Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

Lost Ormond

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121909138#Comment_121909138

Its craig evans, from wales.

macslash

Where are you finding this??

Lost Ormond

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121910125#Comment_121910125

Irfu website

macslash

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121910139#Comment_121910139

Thank you. Couldn't find it on the URC app or socials.

kita99

Lions at this season seem stronger than one last season. Although Fws pack weight is lighter than Connacht (879-L v 912=C) ,their fat THP is very strong LHPs of Connacht will have hard time especially at scrums. Connacht need to win at FWs fight. I want them to make the strongest and heviest selection for win. And are Bolton and Kilgallen available this match?

FACECUTTR

Reilly and Jennings available this week. Dowling had ankle surgery and will be back in April. Mack back end of April and Cordero back May.

Mcnamara released as of now.

b.gud

Boyle has been signed a 1 year extension

SqueakyKneecap

Very surprised by Boyle's extension. I thought Wilkins lost confidence in him the past couple of seasons in addition to the injuries.

serfboard

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121917630#Comment_121917630

Agree with you - he hasn't been picked that much recently even when he wasn't injured. Here's what Wilkins says about him:

Paul has loads of talent and it’s great for us that he’s signed up again with us for next season. He’s a natural leader on and off the field, as we’ve seen with his captaincy of Connacht on occasion and with the Ireland Under 20s before that. His work in the community, outside of rugby, also says a lot about who he is and the connections he’s built here in Connacht.

Interesting stat from the website is that he is the second highest scoring forward in Connacht's history, behind John Muldoon.

Mr Tickle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121917694#Comment_121917694

My favourite thing about that is that when you look up Muldoon's points scored it's 117 because of the conversion.

KBurke85

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121918247#Comment_121918247

Don't let Cian Healy hear you say that haha.

Wegians89

Pleasantly surprised with Boyle signing on, hopefully he can stay fit next year.

Zeugnis

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121917630#Comment_121917630

I've always been a fan of Boyle's so am pleased at this news, but also confused, as it means we'll have three specialist 8s on the books (Jansen, O'Brien) which seems like a lot in the context of the purported pressure to reduce the squad size.

Wegians89

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121920191#Comment_121920191

Think Boyle or SOB will be used as a 6 next season. Prendy needs some back up.

Zeugnis

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121920710#Comment_121920710

Josh Murphy could fill that role, or SHL at a pinch. And in recent times Dowling has proven effective there as well.

FACECUTTR

Darragh Murray signs 2 year deal.

realhorrorshow

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121921129#Comment_121921129

Some good business done already, the only essential renewal remaining is Aungier imo, apparently he has interest from Saracens and France. Certainly don't want to lose the likes of Oliver, Farrell and Ralston but think we would be fine given the depth in those positions. Losing Aungier after all the time we've put into him would be a disaster, and place too much reliance upon Illo and Barrett at this stage of their careers.

Zeugnis

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121921417#Comment_121921417

Aungier is my major concern as well. He's already a very experienced TH for his age, and his handling and footwork belie his position. He's become a key player whom we'd really struggle to replace.

Mr Tickle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121921602#Comment_121921602

You'd have to think he can be kept in Ireland, and probably Connacht. He's a clear second choice and has loads of opportunity to push past Bealham.

The fear might be that Leinster are in the market. If the Tupou deal doesn't come through, they might settle for an IQ option and tempt Jack home.

FACECUTTR

Aungier is quality and has been excellent. I really hope we get him signed up.

AccidentallyOnside

If I was leinster I'd have my beady eyes on Aungier tbf, cracking player and with Furlong ageing he could be starting there if they don't get an IQ player.

Interesting that JOD is back for Munster a full 2 months before Hansen is expected. Pleased he's back and it wasn't serious but the difference in commentary between the two incidents was very telling.

SqueakyKneecap

I heard Aungier might be going Leinster unfortunately. Apparently there's another big name moving inter-provincial and I think it could be Aungier.

realhorrorshow

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121923035#Comment_121923035

Damn, hopefully we'll be able to sign a decent NIQ to bridge the gap for a couple of years while we develop Illo and Barrett, if that is the case.

Mr Tickle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121923114#Comment_121923114

Leinster get Aungier if Connacht can have Tupou

Wegians89

Would be gutted to see Aungier go, particularly next season. Illo looks to have made huge strides forward this year and Barrett Looks like a specimen. Could really do with another year to let those two develop.

kita99

From a distance, Connacht are changing rapidly and look going forward to the big-size running team. Both Illo and Barrett will reach Ireland near future if they won't hate huge hard work (imo). And at HBs Connacht have Reilly, Devine, West and Naughton. If they have decent game times, they 'll become top class players in URC. I want Connacht hurry up to use them in actual games. The target is 2026 season.

theVersatile

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121922553#Comment_121922553

I'd imagine that's because the JOD clear out was an illegal act of foul play which was rightly yellow carded, while Hansen's was just tough luck from a regular clearout.

Hopefully Aungier sticks to the West though. He's better off. You only have to look at how quickly Cian Kelleher fell of the radar after returning to the East to know that it wouldn't be best for his career.

Zeugnis

Team to play the Lions:

15. Tiernan O’Halloran (231)

14. Byron Ralston (27)

13. David Hawkshaw (24)

12. Cathal Forde (23)

11. Andrew Smith (9)

10. JJ Hanrahan (14)

9. Caolin Blade (184) (C)

1. Denis Buckley (242)

2. Tadgh McElroy (11)

3. Jack Aungier (62)

4. Niall Murray (68)

5. Joe Joyce (12)

6. Cian Prendergast (61)

7. Conor Oliver (77)

8. Sean O’Brien (6) 

16. Dave Heffernan (191)

17. Jordan Duggan (43)

18. Sam Illo (16)

19. Darragh Murray (19)

20. Shamus Hurley-Langton (32)

21. Colm Reilly (23)

22. Jack Carty (206)

23. Paul Boyle (87)

realhorrorshow

I like that team, nicely balanced pack with lots of impact to come from the bench, although things could get messy if we have injuries in the outside backs. Seems like Reilly is still no. 2 despite McDonald having the opportunity to steal a march on him while he was injured.

Borders no.2

That 6-2 split looks very risky. Especially on the wing we have no natural choices if there are injuries and even at full back its not really a game you want to have hanrahan or carty filling in. Especially playing a team like Lions that's a huge concern.

Essentially the next few weeks are cup rugby. A win here would make it very hard for them to finish ahead of us.

I'm more fearful playing them this year than previous years especially coming off the last two games.