Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest
HEC; Connacht v Toulouse; Sat 14th Dec 6pm KO; SS2 red button
-
13-12-2013 2:16pm#1
V
Connacht|Toulouse
15: Henshaw|15: Poitrenaud
14: Carr|14: Huget
13: Griffin|13: Fritz
12: McSharry|12: David
11: Healy|11: Medard
10: Parks|10: Beauxis
9: Marmion|9: Doussain
|
1: Wilkinson|1: Ferreira
2: Harris-Wright|2: Tolofua
3: Ah You|3: Johnston
4: Mick Kearney|4: Millo Chluski
5: Craig Clarke (c)|5: Maestri
6: John Muldoon|6: Nyanga
7: Heenan|7: Dusautoir (c)
8: McKeon|8: Picamoles
|
16: Henry|16: Ralapelle
17: Buckley|17: Steenkamp
18: White|18: Montes
19: Browne|19: Tekori
20: Naoupu|20: Galan
21: Murphy|21: Fickou
22: Ronaldson|22: Gear
23: Duffy|23: Bezy
2 years ago Connacht faced Toulouse at home in their first ever home game in the Heineken Cup, losing by a scoreline of 36-10, with the away fixture being a more modest 24-8 defeat. Over those two legs the gulf in class was evident that day, with raw young players like Dave McSharry and Eoin Griffin making their HC bow. Two years later Connacht once again drew the most successful team in the competitions history in their pool. An away trip to Toulouse is not what any team wants to be facing, less still a team that had only beaten zebre so far in their season. Although there was glimpses of the work Pat Lam has done since his arrival, a depressing and embarassing defeat away to edinburgh left most fans hoping for a containment exercise rather than any realistic chance of success (or even an LBP).
But the beauty of this game is that it can be so unpredictable. Connacht held Toulouse scoreless until the very stroke of half time, and scored one of the tries of the round through Kieran Marmion. With 16 minutes to go Toulouse scored their second try, leaving just two points between the sides. Connacht however did not turtle up the game. They attacked with an accuracy and pace that has been missing this season and defended with speed and aggression, forcing vital turnovers and making toulouse lose ground on their attacks. Dan Parks had an opportunity to make the gap five point but failed to make the kick. Ever lurking in the background were thoughts of the Ire v NZ and how the scenario looked eerily similarIts like New Zealand all over again,
Ah don't...don't say that to me
Michael Corcoran and Bernard Jackman on RTE commentary
After the missed kick Connacht had 4 minutes of normal time to hold out for the win. It was then the difference from the NZ game began to show as the clock ticked down. There was no let up in the defence line speed, the hits were still being made. Toulouse went from the halfway back to their 22 such was the defensive effort by the visitors. The clock ticked over 80 and Toulouse began to rumble forward again through there pack, making metre after metre. Toulouse captain Dusuatoir picked and went and Connachts longest serving player Michael Swift ripped the ball from Dusautoir, knocked it on in the process and it was game over.
And so the most famous moment in the province's 128 year existence was born. Connacht had gone to the most illustrious team in the Heineken Cup's history and won by a scoreline of 14-16. Cue celebrations up and down the provinces and further afar, with fans proudly celebrating their teams acheivement. With odds as short as 1/200 on a Toulouse victory, this was a result no-one expected. For players like John Muldoon and Michael swift, stalwarts of the squad for so long, there will be few sweeter memories to date.
However, there is nothing more dangerous that a wounded animal and Toulouse will be coming to the SG to prove a point after spending the week having to explain their loss and face accusations of taking the match too lightly. A raft of changes have been made by the French side, 4 in the forwards(Ferreira, Tolofua, Millo Chluski and Nyanga) and 3 in the backs (Medard, Beauxis and Doussain).
The threat posed here cannot be underestimated. Connacht survived mainly by the French opting to go to the line many times over taking the kick and Barraque missing two key penalties, something which Beauxis will glady punish. Furthermore, the addition of Medard and the threat of Gear off the bench means danger at all times out wide. While the likes of Maka may be missing, this is still a very heavy Toulouse pack that packs serious punch out wide and in close quarters.
For Connacht, a flu bug has struck the squad and caused Thursday's training to be curtailed. With this less than ideal preparation, the pressure is on the home side to deliver a performance, with the extended capacity of sportground being sold out midweek. Coupled with this, tributes coming from all around the globe after last weeks effort, leading to expectations on the team reaching dizzying proportions. Connacht need to make sure they are focused on the task ahead and not allowed their hectic week to affect them.
Team wise there is 3 changes, all in the pack, with Jason Harris-Wright, Rodney Ah You and Eoin McKeon being selected in favour of Sean Henry, Nathan White and George Naoupu. Arguably this makes little difference, such has been the form of all six concerned. Eoin McKeon especially deserves recognition here, making 13 tackles in 37 minutes last week. Rodney Ah You has finally delivered on his potential this season and has been one of best players in the HC. JHW has been in a real fight with Henry over the starting no.2 berth and is given his time to make his case.
For Connacht to win this they need to deliver a performance like last week and then improve. Parks needs to find his touch this week as the inclusion of Medard in the back 3 for Toulouse increase their counter attacking threat. Defence will be crucial and the line-speed seen last week will need to be maintained. With Beauxis at OH, any penalties will be punished but Connacht cannot afford to give quick ball, so their play at ruck time will need to be perfect. Finally despite their win Connacht left behind at least 3 tries in Toulouse last week, similar opportunities will need to be converted.
Despite all the emotion and hype from last week, Connacht are still the underdogs going in to this, a position they are no stranger to. However a real chance exists to complete a double over the opposition and they will need it to maintain any qualification dreams. Toulouse will look to make a statement here. Any thoughts that they will not travel like most french teams can be dismissed. Although a win is not crucial to their qualification, as their away win vs Sarries leaves them in the driving seat, a win by them is needed for their chances of a home quarter final to remain in their control. Added to the media coverage last week spawned, Toulouse will turn up hungry for the victory.
With a packed out Sportsground, the lift from last weeks result and a bit of luck, Connacht have ever chance of repeating their success from last week. After threatening to deliver for so long, we are presented a chance to show that we have moved beyond a team that can pull out a big result but not consistently. The game will be on the red button on SS2, updates from the ERC, Toulouse and Connacht twitter pages.
COME ON CONNACHT!What do you reckon the result will be in the Sports Ground? 38 votes
Connacht to win0%Toulouse to win60%
![[Jackass]](https://w3.vanillicon.com/v2/3178d191648ad5d2fb7722b96c5c616c.svg)
23 votes
Draw39%
15 votes
The Flu0%36
Comments
-
-
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
Toulouse to winthomond2006 wrote: »Where's the poll? Who's brave enough to call it?
Derp.
Thank you .ak0 -
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
-
-
On a technical matter, does anyone know if it's possible to SKY+ record one or other of the Connacht/Leinster matches while watching the other?
It'd be easily done if they were on different channels, but when one is on the Red button...
Edited to add;
Actually, it looks like I can record the 'headline' match on the SS2 Standard Definition channel and watch the other match on the HD channel at the same time.
My choice now is which one do I want to watch live and/or in HD
0 -
-
-
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
-
-
-
On a technical matter, does anyone know if it's possible to SKY+ record one or other of the Connacht/Leinster matches while watching the other?
It'd be easily done if they were on different channels, but when one is on the Red button...pain in the hole that this is on the red button on sky sports....i have some free sky passes but as with last week, they dont include the red button matches.
A combo of twitter and boards updates it is so.I'm annoyed that I can't sky go the red button, I'd love to watch the leinster game on TV, but have Connacht on the tablet.
Is this the ultimate rugby first world problem?
Try this lads. If you have a sky subscription it should work
http://www.skysports.com/eventscentre
I just found this as I always have the same problem. I'm currently able to watch the scarlets clermont game on the red button on the laptop in full HD. You can rewind and all sorts of sexy nonsense.
Hon the wesht!!!0 -
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
eyeball kid wrote: »I've asked the pub I'm in in Kildare to change to the Connacht game but they were having none of it! So I'll be relying in updates from here!.
same here
0 -
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
Advertisement