Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

There is a significant difference in Connacht schools and Leinster school S&C. Connscht schools would be next to none. Most schools don’t have weight lifting rooms

15: I don't believe we have a 15 of the quality required or of the potential in the near future in our current squad. Sorry but McNulty looks way off for me and toh while better last 3 games doesn't have it as a starter except as a back up.

13: Tom Farrell is top end, behind him we are very limited.

8: Drop off from boyle is too great, SHL has been hard working but looks too small while Butler is having an excellent season he's far more a flanker.

Happy to back youth at 9, 10 & 2

For my money I'd back Hawkshaw at 10

Some people are keeping it alive even though Friend said he wasn't going anywhere.

I don't oppse about Aki' s leaving to Munster. In this season, He looked apparently has been down in speed into the support play.Also he look at only Ireland not Conncht.(this may be my false suspition) On the other hand, Munster desperately needs good ceter. R.Scanell and Goggin are good but excellent and C. Farrel' futuer is unknown,so it hires Alex Nankivell(Maori AB) who fought against Ireland last summer without any impressiion except some handling errors. So Munster want experieced ctb. If they want some mutual trade for him, Connacht accept it with getting approriate player (for example,M.Harey or S.Daly or some younger prospects). This is business to future.

Munster have signed Alex Nankivell, which (hopefully) means that Bundee is not heading south. Your point about his on pitch performance is fair, but Bundee is the cultural heartbeat of Connacht rugby. We need him, but also need him to be fully invested and supportive of the new coaching staff.

Very much believe we can make URC quarter finals. Connacht is such a better team that started out this season so I'm really hopeful we can do really well. Some of our more experienced players have really stood up this year and some exciting new talent is very obvious

Munsters last three games are at home to Glasgow and two games down in South Africa against the sharks and stormers with another trip to South Africa in there with champions cup.

Ulster have Sharks and Cardiff away and Bulls, Dragons and Edinburgh at home and with the form they’re in could see them lose 3 or 4 of those.

Tv coverage is desperate

Even by Connacht standards this is a pretty spectacular collapse!

It was a very weak performance but I think it's good to have one of those from time to time. You get the result and learn from it at the same time. I doubt we will as rubbish (or at least I hope so) in our next game

If connacht continue this defence, they'll be looser against Glasgow, Edinburgh, and even Cardiff.That's Terrible. No one was evaluated by this match because Zebre was too weak.

OK....so the following teams I don't think we can catch or pass:

Ulster

Munster

Leinster

Glasgow

Stormers

Sharks

Bulls

Only thing that could let us in is a Bulls or Munster collapse but I don't think either will realistically happen.

That means we're fighting for 8th with Cardiff and Edinburgh. If we win the two games against those two teams that should be enough. Both games at home so team should be really up for them!!

Downside is HC for next years looks very very unlikely :(

Edit: looking more closely I can't see Edinburgh winning too many more and Cardiff could win all their remaining games. Still means we will need to beat both with a few bonus points thrown in along the way..

Does it mean Connacht have to get 6th if neither Welsh or Italian teams finish within the top 8 for them to have Champions rugby next year?

The team leadership has been an issue since Mul left. Butler is excellent at speaking to referees but to me he doesn't inspire the players around him. Boyle should get another crack at it In my opinion. A Craig Clarke type signing would be fantastic. But would it happen ? Has Joe Joyce much leadership experience with Bristol?