Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

I think I'd trust Jennings anywhere from 11-15 but it would seem a pity to lose him under the high ball in the back three. Still, if needs must, him and Frode would be good to watch, that was an effective pairing at U20. I guess the other option would be to bring in John Devine at 12 and move Forde to 13?

We're lucky that this injury crisis has overlapped so much with the lighter schedule around the 6N. Need to start getting some bodies back.

Ralston signs an extension no word on length

Next season's squad beginning to take shape, with the exception of front row which is still quite up in the air.

With Walsh and Ryan looking like very good outside back prospects, I reckon we only need two of Aki, Hawkshaw, Mullins, and West.

Given the importance of tighthead locks in the modern game, I think it's a shame from an Irish perspective that a lot of our minutes in the 5 shirt will likely go to O'Connor and an NIQ, when there are young guys like Mahon Ronan and Conor O'Tighernaigh that could use the minutes.

Etienne Oosthuizen I think.

I always considered Aki as an inside centre. Indeed I thought it strange that Aki replaced West vs Glasgow

Was playing some of his best rugby before his last injury.

Would love SHL to stay as Connors is always an injury risk. Think it's looking unlikely though.

Connacht Rugby v Scarlets

Friday 13th March, 19:45 @ Dexcom Stadium

Number/Name/Caps

15. Sam Gilbert (11)

14. Shane Jennings (29)

13. John Devine (1)

12. Cathal Forde (65)

11. Chay Mullins (16)

10. Josh Ioane (25)

9. Colm Reilly (30)

1. Denis Buckley (274)

2. Dylan Tierney-Martin (69)

3. Jack Aungier (96)

4. David O’Connor (18)

5. Joe Joyce (49)

6. Josh Murphy (53)

7. Paul Boyle (128) (C)

8. Sean Jansen (39)

16. Eoin de Buitléar (20)

17. Peter Dooley (58)

18. Fiachna Barrett (8)

19. Niall Murray (90)

20. Sean O’Brien (26)

21. Ben Murphy (28)

22. Seán Naughton (9)

23. Oisín McCormack (3)

Unavailable: Bundee Aki (national team), Finlay Bealham (national team), Caolin Blade (thumb), Billy Bohan (national team), Shayne Bolton (quad), Matthew Devine (knee), Oisín Dowling (knee), Hugh Gavin (shoulder), David Hawkshaw (groin), Mack Hansen (foot), Dave Heffernan (calf), Shamus Hurley-Langton (shoulder), Sam Illo (illness), Temi Lasisi (knee), Darragh Murray (national team), Cian Prendergast (national team), Byron Ralston (knee), Harry West (knee).

That's some injury list. If we were munster we'd be writing a play.

Tickets for the Sharks game are on General Sale. There's a lot of availability in the Clan Stand. Surprised to see that.

Why am I not surprised by this. 'I wouldn't be unhappy to see a Scottish win'

Various outlets are today reporting Andy Farrell said that he expects Aki and Lowe to extend their contracts until the RWC

Form comes and goes, class is permanent. Bundee has some big days left in a Connacht Shirt.

Contrarion provocation 😂. I love it Zeugnis. You have me down to a tee 😂

Out of interest is anyone finding the ticket booking system shocking for the Clan Stand. Would like to see a hover button for area A to the opposite area of the stand where a hover button shows you available seats for each an every area. Then you should be able to zoom into that area where red seats are those already booked and green seats are those available with the zoom focusing on green available seats. Just a thought

week on week Connacht defence just gets better and better