Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

Jump_In_Jack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121515724#Comment_121515724

I realise your post was in jest, however, Bealham, Hansen and Aki are all copper-fastened members of the Irish 23 for the last couple of seasons, they should each be on contracts that reflect that IMHO.

Cian Prendergast has to be in the running to replace O’Mahony for the Six Nations, and if he can beat out the competition from Baird, McCann and Ahern then he will deserve a contract to reflect that.

Conor Forde is another player that looks good enough to step up to the Irish team.

Can’t really see anyone else becoming a regular in Irish squads let alone worthy of a Central Contract.

kita99

Connacht lost against Saracens by the marginn 19 points. just 17 ponts of the margin was at the time at Prendergast ' SB (itwas nfair judgement for me). Anyway, So Connacht must not receive any card They have won 2 times back to back this year against Ulster. Now Ulster are much stronger (they seem to think that they are stronger than Saracens), but Connacht are not weaker than Ulster people and many bookies perdict. Hansen, Thonebury, Jansen, Forde, Jennings (if possible) all come back now.Jennings has already become the starter for 7's Ireland who aims some silverware in Paris. I don't know wheter Ulster players may read the situation that Mr Nusifora won't hope his injury. Connacht shuld try it. Anyway at first make best selection. (Individually I hope BIg FW pack as possible)

AccidentallyOnside

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121516327#Comment_121516327

I'm not saying we should have a raft of centrally contracted player, more that I'm not sure the system is fit for purpose anymore. I don't really have a more equitable system but the current one allows Leinster to stockpile players as they will almost always be bulk suppliers to the national team, and I think that's by design.

I'm sure Leinster fans will counter with "develop your own players" which fails to take into account the inherent advantages they already have, which is only exacerbated by this system that further rewards the strongest team from central funds.

Flip side is the central contracts system has done an excellent job keeping Irish talent in ireland....so all in all it's complicated lol!

Jump_In_Jack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121517088#Comment_121517088

I agree with every point you’ve made there.

Munster are in the same boat, and so are Ulster. Leinster have first pick on most professional players in Ireland, I’d hazard a guess that there are at least as many elite (I mean capable of turning pro) players in Leinster as there are in the other provinces combined. Add in the financial resources and supporter base and it’s clear why the representation for Central Contracts won’t be split like 9-3-3-3 which might better reflect the player base but will be more like 12-3-2-1 and looks like it will be like that for at least another couple of seasons. It remains to be seen whether or not the other provinces can get back to their expected level of about 3 or more regulars in the Irish 23.

There should always be a bit of flux in the 23 so that’s why I’d say 18 out of 23 would be a fair allocation of Central Contracts in my opinion. 3 Props, 1 hooker, 3 Locks, 3 Back Rows, two Half-backs, 3 Centres, and 3 Back 3’s.

There should be a constant battle for the bench spot at Hooker, Loosehead Prop, Back Row, half-backs and outside backs, particularly with injuries.

Wegians89

This weekend I’d like to see a second row of Joyce and Thornbury start this weekend. Would also like to see Jansen and SHL in the back row.

In the backs I’d rest Blade and have McDonald start with Devine on the bench. Keep Carty at 10. Forde and Farrell in centre with Bundee rested. Keep Bolton in the back three too please, and bring Mack in for Ralston.

b.gud

OptaJonny on Twitter is doing a series of tweets covering questions asked by followers related to rugby over the past year. 3 or the responses that have Connacht related answers are:

Bundee Aki is the statistically the best 12 over the past year with Cathal Forde in 3rd

Cian Prendergast has the best effectiveness rate (93%) of the 89 players who have hit more than 300 attacking rucks

Connacht have the 2nd lowest number (36) of players used in the 23/24 URC. Lions are lowest with 30 and Leinster are top with 47

zetor 4911

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121516327#Comment_121516327

There will be tough competition between Baird, Prendergast and McCann. Could McCann be used as an open side as I think he played in that position for Ulster.

Wegians89

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121518650#Comment_121518650

Some very impressive showings from Prendergast and Forde

GBXI

How good is Shane Jennings?

Wegians89

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121522005#Comment_121522005

He hasn’t had much game time at senior level but looks pretty exciting. There was a try towards the end of last season that he pretty much made out of nothing other then hard work.

Worked hard to get back into his 22, booted the ball down the field. Got up into the oppositions 22 and put pressure on to cause a turn over. A really impressive moment.

KBurke85

CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY 23 VS ULSTER

19:35, Friday 22nd December 2023 @ Kingspan Stadium

15. Mack Hansen (30)

14. Shayne Bolton (6)

13. Tom Farrell (104)

12. Bundee Aki (129)

11. Byron Ralston (24)

10. Jack Carty (200) (C)

9. Caolin Blade (179)

1. Denis Buckley (236)

2. Tadgh McElroy (7)

3. Finlay Bealham (194)

4. Darragh Murray (16)

5. Joe Joyce (8)

6. Cian Prendergast (55)

7. Shamus Hurley-Langton (27)

8. Sean O'Brien (4)

16. Dave Heffernan (186)

17. Peter Dooley (25)

18. Jack Aungier (57)

19. Gavin Thornbury (72)

20. Conor Oliver (71)

21. Michael McDonald (2)

22. JJ Hanrahan (8)

23. Shane Jennings (5)

Dubinusa

Very happy for O'Brien. Quality player.

Zeugnis

Strong team, will be interesting in the set piece. Great to see Mack back.

Notable Omissions: Forde, Niall Murray, Kilgallen, DTM, would expect to see some of them against Munster.

SqueakyKneecap

Ralston must have the most minutes for us this season by a distance? God bless him, he can never be faulted for effort this season but I think it shows how big a loss Cordero has been.

Zeugnis

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121522901#Comment_121522901

Might have been 'helped' by Paul Boyle having to go off for a HIA against Saracens - he may be going through RTP protocols. That's speculation on my part, as i haven't seen an injury update this week, but I'm happy to see O'Brien get more opportunities.

testtech05

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121523379#Comment_121523379

Boyle had an eye injury after the game last week I believe and killgallen has a hamstring injury. Both were seeing specialist I think according to the update earlier in the week. So hopefully layoffs wont be for too long

kita99

At the match against Saracens, Connacht provided the empty area　for some short kickking in front of own gall line at least twice, Sarasens easily tried. Maybe Ulster will aim such an atack..How Hansen and other players will deffend it. It will be one of the key factors. (maybe Connacht assume it.) Hansen may it a chance for counter atack. I think that Connacht back rows better (strong) than Ulsters' one especially in break down time.. There will be some chance to see a good game for Conncht. Please.please NO CARD.

ElisaAtWar

would have preferred Jennings at fullback and Mack in his natural position. Mack is wasted at 15

Utopia Parkway

Joyce out with illness. A big loss for the beef in the pack.

And Connacht concede a try after less than 2 minutes.

ElisaAtWar

Connacht to win this. Ulster are truthfully rubbish when it comes to skills

Borders no.2

Two pretty poor sides so far. Opportunity blown before half time although the penalty for ulster at the scrum was laughable.

Also would like to have seen Boltons grounding again. On first viewing looked clearly out but they never reviewed the third angle. For lads who spend an eternity making decisions why not have a look at the avail angles.

Utopia Parkway

Connacht lineout has been abysmal. How many have they lost? 4 maybe 5?

Borders no.2

Unforgivable to go for the corner with an easy 3 given the conditions and lineout travails

Wegians89

Carty had a good game today

Tommybojangles

Lost count of the knock ons lost lineouts and dumb penalties. Just amateurish school boy stuff time and again

Wegians89

You can see if a few things click this Connacht team could be a very strong URC team. Line out still a huge issue.

Utopia Parkway

Would have won the game with even an average lineout display. It was absolutely abysmal.

Throw in the Bolton near try and Connacht knocking on a couple times close to the Ulster line and they’ll have regrets that they didn’t come away with all the points.

Borders no.2

The lineout is beyond a joke at this stage. I know there was mention by Muldoon in a press conference a few weeks back that he was changing things with the lineout. It was one area that didn't need huge change in the main but now it's becoming very costly in every game at the moment.

Undoubtedly conditions looked very challenging but when there's no one at all jumping for a lineout and it isn't the first time it's happened there's something fundamentally wrong with whatever process they are trying to implement.

In isolation a losing bonus point away to Ulster isn't bad but we need a result to turn the tide and theres no easy game upcoming and truthfully I think even Ulster fans will admit they are a side going nowhere in a hurry either.

AccidentallyOnside

Well there's another one we left behind us.

Think we were the better team but if you don't take your chances you get what you deserve.

Niall Murray coming on and laying waste to their line out was nice to see.

If you told me I had to tackle either Bubdee or Bolton travelling at full pelt I think I'd opt for Aki, Boltons pace and power are really impressive. Could be a real threat for us if we can keep him fit. Would like to see him tried at 13.

ElisaAtWar

Connacht, as a team, is struggling. That game was there to be taken. But who could take it. I like Mack as a winger but he is definitely not a full back. I know TOH was unavailable so why not put porch in at fb