Connacht Team Talk Thread V - The Friend Zone

Zzippy

ClanofLams wrote: »

Good interview with Jack Carty on latest House of Rugby pod. Interestingly revealed that Connacht were doing sprint tests recently and Marmion was quickest with top speed of 37km per hr. Best time recorded in Connacht history apparently, he did joke about wind so not sure how much of a factor that was.

Was it during Storm Hannah?

Burkie1203

Mul, it's over

Wegians89 wrote: »

Mick Kearney confirmed leaving Leinster. Not confirmed where he’s going but linked with Connacht

Hearing that Mick Kearney is off to Zebre

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Hearing that Mick Kearney is off to Zebre

Had heard nagle was going there, they’d hardly sign both?

Squidgy Black

Wegians89 wrote: »

Had heard nagle was going there, they’d hardly sign both?

Nagle wasn't announced as leaving Leinster at the awards last night, so looks like a return may still be on the cards if Ulster don't try sign him up.

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Nagle wasn't announced as leaving Leinster at the awards last night, so looks like a return may still be on the cards if Ulster don't try sign him up.

He was along with Daly, weren’t pictured but at the bottom of the tweet had them both down and that they couldn’t attend

Squidgy Black

Wegians89 wrote: »

He was along with Daly, weren’t pictured but at the bottom of the tweet had them both down and that they couldn’t attend

See that now actually, my bad.

Zzippy

So... who's heading to Belfast? Reckon it could be our biggest travelling support ever. Will be 3 of us on the bus, really looking forward to it.

freyners

The Friend Zone

Driving up and down from Dublin with 3 others. Costs of accommodation is shocking!:(

connemara man

The Friend Zone

Driving up and down one day accommodation because of the marathon is madness

Zzippy

Zzippy wrote: »

So... who's heading to Belfast? Reckon it could be our biggest travelling support ever. Will be 3 of us on the bus, really looking forward to it.

You've obviously forgotten a trip to Edinburgh in 2016

troyzer

Deleted User wrote: »

You've obviously forgotten a trip to Edinburgh in 2016

What? That never happened?

Dunno what you're talking about....

BeardySi

You've got a Friend in me

Zzippy wrote: »

So... who's heading to Belfast? Reckon it could be our biggest travelling support ever. Will be 3 of us on the bus, really looking forward to it.

Don't have to do much heading

Nice of them to arrange it so I've got a 5 minute stroll to a QF

Tommybojangles

Mul, it's over

I think the accommodation prices are being exaggerated 4 of us got a room in a hostel for 35 quid each

ionapaul

Mul, it's over

Driving up from Dublin with my wife and 1 year old, the three of us will be sitting in the family stand. Accommodation expensive alright, gonna stay at the Radisson Blu, was there a few months ago and it's a nice central hotel with parking, most hotels don't have car parks in Belfast for whatever reason. Think we can plan to walk to and from the Kingspan, never been before but doesn't look too far on Google Maps?

Diabhal Beag

Myself and my mate booked a room because 8 hours driving for one day is a bit much to ask and we want to hit the town after anyways. Room rates were not great but shur feck it a Connacht match in Belfast on a Saturday is rare enough.

Zzippy

Deleted User wrote: »

You've obviously forgotten a trip to Edinburgh in 2016

No, I was in Edinburgh too, but I think we'll have more at the game this weekend. Edinburgh was just too awkward to get to at short notice for many people, Belfast is much more accessible, plus the subsidised bus fare is very attractive. I just hope there's a jacks on the bus!

#stopthebusIwantaweewee

Zzippy

Zzippy wrote: »

No, I was in Edinburgh too, but I think we'll have more at the game this weekend. Edinburgh was just too awkward to get to at short notice for many people, Belfast is much more accessible, plus the subsidised bus fare is very attractive. I just hope there's a jacks on the bus!

#stopthebusIwantaweewee

There were 34000 in Edinburgh, and the general consensus was that we outnumbered the Leinster fans by about 3:1
Even if it was an even split, that would have meant about 15000 Connacht fans were in Edinburgh for the final (allowing for neutrals)

If we manage to have more fans in Ravenhill this Saturday, someone buy me a hat, and I'll eat it

Anyway, it's not improtant

Utopia Parkway

Not even much change in the conferences after all that. Scarlets and Ospreys swap places basically.

Combined Table

1. Glasgow - 81pts
2. Munster - 77pts
3. Leinster - 76pts
4. Ulster - 63pts
5. Connacht - 61pts
6. Ospreys - 58pts
7. Treviso - 57pts
8. Cardiff - 54pts
9. Scarlets - 52pts
10. Edinburgh - 51pts
11. Cheetahs - 46pts
12. Dragons - 26pts
13. Kings - 22pts
14. Zebre - 19pts

Gives the following conferences for next year

Conference A:
Ireland 1 - Munster
Ireland 4 - Connacht
Wales 2 - Cardiff
Wales 3 - Scarlets
Scotland 1 - Glasgow
Italy 2 - Zebre
SA 1 - Cheetahs

Conference B:
Ireland 2 - Leinster
Ireland 3 - Ulster
Wales 1 - Ospreys
Wales 4 - Dragons
Scotland 2 - Edinburgh
Italy 1 - Treviso
SA 2 - Kings

Zzippy

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

Not even much change in the conferences after all that. Scarlets and Ospreys swap places basically.

Combined Table

1. Glasgow - 81pts
2. Munster - 77pts
3. Leinster - 76pts
4. Ulster - 63pts
5. Connacht - 61pts
6. Ospreys - 58pts
7. Treviso - 57pts
8. Cardiff - 54pts
9. Scarlets - 52pts
10. Edinburgh - 51pts
11. Cheetahs - 46pts
12. Dragons - 26pts
13. Kings - 22pts
14. Zebre - 19pts

Gives the following conferences for next year

Conference A:
Ireland 1 - Munster
Ireland 4 - Connacht
Wales 2 - Cardiff
Wales 3 - Scarlets
Scotland 1 - Glasgow
Italy 2 - Zebre
SA 1 - Cheetahs

Conference B:
Ireland 2 - Leinster
Ireland 3 - Ulster
Wales 1 - Ospreys
Wales 4 - Dragons
Scotland 2 - Edinburgh
Italy 1 - Treviso
SA 2 - Kings

Is it definitely done on league points, or on league position? Points is a bit of a nonsense for comparing across conferences with differing fixtures.

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

Godwin pictured training today, no sign of roux.
Would go with something like:

Buckley
Heffernan
Bealham
Dillane
Thornbury
Mckeon
Faingaa
Butler
Blade
Carty
Healy
Bundee
Farrell
Fitzgerald
Toh

Delahunt
McCabe/ Burke
McCoy
Maksymiw / Copeland
Boyle
Marmion
Godwin
Leader

Former Coach

Mul, it's over

Wegians89 wrote: »

Godwin pictured training today, no sign of roux.
Would go with something like:

Buckley
Heffernan
Bealham
Dillane
Thornbury
Mckeon
Faingaa
Butler
Blade
Carty
Healy
Bundee
Farrell
Fitzgerald
Toh

Delahunt
McCabe/ Burke
McCoy
Maksymiw / Copeland
Boyle
Marmion
Godwin
Leader

I'd say you're pretty much on the money there. Marmo V Caolin will be a very tight call.

connachta

Former Coach wrote: »

I'd say you're pretty much on the money there. Marmo V Caolin will be a very tight call.

Stockdale confirmed very likely out. Massive relief. I know we won't have roux but this absence is more decisive make the game from 70/30 to a 60/40

connachta

connachta wrote: »

Stockdale confirmed very likely out. Massive relief. I know we won't have roux but this absence is more decisive make the game from 70/30 to a 60/40

Some rated Murphy much above but as I thought our player of the season Fainga'a is up to the level!'will be the key battle

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

Former Coach wrote: »

I'd say you're pretty much on the money there. Marmo V Caolin will be a very tight call.

Few there I think are tight calls which is great, heff vs delahunt, mckeon vs Boyle vs Copeland, Marmo vs blade and fitz vs leader vs kelleher

BeardySi

You've got a Friend in me

ionapaul wrote: »

Driving up from Dublin with my wife and 1 year old, the three of us will be sitting in the family stand. Accommodation expensive alright, gonna stay at the Radisson Blu, was there a few months ago and it's a nice central hotel with parking, most hotels don't have car parks in Belfast for whatever reason. Think we can plan to walk to and from the Kingspan, never been before but doesn't look too far on Google Maps?

45-60mins walk depending on how fast you go!

Nice walk along the river embankment towards the Ormeau Rd to go to the match. You're also very handy to get a cracking brekkie in St. George's Market on Sunday morning....

ClanofLams

Mul, it's over

Wegians89 wrote: »

Godwin pictured training today, no sign of roux.
Would go with something like:

Buckley
Heffernan
Bealham
Dillane
Thornbury
Mckeon
Faingaa
Butler
Blade
Carty
Healy
Bundee
Farrell
Fitzgerald
Toh

Delahunt
McCabe/ Burke
McCoy
Maksymiw / Copeland
Boyle
Marmion
Godwin
Leader

Agree with this other than think Leader will start ahead of Fitzgerald. Irish times reporting Godwin out this morning hopefully that’s inaccurate.

Blade will probably get the nod at 9 but brilliant to have such a good replacement to come on and make an impact for the last 25 no matter who starts.

More generally speaking it’s a bit concerning Roux has been out for the guts of two months now with a virus, hopefully he’s on the mend at this stage at least.


https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/pro14/friend-happy-connacht-are-fighting-fit-for-quarter-final-showdown-1.3876498?mode=amp

Would find it hard to advocate playing Blade over Marmion.

He wasn't exactly keeping him out on merit the last few months but a combination of internationals, injuries and fitness.

Marmion is a proven national level 9. Blade is an adequate Pro14 level.

MarinersBlues

Mul, it's over

Carty nominated for Irish players player of the year award

That is great recognition for the year Carty has had.

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

gilberto_eire wrote: »

Would find it hard to advocate playing Blade over Marmion.

He wasn't exactly keeping him out on merit the last few months but a combination of internationals, injuries and fitness.

Marmion is a proven national level 9. Blade is an adequate Pro14 level.

Blade started the biggest game of the season to date against Cardiff on merit? Marmion would be the better player but on current form think blade gets the nod

Zzippy

Thought Marmion was pretty electric in the first half last week, certainly looked back to his best. Wouldn't be surprised to see him start on Saturday. Blade is definitely up there but Kieran brings a bit more composure, whereas I still think Caolin can have a rush of blood to the head and do something silly, like a quick tap where we should be kicking for touch. Either is a great impact sub though, but I think Marmion gets the nod for me. He may also be more familiar with Cooney and know how to negate his influence better.