Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

RichieRich_89 · 31-08-2022 12:42PM

Defence not looking too hot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEwHHyOzJzY

realhorrorshow · 01-09-2022 11:09AM

Your 23s for the season opener vs Ulster? (Yes I'm procrastinating).

Peter Dooley
Dave Heffernan
Jack Aungier
Josh Murphy
Gavin Thornbury
Cian Prendergast
Conor Oliver
Paul Boyle
Caolin Blade
Conor Fitzgerald
Mack Hansen
Bundee Aki
Tom Farrell
Alex Wootton
John Porch
Dylan Tierney-Martin
Denis Buckley
Sam Illo
Oisin Dowling
Jarrad Butler
Kieran Marmion
David Hawkshaw
Byron Ralston

macslash · 01-09-2022 12:27PM

Not sure will we have the Irish lads. Bundee and Mack anyway

realhorrorshow · 01-09-2022 12:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119553493#Comment_119553493

They have been back in training for a while now, but perhaps not.

connachta · 01-09-2022 11:08PM

Surely not

Back for 2nd game.

Maybe Heff though..

Buckley to start IMO

Zeugnis · 02-09-2022 08:32AM

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.

Zeugnis · 02-09-2022 08:38AM

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.

Strand1970 · 03-09-2022 09:33PM

Ultan on for la Rochelke, interesting to see how he goes this year. I really hope his form is back to 2016

Zeugnis · 05-09-2022 02:05PM

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...

Zeugnis · 09-09-2022 07:54AM

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/

Wegians89 · 09-09-2022 09:15AM

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

realhorrorshow · 09-09-2022 02:12PM

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)

Zeugnis · 11-09-2022 07:14PM

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.

FACECUTTR · 12-09-2022 03:34PM

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.

realhorrorshow · 12-09-2022 07:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119608202#Comment_119608202

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.

Lebute · 12-09-2022 07:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119609208#Comment_119609208

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.

Zeugnis · 12-09-2022 07:23PM

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.

connachta · 12-09-2022 07:36PM

Bundee and Hansen (at least) will be available for the 2nd game not this one

KBurke85 · 13-09-2022 08:42AM

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/

Lebute · 13-09-2022 10:25AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119610746#Comment_119610746

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

14.Byrne

15.Porch

16.DTM 17.Buckley 18.DRMc 19.Fifita 20.[Hurley Langton] 21.Blade 22. [Fitzgerald] 23 [Ralston]

Zeugnis · 13-09-2022 10:45AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119611120#Comment_119611120

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.

Lebute · 13-09-2022 10:51AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119611199#Comment_119611199

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.

Zeugnis · 13-09-2022 12:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119611234#Comment_119611234

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.

Lebute · 13-09-2022 12:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119611625#Comment_119611625

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.

connachta · 13-09-2022 12:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119611120#Comment_119611120

Mostly agree but N.Murray will be 5 or 19 at least.

eastcoastclan · 13-09-2022 03:28PM

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.

FACECUTTR · 13-09-2022 04:46PM

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.

b.gud · 14-09-2022 11:13AM

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

connachta · 14-09-2022 12:31PM

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

connachta · 14-09-2022 12:36PM

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

Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

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