Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

Prendergast called up.

Maybe the commitee members live in 20th century. At that time, lying players on the ground were regarded as small stones. Now (21th), all stanping deserves red card in the case of not only face but even also body.

Cogratulation, Prendergast. but I am a little afraid of Cardif and Benetton matches both away. Dowling will be expected at 6 and Jansen or SOB at 8. But if POM and Conan are healthy, Prendergust will have no chance of appearance and release from the duty. Even its case, I think that Dowling should be at 6 (and Prendergust mainly at 8).

Yeah the +3 seems a good idea to subject some of these prospects to the first-team training camp environment.

However, if he did make the 34, I can't see him getting picked in a match-day 23 without a lot of injuries, and am I right in thinking that he wouldn't be available for Connacht either?

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.

Connacht have done an amazing job in development and scouting. Both from outside ireland, from leinster and their own. Like the raw numbers aren’t crazy from connacht, but the Murray brothers, Barrett, Gavin, Jennings, Forde, Farthing.. even guys like Walsh and O Connell who played u18 clubs this year. Its extremely impressive.

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?

Perhaps Kilgallen thinks that Connacht have placed too much priority on overseas players (Mack, Bolton, Ralston, Porch, Cordero, MacNamara) and converting sevens players rather than developing back three players who've come through our academy. We've been using an out half as back three cover regularly. He's had game time on the wing but with a fully fit squad I see the coaches rotating him through lesser league games.

Cordero was already a top class international when we signed him but otherwise everyone including Mack have been playing some careful moneyball with large player numbers.

If Graham Rowntree or Mike Prendergast convinced me that that my direct style of wing play was in his plans - and it seems to be - I'd probably be very tempted too.

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.

EPCR are challenging the disciplinary verdict on the overturned Josh Caulfield red card.

Glad to see it.