is Saracens strength

What have you done with the old ouncer?! :eek:

The Lost Sheep · 11-10-2013 7:54pm

Great first half
Shaky at first but fantastic since
Just have to keep it up now!!!

MayoForSam · 11-10-2013 7:55pm

Great game here in the sports ground I thought we were looking at a long night after being 14-3 down after 8 minutes, great performance by the lads to get back into it. Dan should have us up by 3, missed a kickable penalty on stroke of halftime. Sarries bench might be the difference in the end but you never know. Rodney put in a good shift but had to go off.

Fireball07 · 11-10-2013 8:01pm

Great half-time result for Connacht, they've had problems in the 2nd half so far this season... and I suppose you'd expect Sarries to win, especially with all the injuries...but an encouraging performance would really give them a boost for the season ahead.

Losty Dublin · 11-10-2013 8:14pm

Connaught is live on Galway Bay FM

Ulster's game is on BBC 5 Live Extra.

ouncer · 11-10-2013 8:14pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

What have you done with the old ouncer?! :eek:

Say it as I see it. Carr not doing so good.

bb1234567 · 11-10-2013 8:25pm

lads whats going on?

P_1 · 11-10-2013 8:26pm

sarries 3 up from what I can tell, seems most attention is on events north of the border though

Funk It · 11-10-2013 8:29pm

Why are they taking off Marmion??

EDIT: Wait a second, whats going on, thought I saw PO'D getting ready to come on

CatFromHue · 11-10-2013 8:35pm

Lol what!

Playing the ball on the ground there by the Saracens in open play!

P_1 · 11-10-2013 8:37pm

Has it started Galwayweathering in Galway or something? 34 1st half points, 3 2nd half ones

Funk It · 11-10-2013 8:41pm

Sean Henry had a good game, but great to see JHW on

Funk It · 11-10-2013 8:54pm

Wow, unlucky, but so so proud of that Connacht side

awec · 11-10-2013 8:54pm

Unlucky lads. Very close.

thomond2006 · 11-10-2013 8:54pm

Hard luck Connacht.

Were you watching Nigel Wray and co. ?

dtpc191991 · 11-10-2013 8:55pm

Good I'm glad Connacht are doing well. It's everything Nigel Wray deserves for saying they don't belong in the HC

molloyjh · 11-10-2013 8:55pm

Thought Connacht were going to get in under the posts there at the end. Unlucky. Would have been a massive result. But to hold Sarries so close was good going.

Fireball07 · 11-10-2013 8:56pm

Hard luck Connacht. Still, a LBP with all the injuries is still a decent result.

molloyjh · 11-10-2013 8:56pm

It really is an awful Sarries jersey!

P_1 · 11-10-2013 8:58pm

My weekend wager is happy at that result, my Mayo side is much unhappier at it though. To channel my inner Kevin Keegan, 'I would have loved it if they beat them'

liam12989 · 11-10-2013 8:58pm

Well done Rodney ah you.

you proved me wrong

MayoForSam · 11-10-2013 8:59pm

Great game unlucky at the end ref did us no favours at all

Beery Eyed · 11-10-2013 9:03pm

Good performance. Disappointed that they couldn't get the win at the end, but ultimately it was better than expected against a very strong Saracens team.

Regarding Connacht deserving their place in the competition. Whatever about the current qualification methods, whenever they have taken part in the competition they have continuously proven that they are a strong addition and warrant their inclusion. Nobody comes away with an easy result from the Sportsground and they have tested many away as well. Another great Heineken Cup game in Galway tonight

jamiedav2011 · 11-10-2013 9:06pm

Beery Eyed wrote: »

Good performance. Disappointed that they couldn't get the win at the end, but ultimately it was better than expected against a very strong Saracens team.

Regarding Connacht deserving their place in the competition. Whatever about the current qualification methods, whenever they have taken part in the competition they have continuously proven that they are a strong addition and warrant their inclusion. Nobody comes away with an easy result from the Sportsground and they have tested many away as well. Another great Heineken Cup game in Galway tonight

Yeah can see where you're coming from.

The other side of that though is that any team can get themselves up for a big game at home. Connacht have also been walloped at times, and haven't 'qualified' for this tournament yet.

That's devils advocate stuff btw!

Hagz · 11-10-2013 9:12pm

Didn't like how Billy Vunipola was pushing JHW around at the end there. Poor form.

ouncer · 11-10-2013 9:13pm

Very unfortunate. A common Connacht problem. Henshaw and Marmion did well. Poolman is simply a great winger. Both poolman and Healy are simply quality. Henshaw for the first time this season was immense and showed huge quality. Ronaldson did well. Its really hard to be critical in any way of how Connacht played. That aside seems we are laden with more injuries

jamiedav2011 · 11-10-2013 9:13pm

Hagz wrote: »

Didn't like how Billy Vunipola was pushing JHW around at the end there. Poor form.

Two fair 'characters' there alright.

Hagz · 11-10-2013 9:16pm

I'd really like to see Ronaldson at 10 with McSharry at 12 and the rest of that back-line. I think with a bit of time, Ronaldson could be a good attacking 10.

wp_rathead · 11-10-2013 9:22pm

Two of the players I most feared for (Craig Ronaldson and Rodney Ah You) both were impressive tonight - hold my hat off.. Rodney was specially, as he has come in for alot of flack (from myself included) but he had a belter of a game today

Heenan is our player of the season so far - absolute cracking player and only gonna get better..

In truth, Sarries deserved the win, but my how they had to earn it - bit of pride put back in the jersey tonight (following the shambles of the Treviso and Ospreys games)

ouncer · 11-10-2013 9:31pm

Hagz wrote: »

I'd really like to see Ronaldson at 10 with McSharry at 12 and the rest of that back-line. I think with a bit of time, Ronaldson could be a good attacking 10.

Very much agree. Would also like toh to be put in at full back to open up avenues for two wingers, poolman and Healy who have huge ability. Think Gavin does not use them to the best of their ability. In only 15 minutes allowed to toh as full back in the zebre game he was releasing the wingers and the game got exciting. Having said that kudos have to go to the pack tonight who were simply fantastic. As a group they did us proud. Would like to see a back line that would support these efforts

Funk It · 11-10-2013 9:39pm

ouncer wrote: »

Very unfortunate. A common Connacht problem. Henshaw and Marmion did well. Poolman is simply a great winger. Both poolman and Healy are simply quality. Henshaw for the first time this season was immense and showed huge quality. Ronaldson did well. Its really hard to be critical in any way of how Connacht played. That aside seems we are laden with more injuries

You going taking a week off now then ouncer?

only messing with ya

Poolman was immense tonight, the try and the try saving tackle making the the highlight reels.

Hugely impressed by Ronaldson, can remember some talk about playing him in the centre when he was first signed, but showed what a quality player is is tonight.

Marmion, well, what can I say, he was bloody brilliant, an Irish cap must not be far off.

The whole team played their hearts out, can't fault them at all, and fair play to the Connacht supporters, ye played a blinder as well!

ouncer · 11-10-2013 10:18pm

Marmion is the strange kid on the block. He can be simply brilliant or a huge pain in the ass. I did say with the team selection, yes I was happy with marmion over pod because the kid has vision. But that aside he does my head in with slow play at times. Today he corrected this and was simply quality. Henshaw defended and was as a centre should be. I have no issues saying that I think griffin is a better outside centre but tonight henshaw played a blinder and was worthy of the position.

If I could choose it would be ronaldson at 10, it would be toh at 15, it would be poolman and Healy on the wings, it would be marmion, if he fecking showed the same passion at 9. All said and done our pack did us proud tonight. It was a good night to be connacht

cityman 18 · 11-10-2013 10:23pm

Disappointed with the result, could and possibly should of won that game at the death. Took a wonder try saving tackle to deny Connacht a famous and unlikely win. Thought the pack were immense tonight, really gave this much vaunted Sarries pack a lot to think of. Was really really underwhelmed with Saracens. Thought their backs were quite good and looked dangerous at times. Having said that they were completely shut out in the second half. Rondalson was impressive as was Henshaw at outside centre. Poolman looks a quality winger as well. Thought Heenan was very good as was most the team. Credit to them, but why can't we see this every week?

A back line of Marmion, Rondalson, McSharry, Henshaw, Healy, Poolman, and TOH at fb would certainly be quite tasty.

FrannoFan · 11-10-2013 10:26pm

Anywhere to watch extended highlights?not on tv with UPC. Sounds like a cracker.

HC: Connacht v Saracens. KO: 8pm, The Sportground. Sky sports 1 red button

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