Connacht vs. Leinster, leg the first (Sportsground, Friday 8th April 8pm, BT Sport One)

razorblunt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900557#Comment_118900557

Free eye exams too.

Loafing Oaf

THought Toner was retired

Clegg

Would want to look at that Connacht late tackle again.

He was late, jumped into it and had his back turned when he made contact.

Faugheen

Ross that's an absolute shocker.

Burkie1203

Papaili should get a card for that

degsie

Byrne!

Faugheen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900657#Comment_118900657

I thought this as well.

A-Train

Ah Ross

razorblunt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900557#Comment_118900557

dupe.

A-Train

Lowe gone out of the game completely with 2 shockers in a row

durthacht

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900660#Comment_118900660

Big wind behind him I think. Was bad though.

Faugheen

How many times are Connacht going to be allowed to tackle off the ball?

degsie

love how the Sportsground flood the opposing officials in green!

razorblunt

Such stupid penalties from Connacht.

JRant

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900692#Comment_118900692

And it was another no arms tackle as well.

degsie

A win is a win!

Clegg

I'll take the 5 point win in the end, but I don't think Leinster were in the least bit impressive. They were incredibly sloppy in the second half and their accuracy went to pot when things didn't go their own way. Been the same story too many times this season.

A-Train

Leinster leading at half time more or less. Roll on next Friday.

Clegg

The positives are Doris and VDF being utter monsters.

Great game. Much better game than I thought it would be. Thought Leinster played very well, Connacht exceptional and it should be noted that Bealham was the best prop on the pitch - massive performance and my player of the match.

Thought Lowe played very well but marks against for failing to fulfil my prophetic hopes. Sexton lost his cool and was right to be subbed - no idea why we didn't take the points on offer later on albeit pre match overconfidence and a desire to create a first leg gap is what I suspect led to a disrespect of Connacht in terms of the actual unfolding of the game.

Really enjoyed that - glad we won but not at all disappointed that Connacht hammered us all game and even more happy to see how strong their pack was.

Great start to a rugby weekend and the only disappointment is that it's two Irish provinces in the one double header.

tvpc

Sexton was a disgrace. He was clearly annoyed at getting outplayed by Carty.

JRant

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900752#Comment_118900752

Credit to Connacht though. They made a real game of it and matched up physically in the forwards.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900789#Comment_118900789

Completely. Great to see.

Akrasia

Connacht gave as good as they got. There were some high tackles, some off the ball stuff, lots of side entries. lots of diving off feet from both sides

JVG should have seen red and should be cited for breaking Marmions nose, Sexton could have been carded in the first half, Papilli should probably have had a yellow for the off the ball tackle

On Balance, I think the ref gave more of the 50/50s to Leinster especially the JGP yellow, which if red, would probably have been enough for Connacht to win.

Madeoface

JGP should have gone. Mind you Sexton should have in the first half for a similar tackle to the noggin (can't remember who he hit as 30 players were in green).

Happy with the win but the men of the West let down by the official.

clsmooth

We watched an entertaining game and still all people want to talk about is the referee. Tiresome.

lawrencesummers

porter is such a loss.

Healy is struggling and his replacement is a step down from that.

If any team will beat leinster they will want an incredible backrow because Doris Vdf Conan is as good as it gets.

Good performance by connacht, but some of the carthy love needs to be wound in. Some of his play is very very average, and some of his kicking is just downright bad.

Clegg

Two MoTM awards for Doris in a row.

He turned 24 just last week. He's a genuinely special player that I hope has a long, injury free career. It's a toss up between him or VDF as best player in Ireland right now.

Burkie1203

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900816#Comment_118900816

Connacht should have got a YC when Keenan scored.

AdamD

The ref had a good game, am I allowed to say that?

Clegg

I wonder did Leinster target Aki tonight or did our attacks just culminate in him being the last defender to manipulate? Either way he was very poor defensively and that's something Leinster should consider in their gameplan for next Friday.

lawrencesummers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900849#Comment_118900849

Considering sexton was reffing the game i dont think many will object

Former Former Former

Jgp tackle looked worse in slow mo I thought. Can see the ref's perspective but would not be surprised to see a citing on Monday.

Typical Connacht v Leinster game really. Lots of intensity forcing lots of errors, both teams losing composure at key moments.

A five point lead going into the home leg is just fine.

TRC10

Ah jaysus lads, it was never a red card in a million years

Marmion dips pre contact, there's no force and JGP is completely passive and soaks the tackle. It's high and poor technique from JGP, but virtually no level of danger. Yellow is very fair.

Very different to Daly lining Frawley up from 5 yards away and putting a huge shot straight to his head when Frawley is completely upright.

I know everyone outside Leinster wanted Connacht to win, but it was never a red.

lawrencesummers

Out of interest if connacht win by 6 points next week but no BP then who goes through?

StevenToast

BT is absolutely painful to watch....

EVERYTHING IS HUGE...INCREDIBLE...overhyped...stop trying to sell this shìt to me.....im watching already....

Makes me miss the sky sports days of stuart barnes et al.....now that should say enough....

AbusesToilets

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900865#Comment_118900865

Thought Aki was really good defensively tbh. The break by Keenan for Lowe's try was more due to an excellent line by him and a perfect delayed pass by Sexton imo.

Madeoface

Points difference only.

salmocab

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900888#Comment_118900888

No BP in knockout rugby. Just add the two scores together

clsmooth

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900841#Comment_118900841

Super player. He’s like a mix of Heaslip and SOB.

Clegg

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900902#Comment_118900902

For two of Leinsters trys he was the Connacht player that made the crucial error which led to scores. For the first he lost contact with Hansen in defence and for the second he flapped at a tackle and let Keenan through.

It could be that he was just the player who was left with only bad options to take and that the real damage was done in earlier phases. But he was definitely prominent in the concession of those two scores.

Something for Leinster to look at.

ersatz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900783#Comment_118900783

I thought both of them were fairly ordinary tbh.

If Connacht could find some consistency they'd be some outfit, seems they can really get it up for interpros but then fall apart in so so games during the season. I agree that if JGP got a red that might have been enough for them but they also left a few good chances on the park through a lack of composure and leadership. Leinster have some incredible talent in the backs and the back row but when Sexton isn't great they make it very hard for themselves. I haven't seen much of the French teams this year but on this form they'll have their work cut out for them later in the season. It will be really interesting to see how they get on in SA.

Zeugnis

Enjoyable game. Leinster's running lines are a joy to watch, Keenan and O'Brien especially. JVF and Doris are outstanding. Bealham and Mack excellent for Connacht, but sorry to see our old friends crooked line-out, midfield gap and scrum panic again. The JGP decision was definitely iffy and one had the distinct feeling the referee had already decided it was a yellow before the review and and then went looking for reasons to stick with that. Personally, I'm a bit sick of the impact of red cards so I wasn't heartbroken, but this was one of those occasions where a few decisions did go Connacht's way so ok, it's not a consistent application of the rules, but there's some equity.

Clegg

Connacht shouldn't start TOH next week even if he is fit. Thought he had a howler of a game. Kicked poorly and was blown through in the tackle a few times. He also looks.quite slow when running.

SqueakyKneecap

I'd be a fairly pessimistic Connacht fan this year but was happy enough with that showing. Thought Oliver had another blinder and Porch mighta had that pep in his step he was missing this season. I also thought our ferocity at the breakdown was on a different level with Bundee. Hansen is worth the price of admission.

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900888#Comment_118900888

There are no BPs in these games

Podge_irl

I wouldn't have quibbled with a red to be honest, thought we were lucky enough to get away with yellow. It completely killed Leinster's momentum though, think we were on for a pretty decent scoreline til then. Think Connacht were very lucky to avoid a yellow of their own given the number of penalties they gave away in their 22. Ultimately job done and things should be comfortable enough next week but another scrappy Leinster-Connacht game.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900884#Comment_118900884

I thought it had the potential for a red to be honest but there have been a few reds of late that I thought were more yellows (plenty against the team playing against who I was supporting) so if it's borderline I'm not going to complain it went our way. It was definitely low entry and I'd be surprised if there is a citing.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900889#Comment_118900889

I've gotten far too sedate in my old age so I like a bit of hype to draw me away from my more innate placidity! I just wish they'd start quoting the build up threads like three red kings so we could get a bit more internet fame.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118900923#Comment_118900923

Yeah Doris is special, I'm not so sure he's as unflinchingly explosive as O'Brien but then with improved S&C in recent years I think a lot of players these days have those benchmarks built into overall playing ability. What sets Doris apart is his smarts. Smarts that might have originated in Connacht but were ultimately solidified by us PSP crowd.

PSP = prawn sambo prosecco

Clegg

On reflection, I probably would've given MoTM to Keenan. He just excels at every facet of the game. Was solid under the high ball, made important last man tackles and his attacking game is razor sharp.

He's comfortably the best fullback in Ireland and I think probably the best the Europe.

TRC10

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118901016#Comment_118901016

Full backs these days tend to get pigeon holed into two categories...

The reliable, often tall, good under the high ball, safe defensively full back. Your Freddie Stewards, Jordie Barretts, Liam Williams, Halfpennys etc

The attacking, distributing, 2nd playmaker full back. Your McKenzies, Jaminets, Hoggs, Alex Goode etc

The beauty of Keenan, is he's pretty much both of them in one. There's not a weakness in his game.