Connacht vs. Leinster, leg the first (Sportsground, Friday 8th April 8pm, BT Sport One)

Dave_The_Sheep

So here we all are now. Leinster ready to **** themselves, as per Mack Hansen. Connacht fully embracing the plucky underdog mantle, and why wouldn't they.

Hopefully no red cards this time around. Unless they benefit Leinster, of course.

Weather forecast is for a bit of rain today over on the west coast, followed by clear skies around kick off time.

V

Zzippy

Zzippy

Sleet and hail showers, serious squally winds. Hope it settles for kickoff.

FACECUTTR

Leinster will feel like they turned all those hoppers by the end of the game.

Zzippy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118898868#Comment_118898868

My back is sore just looking at it.

Dave_The_Sheep

... wait, shi-

fatgav

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118898849#Comment_118898849

Rather disgracefully, you can't get a pint of Guinness in the Sportsground (on the Clan Terrace side anyways)

Zzippy

Where did you get my wellies from, Dave?

Zzippy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118899083#Comment_118899083

What's that Island's Edge stuff like?

Former Former Former

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118899098#Comment_118899098

Island's Edge?!

Proof positive that Connacht have lost their way under Friend

connemara man

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118899083#Comment_118899083

But buying Guinness in the main stand the money goes to the dogs not Connacht

aloooof

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118899098#Comment_118899098

Sh*te.

Zzippy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118899206#Comment_118899206

Saved me the ordeal so. Legend!

awec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118899098#Comment_118899098

Swill.

With that weather out there you'd be better firing a few whiskeys into you.

Zzippy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118899308#Comment_118899308

Way ahead of ya!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118899346#Comment_118899346

Not much in that, you'll be finished before Lowe is in for his third!

Zzippy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118899355#Comment_118899355

Possibly, but if the poitin in it is any good will I care by then?

aloooof

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118899355#Comment_118899355

It isn’t prosecco he has in it, Venjur. ;)

SqueakyKneecap

Lot of nervy Leinster heads clicking their fingers asking for a "barkeep". A timid bunch.

Well I wouldn't have thought so, don't think they prosecco in Galway yet!

Fudged

Tayto will be watching for non-locals. Anything to keep the heathen out!

Faugheen

Evening folks.

Looks like a cracking evening in Galway. Lets hope for a game of similar gorgeousness.

lawrencesummers

With the exception of 10 connacht have a better backline.

Unfortunatley because of the packs and the OH’s there will be only one winner.

This is a big day for Carrthy, personally i think hes way overrated and gets a pass on a lot of his mistakes for some reason, but to keep his side in the game today he is going to have to do something thats never been seen before, and have a perfect game.

As a neutral i just hope there isnt any red card

Faugheen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900031#Comment_118900031

Connacht have a better backline than Leinster.

Lol. Ok.

realhorrorshow

James Lowe runs that risks pretty much every time he kicks the ball.

A-Train

Terrible start for Leinster. Need to settle and hold the ball.

Connacht always goi no to come out like a train and ride the emotion of the occasion.

JRant

That was a ridiculous call by the ref.

Clegg

Unlucky from JOB. If he were an inch taller he completes that intercept and is running under the posts. Great defensive read.

aloooof

Is it just me or is the crowd noise pretty low on the BT feed? Seems like a great atmosphere but isn’t quite coming across.

Strumms

didnt see a definitive angle but hint of a forward pass just in the lead up to the Connaught try ?

Incidentally jerseys not helping the enjoyment, too similar colours.

lawrencesummers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900054#Comment_118900054

Only one backline making breaks here. If carthy stopped kicking everything so badly connact would be further ahead.

Clegg

Carty and TOH are directly responsible for that Leinster penalty. Two utterly dreadful kicks from both and an attempt at a tackle from the latter which puts Connacht under huge pressure.

JRant

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900124#Comment_118900124

Crazy how those jersey colours we're allowed. It's nearly impossible to tell them apart on the tv.

Clegg

Lol. Aki never supporting his own body weight to win that turnover.

Not mad on the Jersey clashes tbh

lawrencesummers

Connacht starting to stand back in defense. Bad idea that.

Clegg

That's a picture perfect tackle from Doris.

Wiped out TOH.

Clegg

That's an utterly fantastic try. From one side of the pitch to the others stretching the Connacht defence and punching holes through them. The gaps just opened up.

Keenan identified a disjoint between Aki and his wide defender, ran through the gap and offloaded to Lowe.

Brilliant decision making from Bealham there, read that perfectly.

Faugheen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900188#Comment_118900188

It was that read that pretty much left them exposed on the outside though. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Great try nonetheless.

Clegg

Again, that's an utterly fantastic backline try. Angles of running and handling ability.

Faugheen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900133#Comment_118900133

There certainly is only one backline making breaks alright.

Great to see the inferior Leinster backline putting it up to their Connacht overlords.

Clegg

Lawrence in the mud.

I thought Keenan got a bang going into that tackle, tapped his head after and figured he was going off for a HIA and next second he's getting a try assist...!

razorblunt

Aki would have missed Keenan even if it was tag rugby. Awfully passive

awec

Bundee Aki should be mortified by that try.

Lazy. Very lazy.

lawrencesummers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900203#Comment_118900203

Give connacht that speed of ruck ball and they will score plenty.

The leinster breakdown is winning this game, its just lowe thats finishing all that work.

ongarite

Keenan was brilliant there but it's not s gap he should not have got through.

Clegg

Try saving tackles from McGrath and VDF.

Faugheen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900215#Comment_118900215

Give my aunt balls and she'd be my uncle.