its back to the old inconsistent days for Connacht.
things will nevefr change till top tier irish prospects are actually redirected to the province.Friend is a poor coach with no real track record. just flitting in and out of jobs with lacklustre results.
A lot went wrong that shouldn't have. A lot of basic skills failures in the first half that would have meant we were a lot further ahead heading in to the second half and it's probably a totally different game.
Despite having a lot of excellent players and prospects in the back row they never seem to click cohesively as a unit. I'd be tempted to give 6. Boyle 7. Oliver 8. Papali'i a go with Prendergast to come off the bench at 50. Butler seems a bit off the boil at the minute. It does mean that you risk one of your second rows having to put in a big shift there's an injury, and one of them having to cover the back row but there are plenty of options there capable of doing that.
We desperately need Aki back in the team for his jackal threat if nothing else. Boyle seemed to be contesting a fair bit(though not getting much change from the ref) but at least he was slowing the ball down.
Carty needs to be dropped at the moment. Too many mistakes.
Style of play needs to be looked at as well. We were so one dimensional on Saturday. Rarely spread the ball. One pass, and run into a tackle. Then get turned over/knock-on/give away a penalty. It was tough and frustrating to watch
Consistently inconsistent. I think we have enough quality in the team to be a tough outfit to beat but the performances game to game can just swing so wildly. I said it last season that either the game plan is not being translated from the coaching staff well enough or there is something else not right internally. Yes with the new coaches there will be a bit of bed in time but results will have to pick up regardless if they are against Leinster or Ulster or whoever.
I don't like to single out players but Butler is not cutting it the last few seasons. He was fantastic for the first 2 seasons after arriving. I realistically thought he would even get capped for ireland if he kept going the way he was. He is good when dealing with referees but I do doubt his leadership skills. Oliver is a good 7 for urc level but not in Europe. I gladly take back Colby Faingaa and let Butler move on.
Enough of the rant anyway, and let's hope we get things together and start to move in the right direction.
Bundee available for selection against Munster
Tom Farrell shoulder injury needs a surgical consultation. Guy has no luck.
That's awful news, he had looked like getting back to his best in the first few games.....
Ya he is a magnificent player and we are a different type of attacking threat with him available.
Yeah if we're going to play this less structured style in attack we really need his ability to beat a man in midfield or put other players into space. Hard to know who will be the answer at 13 with Farrell out, the other options are more comfortable at 12 imo.
Ah that's bad news - love Tom. Fingers crossed it's not too serious, and thankfully not a recurrence of his previous injury.
it'sa few paragraphs down. Marmion with an ankle issue too.
I'm a newbie to away day at Thomond Park. Any suggestions for a few pints before the game, where do the Connacht faithful usually congregate? Hopefully Farrell gets back soon, we have 3 great options at center with himself, Bundee and Daly.
Team named 5 changes and a 6-2 split on bench
CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY 23 VS MUNSTER RUGBY
Saturday 16th October, Thomond Park @ 19:35
Number/Name/Caps (* denotes uncapped)
15. Tiernan O’Halloran (193)
14. John Porch (42)
13. Sammy Arnold (19)
12. Bundee Aki (111)
11. Mack Hansen (3)
10. Jack Carty (162) (C)
9. Caolin Blade (133)
1. Matthew Burke (26)
2. Dave Heffernan (147)
3. Finlay Bealham (162)
4. Niall Murray (19)
5. Ultan Dillane (117)
6. Cian Prendergast (13)
7. Conor Oliver (23)
8. Paul Boyle (60)
16. Shane Delahunt (103)
17. Greg McGrath *
18. Jack Aungier (16)
19. Eoghan Masterson (111)
20. Abraham Papali’i (15)
21. Kieran Marmion (189)
22. Jarrad Butler (76)
23. Tom Daly (52)
there isnt too many spots very close to the stadium but Ardhu is usually good spot to go to.
I don't know where the Connacht fans meet up but The Woodfield and the Ardhu Bar are side by side on the Ennis Rd, then you have the Curragower and JJ Bowles overlooking the river , all are fairly popular pubs on match days. At the ground you have the Dugout Bar outside and once the gates open you have the Shannon and UL clubhouse bars.
Should be a stern test for Connacht. I would expect a better performance than what they showed last week. I reckon it will be close enough!
Not sure why Fifita has been left out of the team, I don't think he was injured? He's been an excellent like for like Quinn Roux replacement from what I've seen. Not seeing the logic in picking 2 back rows and a back row who can cover second row for the bench.
Not expecting a win, especially with the form Munster are in, but a backlash is badly needed from last week. Hopefully they can keep the scoreline tight to the last quarter then who knows what might happen.
I wouldn't say he's been excellent, lost possession three times Vs the Dragons from what I remember , but yeah agree with your point. I'd say Dowling can feel more aggrieved to be left out based on form so far.
Munster are very short on ball carriers, but Im afraid they may absolutely demolish us at the breakdown with the amount of jackal threats in their team.
I thought Dowling is injured no?
Dowling was ruled out with a facial injury
Weather is manky. Carty needs to top class with his kicking otherwise it could get ugly
Playing well so far, unlucky not to get the try there. Bundee making yards.
Fecking cheap yellow card. Could make the period before halt time fairly difficult.
Beirne clearly in front of the kicker there. I mean what on earth?
How was that not checked? The worst offside miss I've seen in a long time
Shocking miss by the TMO.
Soft try to give away. Should have held on to the ball.
Scandalous officiating that. Wasn't even difficult to see.
WTF is the point of having a TMO if that gets given, pretty sure there was a clear forward pass from Haley to Earls in build up that frank murphy despite being ten metres away missed.
Poor officiating but a further fall in TOH's stock there, should have tidied up Conway's kick. Once Wooton is back I'd like to see Porch or Hansen at FB.
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