Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

A lot of nonsense has been spouted in the last couple of pages, but this I agree with - Josh Murphy is going to be great :)

As Connacht fans, we're disappointed by Saturday, and naturally the string of tight recent defeats compounds that, even if the circumstances were not the same and the performances overall were much better. But let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater here. We're going places, and a lot of players have really developed and are coming into their own over the last eighteen months: Murray, Oliver, Prendergast, Dowling, Burke, and of course Mack Hansen.

We've been unlucky with some of our departures, and Fifita for Roux is not a reasonable replacement. Now we lose Dillane as well. This is a real equity issue which the IRFU should respond to by bringing in an international level lock, we've just lost two of them, it's not an unreasonable ask. The only reservation I'd have is whether it's where the money would be best spent from Connacht's POV, as I like the three senior locks we have (I bring Thornbury's name up enough) although I guess three isn't enough (let's hope Darragh Murray gets back and develops like his brother).

The calls to cut away Leinster's legs are ridiculous and frankly spiteful. But some modification to the central contracts system should be made. The Murray contract shows me that it's not been used in line with the official theory, and there should be discussion as to whether it is the mechanism best designed to serve the national team. It may be that a move to the English approach of per-appearance payments is better, because of its emphasis on form. Or maybe a hybrid model, where the IRFU kicks in some salary money up front and pays for appearances as well.

Alternatively, if we want to shift to incorporating a clear policy of provincial subsidy, then there could me a maximum and minimum number of central contracts per province, so that there is both an equity and a performance component.

Lastly, let's bear in mind that the changes to the fixture list mean that players from other provinces will choose themselves to seek opportunities in Connacht. The talk about drafting, i.e. forcing moves, is ridiculous. As the principal Irish pipeline, some of our recruits will certainly be Leinster Academy graduates. But others will be from other provinces, or the underage system. It's worth noting that two of our most successful Irish additions in recent years came from Munster, i.e. Oliver and Wooton (Arnold too, this season). But ambitious players across the country who don't feel they're getting the right chances will be considering how a move to Galway might work for them. The future is bright.

This is a great signing for Connacht, Josh himself and the IRFU. He is going to play week in week out. I'd class him as a replacement for Roux as the Fifita signing hasn't seemed to work out. We could do with another lock and and a specialist 8 and maybe a hooker. I say hooker as there's no competition there. They just alternate between Heff and Delahunt and I think they need a kick in the ass to motivate them.

I don't really understand the need for other provincial supporters to steam into this thread and react to every post after a hugely disappointing loss. Sure there are some over reactions but it's the same when their teams lose a game, it would never dawn on me to go in those threads and react to the more extreme posts. It's the same with booing, oh jesus a team losing at home is booing decisions undeservedly, yeah that's what happens..... It doesn't happen to Leinster much because they don't lose at home much but when they do (eg that comes to mind is Scarlets in pro12 semi a few years back) there is plenty of booing.

I wonder will Eoghan Masterson be retained, seems to me that Murphy may fill his current role.

Even though I think Murphy is a 4/6 and our greater need is at 5 & 8, I'm very happy with his signing. Provides a high quality alternative to Prendergast, who I have been a tad concerned about us burning out given his age, our reliance on him at the lineout and in the loose, and his abrasive style.

Murphy is a good signing I feel. He's a good player. Has played well for Leinster whenever he's got a chance. He's just behind a load of top internationals there. Has a bit of size and physicality as well.

Murphy gives Connacht a ball carrying option. He's a good all round player and he's a similar type player to SOB. The Connacht SOB. Connacht will be a better squad with his addition.

Hope the scrum holds as well against Ulster as it did against Glasgow. Greg McGrath is earning is crust, wonder if Tuimauga or Illo will be his back up. I'd like to see Illo get the chance, and he's a good carrier, but Tietie seemed to do ok when he came on.

This wave of front row injuries is pretty savage, last time I felt like this was during the great second row wipe out of October/November 2019. But from adversity, discoveries are made: that time it was Murray. Burke has done something similar this year at loosehead. Connacht will muddle through, but I'm curious - what's IRFU policy on medical jokers? I recall this as an area where there was inconsistent treatment between provinces, to put it diplomatically.

any idea when the game time and exact date will be announced for leinster heinikin cup games? I know they gave the dates of weekends the games would be on.

Thanks, is it on confirmed on website? Just looking to book hotels

Team named 11 changes from last week. Don't think anyone changed can have much complaints

CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY 23 VS ULSTER RUGBY

Friday 4th February, 20:15 @ Kingspan Stadium

Number/Name/Caps

15. John Porch (48)

14. Peter Sullivan (17)

13. Sammy Arnold (29)

12. Tom Daly (53)

11. Alex Wootton (28)

10. Conor Fitzgerald (45)

9. Kieran Marmion (198)

1. Denis Buckley (201)

2. Shane Delahunt (113)

3. Tietie Tuimauga (4)

4. Niall Murray (26)

5. Oisín Dowling (17)

6. Cian Prendergast (20)

7. Conor Oliver (32)

8. Jarrad Butler (86) (C)

Replacements

16. Jonny Murphy (17)

17. Jordan Duggan (22)

18. Greg McGrath (3)

19. Leva Fifita (6)

20. Paul Boyle (66)

21. Colm Reilly (8)

22. Cathal Forde (1)

23. Oran McNulty (6)

Mildly surprised to Tiete starting at 3, although he did ok there in the last twenty mins against Glasgow and Greg McGrath has earned a lighter shift. Sorry that Illo hasn't been picked but I guess he'll get a chance again soon.

Delighted to see Daly and Porch back, should shore us up defensively and are vital to our options in attack, bringing Wooton back into play. Great to have Prendergast with Oliver, and expect Boyle to come on for Butler in the second half. With Dowlin and Murray the line out should be solid.

The embarrassment at last week's disappointment will be worth ten points to Connacht, they should have fire in their bellies. A lot will depend on Conor Fitzgerald. If he has a good game, I think we can take Ulster.

Roll up for the next ride on the Connacht roller coaster! ;)

Great to see Mack named to start on Saturday, huge challenge for him and Im sure people be watching for any mistakes he might make but hope it goes well for him.

Disappointed Jack hasnt made the 23 with Joey coming straight back in but congrats to Bundee and Finlay for making the 23 aswell.

Cooney and Carty would be an interesting combination from the kicking point of view.

The point about Jack not being released, and the susceptibility of the other two to injuries is a good one.