Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

Absolute madness. I've watched the replays repeatedly and I can't see what mitigation they could have found.

There was zero obstruction of his view, Bealham didn't move or roll into the way, and he wasn't knocked off balance by another player at the ruck.

It totally undermines any claims about player welfare

How was he knocked off balance? He should face a ban for the lack of personal responsibility. It was like watching a cow hurdle a fence.

"Knocked off balance" is very very soft there.

There was the lightest of touches by his teammate. His upper body doesn't move or change direction at all.

The same thing is being said in the munster thread about the knee that Aherne got. "It may not have been intentional, but it would have looked the same if it was".

Or else treat it like the Ralston hit on JOD. It's either an intentional attempt to injure a guy or he arrived with no control and the result was an injury.

I don't think it's dramatic to say that Bealham could have lost an eye there.

Thought it was 18:30 (local)/17:30 (Irish Time)

Leinster are playing two friendlies during February against Bath and Saracens. Munster are playing Crusaders and Harlequins. But I haven't heard about us having any additional fixtures - is that correct?

They can't outbid. Kilgallen would have to decide that he wanted to leave and refuse to extend his contract, a la Henshaw. It would be extremely disappointing if he was to do so, after having gone through our academy and been given so many opportunities as a senior player. Hopefully it's not true.

Nah, been whispers of it for a couple of weeks now.

Munster need back three depth and I'd imagine he very much fits the mould for them in terms of physical presence. Tall guy with good pace....he'd suit there attacking structure very well.

He has only really got a good run this season....was he previously injured a lot?

Very tough on Connacht if Kilgallen leaves. Came through the academy. Finally broke through onto the first team this season. Started scoring tries. Got injured. And now he might be off.

Would mean they would have to invest in the back three next season. Cordero will be back hopefully but TOH isn’t getting any younger. Not sure what Porch’s contract situation is?

Would be very disappointed if Kilgallen goes to Munster. I think himself and Bolton Would have been pretty much nailed on first choices when fit and Mack was away.

Saying that the likes of Smith and Ralston have looked decent in patches and theres Gavin, Chay Mullins, Jennings, Josh O’Connor and Mallon all in the academy.

Would love to see Jennings get game time at 15. No real need to give TOH an extension. Cordero, Jennings and Porch all under contract next season from what I can tell.

You also have Nicholson and West in the academy. Looks like West is being converted to a fullback, lining out for Buccs there and played for that Irish U23 team against Italy at 15.

I'm pleased to look at above post that suggest West is healthy. I'm Convinced that he is a better runner (especially 'cut in sharply') than younger Prendergast. And He is also good kicker (not as much as Prendergast). Maybe he can fit at 10 and 15.It is very regrttably that Hanrahan looks getting Knee injury at almost every game, so Connacht should try some young players at his position instead him.

I think that Harry West can't fit to 7's because he is small for current 7's games. Did you look at Argentina7's team at Perth? They were all giants and not only strong but also fast. In Ireland 7's team, maybe Mullins was tallest one, and he worked as jumper, but he seemed not enough at the height. Ireland7's team needs a few jumpers taller than him like Gavin. (He looks strong at the break down.)