Connacht Team Talk Thread V - The Friend Zone

connachta

I think Boyle is from Munster Academy/UNderage at least isn't he?

The Lost Sheep

Wegians89 wrote: »

Interesting article with thornbury on the 42. Turns out his dads side of the family are from Galway. Ireland are getting deserved credit for finding Irish qualified players but I think Connacht management deserve some credit too picking up some gems of Connacht qualified players such as thornbury, Farrell and Boyle.

Interesting to see he has family from Galway. Can help keep guys with family ties to the province.

connachta wrote: »

I think Boyle is from Munster Academy/UNderage at least isn't he?

Boyle isnt from Munster. Is Wexford, Leinster youths 19s etc

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

connachta wrote: »

I think Boyle is from Munster Academy/UNderage at least isn't he?

Boyle is a Gorey man I think but has said he’s proud to say his grandfather is from Roscommon and that he’s a Connacht man

connachta

Buckley fit, MCCartney and Copeland to add experience, Boyle to carry/ruck, Thornbury to jump, Fainga'a to bring impact .
Perfect. Just harsh on Kelleher who was good last week.

MarinersBlues

Mul, it's over

Yep strongest 23 possible.


(15-9) Tiernan O’Halloran, Niyi Adeolokun, Kyle Godwin, Tom Farrell, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, Caolin Blade, (1-8) Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Conor Carey, Ultan Dillane, Gavin Thornbury, Paul Boyle, Jarrad Butler (Capt), Robin Copeland.
Replacements (16-23): Shane Delahunt, Peter McCabe, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, James Cannon, Colby Fainga’a, James Mitchell, David Horwitz, Cian Kelleher.

Dubinusa

Some Like It TOH

I think they will win. They have good depth and that will improve when Masterson and McKeon return. Friend is a huge step up from KK. I think they are doing pretty well.
Kelleher has been very good. A great talent and he will improve.
Disappointed for Delahunt. I thought he'd have locked down the 2 jersey. I hope Dillane gets his game back to where it was and if Thornbury and he click, it could be a daunting partnership.
All in all, the team seems content and last years mismanagement is a distant memory.

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

Bonus point wins for ospreys and Munster tonight, a bonus point win tomorrow would be nice

PCeeeee

Mul, it's over

I am being lazy not looking for it myself :eek:but is this on telly somewhere?

Squidgy Black

PCeeeee wrote: »

I am being lazy not looking for it myself :eek:but is this on telly somewhere?

Eirsport 1

connachta

Thornbury looked down? Yes it could happen when you're a small 2m04 man facing a normal 2m09 Saffer
https://inpho.ie/cache/inpho/ab/b2/0f/bfb7c4469103e2e05ea461c970be5a1c07a8d82e7d/INPHO_01460792.jpg

gally74

The Friend Zone

connachta wrote: »

Thornbury looked down? Yes it could happen when you're a small 2m04 man facing a normal 2m09 Saffer
https://inpho.ie/cache/inpho/ab/b2/0f/bfb7c4469103e2e05ea461c970be5a1c07a8d82e7d/INPHO_01460792.jpg

9 points from SA. And no real injuries from memory. Back up to 3rd. A good Christmas and we 'll have a good 2019. Rebuilding hearts and minds going well.

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

gally74 wrote: »

9 points from SA. And no real injuries from memory. Back up to 3rd. A good Christmas and we 'll have a good 2019. Rebuilding hearts and minds going well.

NIyi looked like he did a bit of damage to himself

ClanofLams

Mul, it's over

Connacht seven clear of Edinburgh who are fourth in the other conference, potentially important for the seventh European spot.

connachta

ClanofLams wrote: »

Connacht seven clear of Edinburgh who are fourth in the other conference, potentially important for the seventh European spot.

That's the main point for me yes

connachta

Danger could come from Treviso who've improved. We've to hope they lose at least 1 within 3 oppositions with Zebre

connachta

For Europe next week I'd go with

1) McCabe (looks better on the last few weeks)
2) Heff (back from injury)
3) Bealham (rest him again away next week)
4) Roux (same to a lesser extent)
5) Maksymiew
6) Gallagher
7) Connolly (must have a go)
8 ) Masterson (back from injury)
9) Mitchell (finally starting)
10) Horwitz (same)
11) DeBuitlear
12) Robb (back from injury)
13) Griffin (rest both Farrell and Godwin)
14) Leader
15) Hayes (Niyi and Scholes injured we have not to take risks before Interpros)

16) Murphy
17) Burke
18) McCoy (start him the week after)
19) Claffey
20) Huxford
21) Kerrins
22) Fitzgerald
23) Joyce

Perpignan struggling a lot and will send a C team

Bazzo

Mul, it's over

I think such a hugely changed team would struggle massively to be honest... then again, maybe just not giving a crap about Europe is the way to go this season...

Thought these shots of the team team on the sidelines after the win today were really great, shows how much the 2 wins on the road meant to them.

https://twitter.com/connachtrugby/status/1068920649727557634

Godwin and Horwitz I think have both been excellent signings. Not sure what the first choice centre partnership will be with all of Aki, Farrell, Godwin available.

connachta

Stats do not mean much but still, Kyle Godwin : defenders beaten 10!!
Even without huge ground gained, I've never seen such a figure before!

KBurke85

The Friend Zone

connachta wrote: »

For Europe next week I'd go with

1) McCabe (looks better on the last few weeks)
2) Heff (back from injury)
3) Bealham (rest him again away next week)
4) Roux (same to a lesser extent)
5) Maksymiew
6) Gallagher
7) Connolly (must have a go)
8 ) Masterson (back from injury)
9) Mitchell (finally starting)
10) Horwitz (same)
11) DeBuitlear
12) Robb (back from injury)
13) Griffin (rest both Farrell and Godwin)
14) Leader
15) Hayes (Niyi and Scholes injured we have not to take risks before Interpros)

16) Murphy
17) Burke
18) McCoy (start him the week after)
19) Claffey
20) Huxford
21) Kerrins
22) Fitzgerald
23) Joyce

Perpignan struggling a lot and will send a C team

Scholes has left. He signed for Brive

connachta

KBurke85 wrote: »

Scholes has left. He signed for Brive

Oh really?

Space for Adam Byrne next season then

Evil_g

Mul, it's over

ClanofLams wrote: »

Connacht seven clear of Edinburgh who are fourth in the other conference, potentially important for the seventh European spot.

What are the rules there then? Home play-off for highest points?

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

connachta wrote: »

For Europe next week I'd go with

1) McCabe (looks better on the last few weeks)
2) Heff (back from injury)
3) Bealham (rest him again away next week)
4) Roux (same to a lesser extent)
5) Maksymiew
6) Gallagher
7) Connolly (must have a go)
8 ) Masterson (back from injury)
9) Mitchell (finally starting)
10) Horwitz (same)
11) DeBuitlear
12) Robb (back from injury)
13) Griffin (rest both Farrell and Godwin)
14) Leader
15) Hayes (Niyi and Scholes injured we have not to take risks before Interpros)

16) Murphy
17) Burke
18) McCoy (start him the week after)
19) Claffey
20) Huxford
21) Kerrins
22) Fitzgerald
23) Joyce

Perpignan struggling a lot and will send a C team

I think rotation is needed but some of those players aren’t registered to play in Europe

The Lost Sheep

connachta wrote: »

For Europe next week I'd go with

1) McCabe (looks better on the last few weeks)
2) Heff (back from injury)
3) Bealham (rest him again away next week)
4) Roux (same to a lesser extent)
5) Maksymiew
6) Gallagher
7) Connolly (must have a go)
8 ) Masterson (back from injury)
9) Mitchell (finally starting)
10) Horwitz (same)
11) DeBuitlear
12) Robb (back from injury)
13) Griffin (rest both Farrell and Godwin)
14) Leader
15) Hayes (Niyi and Scholes injured we have not to take risks before Interpros)

16) Murphy
17) Burke
18) McCoy (start him the week after)
19) Claffey
20) Huxford
21) Kerrins
22) Fitzgerald
23) Joyce

Perpignan struggling a lot and will send a C team

Some of those in your squad arent in the european squad in particular guys on bench

b.gud

Updated points and remaining fixtures for Connacht Ospreys and Cardiff

Connacht 30| Ospreys 28| Cardiff 23
Leinster (A)| Scarlets (H) |Dragons (H)
Ulster (H)| Dragons (A) |Scarlets (A)
Munster (H)| Cardiff (H) |Ospreys (A)
Cardiff (A)| Glasgow (A) |Connacht (H)
Cheetahs (H)| Ulster (H) |Glasgow (H)
Glasgow (A)| Munster (H) |Edinburgh (A)
Ospreys (H)| Connacht (A) |Kings (H)
Treviso (H)| Dragons (H) |Scarlets (H)
Zebre (A)| Cheetahs (A) |Munster (A)
Cardiff (H)| Kings (A) |Connacht (A)
Munster (A)| Cardiff (A) |Ospreys (H)

connachta

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Some of those in your squad arent in the european squad in particular guys on bench

I thought there were no more squad as Bordeaux listed ALL their players before round 1...

connachta

I've completely missed Scholes signed for Brive as medical joker.
Hope Niyi injury isn't that bad (biceps? seems to be on the celebration pic above)

That leaves us with only 4 back-3 players : Leader Kelleher TOH and Healy. None of our centres played 15 or winger. Horwitz is a 10/12 not FB eiither...

Friend should trust young DeBuitlear a lot! He should contribute as soon as next week.
But still we're very light there now, Adeolokun has to come back ASAP...

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

connachta wrote: »

I've completely missed Scholes signed for Brive as medical joker.
Hope Niyi injury isn't that bad (biceps? seems to be on the celebration pic above)

That leaves us with only 4 back-3 players : Leader Kelleher TOH and Healy. None of our centres played 15 or winger. Horwitz is a 10/12 not FB eiither...

Friend should trust young DeBuitlear a lot! He should contribute as soon as next week.
But still we're very light there now, Adeolokun has to come back ASAP...

Godwin has played on the wing in the last round of euro

connachta

Wegians89 wrote: »

Godwin has played on the wing in the last round of euro

That's true. Not sure it's a good idea (he's a 12/10 working in little space), but... better than nothing.

connachta

Bundee is having his 4-week rest, so he'll only miss 2 or 3 Pro14 games from now, in February/March. I guess it leaves an open door to have Godwin as 11/23 more often..

Shelflife

Niyi gone for a while I’d say. Bicep may be ripped from the bone.