Connacht vs. Edinburgh. KO 7:35M Live on TG4

Losty Dublin

1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Quinn Roux
5. Aly Muldowney
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. Willie Faloon
8. Eoin McKeon
9. Kieran Marmion
10. Miah Nikora
11. Daniel Poolman
12. Bundee Aki
13. Robbie Henshaw
14. Darragh Leader
15. Mils Muliaina
    
    Replacements:
    
16. Dave Heffernan
17. Ronan Loughney
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Ultan Dillane
20. George Naoupu
21. John Cooney
22. Jack Carty
23. Dave McSharry

1. Alasdair Dickinson
2. Ross Ford (c)
3. WP Nel
4. Anton Bressler
5. Ben Toolis
6. Roddy Grant
7. Hamish Watson
8. David Denton
9. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
10. Greig Tonks
11. Tim Visser
12. Phil Burleigh
13. Matt Scott
14. Dougie Fife
15. Jack Cuthbert
    
    Replacements
    
16. Neil Cochrane,
17. Rory Sutherland
18. John Andress
19. Fraser McKenzie
20. Tomas Leonardi,
21. Sean Kennedy
22. Jade Te Rure
23. Andries Strauss.

Preview. I'll keep this one short so Lost Sheep doesn't lost the will to live Connaught (sic) come into this weeks game with a remarkable run of form which culminated in last weeks comprehensive defeat of Munster. A virtually unchanged side sees just two changes, Craig Ronaldson being the only cry off due to a concussion and tourist Mika Nikora coming into fly half.

Edinburgh have a strong pack and usually expect to win a lot of kicked possession at scrum time. Behind the half back they may be found lacking both in attack and defence outside of Tim Visser; they have just two bonus points to their name all season. But before we all assume a home walkover, Glasgow were soundly defeated 20-8 by the Reivers last week.

Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU, 47th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Andy Brice, Olly Hodges (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Gordon Black (IRFU)
TMO: Dermot Moloney (IRFU)

My verdict is for a home win, in and around the 19-15 mark.

sydthebeat

Don't like focusing on a ref but this is the type of game hodges could ruin.

He's a fussy ref who tend to favor the losing team in 50/50 decisions.

Hopefully Connacht get ahead and stay ahead all game.

vienne86

Connacht have been winning matches coming from behind. This is a night to keep it tight and not go behind. Depends on which way they are playing re the wind though. Hope they have it in the second half. 'Mon Connacht!

connachta

K-O, C'mon Connacht!!!

vienne86

Looks like Connacht have the wind with them in the first half. Am I right?

awec

vienne86 wrote: »

Looks like Connacht have the wind with them in the first half. Am I right?

I think the crazy rain blowing from left to right gives that away.

The Lost Sheep

sydthebeat wrote: »

Don't like focusing on a ref but this is the type of game hodges could ruin.

He's a fussy ref who tend to favor the losing team in 50/50 decisions.

Hopefully Connacht get ahead and stay ahead all game.

The weather will ruin the game more than Hodges

vienne86 wrote: »

Looks like Connacht have the wind with them in the first half. Am I right?

The way the rain is going kind of gives it away:D

vienne86

Penalty chance for Connacht......awful night to kick....hits the crossbar - feck.

Utopia Parkway

Nikora doesn't have great length with his place kicks. Even with the wind behind him.

vienne86

Connacht giving away too many penalties.

errlloyd

Hodges not knowing what a maul is there.

blackdog1

This ref is ridiculous.

Utopia Parkway

Not ideal with the wind behind them. Edinburgh try.

vienne86

Try Edinburgh. That was poor defence from Connacht to let Edinburgh run half the length of the pitch there.

ssaye2

Hmm need to reply quick

LuckyGent88

Massive try for Edinburgh. Connacht haven't got into the game at all.

galwaylad14

Very unlucky with that Nikora kick, he's accurate but lacks distance.

It's not going well so far though, we're making errors and their scrum seems too strong for us.

Also we must have conceded 5 penalties which is allowing them slow it down and make easy ground against that breeze.

That try is a real killer. It's a seriously long uphill battle now. 7 down after having that breeze for nearly 20 minutes. We have to have the lead by half time or I don't see a way back for us

Funk It

Ref loving the advantages.

Connacht are poor so far, tough to watch some of it. Aki looks like a beast in contact, and think our lineout will hold.

irishgeo

Its an awful night.

Utopia Parkway

Very poor opening 20 minutes from Connacht. That wind advantage is being flitted away. Yet another penalty against them.

The Lost Sheep

blackdog1 wrote: »

This ref is ridiculous.

He's not.

Funk It wrote: »

Ref loving the advantages.

Connacht are poor so far, tough to watch some of it. Aki looks like a beast in contact, and think our lineout will hold.

He's right TO though on night like this.

vienne86

Connacht just not getting it together here. Disappointing start, but they have the wind with them and should be making hay. Edinburgh playing well.

ssaye2

Some weather

errlloyd

Aki casually make the gainline every single time

ssaye2

Great kick

Utopia Parkway

Nikora makes that one.

3-7

Need more than pens before HT though.

vienne86

Good penalty kick for Connacht there. That'll steady the ship.

errlloyd

I don't understand a word of Irish, but appreciate them mentioning Madigan right after the scuffed drop out.

cob1

can anyone access tg4 .ie to watch online? seems to be down but maybe just my broadband

Utopia Parkway

Looks like Edinburgh got a lot of confidence from their win over Glasgow. Haven't turned up to roll over anyway.

Impressed by Marmion. Getting a bit of niggle in his game and tackling well.

vienne86

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

Looks like Edinburgh got a lot of confidence from their win over Glasgow. Haven't turned up to roll over anyway.

They're well organised and not making mistakes.

irishgeo

cob1 wrote: »

can anyone access tg4 .ie to watch online? seems to be down but maybe just my broadband

Its down here as well

vigos

cob1 wrote: »

can anyone access tg4 .ie to watch online? seems to be down but maybe just my broadband

Down for me as well seems to be a problem with it alright

http://www.downforeveryoneorjustme.com/www.tg4.ie

Losty Dublin

That was a mighty box kick from Marmion. Edinburgh could not deal with it at all and it's given Connacht great ground for the (Missed) line out.

cob1

not to worry, found it somewhere I feel I'm probably not allowed mention, in English too

vienne86

Think my dish is blowing around too - picture freezing every so often.

shuffol

Who was that who went off his feet to clear out a guy who wasn't near the ball and left Marmion exposed. Daft play.

irishgeo

vienne86 wrote: »

Think my dish is blowing around too - picture freezing every so often.

I think its the uplink that's suffering in the wind and rain.

ssaye2

In a bar picture freezing last 5 mins grrr

LuckyGent88

Stupid stupid penalty to give away. Badly need a score before half time.

Utopia Parkway

Good lord. Collapsing a maul when Edinburgh are under pressure on their own line. Brain dead stuff.

Tox56

Great to see a brilliant read like that from Henshaw, you have to do more than tackle to be a good defensive 13 and that was excellent

vienne86

Crunching tackle there from Henshaw.....and Connacht get the ball back down field with that penalty. Good position now. 'Mon!

ssaye2

Henshaws timing and aki a privilege to watch

Kanrith

Why didn't the ref play advantage?

sydthebeat

Should have been a penalty try, that maul was stomping until they pulled it down, ref saw nothing.

Utopia Parkway

Yellow card for Edinburgh second row.

Connacht need 7 points here.

Losty Dublin

About time the card was shown; Edinburgh are delaying at the breakdown all day.

LuckyGent88

Badly need to take advantage of this now Connacht

vienne86

Connacht nearly in - yellow for the lock...Toolis.