Would have to think so, unfortunately. A run of games would have been good for him for sure.
Yeah doesn’t appear to be many options other than Forde, he was very impressive for Ireland u20s last summer, this is obviously big step for him but if he can deliver would be brilliant for Connacht. Tom Daly is due back soon I think and can play 10. Mack Hansen can too but obviously not available at the moment.
I presume Conor Fitz has picked up a knock? Had expected him to get some decent game time with jack away. Big chance for Cathal hopefully he goes well, will likely have to play the 80 if he can looking at the other options.
15. Tiernan O’Halloran (199)
14. Alex Wootton (27)
13. Tom Farrell (69)
12. Sammy Arnold (28)
11. Diarmuid Kilgallen (6)
10. Cathal Forde *
9. Kieran Marmion (197)
1. Jordan Duggan (21)
2. Dave Heffernan (155)
3. Greg McGrath (2)
4. Ultan Dillane (124)
5. Leva Fifita (5)
6. Eoghan Masterson (116)
7. Jarrad Butler (85) (C)
8. Paul Boyle (65)
Replacements
16. Shane Delahunt (112)
17. Denis Buckley (200)
18. Tietie Tuimauga (3)
19. Oisín Dowling (16)
20. Seán Masterson (15)
21. Colm Reilly (7)
22. Shayne Bolton (2)
23. Oran McNulty
Cathal Forde makes debut at 10. Diarmuid Kilgallen at 11. Great to see Denis Buckley back. Greg McGrath at tight head with tuimauga on the bench.
Plenty of experience elsewhere in first XV so hopefully be able to get the win, huge game for league standing. Glasgow likely to be missing fair few to Scotland camp too.
Murphy's a great signing I think, I imagine he'll mainly be a lock for us but could he even get some gametime at 8? You'd have to assume the URC fixtures no longer clashing with international games is a factor in the move. Leinster's depth may take a bit of a hit if so.
Might have been an embargoed press release.
Good stuff. Just republished hour ago so presume it was just pulled due to being up early or something.
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/josh-murphy-set-to-move-west-and-join-connacht-1.4787391
How long was his contract for ? Only 5 appearances but I know he has picked up a few injuries. I think Murphy could be a great signing if true. Has a bit of niggle and is quite abrasive.
Fifita will probably be around for another year then Quinn Roux could move back to Galway. Connacht need someone bigger then Murphy in second row to solve their issues imo
He has played 8 for Leinster too. I would imagine he will cover 6/8 mainly
He would be a good signing. I was skeptical when this idea was previously mooted. Three games for Leinster this season, including two starts at 5 in Europe. I think he'd be a great addition to Connacht, twenty six and fifty caps for Leinster.
He completed his medical degree last year. I wonder if he might be able to combine his rugby career with work in the hospital in Galway (probably unrealistic, a junior doctor's load is a heavy one).
I think it alsdo tells us something about who Leinster want to hold: Deegan, and probably Penny (in addition, of couse to the established back rowers: Conan, JDF, Doris, and Connors. Hard to project Dan's future).
Irish times posted an article about Murphy moving west and have now removed it from their site as far as I can see.
Hopefully they haven’t done that because it’s inaccurate, think he would be a good signing.
Seen that on the Leinster thread. Has to be second row. I can't see Fifita being kept and with Dillane leaving he will get the game time.
Is he coming as a 6 or a second row?
Josh Murphy is joining Connacht?
Yes, my mistake, what I read was an update from last weekas to why they weren't playing against Stade. And Bundee was described as unavailable because of illness, not injury.
Both were tested so they'd make international camp so could play this weekend if the 6 nations hadn't happened
I read that Bundee and Finlay have minor injuries, sounded like they wouldn't have been available anyway.
The Irish team trained in Dublin today. I
imagine they head to Portugal in the next day or two. I wouldn’t expect Cian to be available
Will we be without Cian this weekend? Guessing we'll definitely be less Bundee, Jack and Finlay but not sure about Cian. When are the Irish squad off to Portugal?
Jim you know full well you don't get out of Limerick after insulting the Munster out half... No exceptions... #WhereROGwasGod
Wonder could he be a future No. 8...
I certainly hope so.
I would assume so, hasn’t featured much in second row. Nailed on 6 in the squad too
Is Prendergast long term future solely as a backrow lads?
Last Week brian o'driscoll main criticism of Jack Carty was he doesnt run square or run straight enough
But Ben healy has said this week
One of the first things I noticed with Steve early on was that he’s not afraid to break the rules in terms of what you are told growing up. Little things, like you are always told to run square or run straight as an out-half for example, whereas he’ll tell you that in different situations you need to be able to drift on the pass, you need to be able to cut under the pass. In terms of passing in wet conditions, he’s got little cues.
Buckley coming back at a good time. At least its coming into good weather again which suits Connacht style. Big difference playing Connacht on a wet Winter night and playing them in late spring/summer
Leva Fifita seems like a workhorse who covers a lot of ground, could see him covering 8 to see out a game. Thought he had a good cameo. Sam illo should probably get more game time going on his short appearance.
Some comeback from Denis - he looked in serious shape in the photos from training last week. Fingers crossed the knee holds up well.
According to the MasterofNone on twitter, Buckley will be available for this week's game against Glasgow.
The report was Thornbury expected to be back training mid-February. By the time Leinster come around, Buckley should be fine. Aungier went off injured against Leicester, not sure what his status is. Given how effective Burke has been at LH, it seems to me that the area of concern is now TH.
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