Defence not looking too hot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEwHHyOzJzY
Your 23s for the season opener vs Ulster? (Yes I'm procrastinating).
Not sure will we have the Irish lads. Bundee and Mack anyway
They have been back in training for a while now, but perhaps not.
Surely not
Back for 2nd game.
Maybe Heff though..
Buckley to start IMO
LH is going to be interesting. What can Dooley achieve with consistent game time? Maybe a lot. Buckley is a local hero but was struggling even prior to his injury, IMO, and I felt Burke well exceeded expectations in his absence. Good strength in depth for us there.
If Mack is out, Wooton to 11, Byrne to 14. Maybe Byrne to 14 in any case.
Daly or Forde for Bundee if unavailable, facing McCloskey it might be better to have Daly's physicality than Forde's playmaker brain.
On the bench:
I'd like to see Shamus Hurley Langton in for Jarad.
Murray for Dowling? It's marginal, we have a strong pool of second rows and can rotate based on fitness/opposition.
Haven't seen enough of Ralston to assess at 23, but why not? Byrne, Hawkshaw, Forde, Jennings would be other options. I want to see the latter two getting games, but maybe Ulster isn't the place to start them.
PS We had big problems defensively at midfield and out wide last year and everyone from 11-15 was implicated. Some of the solution will be based on alterations to the system more broadly, but my selection preferences are based on the hope that the players who occupied those positions last season adapt effectively. If we see a continuation of last years' malaise, we need to be quicker to drop people and give others a chance.
Ultan on for la Rochelke, interesting to see how he goes this year. I really hope his form is back to 2016
A number of players who just departed Connacht were in action in the TOP 14 and D2 yesterday. Papa Leahy started for Brive, Eoghan Masterson for Stade Aurillacois, and Ultan Dillane was on the bench for Stade Rochelais. On Murray Kinsella's Twitter you'll also see video of Kyle Godwin getting smashed in Lyon v Brive - Papa not responsible and AFAIK kept his bib clean.
Quinn Roux has moved from Toulon to Bath, we'll see how that goes with JVG. Hope he didn't sell his house in Knocknacarra...
Short interview with Jack Carty on RTE where his discusses his wrist operation, arrivals in the squad from Leinster etc.:
https://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2022/0907/1321147-carty-touch-and-go-for-connachts-season-opener/
Wonder will the ulster match be called off now with the Queen dying ?
Will be very interesting to see what team is picked. Carty naming Dooley as one of the most impress so far and I cant see it taking long before he’s first choice.
Would go with something like this for ulster, injury permitting:
Dooley
DTM (not sure on international’s availability) Auinger
N Murray
Thornbury
Murphy
Boyle
Oliver
marmion
Hawkshaw
wootton
Daly
Farrell
Byrne
porch
subs:
Heffernan / Stewart
Buckley
Illo
Dowling
SHL
blade
fitz
Ralston
Eagles team for game vs Leinster A:
15. Adam O'Carroll (u20)
14. Josh O'Connor
13. Daniel Hawkshaw
12. Cathal Forde
11. Sean Fox (u19)
10. Harry West (u20)
9. Will Reilly
1. Charlie Ward
2. Eoin de Buitlear (c)
3. Sam Illo
4. John Forde
5. Darragh Murray
6. Ciaran Booth
7. Oisin McCormack
8. Sean Masterson
16. Oisin Dolan (u19)
17. Oisin Michel
18. Fiachna Barrett (u20)
19. Donnacha Byrne
20. Mark Boyle
21. Hubert Gilvarry
22. John Devine (u20)
23. Adam Madden (u20)
24. Hugh Gavin (u19)
Just saw that Greg McGrath was signed during the summer by the Jersey Reds. Hope he does well there.
I read rumours that the Brumbies were interested in Ben O'Donnell, don't know if anything came of it.
Would anyone care to take a punt on the match day 23 ?
I don't know the injury situation but I do believe the internationals will be available.
I'll go with:
1.Dooley 2.Heff 3.Finlay
4.Murphy 5.Thornbury
6.Prendergast 7.Oliver 8.Boyle
9.Marmion 10.Fitzgerald
11.Hansen
12.Bundee 13.Farrell
14.Byrne
15.Porch
16.DTM 17.Buckley 18.DRMc 19.Fifita 20.Butler 21.Blade 22.Hawkshaw 23 Daly.
Barring injuries I reckon it will be very close to that. Don't think Robertson-McCoy will make the squad, and Tom Daly may be redundant in that selection as Hawkshaw covers 12.
I’m going to gamble with Hawkshaw at 10 - Fitz is long enough in the squad so the coaches know what he can bring ! Give Hawkshaw his head in a big game …. Go prove yourself!
So Aungier instead of DRM?
Could Ralston be a potential in the 23?
If Byrne starts ahead of Wotton and plays well it should light a fire under Wotton to strive for his standards 2 seasons ago.
I also think Murphy is going to be involved. Maybe for Butler given an option also to cover 2nd row.
Ulster rugby have just confirmed that the match will go ahead - I was a little concerned about that.
Selection-wise, Aungier for DRMC, Ralston for Daly, Murray for Fifita, Hurley-Langton for Butler. I could also be tempted to start Hawkshaw and put Fitgerald on the bench.
Bundee and Hansen (at least) will be available for the 2nd game not this one
No Irish players available this week. Butler, Kilgallen out injured. Shayne Bolton out for 3 -4 months
https://www.the42.ie/gavin-thornbury-connacht-3-5864198-Sep2022/
After Listening to Andy's Interview and availability:
1.Dooley
2.Heff
3.[Aungier]
4.Murphy
5.Thornbury
6.Prendergast
7.Oliver
8.Boyle
9.Marmion
10.[Hawkshaw]
11.[Wotton]
12 [Daly]
13.Farrell
16.DTM 17.Buckley 18.DRMc 19.Fifita 20.[Hurley Langton] 21.Blade 22. [Fitzgerald] 23 [Ralston]
I'd much prefer that Illo gets the minutes at TH. DRMC was let go before being re-signed during the summer, better to concentrate on Sam and use DRMC as required by injury or rotation. In our first block of games, this is one we should be targeting to win.
Was at the Eagles v Leinster A and expected Illo to stand out [from an impact and leadership perspective] been one of a few senior players selected, was very disappointed in his display as thought it would be an ideal platform to put his hand up a week before a Interpro but from his performance in my opinion did nothing to show why he should be selected . DRM has over 70 appearances so if nothing else he has experience and is a more secure option.
That's disappointing to hear, thanks for the report. From what was written on the Leinster forum the Eagles didn't put in a good performance, Josh O'Connor was the only one singled out for praise.
Murray and Forde in the 2nd row went well the second row and back row were competitive throughout.
west at 10 looked composed and vocal through out - lovely crossfield chip for first try , tackled well and scored one as well - definitely has potential . Forde was involved alot and took conversions and penalties. 15 struggled and was replaced. O'Connor was good coming in looking for a ball constantly.
Mostly agree but N.Murray will be 5 or 19 at least.
Emerging Ireland squad announced tomorrow which will have a big effect on our season. Will be interesting to see what type of players are picked. Will it be Prendergast, Blade, Farrell etc or even more emerging such as Hawkshaw, Illo, Murray. Interesting to see either way.
I actually forgot about that. Could impact the team alot in the short term. Would be excellent exposure for the likes of Hawkshaw and Murray and Illo.
From the wording of the press release when they announced it I don't think Blade and Farrell will be involved they talked about it being for recent U20s graduates so I reckon nearly wall the team will be 24 or younger
N.Murray and Prendergast are the 2 1st team players we may figure out without for a month
4) Dowling
5) Thornbury
6) Murphy
7) Oliver
8) Boyle
19) Fifita'a
20) Hurley/Masterson
we're ok
Illo and DTM HAVE TO stay with us, we're too short there
1 of Jenning/Forde + McCormack + Duggan + C.Reilly + O'Connor would hugely benefit from exposure though
Ralston is never quoted there, but he's the perfect example of an "emeging Ireland cap" to prepare next RWC with new IQs IMO
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