Connacht Rugby Thread - Part III - The Violence of the Lams

BrokenMan

CMOTDibbler wrote: »

George Clancy giveth and he taketh away. :pac:

Oh God let's not get into a George Clancy debate :eek:

neelia11

Billysays no wrote: »

Clancy is an awful ref no matter what province you come from

bet you werent saying that when he disallowed the ospreys try a few weeks back

irishgrover

neelia11 wrote:

bet you werent saying that when he disallowed the ospreys try a few weeks back

In fairness I think you'll find that most were...

jacothelad

CMOTDibbler wrote: »

George Clancy giveth and he taketh away. :pac:

But mostly he fuketh up......many times.

eezipc

neelia11 wrote: »

bet you werent saying that when he disallowed the ospreys try a few weeks back

Because he was right?

MarinersBlues

Connacht team to face Leinster
25th March 2016

Ahead of tomorrow’s sold-out interpro clash between Connacht and Leinster at the Sportsground (5:15pm), Connacht head coach Pat Lam has made two changes from the starting XV that lined out for the win over Edinburgh three weeks ago.

Academy centre Peter Robb is handed his first PRO12 start and partners Bundee Aki in midfield. 21-year-old Robb made his Connacht debut in November in the Challenge Cup game away to Russian side Enisei-STM. Tomorrow will mark his tenth appearance in a Connacht jersey.

Niyi Adeolokun returns to the right wing after missing the Edinburgh game through injury and is the only other personnel change to the team. The half back pairing is once again made up of AJ MacGinty and Kieran Marmion, who made his 6 Nations debut earlier this month.

The packs sees Ireland international Nathan White, who featured in all five 6 Nations games, pack down in the front row while 21-year-old Sean O’Brien from the Academy is again included in the back row with Jake Heenan and captain John Muldoon.

Internationals Robbie Henshaw – who only joined team training on Thursday – and Finlay Bealham are both named amongst the replacements. Frontrower Bealham who has featured in every Connacht game this season, is in line to make his 50th appearance.

Commenting on the team selection and the upcoming game, head coach Pat Lam said:

“I have a lot of respect for who Leinster are and what they have achieved. There is a lot of quality right across the squad and I believe Leo (Cullen), in his first season as head coach, has done a tremendous job. Tomorrow, we are expecting a pretty physical and fired up opposition. As a team who have history of winning at this stage of the season, it’s going to take a massive collective effort from us to come out on top.

“There’s certainly a huge buzz around this game tomorrow and we’re all really looking forward to it – it doesn’t get much better than playing in front of a sold-out Sportsground. Staying focussed and chanelling that excitement and energy into our structures and systems will give us the best chance of getting the points on offer.”

Connacht team to face Leinster, Saturday March 26th, 5:15pm

15 Tiernan O’Halloran
14 Niyi Adeolokun
13 Bundee Aki
12 Peter Robb
11 Matt Healy
10 AJ MacGinty
9 Kieran Marmion

1 Denis Buckley
2 Tom McCartney
3 Nathan White
4 Quinn Roux
5 Aly Muldowney
6 Sean O’Brien
7 Jake Heenan
8 John Muldoon (captain)

Replacements:

16 Dave Heffernan
17 Ronan Loughney
18 Finlay Bealham
19 Andrew Browne
20 Eoin McKeon
21 Caolin Blade
22 Shane O’Leary
23 Robbie Henshaw

Injured/Unavailable: Ultan Dillane*, Ben Marshall, Nepia Fox-Matamua, Eoghan Masterson, Jack Carty, Craig Ronaldson, Dave McSharry, Rory Parata, Darragh Leader, Ciaran Gaffney.

*Ultan Dillane has not yet recovered from a minor shoulder knock picked up during the 6 Nations campaign.

Connacht v Leinster
Saturday March 26th
At the Sportsground, 5.15pm
Live on Sky Sports / TG4

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)

Tickets for Saturday’s game are sold out but there are tickets available for upcoming fixtures with Munster and Glasgow Warriors at the Sportsground. Click here to purchase now.

MarinersBlues

Aki Robb and Henshaw coming off the bench.

We'll see if Ringrose is able for the physical stuff now!

MarinersBlues

Leinster

15. Isa Nacewa (144) CAPTAIN
14. Fergus McFadden (139)
13. Garry Ringrose (16)
12. Ben Te'o (33)
11. Luke Fitzgerald (149)
10. Ian Madigan (141)
9. Luke McGrath (43)
1. Cian Healy (150)
2. Richardt Strauss (124)
3. Tadhg Furlong (44)
4. Ross Molony (17)
5. Hayden Triggs (10)
6. Dominic Ryan (101)
7. Josh van der Flier (20)
8. Rhys Ruddock (106)

16. Sean Cronin (107)
17. Jack McGrath (89)
18. Mike Ross (128)
19. Devin Toner (176)
20. Jamie Heaslip (211)
21. Eoin Reddan (133)
22. Noel Reid (57)
23. Zane Kirchner (61)

Bazzo

Two strong teams, can't wait to watch this. I hope starting Muldoon at 8 pays off, he's a great player and an absolute workhorse but he's not really an 8, he's a 6 through and through.

Another slight niggle I would have with the selection, and it's very slight, is that I would have considered Bealham for the 17 jersey and big Rod for 18.

Still though, I'll take it Pat knows what he's doing and should be an absolute cracker!

Noel Reid backup 10?

BrokenMan

Bazzo wrote: »

Two strong teams, can't wait to watch this. I hope starting Muldoon at 8 pays off, he's a great player and an absolute workhorse but he's not really an 8, he's a 6 through and through.

Another slight niggle I would have with the selection, and it's very slight, is that I would have considered Bealham for the 17 jersey and big Rod for 18.

Still though, I'll take it Pat knows what he's doing and should be an absolute cracker!

I agree about muldoon but he's done ok there before. As for Rodney, after his non performance last time out I'll be shocked to see him in a match day squad again barring an injury crisis.

wp_rathead

Niyi over Poolman is the only one I'm scratching my head over - if weather was to be dry I'd understand but forcast wet and windy
Delighted for Peter Robb - the lad is an ANIMAL

At first I was surprised at no Rodney but then I remembered his cameo in Murrayfield and can see where Lam is coming from..

mistdub

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Noel Reid backup 10?

An educated risk, the midfield battle will be fierce. Mads will play full 80 barring injury, if he took a knock and marsh had to come on we'd be f***d anyway, unless we were ahead with <20 left and even then with Zane and isa helping kick for territory Reid could probably do a job in that unlikely scenario. Worth the risk imo

Bazzo

BrokenMan wrote: »

I agree about muldoon but he's done ok there before. As for Rodney, after his non performance last time out I'll be shocked to see him in a match day squad again barring an injury crisis.

Yeah he's absolutely done ok there but he's only ever really played there when we had no other choice. McKeon who's a quality specialist 8 is warming the bench so maybe SOB 2.0 has been ripping up trees in training?

As for Rod, he's always been susceptible to lapses in concentration and dips in form. Pat sees a lot more of him than I do so maybe he thinks he's already gone in his head or something.

Deleted User wrote: »

Noel Reid backup 10?

I mean, Marsh hasn't been great at all so maybe Leo is just betting on Madigan going the distance and getting an extra centre in there because the Leinster mid-field are up against 3 really physical units in Robb, Aki and Henshaw. Isa/Reid in case of a break glass emergency at 10 I suppose.

O'Leary is on the bench for Connacht and he's more of a utility player, dunno if he even has any caps for the senior side this season, if that's any consolation.

irishbucsfan

Lots to talk about for Connacht today. Peter Robb in the team, and also Jake Heenan and Conor McKeon added to the European squad. Hard to tell which way they're going to go with that Grenoble game.

thomond2006

If Connacht win then they'll be able to send a strong side to Grenoble. A top 2 finish will be likely. Lose and I think we'll see a few rested.

b.gud

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Lots to talk about for Connacht today. Peter Robb in the team, and also Jake Heenan and Conor McKeon added to the European squad. Hard to tell which way they're going to go with that Grenoble game.

With our current outhalf injuries McKeon had to be added. I think that whatever happens you'll see a strong team against Grenoble, I think Pat really want silverware and the possibility of a home semi final is a big reason to go for it

Bazzo

Robb is an absolute tank, but don't let that fool you into thinking that's the only weapon he has in his bag. He's well capable of pulling out a nice pass or offload to release the man outside him.

UnleashTheBeast

Galway United fan here who has an interest in both sports (surely I'm not the only one).

Just an FYI for supporters of Connacht who may also watch a bit of football. Galway United are playing Bohemians at Eamonn Deacy Park at 2.00pm on Saturday afternoon and all Connacht/Leinster season ticket holders will receive €5 off their match ticket if they attend, the same goes for people who have match tickets for the Sportsground also. It's only for adult tickets, so entry will be reduced to €10 from the usual €15 rate.

http://galwayunitedfc.ie/ticket-offer-bohemians-home/

The Lost Sheep

Bazzo wrote: »

O'Leary is on the bench for Connacht and he's more of a utility player, dunno if he even has any caps for the senior side this season, if that's any consolation.

Shane is being used a lot as utility but he is a 10 or 12. He has played 3/4 times with senior team and been 24th man on 5/6 occasions.

Bazzo wrote: »

Robb is an absolute tank, but don't let that fool you into thinking that's the only weapon he has in his bag. He's well capable of pulling out a nice pass or offload to release the man outside him.

Robb's over rated especially with people expecting so much more because of his sheer size... He's good and yes is capable of that but its such a shame Parata's out as he's so much the better option... if we're talking about younger centres...

wp_rathead

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Robb's over rated especially with people expecting so much more because of his sheer size... He's good and yes is capable of that but its such a shame Parata's out as he's so much the better option... if we're talking about younger centres...

I don't think that is entirely fair - he has always impressed me personally when ever I've seen him play
Parata is a huge talent aswell but don't think he is "so much the better option"

Bazzo

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Shane is being used a lot as utility but he is a 10 or 12. He has played 3/4 times with senior team and been 24th man on 5/6 occasions.
Robb's over rated especially with people expecting so much more because of his sheer size... He's good and yes is capable of that but its such a shame Parata's out as he's so much the better option... if we're talking about younger centres...

Yeah I remember O'Leary being touted as a centre who could play out-half when he first came from Grenoble. He's been used all over the shop since then though and his involvement with the senior squad has been minimal so he's really only occupying the 22 jersey because we've very little choice.

I dunno how anyone could be overrating Robb. He's an academy player who's been good in his appearances for the senior squad this year. Nobody is expecting him to be a world beater but he does show promise. Parata is a great option too and looks like a talented individual so you're right there.

The Lost Sheep

wp_rathead wrote: »

I don't think that is entirely fair - he has always impressed me personally when ever I've seen him play
Parata is a huge talent aswell but don't think he is "so much the better option"

Whats not fair about that. People expect so much from Robb based on seeing his physical size and what he did at age grade using that strength/power to his advantage. Senior rugby very different kettle of fish. I think Parata is much the better option based on what ive seen of both this past season or so and how Parata has been involved higher level more...

Bazzo wrote: »

Yeah I remember O'Leary being touted as a centre who could play out-half when he first came from Grenoble. He's been used all over the shop since then though and his involvement with the senior squad has been minimal so he's really only occupying the 22 jersey because we've very little choice.

I dunno how anyone could be overrating Robb. He's an academy player who's been good in his appearances for the senior squad this year. Nobody is expecting him to be a world beater but he does show promise. Parata is a great option too and looks like a talented individual so you're right there.

SOL was signed as kind of squad cover.... I don't think he's in 22 jersey simply due to lack of choice. His club performances have been quite good recently...
I think people are overrating Robb based on his physical size, how he used that so well at age grade but senior is a different kettle of fish and he's over rated...
Parata is the much better option....

Bazzo

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Whats not fair about that. People expect so much from Robb based on seeing his physical size and what he did at age grade using that strength/power to his advantage. Senior rugby very different kettle of fish. I think Parata is much the better option based on what ive seen of both this past season or so and how Parata has been involved higher level more...

SOL was signed as kind of squad cover.... I don't think he's in 22 jersey simply due to lack of choice. His club performances have been quite good recently...
I think people are overrating Robb based on his physical size, how he used that so well at age grade but senior is a different kettle of fish and he's over rated...
Parata is the much better option....

I'm not trying to disparage SOL, but there are two choices for the jersey at the moment. I suppose you could say he's outperforming Conor Mckeon for that spot. If Ronaldson or Carty was available I can guarantee you either one of them would be in the 23 ahead of him.

wp_rathead

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Whats not fair about that. People expect so much from Robb based on seeing his physical size and what he did at age grade using that strength/power to his advantage. Senior rugby very different kettle of fish. I think Parata is much the better option based on what ive seen of both this past season or so and how Parata has been involved higher level more...

you said he is overrated

especially with people expecting so much more because of his sheer size

I don't think that is fair as when ever I've seen him play he has looked very impressive- I think it was Newcastle at home where he used that size you mention rather well. Was also very good away in Cardiff
I don't think he is overrated at all- he is rated exactly as he should be: a very good young player with alot of potential

freyners

The Lost Sheep wrote:

Whats not fair about that. People expect so much from Robb based on seeing his physical size and what he did at age grade using that strength/power to his advantage. Senior rugby very different kettle of fish. I think Parata is much the better option based on what ive seen of both this past season or so and how Parata has been involved higher level more...

Parata has the benefit of having move versatility to his game as he can cover wing as well which helps him get the nod i reckon. Robb is mostly a specialist 12 and we have mostly this season played around craig being able to play 12

No downing on rory either. Great to have them both and we are lucky to have such good prospects.

b.gud

Great interview with Buckley. I always find him very articulate and comes across well in interviews, particularly for a prop

https://twitter.com/Rugbai_BEO/status/713419090887643136?s=09

ClanofLams

Don't think this was posted yet. Craggy Island rugby special that was on galway bay yesterday evening. Interviews with Lam TO'H and Gerry Thornley.


http://galwaybayfm.ie/line-rugby-special/

Billysays no

Nerves. Looks like heenan out and connolly in. Go guys. Do us proud

phog

Missed most of the game, tho I heard some of it on radio. That was a great win for Connacht. Best coached team in Ireland. Congrats.

Cosmo Kramer

Ok, now what? Top six is obviously done and dusted. Top four is almost secured as well now maybe - beating Treviso might be enough for that.

So the target now must be a home semi-final. What a day that would be in Galway. Scarlets winning today was a bad result for Connacht but Leinster and Glasgow are the bigger threats to a home semi I think.

A LBP might be as much as we can hope for next time out but the target will be two wins in the next two after that.

Top of the table going into April is a fantastic achievement whatever happens from here. And doing it playing great running rugby is even better.

wp_rathead

I'm having pints with friends who we've been going games since we been bottom of Celtic League
It's getting pretty emotional - alcohol is some bollocks at times
I love Connacht - to be in this position where we challenging for titles is so alien to us

MarinersBlues

Odds on to win the league in the regular season!

I'd fancy our chances against Scarlets at home in the semi.

CMOTDibbler

MarinersBlues wrote: »

Odds on to win the league in the regular season!

I'd fancy our chances against Scarlets at home in the semi.

On current form I can't see Munster or Ulster beating you. Not sure where that gets Connacht in the league, but it certainly smells like a home SF.

irishbucsfan

CMOTDibbler wrote: »

On current form I can't see Munster or Ulster beating you. Not sure where that gets Connacht in the league, but it certainly smells like a home SF.

Well they also play Treviso which should be another 4 points. So 12 points would have them on 75 points total, only Leinster and Scarlets can reach that and it would require both to win all 4 of their remaining games. If Connacht beat Munster and Ulster then they've likely finished top of the league. And that'd likely mean a home semi against Ulster/Munster/Glasgow depending on who squeezes in.

I'd say most likely it'll be:

Connacht v. Ulster/Munster/Glasgow
Leinster v. Scarlets

Should be an entertaining finish.

wp_rathead

Some great quotes from Lam post game:

"The boys know I cannot stand running straight into people."

"We need to ask questions of the defence and that’s what I said. Do not hold back. If it’s on, move the pass. The first time we attacked, it went from Aly Muldowney to Denis Buckley to Tom McCartney, out the back. It was just hands, hands, hands, hands."

“It’s tremendous and I’m really pleased, when you’ve got front rows and forwards that can pass, all of a sudden, you can put pressure on the team on defence. Kieran got the try, fantastic from him but a lot of effort went into that try.”

Stan27

Just wondering what people think was the biggest win.
The win in Thomand v Munster or yesterday's win!!


Also, if we beat Munster next month, does this mean officially Munster are the 4th Provence !!

its_phil

Stan27 wrote: »

Just wondering what people think was the biggest win.
The win in Thomand v Munster or yesterday's win!!


Also, if we beat Munster next month, does this mean officially Munster are the 4th Provence !!

Well Munster are ahead of Ulster in the table so it would be fair enough to say they're isn't much between the the two. Not that Connacht are a million miles ahead either. I reckon Ulster will get the win especially a 6 day turnaround

Bazzo

Ulster will be tough, especially considering the out half situation now. Fingers crossed Ronaldson has a speedy recovery. Any word on what AJ's injury was? I thought he looked concussed but somebody else told me it was his shoulder?

Buer

Stan27 wrote:

Just wondering what people think was the biggest win. The win in Thomand v Munster or yesterday's win!!

Connacht have beaten Leinster multiple times in the league. When was the last time they won in Thomond? To me, that was the seminal moment of the season where they went from the kids table to the top table in the eyes of many.

Shelflife

Bazzo wrote: »

Ulster will be tough, especially considering the out half situation now. Fingers crossed Ronaldson has a speedy recovery. Any word on what AJ's injury was? I thought he looked concussed but somebody else told me it was his shoulder?

Another 2-3 weeks for Craig , ankle ligaments I believe. Rehab going well.

BrokenMan

Bazzo wrote: »

Ulster will be tough, especially considering the out half situation now. Fingers crossed Ronaldson has a speedy recovery. Any word on what AJ's injury was? I thought he looked concussed but somebody else told me it was his shoulder?

It looked like arm or shoulder the way he was holding it and I'd say it was the cause of him knocking on the pass he got just before coming off.

wp_rathead

Billysays no

Buer wrote: »

Connacht have beaten Leinster multiple times in the league. When was the last time they won in Thomond? To me, that was the seminal moment of the season where they went from the kids table to the top table in the eyes of many.

While Munster was an historic win and while we have beaten Leinster multiple times in the Sportsground, the reason this game was special is it finally put to bed the assertion that we just took advantage of weakened teams. Leinster threw everything they had at us and we prevailed. I'm still so utterly lost for words for this team. Bealham was incredible. Where the scrum was shaky in the first 5 minutes it was rock solid when Finlay came on. Credit to everyone 1 to 23 but I think what Finlay did was fantastic. Pinch me. Still on Cloud 9

irishbucsfan

Billysays no wrote: »

While Munster was an historic win and while we have beaten Leinster multiple times in the Sportsground, the reason this game was special is it finally put to bed the assertion that we just took advantage of weakened teams. Leinster threw everything they had at us and we prevailed. I'm still so utterly lost for words for this team. Bealham was incredible. Where the scrum was shaky in the first 5 minutes it was rock solid when Finlay came on. Credit to everyone 1 to 23 but I think what Finlay did was fantastic. Pinch me. Still on Cloud 9

It was a weakened Leinster team...

BrokenMan

irishbucsfan wrote: »

It was a weakened Leinster team...

Neither team was at full strength to be fair.

Billysays no

irishbucsfan wrote: »

It was a weakened Leinster team...

Whatever you say still Cloud 9 :-)

irishbucsfan

BrokenMan wrote: »

Neither team was at full strength to be fair.

No certainly not. And it was still a great win for Connacht. Just pointing out that particular line of thinking has no real basis in reality.

Billysays no

irishbucsfan wrote: »

No certainly not. And it was still a great win for Connacht. Just pointing out that particular line of thinking has no real basis in reality.

that would be as good a description of many of my posts as any

Yeah_Right

Billysays no wrote: »

While Munster was an historic win and while we have beaten Leinster multiple times in the Sportsground, the reason this game was special is it finally put to bed the assertion that we just took advantage of weakened teams. Leinster threw everything they had at us and we prevailed. I'm still so utterly lost for words for this team. Bealham was incredible. Where the scrum was shaky in the first 5 minutes it was rock solid when Finlay came on. Credit to everyone 1 to 23 but I think what Finlay did was fantastic. Pinch me. Still on Cloud 9

Is this the same Bealham that Joe was wrong to call up to Ireland? Does this mean JS maybe knows more than you thought?