Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

our open play defence is non existent- as stated some fantastic go forward plays but shape isnt there when we are caught on the hop - they cut through us very easily and no-one at home- need a leader on the pitch- we aint got one!

I think IRFU was trying to get the provinces with all with a top class professional coaching outfit (mostly home grown)… Connacht was their first attempt and that went really wrong…

Richie Murphy was their second attempt and while that started rocky, it is looking very good right now… IRFU has a stable of Coaches in Ulster… Proven professionals, a place you would have no problem sending a young bright star who might need a bit of encouragement…

A former Connacht assistant coach said that in places like Leinster they are so big, you can get a bit lost.. You aren't preparing for matches, the pressure is about looking good enough for a renewal not working with the main technical coaches seeing how you are going to win on Saturday. The first pressure can subdue a player the second could excel one. Compare Harry West to Henry McClearan right now.

Lancaster and Connacht are very much next… I don't think they are worrying about the next 6 months results but they are not wasting them either… I wouldn't be surprised if Lancaster might be asking for loan of academy players to help the IRFU and thus get some payback too… e.g. a loan of Conor O'TIGHEARNAIGH to Connacht until end of season(only played 13 min this season), maybe Alan Spicer for 18 months…

What I am saying is there is better way of sharing resources without inhibiting Leinster, actually it could enhance them… As long we have share out and share back policy… So if Alan Spicer turns out to be the next Devin Toner and Leinster really need him back, they just give us one of their next coming star… Not perfect, probably annoyed if he left, but you wouldget him the first place without that mutual understanding…

In Leinster's are effectively sending a bright new prospect to the minors to get game time and learn the ropes of professionalism… In Connacht head, we get a kid and use him and some will stay and some will leave (that happens today anyway)… To Connacht fans, we would be getting the internationals for 3-7 years time playing for us…

That was always the main risk… If we didn't start at 100mph we would have been left in the blocks… You goto France you get a lead, if the french get on top you are going to be gutted alive…

Connacht were very unlucky on the disallowed try… That became a penalty against us and they scored of that… That was a 14 point swing…

What was amazing about that game is how Connacht moved the ball so quickly that the Monpellier pack could pin them down… Monpellier were good deal bigger, stronger and more experienced… Connacht were living on being quicker and more dynamic. that works until they bring on their subs…

By the way… had a look at a few tries there

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6FIfwyu5ls

Sexton was offside at 2:16…

Another offside (Clermont) on 3:35

Leinster again at 4:21

Seems odd we then get pulled for it… Consistency…

It's interesting that we now have Gilbert and Naughton as place kickers when for the last decade we have struggled. I really hope Naughton takes on the 10 role and smashes it. I see him as the future Irish out half. Let's be honest Crowley and Prendergast ain't exactly what anyone wants for Ireland.

There are so many fine players coming through the grades. Of course we have to change this Irish mentality and embrace change. That mentality has never materialized but hopefully some day it will

Sorry, got my time wrong… mixed up with the later one…

Another one at 4:43 Cipraini…

There is a few… I wouldn't want them to be pulled back for them either… Great tries..

Given the injuries, I'd like to see this weekend:

15-9, 1-8: West, Jennings, Hawkshaw, J Devine, Treacy, Naughton, M Devine; Duggan, de Buitléar, Illo, N Murray, O'Connor, S O'Brien, McCormack, Boyle

16-23: Heffernan, Dooley, Aungier, Joyce, Flynn, B Murphy, Carty, Mullins

Ioane had encroached inside 5m of the scrum on the halfway when the ball was taken from the scrum by Murphy (as almost every attacking 10 does at every scrum in a game)

I'd be hoping we could get this side out for Leinster.

Gilbert Jennings Forde Bundi Tracey ioane Murphy Boyle Prendergast Murphy Joyce D Murray Bealham Heffernan Dooley.

DTM Buckley Aungier O'Connor jansen Devine Naughton West/Mullins

The Montabaun game is an opportunity to learn. Putting Naughton at fullback, Bundee in the centre and Jack at out half is simply pointless. What is to learnt other than Sean is a good fullback, Bundee is slow and Jack brings limited value at 10. We know all this already.

I would go Forde and West/Gilbert as centre pairing and bring on Bundi…

Could have Sean at Full back if using Sam…

Was really impressed by West on Sunday… His defence was the real surprise, was very good.

Jansen is high quality player from the bench.. Toss up with Boyle.

I went for Naughton at 10 but I guess with Gavin out long term there's a case that establishing a 13 is a bigger priority right now.

I don't think Bealham will be available for Leinster. I'd much rather Duggan or even Bohan off the bench, I just think Buckley and DTM together are way too undersized. Would like to see us bench Bundee, Forde's been outplaying him for years now (in a Connacht shirt) and doesn't bring the same impact at 13. Keep the partnership with West together if they have another good game together vs Montauban.

Rugbypass are speculating Connacht are going to sign Bath LHP Francois van Wyk for next season. He turns 35 during the summer.

Don't know too much about him, but he's been in most of Bath's match squads this season (12 games, 1 start), including playing the last 18 mins or so against Munster.