Connacht Team Talk Thread V - The Friend Zone

connachta

And guys, we'll be the only ones to see Zebo in Ireland this season

SqueakyKneecap

Hard to see any of those stopping us with Daly at outhalf tbf

Redo91

You've got a Friend in me

When are these games fixed for? Presume there’s no prospect of fans going?

The Lost Sheep

Redo91 wrote: »

When are these games fixed for? Presume there’s no prospect of fans going?

11th, 18th December and 15th, 22nd January so most likely will be behind closed doors

Ardillaun

Just saw the whole match. Blade had a blinder, so quick with the kicking and passing.

realhorrorshow

Ardillaun wrote: »

Just saw the whole match. Blade had a blinder, so quick with the kicking and passing.

Yeah he had an excellent outing. His kicking really is a game changer. It made our exits so much smoother, and gave us the option of putting up contestables now and again. As great as he is in many other areas, Marmion's complete lack of a box kicking game hinders us somewhat. When he plays we always exit off 10 which can put us under pressure. Also, without a box kicking option we sometimes overplay on slow ball.

Ardillaun

realhorrorshow wrote: »

Yeah he had an excellent outing. His kicking really is a game changer. It made our exits so much smoother, and gave us the option of putting up contestables now and again. As great as he is in many other areas.

As the Scottish commentator said of the kicks that made Connacht’s first two tries: two of the finest individual scores you will see (although the second one was finished by Arnold). How many of our top Irish scrum-halves would have scored that first try? Blade reacted so quickly to the opportunity.

connachta

So 7 Irish 2nd rowers in Championship and ProD2

J.Madigan, D.O'Shea, D'O'Callaghan, F.Bradshaw-Ryan, S.O'Connor, and ....

The last 2 and only available it seems

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/for-all-i-know-i-could-ve-played-my-last-game-of-professional-rugby

Old boys from Connacht

Romaine, and Qualter

both no more bound for English clubs in Covid times

if, and only if, we go for an IQ medical joker, I'd go for one of them, not an U20 from other province bringing not much experience/motivation

macslash

Mul, it's over

Is there a chance we won't have Bundee or some fo the other lads for the opening European games? If he in particular keeps playing with Ireland then they'll want him to rest.

lenny4545

Has anybody heard who the new signing for second row will be? Meant to be announced today?

Burkie1203

Mul, it's over

macslash wrote: »

Is there a chance we won't have Bundee or some fo the other lads for the opening European games? If he in particular keeps playing with Ireland then they'll want him to rest.

A lot depends on who Ireland play the weeks before

Georgia might be a chance to rest a good few players and play a 2nd string

If the nation's cup has prize money based on placings then that game on December 5th might have money riding on the result.

KBurke85

The Friend Zone

macslash wrote: »

Is there a chance we won't have Bundee or some fo the other lads for the opening European games? If he in particular keeps playing with Ireland then they'll want him to rest.

It could be a case he'd be able to play the European games but have to sit out all the interpros over xmas.

I can't imagine the other provinces bang told you cant play any of your internationals in Europe. Prize money from Europe will be needed by the Irfu also.

FACECUTTR

lenny4545 wrote: »

Has anybody heard who the new signing for second row will be? Meant to be announced today?

Did you hear it was to be announced today or read it ?

lenny4545

FACECUTTR wrote: »

Did you hear it was to be announced today or read it ?

Heard it, Friend said it in latest craggy rugby podcast!

MarinersBlues

Mul, it's over

we regret to inform you that due to a small number of positive COVID-19 cases within the Benetton squad, PRO14 Rugby have taken the unfortunate but necessary decision to postpone Sunday's game at The Sportsground.

If they are going to start postponing games like this then,given how densely they have packed the fixtures, this season is going to be a disaster.

Burkie1203

Mul, it's over

MarinersBlues wrote: »

If they are going to start postponing games like this then,given how densely they have packed the fixtures, this season is going to be a disaster.

The real fun and games will start when this happens in European games and they end up declared as 0-0

Bazzo

Mul, it's over

Would have thought the season was too packed already to postpone matches, would have expected either a 0-0 draw or 20-0 walkover to be given

connachta

Sad
At least the new lock have his time to fit in to bench at least next week

Game should be re-scheduled on the next "unoccupied" week, on the 7th of December

The Lost Sheep

Cormac Daly announced as 2nd row cover

FACECUTTR

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Cormac Daly announced as 2nd row cover

Great news and he would have been up to speed being involved up until a few months ago.

connachta

So in the end we indeed have a comeback, but from the US not England

Cormac Daly re-signed

realhorrorshow

Makes sense. Thought he was decent for the Eagles in 2019, big physical guy.

bayern

realhorrorshow wrote: »

Makes sense. Thought he was decent for the Eagles in 2019, big physical guy.

he's at least as good as Cian Prendergast right now.

thought he was very unlucky not to pick up an academy deal after u20's.

realhorrorshow

bayern wrote: »

he's at least as good as Cian Prendergast right now.

thought he was very unlucky not to pick up an academy deal after u20's.

Yeah I was surprised we didn't offer him a deal. Friend said this week that Prendergast is a 6 so I guess that's where his future lies.

bayern

realhorrorshow wrote: »

Yeah I was surprised we didn't offer him a deal. Friend said this week that Prendergast is a 6 so I guess that's where his future lies.

Yeah Prendergast really is a 6, size/athleticism wise etc

connachta

Baird is close to be back, so one of Roux/Dillane may be released for next game vs Dragons

could be massive relief (assuming Roux recovered his shoulder)

realhorrorshow

connachta wrote: »

Baird is close to be back, so one of Roux/Dillane may be released for next game vs Dragons

could be massive relief (assuming Roux recovered his shoulder)

I personally don't want our players to get dropped from international squads they spent their entire career working towards so that they can play a Pro12 game against the Dragons.

connachta

realhorrorshow wrote: »

I personally don't want our players to get dropped from international squads they spent their entire career working towards so that they can play a Pro12 game against the Dragons.

I 100% want them to be released rather than being 4th choice and not playing a minute with Ireland


If (as Dillane today), one of them is 3rd choice so on the bench, good, I'm happy
If Baird is back, it's not the same situation, at least for 1 of Roux or Dillane

thomond2006

Some Like It TOH

I'm not really clear on the rules for the current Ireland bubble and releases etc but what I do know is these upcoming nations cup games have to played. If an outbreak costs Ireland one or two games it is potentially ruinous and the squad depth at the provinces will be the victim.

realhorrorshow

connachta wrote: »

I 100% want them to be released rather than being 4th choice and not playing a minute with Ireland


If (as Dillane today), one of them is 3rd choice so on the bench, good, I'm happy
If Baird is back, it's not the same situation, at least for 1 of Roux or Dillane

This is such a short term point of view. Connacht players spending time in international camp is good for Connacht rugby because:

a) The player gets exposure to the best players and coaches in the country and brings that experience back to the province with him.
b) The player will be more likely to remain with Connacht, knowing that his provincial form will get him into the international squad.
c) Players from other provinces will be more likely to sign for Connacht knowing that provincial form could be rewarded with international honours.
d) Having more players in the international squad adds prestige to the Connacht brand and long term should generate revenue through bums in seats, additional sponsorship, etc.