Connacht Team Talk Thread V - The Friend Zone

EachSmallChime

Ireland breakdown by province:
Leinster - 17
Munster - 8
Connacht - 6
Ulster - 4

Nice little snapshot of where Connacht are at right now.

b.gud

macslash wrote: »

Ya. Happy for Roux but surprised it wasn't Dillane. I'm wondering if lads aren't involved in a given match day squad will they be released to us? Or is that much harder now with Covid. Have to say that all bar Roux and maybe Finlay have a great shout of making the 23

With the injuries at tight head and his versatility, considering there are only 2 loose heads in the squad, actually reckon Bealham has a decent shot of making a match day 23

connachta

b.gud wrote: »

With the injuries at tight head and his versatility, considering there are only 2 loose heads in the squad, actually reckon Bealham has a decent shot of making a match day 23

Exactly what I was about to answer.


Aungier/McCoy/Kenny will be rather competitive I think

freyners

The Friend Zone

macslash wrote: »

Ya. Happy for Roux but surprised it wasn't Dillane. I'm wondering if lads aren't involved in a given match day squad will they be released to us? Or is that much harder now with Covid. Have to say that all bar Roux and maybe Finlay have a great shout of making the 23

Dillane is carrying a knock from the MunsterA game i thought?

connachta

freyners wrote: »

Dillane is carrying a knock from the MunsterA game i thought?

Just HIA protocols

KBurke85

The Friend Zone

freyners wrote: »

Dillane is carrying a knock from the MunsterA game i thought?

He missed last week as he was going through the HIA protocols.

connachta

For the last time we have our International, let's use them fully this W-E
with slight rotation

1) McAlister
2) Heff
3) Beal
4) Roux
5) Dillane
6) E.Masterson
7) Butler
8) Boyle
9) Marms
10) Carty
11) Porch
12) Aki
13) Farrell
14) Wootton
15) TOH

16) Murphy
17) Buckley
18) McCoy
19) Thornbury
20) S.Masterson
21) Blade
22) C Fitzgerald
23) Arnold

JohnniDrama

So happy for the lads.

I wondered if Dillane might miss out due to HIA protocols.

Pity Tiernan has been injured as there is a bit of weakness at 15 and when he is good, he is very good. Especially in attack.

But overall 6 is great.

Now for the others to step up and sieze their chances in out squad.

evil_seed

The Friend Zone

TOH hasn't been good for 2 years

JohnniDrama

evil_seed wrote: »

TOH hasn't been good for 2 years

New season new start?

He started well against Munster before being injured.

Has POM been good?
How about Jack Conan?
Maybe Tadhg Beirne? Nope?
Ah then there is Conor Murray. Has he been good?

It would have been nice to see how he did if he wasn’t injured that’s all.

Mul, it's over

Go home pro14 twitter, you're drunk

https://twitter.com/PRO14Official/status/1314242651793678343

serfboard

Deleted User wrote: »

Go home pro14 twitter, you're drunk

God, what unfunny ten-year old did that?

freyners

The Friend Zone

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Go home pro14 twitter, you're drunk

https://twitter.com/PRO14Official/status/1314242651793678343

Not gonna lie. The rocket bit made me chuckle.

freyners

The Friend Zone

With all due respect to ed Byrne who has really come on Buckley must be one of the most unlucky players in Ireland for Irish squads. Comfortably always has been at least in the mix as the third best lh in the country and has often been amongst the form ones down through the years and never called up

serfboard

serfboard wrote: »

God, what unfunny ten-year old did that?

I enjoyed it thoroughly

kingofthekong

freyners wrote: »

With all due respect to ed Byrne who has really come on Buckley must be one of the most unlucky players in Ireland for Irish squads. Comfortably always has been at least in the mix as the third best lh in the country and has often been amongst the form ones down through the years and never called up

There is clearly aspects to his game that on further analysis compared to competition isnt up to standard, whether that be work rate around the park, scrummaging etc is anyones guess.

I dont think hes been that hard done by i think Byrne is a better player

MarinersBlues

Mul, it's over

kingofthekong wrote: »

There is clearly aspects to his game that on further analysis compared to competition isnt up to standard, whether that be work rate around the park, scrummaging etc is anyones guess.

I dont think hes been that hard done by i think Byrne is a better player

I am 1000% certain that his work rate and what he offers around the park is not a negative.

I don't see any issue with his scrummaging. Bealham and himself have consistently performed well against the other provinces. He has just been terribly unlucky.
Connacht have been very lucky to hold onto him given his lack of international opportunities.

freyners

The Friend Zone

MarinersBlues wrote: »

I am 1000% certain that his work rate and what he offers around the park is not a negative.

I don't see any issue with his scrummaging. Bealham and himself have consistently performed well against the other provinces. He has just been terribly unlucky.
Connacht have been very lucky to hold onto him given his lack of international opportunities.

Think that was just examples he pulling rather than an analysis. Buckley's scrummaging has always been a strength.

The only clear mark against him would be size from my perspective. He would be shorter than a lot of international props and while he is a good carrier he is not someone who can truck up a ball as effectively as others.

However his skill on the ground is ridiculous, more effective than any other prop in Ireland at poaching a ball

KBurke85

The Friend Zone

CONNACHT RUGBY SQUAD VS CARDIFF BLUES
Saturday 10th October, Rodney Parade (k/o 7.35pm)

Number/Name/Caps
15. John Porch (19)
14. Peter Sullivan (2)
13. Sammy Arnold (2)
12. Bundee Aki (102)
11. Alex Wootton (2)
10. Jack Carty (141)
9. Kieran Marmion (168)
1. Denis Buckley (180)
2. Dave Heffernan (131)
3. Finlay Bealham (143)
4. Gavin Thornbury (40)
5. Quinn Roux (102)
6. Eoghan Masterson (92)
7. Conor Oliver (3)
8. Jarrad Butler (57) (C)

16. Shane Delahunt (78)
17. Jordan Duggan (2)
18. Jack Aungier (2)
19. Ultan Dillane (97)
20. Paul Boyle (41)
21. Stephen Kerins (9)
22. Conor Fitzgerald (24)
23. Tom Daly (26)

Two changes to the starting team. Dealhunt back from suspension so I guess the A games counted

b.gud

Delahunt on the bench so the warmup games must have been considered part of the suspension

CONNACHT RUGBY SQUAD VS CARDIFF BLUES
Saturday 10th October, Rodney Parade (k/o 7.35pm)

Number/Name/Caps
15. John Porch (19)
14. Peter Sullivan (2)
13. Sammy Arnold (2)
12. Bundee Aki (102)
11. Alex Wootton (2)
10. Jack Carty (141)
9. Kieran Marmion (168)
1. Denis Buckley (180)
2. Dave Heffernan (131)
3. Finlay Bealham (143)
4. Gavin Thornbury (40)
5. Quinn Roux (102)
6. Eoghan Masterson (92)
7. Conor Oliver (3)
8. Jarrad Butler (57) (C)

16. Shane Delahunt (78)
17. Jordan Duggan (2)
18. Jack Aungier (2)
19. Ultan Dillane (97)
20. Paul Boyle (41)
21. Stephen Kerins (9)
22. Conor Fitzgerald (24)
23. Tom Daly (26)

realhorrorshow

Not a huge fan of that backrow, bit of a downgrade from last week imo. Good to see Sammy Arnold getting a run in a full strength team.

freyners

The Friend Zone

No Farrell is a surprise. Haven't seen enough of Arnold to have a strong opinion.

ClanofLams

Mul, it's over

freyners wrote: »

No Farrell is a surprise. Haven't seen enough of Arnold to have a strong opinion.

Must be injured, couldn’t be gone from 23 after last week, hopefully nothing serious.

Bazzo

Mul, it's over

Surprised Boyle has been dropped to the bench. Himself and Butler walk into the back row for me.

Zzippy

Blade injured too?

connachta

Just an idea

maybe Arnold in as 13 is to prepare an ambitious pairing in times without Aki

Farrell 12 Arnold 13

MarinersBlues

Mul, it's over

freyners wrote: »

No Farrell is a surprise. Haven't seen enough of Arnold to have a strong opinion.

Zzippy wrote: »

Blade injured too?

Probably a bit of a rest before the internationals go missing for a few months.
They will be vital for us during that wondow

Former Coach

Mul, it's over

JohnniDrama wrote: »

New season new start?

He started well against Munster before being injured.

Has POM been good?
How about Jack Conan?
Maybe Tadhg Beirne? Nope?
Ah then there is Conor Murray. Has he been good?

It would have been nice to see how he did if he wasn’t injured that’s all.

Absolutely right! The tendency of some to vilify players on this forum is way o.t.t
Remember that they are humans too, with actual feelings, and are actually trying their best every single time they play.

KBurke85

The Friend Zone

https://www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-squad-update-friday-9th-october/

Following today’s team announcement, the Connacht medical team have issued the following squad update:

Niall Murray (shoulder) underwent surgery earlier this week and will be out action until January 2021.

Tom Farrell (thigh), Caolin Blade (ill), Peter Robb (groin) and Matt Healy (calf) will look to integrate into full team training next week.

Tiernan O’Halloran (hip) will continue to rehabilitate and will aim to integrate into team training the following week (19.10.20)

Cillian Gallagher (shoulder) continues his rehabilitation and aims to return to team training at the end of the month.

Sean O’Brien (foot) continues his rehabilitation.

Oisin Dowling (back) continues his rehabilitation from a long-term injury.

Stephen Fitzgerald (knee) continues to rehabilitate and will look to commence training integration in the coming weeks.

Ben O’Donnell (knee) has recently joined the squad and continues his rehabilitation from a long-term knee injury.

JohnniDrama

I wonder will we have to look at bringing in a lock for 3 months?

We might have 1 lock away with Ireland.
Gallagher, SOB, Downing all injured, albeit a few weeks for Gallagher.

In fact a bit worrying re SOB and no time frame. I fear it’s not a good look.

Is it Cian Prendergast and Darragh Murray in the academy?