Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

Zeugnis · 17-03-2025 02:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123272500#Comment_123272500

We have four senior contracted hookers in addition to Victory. Heffernan hasn't played for Ireland since 2022, so it would have required three injuries before we would be forced to call on MV. Yes, it's easy to say it in hindsight, but Connacht constantly have to make decisions under conditions of limited resources, so that was my call.

What further riles me about this is that we traded Tadhg McElroy for McBurney. Now I have nothing against the latter, but McElroy was second in terms of minutes at hooker last season and a regular starter. This was another squad decision that eroded my confidence in the coaching group and Wilkins in particular. There are a lot of unexplained decisions around selection and retention. Too many.

realhorrorshow · 17-03-2025 03:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123272600#Comment_123272600

If we did not replace McElroy we would have been two injuries away from having Victory in the matchday 23. We've been lucky to have Heffernan and Tierney-Martin fit so consistently but you can't bank on that when assembling a squad. It's one thing leaning on the academy to cover injuries if you have a Gus McCarthy, but Victory is not ready yet.

I think we went 1/6 at the lineout when he came on for the Eagles (in perfect conditions), which probably cost us the game. We can't afford for that to happen in the URC, the margins are far too fine.

On the subject of the lineout, we have the best success rate (92%) across the three major European leagues. Our coaching team takes a lot of flak but I think Muldoon deserves credit for that.

17-03-2025 05:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123272600#Comment_123272600

I was surprised we let McElroy go too. I saw a lot of quality from him. When I asked some friends, I was given the impression there's might be a reason why he's switched club twelve times in eight years.

I've seen us down to two fit senior hookers often enough over the years to think it's not an area worth taking risks. We can agree to disagree in that. 😀

Zeugnis · 17-03-2025 09:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123272900#Comment_123272900

So, I'm open to persuasion on the 3/4 hookers question, and I was not aware that Victory's throws were as problematic as @realhorrorshow described above. DTM was carrying an injury (neck?) last season which kept him out for several periods and definitely explained some of the minutes that flowed McElroy's way. Eoin de Buitléar also picked up a hamstring injury late last season.

Purist98 · 17-03-2025 10:08PM

Victory just back from the guts of a year out with a significant hamstring tear. Throwing definitely requires a lot of work as he only converted to hooker after school but he's certainly a powerful athlete.

17-03-2025 11:37PM

It's a good challenge for a young guy in the academy - improve a technical skill that he can put a lot of extra time into and and it could be 3 + 1 in a year with significant minutes potentially available.

kita99 · 18-03-2025 10:18AM

If Connacht want to win against Ospreys, they need spcial (or tricky) tactics. I think that they should use Hansen, Prendergast. And they must use M.Devine as a starter. And they must have the strongest mind in especially aerial conbats.

KBurke85 · 18-03-2025 11:42AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123274625#Comment_123274625

Hansen won't be involved this week

kita99 · 18-03-2025 12:26PM

Yes, I know it enough. But I think that Connacht cannot win without him.

testtech05 · 18-03-2025 12:34PM

New contract for Oisin McCormack. Slightly surprised due to his lack of game time but he has also been unlucky with injuries

Edit: Chay Mullins has been announced too

18-03-2025 12:59PM

McCormack has been unlucky with injury but is also lucky that academy isn't heavily stocked with locks and back rows. Given the injury profile of some of our back row it makes sense to carry an extra spot there.

Zeugnis · 18-03-2025 08:36PM

Can anyone explain why Prendergast can't play against Ospreys while Blade is available?

KBurke85 · 19-03-2025 01:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123276601#Comment_123276601

I assume some of it is down to Murphy being out injured.

19-03-2025 02:19PM

It'll be minutes. Cian is on over 1000 already this season and played two full matches since the Ireland camp in Portugal. Blade's on less than 500 and has been a sub twice in the same period.

Either that or Farrell loaned Easterby his magic eight ball. 😁

dockysher · 20-03-2025 11:25AM

Any spare tickets around for upcoming munster game. Have a 14 year old nephew looking for one? Will take any type of ticket if any available.

KBurke85 · 21-03-2025 12:59PM

CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY SQUAD VS OSPREYS

17:15, Saturday 22nd March 2025 @ Swansea.com Stadium

Number/Name/Caps

15. Piers O’Conor (14)
14. Finn Treacy (2)
13. Hugh Gavin (4)
12. Cathal Forde (45)
11. Shayne Bolton (21)
10. Josh Ioane (10)
9. Caolin Blade (205)
1. Denis Buckley (259)
2. Dave Heffernan (212)
3. Jack Aungier (80)
4. Darragh Murray (33)
5. Joe Joyce (31) Captain
6. Josh Murphy (31)
7. Shamus Hurley-Langton (51)
8. Paul Boyle (108)

16. Dylan Tierney-Martin (50)
17. Temi Lasisi (3)
18. Sam Illo (29)
19. Oisín Dowling (71)
20. David O’Connor (7)
21. Matthew Devine (12)
22. JJ Hanrahan (23)
23. Sean Jansen (18)

Zeugnis · 21-03-2025 01:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123284088#Comment_123284088

Good team given the absence of our internationals and Ben Murphy. Look forward to seeing Illo and Lasisi together in the front row. Is Dooley injured or just on rotation?

2025Connacht · 21-03-2025 03:29PM

Is Cordero injured or just cast adrift now that he's likely to be departing?

I rate Piers O'Connor but not at full back especially if we are under aerial bombardment. 15 is definitely an area we need to review again. Despite bringing in back 3 players like they are going out of fashion we seem to be no closer to a short or long term solution at 15 despite it being a glaring weakness for years at this stage.

The 6-2 split is nearly standard these days but Hanrahan as the one back option outside of scrim half is a bit of a concern.

cson · 21-03-2025 03:30PM

Love that Gavin and Forde are getting more time, praying that, in time, this centre partnership rivals the Henshaw-Aki halcyon days.

eagle eye · 21-03-2025 03:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123284613#Comment_123284613

Yeah I don't think we should carry a back up out half, we'd be better with a lad that can play centre and full back/wings. If we need to change out-half Forde will do in a pinch.

RichieRich_89 · 21-03-2025 04:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123284697#Comment_123284697

Sounds like Shane Jennings to me.

21-03-2025 04:38PM

I'm happy with Hanrahan as the bench option. He covers fullback. Between Forde, Gavin, and O'Conor we have flexibility to cover the rest of the backline.

I don't think Cordero has ever earned a place in the 23. He's always been selected in hope he'd hit form. It's a massive disappointment that the injury meant we never saw him at his best, but I'd far rather see Treacy, Jenings, and Mullins get developed further while we spend our money elsewhere in the squad.

ElisaAtWar · 21-03-2025 08:23PM

cant see Munster winning tonight or Connacht tomorrow

typhoony · 21-03-2025 08:31PM

I have no idea what connacht management were thinking letting Andew Smith go to Munster. Let's see how he goes this evening, he has the talent to be a regular on the team sheet

typhoony · 21-03-2025 08:34PM

This could be a tough game

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123285413#Comment_123285413

This could be a tough game for Munster, I'd be optimistic of connacht getting a point tomorrow

kita99 · 22-03-2025 12:57AM

Thinking from next season, Conncht should select anyone of Jennings, Mullins or Treacy at 15th.

ElisaAtWar · 22-03-2025 04:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123286164#Comment_123286164

Really don't understand the issue with O'Connor at full back. Personally think he is our best full back and we have loads of cover at centre so he's not really required there.

ElisaAtWar · 22-03-2025 04:47PM

It would be amazing result to win today. So let's live in hope. As for Prendergast not being involved, it surely can't be player welfare. How many minutes has he played in the last 5 weeks?

eagle eye · 22-03-2025 05:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123287413#Comment_123287413

Mullins looks really good too. He's only 23 and looks like he has a very bright future. I want to see him get plenty of starts.

O'Connor is very good though.

P.Walnuts · 22-03-2025 06:32PM

Connacht lovely to watch so far

Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

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