Connacht Team Talk Thread V - The Friend Zone

Bazzo

Mul, it's over

Jump_In_Jack wrote: »

Quick question for Connacht fans,
Has Ultan Dillane ever togged out at blind-side flanker?
If he had that string to his bow it might be beneficial for making the RWC squad, as he's up against Tadhg Beirne who has experience at 6 and 8 as well as lock.
Ultan certainly has the dynamism and size to cut it at blind-side flanker, I just can't recall if he has played there much or at all.

He was due to start a game at 6 under Lam I think but due to injury to either himself or one of the second rows it didn't happen in the end.

Diabhal Beag

KBurke85 wrote: »

If i was picking a squad though and it was between himself and Beirne and the deciding factor was the ability to play back row I'd be choosing Beirne

I'd say Beirne's disappointing return to Ireland v Ultan's reemergence would cost the former a spot. Can honestly see Dillane going Japan behind Ryan, Hendo and Toner if he keeps fit.

realhorrorshow

Dillane has never started a competitive game in the back row.

Buer

realhorrorshow wrote:

Dillane has never started a competitive game in the back row.

He started there away to the Scarlets a couple of seasons ago.

realhorrorshow

Buer wrote: »

He started there away to the Scarlets a couple of seasons ago.

IIRC he was named at 6 but moved to second row due to a late injury. https://www.ultimaterugby.com/match/scarlets-vs-connacht-rugby-at-parc-y-scarlets-24th-sep-2016/19929/lineup

Buer

realhorrorshow wrote:

IIRC he was named at 6 but moved to second row due to a late injury.

This is the level of detail I'm here for!

thomond2006

Some Like It TOH

Buer wrote: »

This is the level of detail I'm here for!

Will you leave realhorrorshow alone ffs.

Former Coach

Mul, it's over

Any know the alleged perpetrators in Leinster Rugby incidents? Pm please

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

Former Coach wrote: »

Any know the alleged perpetrators in Leinster Rugby incidents? Pm please

Would the Leinster thread not be a better place to ask?

siltirocker

realhorrorshow wrote: »

Dillane has never started a competitive game in the back row.

Yes he has! . . . for Corinthians.

MarinersBlues

Mul, it's over

Our draw options taken from post by thomond2006 in the Champions Cup Draw thread
Tier 1:
Saracens
Toulouse
Clermont/Glasgow/Exeter Chiefs
Clermont/Glasgow/Exeter Chiefs

Tier 2:
Clermont/Glasgow/Exeter Chiefs
Gloucester
Lyon
La Rochelle/Northampton Saints


Tier 4:
Bath
Benetton
Montpellier
Ospreys
Sale Sharks

It's great to be third seeds, I wasn't sure that we would get that.

Dream Draw
Toulouse
Gloucester/Lyon
Benetton/Ospreys

Nightmare Draw
Saracens
Clermont
Montpellier/Bath

Would love a trip to Toulouse, haven't been there yet to my shame.

The Lost Sheep

MarinersBlues wrote: »

It's great to be third seeds, I wasn't sure that we would get that.

Dream Draw
Toulouse
Gloucester/Lyon
Benetton/Ospreys

Nightmare Draw
Saracens
Clermont
Montpellier/Bath

Would love a trip to Toulouse, haven't been there yet to my shame.

has tonne prem and top14 side in each pool so on dream draw it would be toulouse/Gloucester/treviso's or ospreys.

freyners

The Friend Zone

Connacht will be playing in conference b for the next two seasons alongside Munster, Cardiff Blues, Scarlets, Edinburgh, Benneton and Southern Kings

Tough group although Glasgow and leinster on the other side is appealing

I'm confused as I thought it was Ireland 1 and 4 on one side and 2/3 on the other. Were we ahead of ulster????

tobdom

freyners wrote: »

I'm confused as I thought it was Ireland 1 and 4 on one side and 2/3 on the other. Were we ahead of ulster????

It was based on points rather than standings, full details here.

Not too bad overall, but will just depend on how all the respective teams improve or otherwise from last season. RWC will obviously play a big factor in the early part of the season also.

sydthebeat

The Friend Zone

freyners wrote: »

Connacht will be playing in conference b for the next two seasons alongside Munster, Cardiff Blues, Scarlets, Edinburgh, Benneton and Southern Kings

Tough group although Glasgow and leinster on the other side is appealing

I'm confused as I thought it was Ireland 1 and 4 on one side and 2/3 on the other. Were we ahead of ulster????

ulster finished with 63 points
connact 61

KBurke85

The Friend Zone

freyners wrote: »

Connacht will be playing in conference b for the next two seasons alongside Munster, Cardiff Blues, Scarlets, Edinburgh, Benneton and Southern Kings

Tough group although Glasgow and leinster on the other side is appealing

I'm confused as I thought it was Ireland 1 and 4 on one side and 2/3 on the other. Were we ahead of ulster????

Munster are Ireland 1 on the basis they got more points then Leinster.

All explained here

https://www.pro14rugby.org/2019/06/17/conferences-confirmed-for-2019-20-2020-21-guinness-pro14-seasons/

EachSmallChime

No but Munster were ahead of Leinster (despite them winning it out).

They calculate the points of the regular rounds (before the playoffs) and Munster got 77 points while Leinster got 76.

So we are in the 1 and 4 bracket.

ClanofLams

Mul, it's over

That group has worked out well enough compared to what the possibilities were. Would hate to be Glasgow Leinster side where 3rd is probably the best realistic option. Munster obviously clear favourites to top this group but Connacht finished last season with more points than any other team in this conference so very real shot at second and home playoff.

EachSmallChime

The difficulty of this conference might lie in whether Benetton and Edinburgh keep improving as they have done.
Also, what version of Scarlets turn up

BeardySi

You've got a Friend in me

EachSmallChime wrote: »

The difficulty of this conference might lie in whether Benetton and Edinburgh keep improving as they have done.
Also, what version of Scarlets turn up

If course, both are points that others could equally apply to Connacht...

EachSmallChime

Pool 5:
Toulouse
Gloucester
Connacht
Montpellier

freyners

The Friend Zone

EachSmallChime wrote: »

Pool 5:
Toulouse
Gloucester
Connacht
Montpellier

With the right form and luck with injuries we can have a right crack at that

EachSmallChime

freyners wrote: »

With the right form and luck with injuries we can have a right crack at that

The little bit of history between us and the two top clubs could add a little spice too.

Also, two options for a trip to the south of France is not bad

Utopia Parkway

EachSmallChime wrote: »

Pool 5:
Toulouse
Gloucester
Connacht
Montpellier

Could have been worse. Could have been better.

evil_seed

The Friend Zone

Man, we really owe Glaws a hiding

freyners

The Friend Zone

Jack vs Cipriani, the battle of the 50 metre floated passes:cool:

hermano

Mul, it's over

Whats gloucester like as an away trip? Much craic? Anything to see and do?

evil_seed

The Friend Zone

hermano wrote: »

Whats gloucester like as an away trip? Much craic? Anything to see and do?

I was there the first year we were in the competition. Better of staying in Cheltenham I think. We stayed in glaws, and there's not much happening there. We were big pi55heads then so we were only concerned with beer, which is good over there.

Henry Ford III

The Friend Zone

hermano wrote: »

Whats gloucester like as an away trip? Much craic? Anything to see and do?

It's a no nonsense rugby place. Similar to Nothampton.

Rugby people are pretty friendly. Cheltenham is pretty but it's away from the rugby so you're missing out on the fun.

Henry Ford III

Henry Ford III wrote: »

It's a no nonsense rugby place. Similar to Nothampton.

Rugby people are pretty friendly. Cheltenham is pretty but it's away from the rugby so you're missing out on the fun.

One or two Gloucester fans left a bad taste in mouth back in the Challenge Cup 1/4 final in 2015.
Their own fans were apologising on their behalf.
99% of the fans were good craic, we just had a few idiots near us. It's a pity I still remember them. Shows how a few bad fans can have such a negative impact