Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

Hopefully that will be the catalyst for the rest of the season

At least we finally saw out a close game. Hopefully can make a habit of it

We are Connacht. What do we know

Missed nearly the whole game but that's a great result, especially to seal it with a fantastic Prendergast try. They needed that win and they need to carry on this momentum.

Two incredible moments from Prendergast in the last 10 minutes, first busting a gut to dive on a loose ball in our 22 and then beating their centre on the outside after a 50m break. Herculean stuff, and he does it for 80 minutes every week. Hopefully he can pick up some more caps as POM starts to wind down.

If Tom Farrell does leave, I hope it's not because we haven't made him an offer.

We must ensure Tom Farrell stays.

I think we'll nick it against Benetton/Italy, they're not that good even with the internationals back.

Masterchefs to run catering and bars in new stadium when its completed

https://www.connachtrugby.ie/news/connacht-rugby-agree-stadium-catering-contract-with-master-chefs/bp2966/

There will be no fear going to Benetton and hopefully the team is out for revenge after the last game.

If the personnel from the Pau game is all available for Treviso, we should beat them. It was only a basic defensive lapse that cost us the last game against them.

Agreed but hopefully equally poor for both sides I suppose is all we can hope for.....

Agreed - it's cup rugby, pick your strongest team. If the coaches are convinced Hawkshaw can be a starter at 13 in the future I understand the need to get him gametime there, but that can be done the following two weeks against Zebre and Dragons. I would go for something like the below for Benetton, making some guesses around injuries:

15-9, 1-8: O'Halloran, Jennings, Farrell, Aki, Smith, Hanrahan, Blade; Buckley, Heffernan, Bealham, N Murray, Joyce, Prendergast, Hurley-Langton, Boyle

16-23: McElroy, Dooley, Aungier, D Murray, Oliver, Jansen, Reilly, Forde

I actually prefer Carty to Hanrahan in general but the thought the latter had one of his better games for us at the weekend and goalkicking could be crucial in what's likely to be a tight game. McElroy and Dooley have disappeared the past few weeks but I'm not aware of either being injured.

looks like he injured his hamstring

Squad update:

Butler is undergoing RTP and won't be available

Bolton and Aungier are unavailable this week

McDonald and Killgallen both had surgery last week, McDonald should be available late May, Killgallen won't be available again this season

Jansen and Dowling should be available next week for Zebre

Hansen and Ralson should be back for Dragons game at the end of April

Cordero still on track to be available at the end of May