Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

b.gud

Second try for SOB converted again by Ioane 28 - 0 now

b.gud

Finished 40 - 5 last tries were from SHL and SOB

b.gud

It was Illo not SOB that scored one of those tries

AccidentallyOnside

Pre seasons are fickle beasts, without knowing where Bristol and Sale have been in their prep it's impossible to judge how good/bad those results and performances are.......but it's always better to win big than lose big!

2025Connacht

Lancaster has already removed our curse of winning away in England 😁

Like above I never get too high or low about pre season results. I remember Grenoble going to town on us during pre season of the Pro 12 year but for a team that was in a bad place it's good to get some positive momentum in the run in to the start of the season.

b.gud

Short interview with Lancaster after the match said he was happy with the defejce, but most importantly (IMO) he says he's really frustrated with the 1 try that was conceded. To me that is a great mindset that has not been present previously. I feel like under previous managers it would have been all about great tries scored and ah it's just one try so it doesn't really matter.

https://x.com/connachtrugby/status/1964083267184848928?t=THqBUZFADnLSl5X88R8yDA&s=19

Gaztric

Nice too that he mentioned Sean Walsh and Daniel Ryan as having played well. Great to see him trusting players in the academy. Exciting times, looking forward to late September!

Former Coach

Two super pre-season results away to English opposition and great to see some new faces not only getting opportunities but impressing. I'm liking the

Former Coach

Lancaster approach and looking forward to a great season ahead.

leakyboots

Very exciting times to be a Connacht fan I'm sure (they're my second team out of the Provinces) with new coach and stadium, think ye will go very well this season.

FACECUTTR

The difference 4 or 5 months can make !! If we improve the defence and stop the silly switching off at re-starts etc we will be fighting for top 6 at least. Really looking forward to Benetton.

evil_seed

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123790597#Comment_123790597

The silly switch offs at restarts is a thing that's been there for a good decade

FACECUTTR

Hopefully Lancaster can coach that out the team.

realhorrorshow

What team would we like to see for the Benetton game?

15-9, 1-8: Naughton, Jennings, Hawkshaw, Forde, Bolton, Ioane, B Murphy; Dooley, Heffernan, Aungier, D Murray, Joyce, Prendergast, Hurley-Langton, Jansen

16-23: Tierney-Martin, Duggan, Illo, J Murphy, Boyle, O'Brien, Blade, Ralston

Only included those who've played in pre season.

FACECUTTR

I'd go with what you have and maybe have Ralston starting with Hawkshaw on the bench.

FtD v2

It would be great if Hugh Gavin could make that thirteen shirt his own this year, I don't love Hawkshaw or Ralston there tbh.

lavrenti

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123823987#Comment_123823987

Jennings to 15 with Mullins on the wing. I doubt he'll start Naughton yet, although he may make the bench. Otherwise you're close.

realhorrorshow

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123824601#Comment_123824601

Ralston is probably our best defender, but attacks are winning rugby games now and gamebreakers like Gavin are extremely important. I'd like to see us just back him and accept that he will likely continue to make errors in defence in the short term. He made some poor reads last season, but to be fair to him the defence was a mess in general.

He didn't play in either pre season game so it's not clear whether he's fit or not.

kita99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123824728#Comment_123824728

Do you think that M.Devine who is Galway-native has no needs in Connacht?

ShineyShiney

We have a bit of a hole at 13, Gavin looks a little inexperienced defensively, Hawkshaw has had his moments but looks a better fit at 12 and Ralston who has been a utility player for us. I like Ralston good instincts in defence and has pace and good hands. Hard to know which way Stuart will go but I expect that his call will be based on the best defender as that's where the biggest fix for this team is.

Jennings played under 20's with Forde in the centre but seems to have moved completely to back 3 and Finn Tracey also looked ok at 13 for a few caps under 20's iirc

ShineyShiney

Nah he will be fine, he will get lots of gametime this year.

Jump_In_Jack

Best current Connacht 15/23?
Would it be? -
Starting 15:
Dooley, Heffernan, Bealham
D Murray, Joyce,
Prendergast, Jansen, Hurley-Langton
B Murphy, Ioane,
Bolton, Aki, Gavin, Hansen,
Gilbert.
Replacements: Tierney-Martin, Buckley, Aungier, N Murray, J Murphy, M Devine, Forde, Ralston.

Mr Hinx

Could be some back line! We are so light in front five. Glaring weakness for me.

ShineyShiney

Dooley Heffernan Bealham Murphy Joyce Prendergast shl Boyle Murphy ioane Hansen Bundi ?? Bolton ??

13 from Gavin, Hawkshaw or Ralston. With a gun toy head if go with Ralston.

15 from Naughton, Jennings or west. Think I'd go with Jennings.

Jump_In_Jack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123836779#Comment_123836779

Gilbert has to be a starter at 15 surely, but when does he arrive?

Edit: He’s playing NPC for Otago, so that ends 25th October. Probably joining Connacht soon after that.

ShineyShiney

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123837467#Comment_123837467

Of course but I with Otago going well he will probably be playing knockout rugby and allowing for a settling period here it could be late November before we see him in the pitch.

realhorrorshow

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123832742#Comment_123832742

Honestly I think Josh Murphy has pretty consistently had a bigger impact for us than Darragh Murray, but the latter is younger, taller, and the international coaches clearly see something in him. 13 is a toss up but I'd invest in Gavin as he has the highest ceiling by a distance.

I don't really like Buckley and Tierney-Martin on the bench together as it leaves us finishing games with an undersized front row. de Buitléar is even smaller than Tierney-Martin so I'd go with Duggan to get a bit more size onto the bench. I'd also drop Niall Murray, have D Murray/Murphy as sub second row, and bring Boyle into the 20 shirt.

KBurke85

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123839410#Comment_123839410

The only issue with Gavin is he is seen as a 12 by the Irish coaches, they may not be too keen to have playing at 13

FtD v2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123839573#Comment_123839573

What makes you say that? His solitary involvement for Ireland so far was at 13 v Portugal.

Mr Tickle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123839694#Comment_123839694

I presume he means at U20 level.

That could just as easily be to do with the other centre options that were available. Given the options at Connacht, I think it makes sense to develop him as a 13 option. Bundee and Forde are better than the other 13 options.