Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

Let's hope the old adage about forwards deciding who wins a match is true, because I'm very concerned about our defense out wide against this Ulster team. Someone said that Adam Byrne was in a moon boot after the game against Castres, so maybe that explains his absence. And that TOH is picked for the season opener is not a good sign.

Not ideal but not to be unexpected given the population size and how big the gaa is in Connacht. There’s a good crop of local lads looking to break through which could add a few numbers in the future though.

Not particularly focused on it for the reasons stated above but also I tend to look at what we have produced as well, players like Boyle, Marmion (mentioned above) and Conor Fitzgerald, while starting rugby elsewhere, have come through our academy system and played all their professional career (to date) in Connacht.

Realistically we are never going to enjoy the levels of home produced by the other three provinces due to population, lack of clubs and strong competition from other sports. Would I like to see more, absolutely.

There will absolutely be a drop. Bringing Blade/Marmion on is a far better option than O’Reilly at this stage at least. Cian Prendergast has been one of the most impressive players for Connacht in the last two years, we are clearly worse off for him not being involved.

Time will tell but I don’t expect them to be involved on the 9th barring emergency. They’re not come back in for one or two days of training max after a month away and be selected.

Connacht are losing the option of bringing on a proven quality nine after 50/55 minutes, that can make a big impact in a game as we have seen in recent seasons. Losing one of if not our best player over the last two seasons. Josh Murphy looks an excellent player but with Prendergast we could have both in the back row or Murphy in the second row if needed or one adding impact off the bench, Prendergast is clearly better than most of our back five forwards other than Murphy. Losing the opportunity to give Tierney Martin gametime and see where he is before Delahunt returns, game time which will instead go to a six month emergency signing with no long term benefit.

Injuries have the potential to make it even worse of course but Connacht are clearly far worse off because of this bullshit tour already.

Grant Stewart was released by Glasgow and is a six month emergency signing. Maybe he defies expectations but it’s likely he has no long term future here and Tierney Martin is evidently ahead of him currently.

Not trying to be smart but getting a Scottish cap is relatively straightforward if you are in Glasgow/Edinburgh squad, you’re basically a couple of injuries away from a spot. He has one cap, I wouldn’t have high hopes.

Cian Prendergast has been our best back row in the last two seasons, that’s why he went to New Zealand, he’s a huge loss.

Having both Marmion and Blade in the 23 is far better than not, I think that’s fairly obvious.

Look we won’t agree but this thing is very bad for Connacht with the potential to get even worse with an injury or red card even.

Biggest issue last year was two centres working together. So if Tom x 2 have resolved that issue we have enough across the park to give Ulster a run for their money. There was a lot of blame attributed to other players last year but if your centres are haemorrhaging the guys behind them don't even know where to start defending

David Hawkshaw is on the bench against Ulster. It’s his brother playing for the eagles

My only wish is a working defence. Lose or win is irrelevant. Get the defence right. If that happens I am happy. Then it's a really good start

Jennings played 15 in school, but not since from what I have seen. According to a poster on the Leinster thread the fullback last week had a very tough game, so this could be a case of shoring up the backfield rather than a more permanent change for Jennings. He certainly has the skillset though.

Early days and the season could prove me wrong yet but have to hope the IRFU haven’t done any contract renewals for coaching staff as they did with Van Graan last summer. Munster got out of that when Bath came in, I don’t think anyone will be doing likewise for Friend or Wilkins.

Based on tonight we are looking at a four or five win season.

Conceded 30+ in nine league games last season including 35 at home to Dragons and Edinburgh seconds putting 55 on the scoreboard away in especially humiliating defeats.

Nothing changes under Friend. A clear out of the coaching staff at the end of the season is my main hope for the season right now.

I’m sure the usual spin of “a lot of learnings” will be trotted out. Friend seems like a decent guy and all but all patience for that bullshit expired long ago.

Ironic that we were torn a ew one, but not in the way we expected. I thought Ulster's threat would be out wide, but it was in the tight. Unpofrtunately it appears we will spend the season dreading scrums, and the only way to mitigate that is impeccable handling in possession - but there were a lot of knock ons tonight.

I felt we looked better once Blade and Hawkshaw came on, they gave us some purpose and momentum. Likewise thought DTM was good, and Murphy very good, and I prefer Murray to Fifita every time.

Don't despair, we're better than this, and the return of Jack and our international cohort will make a big difference.