Connacht Team Talk Thread V - The Friend Zone

ClanofLams · 06-09-2018 11:18pm

Mul, it's over

realhorrorshow wrote: »

Wonder what has happened to Kerins.

Yeah he looked excellent for Ireland u20s en route to RWC semi final, doesn’t seem to have kicked on, yet at least.

realhorrorshow · 06-09-2018 11:29pm

ClanofLams wrote: »

Yeah he looked excellent for Ireland u20s en route to RWC semi final, doesn’t seem to have kicked on, yet at least.

It's strange to bring a high level prospect into the academy after a strong u20 season and have him play two years of AIL 2A and barely feature for even the Eagles. I'm sure there are reasons but it's unusual from the outside looking in. Can't expect a young lad to develop like that.

Wegians89 · 07-09-2018 7:01am

The Friend Zone

testtech05 wrote: »

SOB is named on the bench for the eagles game?

There’s a second sob in the connacht academy. Former Leinster and Irish U20 centre

testtech05 · 07-09-2018 7:02am

Some Like It TOH

Wegians89 wrote: »

There’s a second sob in the connacht academy. Former Leinster and Irish U20 centre

Of course forgot about him. Slow morning! Ha

Wegians89 · 07-09-2018 10:03am

The Friend Zone

testtech05 wrote: »

Of course forgot about him. Slow morning! Ha

Could be either but I’d put more money on it boring the younger one haha

Wegians89 · 07-09-2018 10:06am

The Friend Zone

I’d like to see something like:
Buckley
Delahunt
Bealham
Roux
Thornbury
Sob
Butler
Boyle
Marmion
Carty
Healy
Farrell
Godwin
Kelleher
Toh

Heff
Conan
Mccoy
Dillane
Faingaa
Blade
Ronaldson
Niyi

KBurke85 · 07-09-2018 11:59am

The Friend Zone

https://www.connachtrugby.ie/obrien-and-thornbury-back-from-injury-as-connacht-make-four-changes-for-the-visit-of-zebre/ team announced

Redo91 · 07-09-2018 12:26pm

You've got a Friend in me

Delighted to see Conan on the bench. I wonder is Ultan being rested? Thought he was excellent against Glasgow.

Lebute · 07-09-2018 12:27pm

Redo91 wrote: »

Delighted to see Conan on the bench. I wonder is Ultan being rested? Thought he was excellent against Glasgow.

They are not very forthcoming with injury updates this season so far but I safely assume in relation to Ultan and Tom it is squad rotation over injury given the performances of both last weekend.

ClanofLams · 07-09-2018 12:44pm

Mul, it's over

Friend is quoted as saying that between Zebre and the A game all available players will get game time. Taken literally that would suggest Dillane and Farrell have picked up knocks but hopefully it’s just a careless quote or that they are very minor.

Lebute · 07-09-2018 12:58pm

ClanofLams wrote: »

Friend is quoted as saying that between Zebre and the A game all available players will get game time. Taken literally that would suggest Dillane and Farrell have picked up knocks but hopefully it’s just a careless quote or that they are very minor.

injury update now on the site McCabe and McKeon only new injuries added to previous.

guapos · 07-09-2018 5:57pm

Is that the Cormac Daly from Clontarf? I thought he was with Leinster.

The Lost Sheep · 07-09-2018 6:03pm

guapos wrote: »

Is that the Cormac Daly from Clontarf? I thought he was with Leinster.

From Navan but played with Tarf for past few seasons. Was in sub academy but didnt get anything for this season

guapos · 07-09-2018 6:11pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

guapos wrote: »

Is that the Cormac Daly from Clontarf? I thought he was with Leinster.

From Navan but played with Tarf for past few seasons. Was in sub academy but didnt get anything for this season

Thanks. Pity, I thought he was good enough for Leinster.

wp_rathead · 07-09-2018 8:51pm

You've got a Friend in me

Enjoyable first half with Connacht Eagles played the better rugby, but Munster took strangle hold in second. Hart got try just before HT that was bit of a kick in the teeth as Connacht were worth a bigger lead than the 12-13 score line

No.8 Wilson was very impressive-
Robb went beast mode a few times, made a few great breaks and also looked assured in defence - exciting if he becomes an option again for the senior side

Leader, Gallagher and Clafferty also looked good
Fitzgerald kicked well and looks a decent prospect

Carey and Tom were decent, although Carey gave away a few penalties which was bit frustrating

Wooten, Bill Johnston and Coombes very good for Munster

MattressRick · 07-09-2018 9:09pm

Mul, it's over

Good to see a very strong team named for tomorrow. KK rested a good few last year for this game and it went tits up.

Wegians89 · 08-09-2018 7:59am

The Friend Zone

To anyone who’s seen more of the eagles/ academy players so far this season, would it be wrong to think the likes of de buitler, Joyce and Luke Carty Could be close to a senior competitive debut this season? Have been impressed with them in the past.

Elvisjuice · 08-09-2018 1:50pm

I can't believe it's not Butler

hi is game on eir 2 or just tg4 . Eir's listings are all over the kip

eezipc · 08-09-2018 1:56pm

I can't believe it's not Butler

Elvisjuice wrote: »

hi is game on eir 2 or just tg4 . Eir's listings are all over the kip

Just TG4. Eir have the ospreys game and the Leinster game.

connachta · 08-09-2018 5:49pm

You can't revive a legend but Paul Boyle definitely has Muldoon shades in him....

Robbo · 08-09-2018 6:10pm

I can't believe it's not Butler

connachta wrote: »

You can't revive a legend but Paul Boyle definitely has Muldoon shades in him....

Ever play Championship Manager and a player retires and then regenerates as some obscure young fella? I'm not saying we're at that point yet but...

Burkie1203 · 08-09-2018 6:27pm

Mul, it's over

That should be a red. I understand the YC but that sh1t needs to have a bigger punishment

Inspector Coptoor · 08-09-2018 6:43pm

I can't believe it's not Butler

Great finish by Griffin.

Bonus point secured.
Empty the bench now.

Bazzo · 08-09-2018 6:44pm

Mul, it's over

Clever grubber from Carty. Playing well considering the conditions.

connachta · 08-09-2018 7:22pm

Well I love so much the look of that back-row in the end
Butler "jumping" captain as 6
Boyle taking Muldoon's heritage as 8
Fainga'a showing what a real 7 is : contest every breakdown phase
SOB/Copeland/Gallagher, as good as they are, will struggle to make way. We're a bit lighter for 2nd row, one of them should be trained to cover there...
I feel for Connolly. he's the Murphy/D.Ryan (retired this week btw) of Connacht. As good as he is, he probably won't have minutes.. McKeon will be back in the mix for n°20 too

connachta · 08-09-2018 9:50pm

Sooooo good to see Cardiff beaten (again) in the 85th after 2 YC in extra-time.
Not only it matters for our conference table, but it is also such a good revange of the destiny against them after the exact same situation 4 years ago vs Connacht!!

Diabhal Beag · 08-09-2018 10:18pm

Sorry haters. Paul Boyle is the greatest Wexfordian to ever live.

Dubinusa · 09-09-2018 3:01am

Some Like It TOH

2nd best. Furlong. Boyle will be capped at some point for Ireland. Leinster passed on a gem.

Burkie1203 · 09-09-2018 7:42am

Mul, it's over

Dubinusa wrote: »

2nd best. Furlong. Boyle will be capped at some point for Ireland. Leinster passed on a gem.

He might pick up a few caps but backrow is still pretty loaded right now

gally74 · 09-09-2018 7:43am

The Friend Zone

The team like more united than last year, Buckley and Carty incidents

Buer · 09-09-2018 7:50am

Dubinusa wrote: »

2nd best. Furlong. Boyle will be capped at some point for Ireland. Leinster passed on a gem.

I'm glad they did. It would have been ridiculous for Boyle, Deegan and Doris to have to fight for scraps behind Conan. If he had come through 3 years ago, he'd be in the set up.

This way Boyle, Connacht and Irish rugby benefits.

ClanofLams · 09-09-2018 2:29pm

Mul, it's over

Early doors but I think it’s going to be a good season. Real depth in the squad this season. Blade had his best game in a while yesterday, if he can maintain that could be an able deputy for Marmion.

Kyle Godwin is a brilliant signing, three centres of high quality in him, Farrell and Aki, pity none are a specialist 13. Would nearly be tempted to have Aki as 23 next week just to come on with 20 to go and cause carnage. Although an injury in the back three would be a considerable risk obviously. If Cian Kelleher can stay fit he is going to have a serious season, that back three will do damage.

Paul Boyle looks to the manor born and the back row battle for spots is great to see.

BeardySi · 09-09-2018 3:48pm

You've got a Friend in me

gally74 wrote: »

The team like more united than last year, Buckley and Carty incidents

Maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part but they do seem to have a lot more spirit about them than they did in the last two seasons. There's definitely a different feel about them...

porterbelly · 09-09-2018 3:50pm

Dubinusa wrote: »

2nd best. Furlong. Boyle will be capped at some point for Ireland. Leinster passed on a gem.

Not sure they passed him on, I would have presumed he chose to come to Connacht. He was only in the Leinster sub academy.

Squidgy Black · 09-09-2018 4:03pm

porterbelly wrote: »

Not sure they passed him on, I would have presumed he chose to come to Connacht. He was only in the Leinster sub academy.

I mean, by not offering him an academy spot that is passing on him....

Dog Botherer · 11-09-2018 3:15am

You've got a Friend in me

Anyone else notice John Muldoon popping up as waterboy in the Saracens/Bristol game at the weekend?

11-09-2018 8:25am

Dog Botherer wrote: »

Anyone else notice John Muldoon popping up as waterboy in the Saracens/Bristol game at the weekend?

It was the same at the Bristol vs Bath game the previous week. Obviously passing on words from the coaches

connemara man · 11-09-2018 9:09am

The Friend Zone

Nigel Carolan would do it a lot last year

This season its a sub or the 24th man who does e for us. Bundee took over from Marmion during the first half

connachta · 11-09-2018 10:24am

connemara man wrote: »

Nigel Carolan would do it a lot last year

This season its a sub or the 24th man who does e for us. Bundee took over from Marmion during the first half

Bundee was waterboy in Geneva last season, too

KBurke85 · 12-09-2018 9:48am

The Friend Zone

No Farrell this weekend but Bundee and Dillane are back in contention https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/guinness-pro14/aki-set-to-play-as-connacht-go-in-search-of-successive-wins-37307422.html

KBurke85 · 12-09-2018 10:29am

The Friend Zone

https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/the-left-wing/the-left-wing-ultan-dillane-on-his-journey-from-paris-to-tralee-to-ireland-international-37307071.html

Interesting words from Dillane on Kieran Keane. He said he liked him thought he was a nice guy. He said the players felt they were in a similar position to the end of Pat's first year and him leaving was not player led.

12-09-2018 11:32am

Mul, it's over

KBurke85 wrote: »

https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/the-left-wing/the-left-wing-ultan-dillane-on-his-journey-from-paris-to-tralee-to-ireland-international-37307071.html

Interesting words from Dillane on Kieran Keane. He said he liked him thought he was a nice guy. He said the players felt they were in a similar position to the end of Pat's first year and him leaving was not player led.

That's a bit of a can of worms there.

Richie_Rich89 · 12-09-2018 1:48pm

Mul, it's over

KBurke85 wrote: »

https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/the-left-wing/the-left-wing-ultan-dillane-on-his-journey-from-paris-to-tralee-to-ireland-international-37307071.html

Interesting words from Dillane on Kieran Keane. He said he liked him thought he was a nice guy. He said the players felt they were in a similar position to the end of Pat's first year and him leaving was not player led.

When Friend didn't get the Ulster role Nucifora had Keane kicked out so his pal could get the job in Connacht instead

b.gud · 12-09-2018 1:51pm

Richie_Rich89 wrote: »

When Friend didn't get the Ulster role Nucifora had Keane kicked out so his pal could get the job in Connacht instead

3/10

Diabhal Beag · 12-09-2018 5:34pm

Kieran Keane never went to one hurling match in Thurles. Not good enough imo.

its_phil · 12-09-2018 7:15pm

Mul, it's over

Richie_Rich89 wrote: »

When Friend didn't get the Ulster role Nucifora had Keane kicked out so his pal could get the job in Connacht instead

Well there’s my evening dose of BS

ClanofLams · 12-09-2018 7:30pm

Mul, it's over

Looking forward to Friday’s match, Edinburgh are gonna throw the kitchen sink at this after throwing away Ulster game last week and could have beaten Ospreys round 1 too apparently.
Will be a proper test.

Farrell out after losing some weight with bug last week. Copeland available but from reading Friends comments earlier about rewarding in form players he may have to wait. Dillane may be straight back as Thornbury looked a bit rusty against Zebre, Marmion and Aki only other changes I would think.

eezipc · 12-09-2018 8:56pm

I can't believe it's not Butler

Richie_Rich89 wrote: »

When Friend didn't get the Ulster role Nucifora had Keane kicked out so his pal FRIEND could get the job in Connacht instead

There was a great pun there and you missed it. Disappointing.

Wegians89 · 12-09-2018 10:19pm

The Friend Zone

Is McCabe back from injury? If he is we could see some rotation at loosehead. If McCabe isn’t fit then I’d expect rotation at tight head.

Dillane will be back into the starting 15. Roux sat out training yesterday according to inpho sport pictures. Don’t know if that’s serious or not.

I’d expect Boyle to get a break. He’s still young and wouldn’t want to burn him out too soon. Would like to see Copeland slot into the back row with sob and butler with faingaa on the bench again.

Marmion and Bundee to come in for blade and griffin. Be interesting to see if it’s Bundee or Godwin at 12. I’d expect a change or two in the back three. Kelleher to keep his starting spot.

connachta · 12-09-2018 10:36pm

Niyi instead of Kelleher this time. On large Murrayfield his speed will be useful

Connacht Team Talk Thread V - The Friend Zone

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