Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

ShineyShiney

Lucas44 wrote: »

Robb simply can’t get another contract at Connacht, for as big of a man as he is, his body has broken down

Kick a guy when he's down, real decent.

Robb is in contract for another year. We did great business with our centres Bundi, Farrell, Daly, Arnold and Robb as a group compare well with the other 3 Irish sides.

SqueakyKneecap

I know they're well compensated athletes and all but I always feel so bad for Robb and SOB that the last 3+ years of their profession has been so ravaged by injury.

Must be fierce difficult mentally coming back from long term injuries to end up waiting on scans to find out how much you'll miss.

FACECUTTR

I thought we would have heard something on contract renewals this week after Andy had signed on.

ElisaAtWar

FACECUTTR wrote: »

I thought we would have heard something on contract renewals this week after Andy had signed on.

Was wondering same. Seems no info from any province at present. It would seem IRFU are doing a bit of cloak and dagger stuff. I know they are financially pressed at the moment but leaving negotiations til the last moment is very risky. Clearly players need some degree of security themselves

Wegians89

Had seem only somewhere, think it was the Irish tiles report about Connacht not wanting Harry Byrnes, that it looked likely Carty and Conor Fitzgerald were signing on. Also saw on Twitter (not sure on reliability) that there would be good new regarding wootton signing permanently too

Everdene

Wegians89 wrote: »

Had seem only somewhere, think it was the Irish tiles report about Connacht not wanting Harry Byrnes, that it looked likely Carty and Conor Fitzgerald were signing on. Also saw on Twitter (not sure on reliability) that there would be good new regarding wootton signing permanently too

Wooton quoted in 42.ie this morning "hopefully there will be a bit of good news for Connacht and myself in the next few weeks"

Zzippy

Players and coaches don't drop hints like that unless a deal is done. I would say a lot of deals are done, but they always have a strategy of when to announce them. With Covid, there aren't many options for moving anyway right now, and players know that.

realhorrorshow

Zzippy wrote: »

Players and coaches don't drop hints like that unless a deal is done. I would say a lot of deals are done, but they always have a strategy of when to announce them. With Covid, there aren't many options for moving anyway right now, and players know that.

I'd have thought a Six Nations down week with a big game at the weekend would have been a good time to build some hype. Hopefully we get some announcements soon.

KBurke85

realhorrorshow wrote: »

I'd have thought a Six Nations down week with a big game at the weekend would have been a good time to build some hype. Hopefully we get some announcements soon.

In fairness normally announcements are timed to boost ticket sales for a match or season ticket sales neither of which can be done in the current circumstances. I'd much prefer if everyone within the club was focused on the game at the weekend more so than the timing of an announcement.

FACECUTTR

Wegians89 wrote: »

Had seem only somewhere, think it was the Irish tiles report about Connacht not wanting Harry Byrnes, that it looked likely Carty and Conor Fitzgerald were signing on. Also saw on Twitter (not sure on reliability) that there would be good new regarding wootton signing permanently too

I read that too but why would Connacht have been going for Hakshaw if we didn't need another 10. I wonder if there has been a signing at 10 already.

bayern

Friend is never going to say he wants Harry Byrne publicly when he knows its never going to happen.

KBurke85

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/pro14/andy-friend-doesn-t-see-opening-for-leinster-outhalf-harry-byrne-at-connacht-1.4486600

Article in question

siltirocker

bayern wrote: »

Friend is never going to say he wants Harry Byrne publicly when he knows its never going to happen.

This is absolute conjecture in my opinion.

What isn't is that history has shown, by in large, coaches are intelligent enough not to comment on things so openly unless there was a grain of truth in it.

But more importantly, it's not too unbelievable to think Leinster's third choice might move to another province seeing as y'know it has happened over and over again recently. Joey Carbery being the best example. Murphy, Cooney, Jack McGrath, etc.

ShineyShiney

FACECUTTR wrote: »

I read that too but why would Connacht have been going for Hakshaw if we didn't need another 10. I wonder if there has been a signing at 10 already.

10/12/15 might mean we are under pressure to retain someone or we rate him as a better option for similar €

Wegians89

FACECUTTR wrote: »

I read that too but why would Connacht have been going for Hakshaw if we didn't need another 10. I wonder if there has been a signing at 10 already.

There’s no third choice ten really, hawkshaw would be of that level

bayern

siltirocker wrote: »

This is absolute conjecture in my opinion.

What isn't is that history has shown, by in large, coaches are intelligent enough not to comment on things so openly unless there was a grain of truth in it.

But more importantly, it's not too unbelievable to think Leinster's third choice might move to another province seeing as y'know it has happened over and over again recently. Joey Carbery being the best example. Murphy, Cooney, Jack McGrath, etc.

you'll be waiting forever if you think Harry Byrne is walking through those doors in Galway.

connachta

So 80 % of a team picks itself, I include in this our real senior pairing Dillane/Thornbury + E.Masterson/Boyle/Butler

Still interesting choice to be made

18) Duggan or McAlister
19) Dowling or N.Murray
20) S.Masterson, Oliver, or Big Papa
9) Blade or Marmion
22) C.Fitz or SOB 2.0 (with Daly covering 10)
11) Healy or Wootton
23) Healy or TOH

siltirocker

bayern wrote: »

you'll be waiting forever if you think Harry Byrne is walking through those doors in Galway.

I don't think it's going to happen, nor did I expect it to. However, I don't think its going to happen because Andy Friend, the Connacht coach, said so.

But that's not what was said. You stated Andy Friend knew it was never going to happen. I just pointed out that was conjecture as you have no idea. And also pointed out that a third choice player leaving Leinster for game time, even those rated as highly as Harry Byrne, happens every year.

KBurke85

Team named

CONNACHT MATCHDAY 23 VS CARDIFF BLUES
Saturday 17th February, The Sportsground, k/o 7.35pm

Name/Number/Caps
15. John Porch (31)
14. Alex Wootton (13)
13. Tom Daly (38)
12. Bundee Aki (106)
11. Matt Healy (144)
10. Jack Carty (150)
9. Caolin Blade (122)
1. Jordan Duggan (7)
2. Dave Heffernan (137)
3. Finlay Bealham (150)
4. Ultan Dillane (107)
5. Gavin Thornbury (50)
6. Eoghan Masterson (102)
7. Jarrad Butler (66) (C)
8. Paul Boyle (50)

Replacements
16. Shane Delahunt (90)
17. Denis Buckley (192)
18. Jack Aungier (10)
19. Oisin Dowling (1)
20. Abraham Papali’i (6)
21. Kieran Marmion (176)
22. Sean O’Brien (Acad) (3)
23. Tiernan O’Halloran (187)

tobdom

KBurke85 wrote: »

Team named

CONNACHT MATCHDAY 23 VS CARDIFF BLUES
Saturday 17th February, The Sportsground, k/o 7.35pm

Name/Number/Caps
15. John Porch (31)
14. Alex Wootton (13)
13. Tom Daly (38)
12. Bundee Aki (106)
11. Matt Healy (144)
10. Jack Carty (150)
9. Caolin Blade (122)
1. Jordan Duggan (7)
2. Dave Heffernan (137)
3. Finlay Bealham (150)
4. Ultan Dillane (107)
5. Gavin Thornbury (50)
6. Eoghan Masterson (102)
7. Jarrad Butler (66) (C)
8. Paul Boyle (50)

Replacements
16. Shane Delahunt (90)
17. Denis Buckley (192)
18. Jack Aungier (10)
19. Oisin Dowling (1)
20. Abraham Papali’i (6)
21. Kieran Marmion (176)
22. Sean O’Brien (Acad) (3)
23. Tiernan O’Halloran (187)

Very strong team, and an impressive bench also. Absolutely have to be winning this one and start rectifying our home form.

realhorrorshow

Big vote of confidence in Jordan Duggan. I would swap the hookers but I guess we might have been politely asked to start Heffernan. Looks like Aungier has cemented second choice, I reckon he could be a potential international.

No surprise to see Dowling ahead of Murray, he's a bit further along with his development. Harsh on Oliver to miss out but the balance of the back row is the best available and Papalii on the bench makes a lot of sense.

Scrum half could go either way, whoever we choose its such a luxury to have such a strong option on the bench. I would be a bit worried if I was Conor Fitz, shame he seems to have fallen out of favour as he definitely has potential. Still reckon we miss Tom Farrell majorly, that midfield lacks subtlety.

FACECUTTR

Delighted for Duggan to start. I would have thought Daly at 12 and Bundee at 13 would be a better fit. As mentioned we miss Farrell at 13. His ability to break the tackle is unreal.
Great to have the bulk of Papalii, Dowling and Aungier coming off the bench.
The selection headache of 9 is a great luxury.
The routine lack of 10 on the bench is concerning. Daly is great but we will get caught out at some stage.
Really looking forward to this game.

RonnieL

Very strong 23, so I'm hopeful of the win, and maybe even a try bonus (I know their try conceded total is low, but still).

Since a few posters mentioned us missing Tom (which I agree completely with, he's class), does anyone know when he's expected to return? I can't even remember the nature of his injury.

KBurke85

RonnieL wrote: »

Very strong 23, so I'm hopeful of the win, and maybe even a try bonus (I know their try conceded total is low, but still).

Since a few posters mentioned us missing Tom (which I agree completely with, he's class), does anyone know when he's expected to return? I can't even remember the nature of his injury.

Out with a knee injury. Don't think he'll back this season

bayern

3 of the connacht u18 players in NTS squad:

Jonathan Flynn(TH Prop/Roscrea)
John Claffey(Openside/Ballinasloe)
John Devine(Outhalf-Centre/Ballinasloe)

Wegians89

bayern wrote: »

3 of the connacht u18 players in NTS squad:

Jonathan Flynn(TH Prop/Roscrea)
John Claffey(Openside/Ballinasloe)
John Devine(Outhalf-Centre/Ballinasloe)

John related to Peter ?

Lost Ormond

Wegians89 wrote: »

John related to Peter?

Brothers

Former Coach

Lost Ormond wrote: »

Brothers

John Devine, son of Mike Devine, ex of Buccs and Offaly footballers??

bayern

Former Coach wrote: »

John Devine, son of Mike Devine, ex of Buccs and Offaly footballers??

brother of eagles scrumhalf Matthew

Bazzo

If that 23 lives up to its potential it'll be a great match. Stupid ultimate rugby have SOB Sr in the team and got my hopes sky high.

Fitzgerald is very unlucky to miss out but a victim of two things pretty much out of his control:

a) Carty's quality means he won't be subbed off unless he's injured because he more than any other individual player wins games for us
b) in the event that Carty does get injured Daly has proven he can capably cover quite well.

When you combine them the coaches might see giving the 22 spot to someone who plays 10 exclusively as wasteful.

connachta

C.Fitz used to cover 15 at times
TOH/Healy aren't young
He may have a better future to focus on n°23 (covering 10/15) so that we have a pure centre for 22 and Aki/Farrell/Daly(or Arnold) on the same teamsheet...

Bazzo

Thornley has in the times today that Carty has signed but only for a year. Interest from Clermont among others apparently...

ShineyShiney

Bazzo wrote: »

Thornley has in the times today that Carty has signed but only for a year. Interest from Clermont among others apparently...

Great if Carty is on board and the 1 year possibly answering the questions in relation to why we would be interested in Hawkshaw.

ionadnapokot

1year! That’s a pick me for Ireland or I’m off.
I wouldn’t blame him.

thomond2006

It wouldn't surprise me if a few players would prefer a short-term deal if it's a cut salary on offer.

SqueakyKneecap

He must really be backing himself to get back into the international setup, and in fairness Ross Byrne and Burns look even less comfortable at test level than Carty. That Clermont backline is far away from their heyday.

gally74

God I miss the sports ground,

gally74

SqueakyKneecap wrote: »

He must really be backing himself to get back into the international setup, and in fairness Ross Byrne and Burns look even less comfortable at test level than Carty. That Clermont backline is far away from their heyday.

At some point thou if international is closed I wouldn’t begrudge any of them having a few years in France

SqueakyKneecap

Lads I hope Duggan has a blinder. Big fan of his. Big angry prop head on him too.

SqueakyKneecap

gally74 wrote: »

At some point thou if international is closed I wouldn’t begrudge any of them having a few years in France

Defo. Carty owes IRFU nothing especially considering how bad the current international coaching ticket is.

randomname2005

Great reading of the lineout by the blues. Causing major problems

testtech05

Very poor starting the line-out 3 in a row all lost at the front...

Wooton turned inside out there aswell but pass looked forward to me.

SqueakyKneecap

Miles forward ffs

randomname2005

Balls. Try blues,

realhorrorshow

Some games we just aren't switched on, and the fact that no-one thought to get back into the defensive line after the scrum has me worried this is one of those days. Yes the pass was forward but doesn't change the fact that we were asleep at the wheel. Wootton's tackle attempt was woeful.

randomname2005

realhorrorshow wrote: »

Some games we just aren't switched on, and the fact that no-one thought to get back into the defensive line after the scrum has me worried this is one of those days. Yes the pass was forward but doesn't change the fact that we were asleep at the wheel. Wootton's tackle attempt was woeful.

Shocking attempt.

Were lucky to get that penalty.

ElisaAtWar

My Irish is poor but did I hear that Frank Murphy is the TMO

testtech05

ElisaAtWar wrote: »

My Irish is poor but did I hear that Frank Murphy is the TMO

Yes I think so

realhorrorshow

Shame there's no crowd there to ironically cheer that forward pass call.

typhoony

thought that was going to be 3 forwards passes that the ref had missed