Connacht Team Talk Thread V - The Friend Zone

BrokenMan

I can't believe it's not Butler

connachta wrote: »

We finished with 14, Boyle was out, as a precaution.

Hope it's the same for SOB

Looking at the way he was stretching it’s possibly a back spasm. He didn’t look too worried.

Zzippy

Table looking pretty healthy. Win another game in hand and we're 8 or 9 points clear of Scarlets.

connachta

BrokenMan wrote: »

Looking at the way he was stretching it’s possibly a back spasm. He didn’t look too worried.

SOB or Boyle?

macslash

Mul, it's over

connachta wrote: »

SOB or Boyle?

Boyle I imagine. He didn't seem too fussed sitting on the bench

connachta

macslash wrote: »

Boyle I imagine. He didn't seem too fussed sitting on the bench

Yeah is was happy in the MOTM interview.
I'd like to know about SOB...

Former Coach

Mul, it's over

Good win but would expect a few changes for Paris. Jack and Bundee will surely start in the backs with Finlay, Dave, Ultan and Quinn likely to feature in the forwards. On a fast track, we're going to need our fittest men.

connachta

Former Coach wrote: »

Good win but would expect a few changes for Paris. Jack and Bundee will surely start in the backs with Finlay, Dave, Ultan and Quinn likely to feature in the forwards. On a fast track, we're going to need our fittest men.

Buck
Heff
Beal
Roux
Dill
SOB
Butler
Boyle
Blade
Carty
Aki
Daly
Wootton
Sullivan
Porch


Delahunt
McAll
Augier
Thornbury
Masterson
Marmion
C.Fitz
Arnold




Would be my team
Mix of experience and form

macslash

Mul, it's over

Nothing too much wrong with that team. Hopefully the lads get through tomorrow okay.

BrokenMan

I can't believe it's not Butler

connachta wrote: »

SOB or Boyle?

Yeah Boyle. Physio was working his lower back.

connachta

macslash wrote: »

Nothing too much wrong with that team. Hopefully the lads get through tomorrow okay.

Based on tonight form, Delahunt (carries), Fitz (breaks) and Masterson (rucks and lineouts) deserve to start again.
But against Racing, Heff, Carty, and SOB, can, on the paper, bring, the extra talent and ponderation, if they are 100% of themselves.
Huge bet...

Bazzo

Mul, it's over

Couldn't be happier for Boyle. Ireland caps on the horizon for that fella.

connachta

Bazzo wrote: »

Couldn't be happier for Boyle. Ireland caps on the horizon for that fella.

Problem is Ireland has too many talents on one position, backrow.
If it has been different, Heenan (very good for Bristol) and Fainga'a (same for Lyon) would have stayed with us with a perspective to play (respectively) 2019 and 2023 RWC with Ireland

ElisaAtWar

connachta wrote: »

Problem is Ireland has too many talents on one position, backrow.
If it has been different, Heenan (very good for Bristol) and Fainga'a (same for Lyon) would have stayed with us with a perspective to play (respectively) 2019 and 2023 RWC with Ireland

Plus you need to bypass 'the preferred'. Now that takes more than magic, it takes a miracle

connachta

connachta wrote: »

Buck
Heff
Beal
Roux
Dill
SOB
Butler
Boyle
Blade
Carty
Aki
Daly
Wootton
Sullivan
Porch


Delahunt
McAll
Augier
Thornbury
Masterson
Marmion
C.Fitz
Arnold

Would be my team
Mix of experience and form

Assuming McCoy (1/3), Dowling (5/6) and Healy (14/15) travel as covers to Paris


We have for Connacht Eagles


1) Duggan
2) DTM
3) Kenny
4) C.Daly
5) D.Murray
6) Prendergast
7) Oliver
8) S.Masterson (Capt)
9) Reilly
10) Forde
12) Jennings
13) SOB 2.0
11) Kilgallen
14) DeBuitlear
15) McNulty


16) Murphy/Adamson
17) Burke
18) club player
19) club player
20) Booth
21) Kerrins
22) club player
23) maybe BOD or TOH?

connachta

Before Europe and Interpros. Looks good!

Available | Very soon available | Before 6 Nations | Long-Term (3-6 months out) | Emergency cover |n°

Buckley/McAlister/Duggan/Burke|--|--|--|--|1

Delahunt/Murphy/Heffernan|--|--|--|Tierney-Martin/Adamson|2

Aungier/Kenny/McCoy/Bealham|--|--|--|--|3

Dillane/Roux|--|--|--|C.Daly/E.Masterson|4

Thornbury|--|N.Murray/Gallagher (TBC)|--|SOB/D.Murray|5

E.Masterson/SOB/Dowling|--|--|--|Boyle|6

Butler/Oliver|--|--|--|Booth|7

Boyle/S.Masterson|--|Papali'i|--|Butler|8

Marmion/Reilly/Kerrins/Blade|--|--|--|--|9

Carty/C.Fitz|--|Dean|--|T.Daly|10

Healy/Sullivan|--|--|--|Kilgallen/Porch|11

T.Daly/Aki|--|Robb|--|Jennings|12

Arnold|--|Farrell (TBC)|--|SOB|13

Wootton|--|S.Fitz/O'Donnell|--|DeBuitlear/Arnold|14

Porch/TOH|--|S.Fitz/O'Donnell|--|McNulty|15

9 unavailable out of 43 in the senior squad, 0 long-term, all positions with 2 choices, often 3, sometimes 4

connachta

Those who barely played till October (Heffernan, Bealham, Carty) can and should have 3 in a row
(could be the same for Marmion but it's my preference to trust Blade for Europe)
Roux/Aki should be rested for Ulster and will bring impact vs Leinster

Both European games | Ulster | Leinster
Buckley | McAllister | Buckley
Heff | Heff | Delahunt
Bealham | Bealham | Aungier
Roux | Dillane | Roux
Dillane | Thornbury | Thornbury
SOB | SOB | Masterson
Butler | Oliver | Butler
Boyle | Boyle | Papali'i
Blade | Marmion | Marmion
Carty | Carty | C.Fitz
Aki | Daly | Aki
Daly | Arnold | Arnold
Wootton | TOH | Wootton
Sullivan | Healy | Sullivan
Porch | Porch | BOD


Delahunt | Murphy | DTM
McAllister | Duggan | Duggan
Aungier | McCoy | Aungier
Thornbury | Dowling| Dowling
Masterson | Masterson | Masterson 2.0
Marmion | Blade | Blade
C.Fitz | C.Fitz | Carty
Arnold | BOD | Healy

connachta

Andy Friend confirms Marmion, Bealham, Roux, Dillane, Heffernan, and Aki are all back and available for selection for Connacht's clash with Racing 92 in Paris on Sunday.

M.Kinsella

Jump_In_Jack

connachta wrote: »

Those who barely played till October (Heffernan, Bealham, Carty) can and should have 3 in a row
(could be the same for Marmion but it's my preference to trust Blade for Europe)
Roux/Aki should be rested for Ulster and will bring impact vs Leinster

Both European games | Ulster | Leinster
Buckley | McAllister | Buckley
Heff | Heff | Delahunt
Bealham | Bealham | Aungier
Roux | Dillane | Roux
Dillane | Thornbury | Thornbury
SOB | SOB | Masterson
Butler | Oliver | Butler
Boyle | Boyle | Papali'i
Blade | Marmion | Marmion
Carty | Carty | C.Fitz
Aki | Daly | Aki
Daly | Arnold | Arnold
Wootton | TOH | Wootton
Sullivan | Healy | Sullivan
Porch | Porch | BOD


Delahunt | Murphy | DTM
McAllister | Duggan | Duggan
Aungier | McCoy | Aungier
Thornbury | Dowling| Dowling
Masterson | Masterson | Masterson 2.0
Marmion | Blade | Blade
C.Fitz | C.Fitz | Carty
Arnold | BOD | Healy

Would Arnold not fill the 13 shirt before Daly?
Has played a lot more there than Daly I'd have thought.

FACECUTTR

Jump_In_Jack wrote: »

Would Arnold not fill the 13 shirt before Daly?
Has played a lot more there than Daly I'd have thought.

I'd have Daly 12 and Aki 13 or Aki 12 Arnold 13.

connachta

FACECUTTR wrote: »

I'd have Daly 12 and Aki 13 or Aki 12 Arnold 13.

TBF I'm not 100% convinced Arnold crash-game will not cost us many turnovers.
Daly and Aki do this, but more efficently.

connachta

SOB fit or not fit?

Zeugnis

In the context of the group lawsuit about concussion, I thought again about Dave McSharry. A couple of months ago someone posted the link to an article in the SBP which reported that his case was to be heard in the High Court. Is there any information on what happened thereafter?

Very strange that there hasn't been more public discussion about it. One assumes that will change now.

FACECUTTR

Was there an injury update this week ? BOD must be close to returning to training. Would like to see Dowling get a run in the interpros.

lenny4545

connachta wrote: »

SOB fit or not fit?

Haven't heard anything from Connacht but in Irish times article this morning it said "more serious leg injury than originally thought"

connachta

lenny4545 wrote: »

Haven't heard anything from Connacht but in Irish times article this morning it said "more serious leg injury than originally thought"

**** this guy can't catch a break

connachta

E.Masterson sure n°6 now..

Remain choices


Roux + Dillane or Thornbury
Daly or Arnold
Blade or Marmion
Sullivan or Healy

Bench
McCoy or Aungier
Oliver, S.Masterson or Dowling

the rest, 80%, picks itself

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

connachta wrote: »

E.Masterson sure n°6 now..

Remain choices


Roux + Dillane or Thornbury
Daly or Arnold
Blade or Marmion
Sullivan or Healy

Bench
McCoy or Aungier
Oliver, S.Masterson or Dowling

the rest, 80%, picks itself

Could see a back row with Boyle butler at 6/8 on what ever order and Oliver at 7 too. Although Oliver might be a bit light for this match. The one to miss out on the bench then.

Thornbury and roux to start, with Dillane on the bench. Happy which ever way 9 goes if Marmion and blade are both involved.

Wouldn’t be surprised if Arnold starts on the right wing. He’s a big lad that could come in handy in France, I’d personally like to see them stick with wootton, porch and Sullivan.

connachta

Wegians89 wrote: »

Could see a back row with Boyle butler at 6/8 on what ever order and Oliver at 7 too. Although Oliver might be a bit light for this match. The one to miss out on the bench then.

Thornbury and roux to start, with Dillane on the bench. Happy which ever way 9 goes if Marmion and blade are both involved.

Wouldn’t be surprised if Arnold starts on the right wing. He’s a big lad that could come in handy in France, I’d personally like to see them stick with wootton, porch and Sullivan.

And TH replacement?
McCoy looked strong at scrumtime, Jack has the nod until now.. Tricky

connachta

5 weaknesses

- maul (offensive and defensive) though slightly better v Treviso
- ruck (support still too far of the ball, and no turnover machine like Beirne/James Davies/O.Robinson)
- ball-carrying (only Boyle can gain ground IN contact, and he's not Coetzee/Weise)
- defence on the wing (Sullivan/Wootton are not good at it, even Porch, who is good, some said his positioning is debatable)
- overall power (mobile front-row rather than heavy for example)

5 strenghts

- offensive fluidity, one of the best of the league
- scrumhalfs, the 3 can create threat
- lineout, we kinda fixed it overall
- leadership, Boyle for the for forwards and Aki for the backs
- experience, except P.Sullivan and Aungier, everyone knows big games in the 23

Really looking forward to this game, the dry astro turf should suit our running game. We might not get the win but I think it should be an enjoyable, high-scoring game similar to Montpellier away last year. Also with the format of the competition teams will be gunning for points on the board.