I've said it elsewhere, opinions are neither right or wrong, they're just opinions.
Not only is Noel Mannion Connacht's greatest player, he is also scorer of Ireland's greatest try.
Edit: not going to get involved in the godliness of Bundee
Quick question on Darragh Murray - is his name pronounced Mur-ray or the more common Mur-ree? The commentators were using the former yesterday, I've never heard it pronounced like that
The former, it's a Roscommon thing apparently.
South Roscommon specifically.
Cheers.
Haven't they notions in South Roscommon 🤣
This is how I learned how to pronounce Murray.
Game against Ulster next Friday. Those of us who believed in the improvement would have said 14 points from Zebre, Glasgow and Scarlets was exactly what we hoped for. But I am uncertain about this Ulster game. Let me put it this way. If we win this game it would show that Connacht really have something special going on. If we lose this game it's not a disaster but it will be a kick in the nuts. So all I have to say about it is go out there and enjoy
Ulster are in good shape, we are behind them in the rebuild process and beset by injuries. Our defence is transformed so I'd be confident we won't fold. We lost narrowly to them at Xmas and have made progress since then, so I see it as a free shot with tempered expectations.
Our early season lapses make top 8 a huge challenge - we still have to go to SA to face the Stormers and the Lions - so if we can get something here it would be an important contribution.
Lots of injuries and Ulster are in a good vein of form at the minute. A win isn't out of the question but it will take our biggest performance of the season.
You'd expect Ulster will be without McCloskey, Ballacoune and possibly O'Toole due to the amount of rugby they played over the 6N, whilst we should have our full Irish contingent available. If Jansen isn't available we lose our single biggest threat, Moose back in training but doubt he'd be available to come straight back in.
Hard to see past an Ulster win but if we can play well and get a bonus point or two that would be a huge positive.
On the Craggy podcast Lancaster said that he's expecting Gavin, Bolton, West and Blade back around the time of the mini tour to SA. If that materialises we're going to have a strong squad there.
Aki signs an extension with Ireland and Connacht
Edit the extension is for 1 year
Savage news
Watching bundee for the last 6 months i beleive his age is starting to catch up with him and he may struggle to hold his connacht spot in the 26/27 season
Jimmy Duffy leaving Ulster to be closer to his family in Galway. Could he be Tuckers replacement?
Would be a decent addition.
Central contracts are my pet hate. And this news sums up everything I hate about these contracts. It's just confirms more of the same when if we are to achieve the last thing we need is more of the same.
Indeed I think to the Jordi Barrett signing at Leinster as an example of how the IRFU policy will never work. In this case you sign a quality NIQ centre who clearly will block IQ development in this area. And then to add insult to injury you don't allow players impacted to move outside Ireland to develop their game unless they give up the right to selection on the Irish team
Considering we have the most bonus points within the Top 16 I'm hopeful we will take another and indeed maybe more. I agree that Ulster is on an upwards spiral but to be fair so is Connacht. Which is why I'm in-between on this game.
To be fair he played well when he came on against Scotland.
That is true eagle eye. While I may not be his biggest supporter simply put he did play well
RTE news : 'That's the dream' - Jansen targets full Irish cap
http://www.rte.ie/sport/united-rugby-championship/2026/0317/1563876-thats-the-dream-jansen-targets-full-irish-cap/
Well that's a positive update on his thinking.
both games i seen him play this season, both yellows and 2nd best in his position on the night.
Great servant, but at some stage a line must be drawn.
won’t be tied down after playing for Ireland XV?
Yep, but I would say he will be around for a few years from the sound of that. His renewal should be the first bit of business they sort next year.
For me the worry would be that he'd go to France, not back to NZ, so being captured wouldn't really be that relevant. Hopefully he's in Andy Farrell's plans. I'd be surprised if he wasn't, although playing 8 only might count against him.
I'd say Jansen will play for Ireland as soon as Conan goes. There's a lot of similarities in how they play.
Of all our players I think he's the best in his position.
Very abrasive style, hope his body stands up because he is an absolute weapon the way hes playing at present.
8 is tough in Ireland because we have a lot of options. Look at how good a club player Coombes, Deegan and McCann are not to mention Culhane, Gleeson, Kendellan, Boyle, SHL, McNabney. Tough competition, on current form hes certainly in the conversation.
Jansen is a step above all the players at No8 you mention there Shiney, fine players as most of them are.
I tend to agree but its contingent on a healthy body and style of play is pretty attritional. I tend to go with the idea that the best ability is availability, hope thats ghe case for Jansen.
![Photo of [Deleted User]](https://wa.vanillicon.com/v2/ad289898c0c6dda7e667bf900ae26d0c.svg)
