Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

There are worse names than "Dexcom Stadium" in fairness. And the fact that it's coming at the same time as a big redevelopment means it won't seem as tacky as when they just change the name of an existing stadium like Musgrave or (potentially) Pairc Ui Caoimh.

And "The Sportsground" is kind of a generic name at the moment anyway so it doesn't feel like you're removing some kind of heritage in place of a corporation. As long as they pay handsomely for it, happy days.

If you remember Zeugnis, Forde took over from JJ during the Glasgow game in the Sportsground, when JJ took a heavy ariel challenge,and slotted everything. On top of that his lower elevation of kicking style suits the conditions normal to Galway

I'm open to the idea of Forde at 10, i just wanted to underline the consequence of your proposed selection. I'd like to see him do some more kicking before saddling him with that responsibility on an ongoing basis, running a back line is a lot of pressure as it is.

Agree with regard to Forde's lower elevation style being a better fit to the ground, am surprised that JJ hasn't been caught out more on this but it speaks positively about his ability to adjust for conditions.

Very disappointing for Prendergast and I thought Aungier was an outside shot but not to be. Both still very young. Blade needs to improve at the ruck an speed up delivery if he wants to break back into the squad.

Yeah I'd like to see Aungier make his way into that development slot in the next year or two. Furlong, Bealham and TOT (not necessarily in that order imo) are there now with the likes of Aungier and Jager behind them. I wonder is there a case for one of the 5 to switch to loose head.

What Forde in the centre has provided is go forward. And then he can kick as well. What JJ and Jack has provided is no go forward and mixed kicking results. Is it not worth a punt. Otherwise it's just more of the same

define underperforming side

Truthfully this is not an underperforming side.. Many players play so well. It is more about some players who play so poorly and I think we all know about selection issues.

So that's grand. But what really is our strategy? I can't see anything. What is Wilkins plan. Totally lost.

Not one minute of sun in Lyon over the last 5 days. Utterly fecking freezing every day. But a lovely city. Didn't realise that the Boston Tavern was sitting in the middle of Hotel de Ville.

CONNACHT VS BRISTOL BEARS

20:00, Friday 19th January 2024 @ The Sportsground

15. Tiernan O’Halloran (228)

14. Andrew Smith (6)

13. David Hawkshaw (21)

12. Bundee Aki (131)

11. Shayne Bolton (9)

10. JJ Hanrahan (11)

9. Caolin Blade (181)

1. Denis Buckley (239)

2. Tadgh McElroy (9)

3. Finlay Bealham (196)

4. Niall Murray (65)

5. Joe Joyce (10)

6. Cian Prendergast (58)

7. Shamus Hurley-Langton (29)

8. Jarrad Butler (121)

16. Dave Heffernan (188)

17. Peter Dooley (28)

18. Jack Aungier (59)

19. Oisín Dowling (52)

20. Conor Oliver (74)

21. Michael McDonald (4)

22. Jack Carty (203)

23. Oran McNulty (14)

It's strange to me that we essentially retired a very decent player in Shane Delanhunt, seemingly to facilitate Tierney-Martin (who was given a three year contract last year, a rarity usually reserved only for top players like Prendergast, Hansen etc.), only to jettison him in favour of McElroy. Nothing against McElroy, just seems unusual for an opportunistic short term signing to move up the depth chart so quickly.

DTM must be struggling with some sort of injury in the background, makes no sense he’s getting so little game time. At least with Niall Murray you could say they’re prioritising size in the second row.

i'm tryng to avoid doing something in work so I've gone back through the appearances by all of connacht's hookers.

Based on the team that was named last week before DTM pulled up injured, the numbers are as follows for the first 12 games of the season:

Heffernan: 6 appearances, 4 starts, 4 weeks injured (start of season)

DTM: 9 appearances, 4 starts*,

McElroy: 9 appearances, 4 starts*

DTM got all of his starts at the start of the season, when heffernan was out. Then he missed out last week.

There's only been 2 games when McElroy started and DTM was on the bench vs 4 when the inverse happened.

Mostly it looks to me like Heffernan is still the preferred choice and the rest is a pretty even rotation between McElroy and DTM.

And now It's my break time. Look how successful all of that was.

DTM has played the same amount of games as McElroy to be fair this season. I'd hardly say he's been jettisoned in favour of McElroy.

In fairness to McElroy he's played well and taking his chances. Just because you have a long contract it doesn't and shouldn't guarantee selection