Connacht Team Talk Thread V - The Friend Zone

Zzippy

connemara man wrote: »

Godwin and Griffin bin the centre are such a poor pairing there is zero creativity. The two of the kept running into heavy traffic and not really doing much with ball in hand. Farrell and Bundee is still our main partnership and Farrell needs to play when fit Even without Bundee

I've been really disappointed with Griffin since he came back. Looks totally pedestrian and bereft of creativity. Hard to believe he can make the starting XV...

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

Zzippy wrote: »

I've been really disappointed with Griffin since he came back. Looks totally pedestrian and bereft of creativity. Hard to believe he can make the starting XV...

He’s a solid squad option, not a starter. Doesn’t start when Farrell or bundee are match fit.

irishgrover

I thought it was positive enough. Attack was very lacking but I thought our defence was reasonably good and composed. This was a game where I think last season we would have leaked a couple more tries and would not have been in a position to get a LBP

connemara man

The Friend Zone

Zzippy wrote: »

I've been really disappointed with Griffin since he came back. Looks totally pedestrian and bereft of creativity. Hard to believe he can make the starting XV...

I'd play an academy player at least you'd hope they'd have more pace

ClanofLams

Mul, it's over

connemara man wrote: »

Godwin and Griffin bin the centre are such a poor pairing there is zero creativity. The two of the kept running into heavy traffic and not really doing much with ball in hand. Farrell and Bundee is still our main partnership and Farrell needs to play when fit Even without Bundee

Might be a little harsh on Godwin there, thought he linked up pretty well with Farrell versus Glasgow and had some really good footwork and nice offloads. Partnership didn't seem to work tonight alright.

Utopia Parkway

LBP in Edinburgh is not too bad all told. Especially the way the game went. The killer was not beating Glasgow in the first game when we really should have. Away wins are getting harder to come by so you have to be winning your home ones.

Defence was actually very good. Last year we would have shipped a few tries with the amount of possession and territory Edinburgh had.

connachta

Zzippy wrote: »

connachta wrote: »

LBP is a massive acheivement vs a straight opponent for home european play-off nex spring!

They're in the other conference...?

Yes. That's my point. Play-off. Probably vs them. Would prefer having it home

KBurke85

The Friend Zone

connachta wrote: »

Yes. That's my point. Play-off. Probably vs them. Would prefer having it home

No play off this year. Top 7 teams points wise qualify

connachta

KBurke85 wrote: »

connachta wrote: »

Yes. That's my point. Play-off. Probably vs them. Would prefer having it home

No play off this year. Top 7 teams points wise qualify

Really??

connachta

Yeah i've missed that.
And how it works for the 20th spot if both Challenge Cup finalists are already qualified?
Play-off between the semi-finalists?

The Lost Sheep

connachta wrote: »

Yeah i've missed that.
And how it works for the 20th spot if both Challenge Cup finalists are already qualified?
Play-off between the semi-finalists?

from wiki....
the play-off will be scrapped in favour of awarding the berth using the following criteria:
Champions Cup winner, if not already qualified.
European Rugby Challenge Cup winner, if not already qualified.
Challenge Cup losing finalist, if not already qualified.
Challenge Cup semi-finalist, if one has not already qualified (or the winner of a play-off between the semi-finalists, if both have not already qualified).
Highest ranked non-qualified club by virtue of league position from the same league as the Champions Cup winner.

connachta

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

connachta wrote: »

Yeah i've missed that.
And how it works for the 20th spot if both Challenge Cup finalists are already qualified?
Play-off between the semi-finalists?

from wiki....
the play-off will be scrapped in favour of awarding the berth using the following criteria:
Champions Cup winner, if not already qualified.
European Rugby Challenge Cup winner, if not already qualified.
Challenge Cup losing finalist, if not already qualified.
Challenge Cup semi-finalist, if one has not already qualified (or the winner of a play-off between the semi-finalists, if both have not already qualified).
Highest ranked non-qualified club by virtue of league position from the same league as the Champions Cup winner.

So that's it. We could have to pray like Gloucester/Pau did last season.

Buer

Neil3030 wrote: »

Still early doors for Friend, but I'd be worry about what I saw tonight. No penetration, and lots of predictable lateral moves, side to side. We've seen this trialed before with Penney at Munster, and MOC at Leinster, and it never really made much hay.

I'd think the opposite. Get the defence right. Get the error count down. Attacking patterns and innovative moves come later.

I would take a lot of quiet confidence from the opening matches.

Zzippy

KBurke85 wrote: »

No play off this year. Top 7 teams points wise qualify

That's ridiculous when one team could have an easier conference. For instance, last year Cheetahs were far more competitive than Kings, so the average points in Conference B were higher, with Dragons also gifting most teams points too.

MarinersBlues

Mul, it's over

Zzippy wrote: »

That's ridiculous when one team could have an easier conference. For instance, last year Cheetahs were far more competitive than Kings, so the average points in Conference B were higher, with Dragons also gifting most teams points too.

Before you even consider our extra derbies as opposed to everyone elses extra fixtures.

I thought the old play-off between the leagues was biased, this one is completely ridiculous.

Zzippy

MarinersBlues wrote: »

Before you even consider our extra derbies as opposed to everyone elses extra fixtures.

I thought the old play-off between the leagues was biased, this one is completely ridiculous.

And not to mention if we both finished 4th in our conferences, Edinburgh had us at home and we don't have a return fixture to take points off them. Wouldn't have mattered so much last year with a playoff available.

ClanofLams

Mul, it's over

Good results today with Cheetahs losing and Cardiff throwing away a 17 point lead to against Zebre. Cheetahs look a long long way off last season, can't see them threatening play off spots.

connachta

ClanofLams wrote: »

Good results today with Cheetahs losing and Cardiff throwing away a 17 point lead to against Zebre.

A 21-pont-lead

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

Anyone know much about the eagles match? Other then they lost

connachta

SOB 3.0 scored a double
other Connacht tries De Buitlear, C.McKeon and Fitzgerald (who seems to have been 100% with the conversions).
We were leading after an hour, just like vs Munste,r so the A team, before U20 guys come in from the beench, looks all-right

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

connachta wrote: »

SOB 3.0 scored a double
other Connacht tries De Buitlear, C.McKeon and Fitzgerald (who seems to have been 100% with the conversions).
We were leading after an hour, just like vs Munste,r so the A team, before U20 guys come in from the beench, looks all-right

How did Copeland go? Any players really standout?

connachta

Wegians89 wrote: »

connachta wrote: »

SOB 3.0 scored a double
other Connacht tries De Buitlear, C.McKeon and Fitzgerald (who seems to have been 100% with the conversions).
We were leading after an hour, just like vs Munste,r so the A team, before U20 guys come in from the beench, looks all-right

How did Copeland go? Any players really standout?

Was based on the twitter highlights compilated sorry I wasn't in Wales

realhorrorshow

Am I correct in saying the next game is in Corinthian Park on Friday at half 2?

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

realhorrorshow wrote: »

Am I correct in saying the next game is in Corinthian Park on Friday at half 2?

Announced today that it’s in athlone.

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

According to the 42, Buckley, McCartney, Copeland and Farrell are back in contention for this weekend

connachta

Wegians89 wrote: »

According to the 42, Buckley, McCartney, Copeland  and Farrell are back in contention for this weekend

With Bundee and Fainga'a full integrated, we can say, for once, we're 100% full-strengh. McKeon/Reece (defence) are outside the main 23 anyway IMO.

So no excuse we have to win!!!

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

I’d expect to see a change in the back row
I’d go for
6 butler
7 faingaa
8 Copeland
20 sob

Boyle has been right up there with best preformers so far this season, but he’s played a lot so far for a young lad and think he’s due a break so that he can slot back in for the Leinster match. Copeland and faingaa should add a lot of experience.

I hope Conan will be on the bench and not dropped completely. He had a rough day out last week but give him a chance to show he’s learned from it.

Bundee and Farrell in centre and kelleher back into the back three

KBurke85

The Friend Zone

I see Ian Davies has been appointed as the TMO for Cardiff V Munster this weekend

FirstFiveEigth

Has anybody seen Copeland play at lock previously? and if so was he any use? Was wondering to myself would this be a good option for us, at 6'5'' he's tall enough and we've been lacking a real lineout leader IMO since the loss of Aly Muldowney. I see both Quinn and Ultan more as no.4 locks than 5s. Also, we'd have the benefit of 4 backrowers on the pitch at once.

The Lost Sheep

FirstFiveEigth wrote: »

Has anybody seen Copeland play at lock previously? and if so was he any use? Was wondering to myself would this be a good option for us, at 6'5'' he's tall enough and we've been lacking a real lineout leader IMO since the loss of Aly Muldowney. I see both Quinn and Ultan more as no.4 locks than 5s. Also, we'd have the benefit of 4 backrowers on the pitch at once.

He's played a bit in the second row and he's ok there but is better in back row. He's more than tall enough. Not many can but you can cover the row from 6'4 up but thats only if you're exceptional. Even if he did play there i wouldnt see Copeland as a lineout leader and i wouldnt see both Quinn and Ultan as more 4s than 5s.

Dubinusa

Some Like It TOH

Thornbury is a good line out option. And Cannon should be at 204 cm.

FirstFiveEigth

Dubinusa wrote: »

Thornbury is a good line out option. And Cannon should be at 204 cm.

Agreed on both, Thornbury has impressed toward the end of last season and beginning of this, Cannon's also decent but I dont think he contributes enough from open play, he's not really a dominant ball carrier. My thinking behind the Copeland idea was that you get 4 backrows on the field and I'd imagine he'd be more useful than those mentioned as a distributor if we use a 2-4-2 shape.

realhorrorshow

FirstFiveEigth wrote: »

Agreed on both, Thornbury has impressed toward the end of last season and beginning of this, Cannon's also decent but I dont think he contributes enough from open play, he's not really a dominant ball carrier. My thinking behind the Copeland idea was that you get 4 backrows on the field and I'd imagine he'd be more useful than those mentioned as a distributor if we use a 2-4-2 shape.

Partner Copeland with Roux and the lineout would struggle. Partner him with anyone else and the scrum would struggle. Also second rows are generally relied upon to hit more rucks than anyone else on the team, and I haven’t seen much from Copeland to suggest he has that in his locker.

MarinersBlues

Mul, it's over

I was just looking at Cardiff v Munster tonight.
If Cardiff lost they will have lost two home games and two away games to the Italians.
Hard to see how they could win half their games given a start like that.
They are playing well but I get the feeling tonight is already make or break for them when it comes to top three.

ClanofLams

Mul, it's over

Conan O’Donnell and Shane Delahunt starting for the eagles tonight. https://www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-eagles-team-named-for-ospreys-a-clash-in-athlone/

Presumably Buckley and McCartney are in 23 for tomorrow.

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

ClanofLams wrote: »

Conan O’Donnell and Shane Delahunt starting for the eagles tonight. https://www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-eagles-team-named-for-ospreys-a-clash-in-athlone/

Presumably Buckley and McCartney are in 23 for tomorrow.

Copeland not involved with eagles too so he could be up with seniors. Cannon involved with so seniors should be from thornbury, dillane and roux

KBurke85

The Friend Zone

https://www.connachtrugby.ie/copeland-set-for-debut-as-connacht-take-on-the-scarlets-in-the-sportsground/

Team named. starts for Copeland Bundee Farell. Buckley back Kelleher in for Niyi. No Boyle and Thornbury starts Dillane is sub.

Chex LeMeneux

KBurke85 wrote: »

https://www.connachtrugby.ie/copeland-set-for-debut-as-connacht-take-on-the-scarlets-in-the-sportsground/

Team named. starts for Copeland Bundee Farell. Buckley back Kelleher in for Niyi. No Boyle and Thornbury starts Dillane is sub.

Like the look of that team. Arguably first choice front row, half backs, centres and back 3.Decent amount of firepower from the bench in Tom, Dillane, Colby and Niyi. Would be hopeful for the win.

evil_seed

The Friend Zone

I see the European jersey was launched lastnight. Not much fanfare online it seems. I like it. I do have to saw we've raped the Seattle Seahawks for design and colour with the navy, grey and lime green.

On that team, I guess that's the strongest available. Don't really have much to say on it other than that

FirstFiveEigth

evil_seed wrote: »

I see the European jersey was launched lastnight. Not much fanfare online it seems. I like it. I do have to saw we've raped the Seattle Seahawks for design and colour with the navy, grey and lime green.

On that team, I guess that's the strongest available. Don't really have much to say on it other than that

I have to say I really wish we'd give up on the whole European jersey idea, or at least make it green. I know it's a commercial decision but I think it's pretty disrespectful to the fans to launch 3 new shirts each season, not that anybody is obliged to purchase any of them.


Also, why on earth are we wearing our away kit at home tomorrow? Again money above tradition.

KBurke85

The Friend Zone

FirstFiveEigth wrote: »

I have to say I really wish we'd give up on the whole European jersey idea, or at least make it green. I know it's a commercial decision but I think it's pretty disrespectful to the fans to launch 3 new shirts each season, not that anybody is obliged to purchase any of them.


Also, why on earth are we wearing our away kit at home tomorrow? Again money above tradition.

Unfortunately It's money that is needed to help with budgets, to sign players and to ultimately improve the whole club. We make less from our crowds and attendances so we have to make up for it somewhere I guess.

testtech05

Some Like It TOH

KBurke85 wrote: »

Unfortunately It's money that is needed to help with budgets, to sign players and to ultimately improve the whole club. We make less from our crowds and attendances so we have to make up for it somewhere I guess.

I think most clubs seem to have 3+ jerseys these days (not saying I agree with it but we are not the only club doing it)

I guess it all goes to raising money for the club at the end of the day to try and make us better.

FirstFiveEigth

testtech05 wrote: »

I think most clubs seem to have 3+ jerseys these days (not saying I agree with it but we are not the only club doing it)

I guess it all goes to raising money for the club at the end of the day to try and make us better.

Yeah I guess it must bring in decent revenue or else clubs wouldn't be bothered with it, I just hate it personally and find it quite tacky, regardless of what everyone else is at.

stephen_n

FirstFiveEigth wrote: »

Also, why on earth are we wearing our away kit at home tomorrow? Again money above tradition.

Tradition would actually be the home team changing jersey in the event of a clash.

FirstFiveEigth

stephen_n wrote: »

Tradition would actually be the home team changing jersey in the event of a clash.

Exactly, this is just a commercial exercise

The Lost Sheep

FirstFiveEigth wrote: »

Exactly, this is just a commercial exercise

so what if it is? It brings in enough income to make it worthwhile so what's the issue. No obligation to buy it.

connemara man

The Friend Zone

No one's making anyone buy any jersey. I like to get them the green and grey are nice jerseys

Like if anything the white washing of the crest is annoying

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

What age group is Hugh Lane in?

ClanofLams

Mul, it's over

Wegians89 wrote: »

What age group is Hugh Lane in?

U-20s this season, he played for Ireland u-19s last season.

ionapaul

Mul, it's over

Does anyone know what time the ticket office in the Sportsground will be open tomorrow? Want to head into town and pick up a ticket well ahead of the match.