Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

realhorrorshow · 26-09-2025 02:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123852605#Comment_123852605

I know weight does not necessarily equal power, but every member of our starting lineup is lighter than his opposite number, with the exception of Hurley-Langton and Bolton.

Wilkins is attack coach at Benetton. Hopefully he gets on well there, he did a good job with our attack while Friend was still here I thought.

Mr Hinx · 26-09-2025 04:42PM

Yeah we do look pretty light. More so due to this selection. I reckon there are 10 odd players to come into that team to be at our strongest. That said it’s very exciting to see the some of the younger players get an early chance. Illo and Naughton in particular for me.

ShineyShiney · 26-09-2025 07:21PM

The very best of luck to the players and staff for the season. We've the same chance as anyone else.

Hopefully it's not a season of bitchin about refs.

I think we look light in the starting pack for that Beneton selection.

seanin4711 · 27-09-2025 08:02AM

Looking for logistics to get in and out from match from Loughrea/east Galway

Only option is to drive with kids and it's such a miss that there are no buses or trains returning to athenry craughwell Loughrea for the rugby.

Trains stop at 9pm

And buses earlier at 6:30pm or hang around until 12:45am.

Crazy stuff

eagle eye · 27-09-2025 11:08AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123854336#Comment_123854336

That's terrible. There's loads of people that would use the service on a matchday. Typical Ireland tbh.

eagle eye · 27-09-2025 11:18AM

I'm expecting big things from Mullins and Illo this season. I think both are very talented and ready to be starters.

I was hoping to see Naughton get some time at out-half. I wonder is he moving away from that. Very surprised to see Blade starting over Murphy.

Also it's nice to see Ralston get the start.

Is Prendergast just back from an injury? I'm assuming Gavin is injured?

I didn't buy a season ticket this year because following my club is more important to me and the games clashed a lot last year. Tonight is clashing as well, my lads are out at 7.30pm. Luckily I'll have it on mute on the phone as many of my fellow fans will be very interested in what's going on.

Mr Hinx · 27-09-2025 11:37AM

I suspect most of those you mention are just being held back for various reasons as they were not in the last medical update. Illo could be mega really. He seems very dynamic.

ElisaAtWar · 27-09-2025 04:08PM

Delighted for Paul Boyle getting the captaincy. Has delivered for Connacht time and again.

For me I want to see our pack standing up. If there has been an issue we are just constantly pushed backwards.

And then I'm looking forward to seeing how Naughton plays at full back. He has been given the thumbs up so I hope he does well.

realhorrorshow · 27-09-2025 06:59PM

Multi phase attack looking good so far.

Strand1970 · 27-09-2025 07:06PM

Don't agree with that card, sure if an attacking player targets a static shoulder he can get a players sent off.

ElisaAtWar · 27-09-2025 07:22PM

And my best friend Jack is in

Evil_g · 27-09-2025 07:22PM

You're such a dose.

irishgeo · 27-09-2025 07:35PM

What's going on with the huge delays on the important videos from the TMO?

Strand1970 · 27-09-2025 07:37PM

That's the story with connacht players holding their heads on the ground with minimal contact

realhorrorshow · 27-09-2025 07:45PM

Decent half, already there is so much more clarity in what we are doing in both attack and defence.

Illo very impressive, could be pushing Aungier hard for the 18 jersey this season.

MayoForSam · 27-09-2025 08:06PM

Hmm that's borderline red for their 7. Lucky man.

kabakuyu · 27-09-2025 08:43PM

What a run from Blade .MOTM for me.

AccidentallyOnside · 27-09-2025 09:00PM

Starting the season with 5 against a strong Benetton is nothing to be sniffed at.

Any of the starting backrow could have got potm, outstanding work by that unity.

Love Illos aggression, first man in to defend a teammate a couple of times, it will probably cost us the odd penalty this season but I'll take that as we've been far too passive and a guy like that sets a tone.

Zeugnis · 27-09-2025 09:17PM

Impressive performance, especially given the forced changes. Still work to be done on discipline, but handling and physicality, especially, were very satisfying. Too many good performances in the pack to single anyone out, Forde imperious in the back line.

ShineyShiney · 27-09-2025 09:45PM

Well played. Right and proper that the mom went to the pack after that very physical effort against a big Beneton side but I thought Cathal Forde was outstanding tonight. His meters post contact must be ridiculous.

The new signing looks very handy, what's his name? Kevin Blade is it?

2025Connacht · 27-09-2025 10:57PM

Decent start. We are going to be a work in progress for a while but there was enough there to send everyone home happy.

The hunger to do the grunt work and defensive work was my main positive. To me that was almost completely absent over the last few years. That isn't to say we have solved all the problems. I'm sure the coaches will be unhappy with how easily Treviso got through us at times but a willingness to do the dirty work is fundamental to any team hoping to make progress.

I felt sorry for Ioane he was flying when he went off and the 10 position is still a big worry.

Scarlets is another opportunity to build momentum next week. The start to the season is favourable and hopefully we can take advantage.

Strand1970 · 27-09-2025 10:59PM

Brilliant start of the season, all fans are still in shock iConnacht Stuart is our coach

Former Coach · 27-09-2025 11:00PM

That was a very good performance against a strong Benetton side. Back row was outstanding and Cathal Forde was the outstanding back. Sean Naughton looked very composed at 15 and is another option at first receiver. Our maul defence and defence in general was , with a couple of exceptions, much improved on last season. All in all a very positive start to the season.

Strand1970 · 27-09-2025 11:22PM

Don't know how the connacht got Stuart but it was a master stroke. Might have been fortunate around Paris Metro being a **** show and stuart and his wife realising they like the Irish way of life when in galway for the racing game. It's brilliant for connacht to have a coach of world quality who respects giving youth a chance and ability to coach and develop. Delighted with what I seen this evening, not perfect but a massive step in for years and it will 100% put pressure in leinster to hold on to their new schools players. Long term all good for connacht

connachta · 28-09-2025 10:36AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123857347#Comment_123857347

Well more than decent. Treviso were fully loaded, 80% of the Italian team + Pacific inputs so basicaly on a par with Italy international XV. That was a top 8 performance :

Rather dominant up front against on of the best pack in close range, very few hijacks in our focus, very few knock- ons, no missed touch, correct scrum, no craziness.

And above all for the 1st time in 10 years I was NOT stressed about the win, we were in control overall -not perfect, but in control-. Massive massive change. Even more taking into account Barrett Naughton Illo and Muulins were basically rookies

2025Connacht · 28-09-2025 11:07AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123857899#Comment_123857899

I wouldn't be going overboard. It was a game we were expected to win and we did. Treviso are a good team but their away record is average. These sort of home games are non negotiable in terms of wins.

The extra points Treviso are almost guaranteed from the extra Zebre game and to some extent Edinburgh too skews the table slightly in recent years.

A lot of things went well that the coaches will be happy with but there were concerns too. We racked up a big penalty count and Treviso were a hairs breath away from two more tries. The fact we stopped them is a testament to the work rate but shows that among other things we still have lots to work on in defense.

In addition, the yellow card for Treviso just after Treviso try after half time was a big break for us and the try we scored during that period effectively ended the game as a contest.

It's a positive start but the games are coming thick and fast over the coming weeks so we need to keep building momentum.

connachta · 28-09-2025 11:46AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123857949#Comment_123857949

As I said it was a Top8 performance, not (yet?) a top 4 one.

And big-Europe qualification + final phases (URC and Challenge) remain my objective at this point.

ElisaAtWar · 28-09-2025 12:54PM

Really liked the physicality. It's something that's been missing for far too long. Well done lads. Thought Carty did really well when he came on. Fair play to him

Mr Hinx · 28-09-2025 01:00PM

I think considering the team that was put out, it was a very encouraging performance. Two soft tries aside.

Ioane looked very good. Think he will be key to keep fit.

Illo and Naughton were very positive. Illo has something about him.

Injuries and avoiding them will be critical to our success.

connachta · 28-09-2025 02:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123858162#Comment_123858162

Well we have Buckley, the French hooker, Aungier, Dowling, SOB X.O, Reilly, Gilbert, Aki, Gavin, Finn Tracey, Jennings, Hansen and Bealham to introduce. For now we have the depth!

Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

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