Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

There's a difference between players being able to sign and Connacht having money to pay them

Thought Cathal Forde was very good yesterday against the Pumas, would like to see him get those minutes. If we have any extra money it should be put in a kitty for a TH. If we pick up an injury there, and with FB on managed minutes, we risk total collapse.

On a related point, is it my imagination or has Tom Daly struggled since returning from injury last year?

Team to play Munster tomorrow:

15. Conor Fitzgerald (55)

14. John Porch (62)

13. Byron Ralston (3)

12. David Hawkshaw (3)

11. Mack Hansen (16)

10. Jack Carty (180) (C)

9. Kieran Marmion (212)

1. Denis Buckley (211)

2. Dave Heffernan (168)

3. Finlay Bealham (176)

4. Gavin Thornbury (65)

5. Oisín Dowling (27)

6. Shamus Hurley-Langton (3)

7. Conor Oliver (43)

8. Jarrad Butler (97)

16. Grant Stewart (1)

17. Peter Dooley (3)

18. Jack Aungier (34)

19. Niall Murray (37)

20. Josh Murphy (3)

21. Colm Reilly (10)

22. Tom Daly (63)

23. Paul Boyle (75)

Yes, great to see Jack back. And while that 12/13 combination doesn't inspire, I haven't seen Fekitoa/Goggins knocking down doors so far either. Meanwhile the interviews continue for a 15, don't think Conor Fitz is the answer but it's a good string to his bow as a 22. But WTF is going on in the back three, neither Wootton nor Byrne picked again, wonder if there's something up.

In good news, the injury update this week has Blade back, along with Duggan and Kilgallen. Delahunt is also training but not available for selection.

I had just assumed there must be a few injured or sick from the remaining backs in the squad Wooton and Byrne as you mentioned but also Tom Farrell, Oran McN and ToH (I know those guys have played in the opening games and not exactly excelled but surprised to see none of the 5 in the 23 man squad if they are fit)

I would be surprised if we were going for the 6-2 split on the bench again if some of those guys are available.

I agree. Saw pictures of Wootton in training during the week but there must be a knock or something.

Great to have Jack back. And looking forward to seeing SHL in the flesh!

One thing that strikes me about the team is we essentially have 3 tens, plus Daly on the bench so I wonder are we planning on doing a good bit of kicking for territory?

Hawkshaw has played 12 before. He was quite good. Fitz at fb wil be interesting, could turn out to be good.

Be great to keep him but don’t think Connacht will be able to as he can’t qualify for Ireland due to Australia 7s I believe. The IRFU typically limits how long NIQ players can stay, there have been some exceptions of course with Pienaar probably the most notable one. Jenkins going into his third year here with Leinster after two with Munster.

But I would guess him only signing a year extension was more related to his NIQ status than his close relationship with Friend.

I'm of the same belief. It's simply strange. There is consistency missing. And how can anyone work a consistent plan without a consistent team. I tend to agree that both Toms have been less than amazing since return from injury. And yet they have featured regularly until both are dropped at the same time. And Conor Fitz starts I believe for the first time at fullback. It's like the players don't understand the plan so the management team will change them until the plan emerges. It's just totally weird and it certainly isn't a normal way of doing things. It's like the coaching staff has no belief in the players they select so they will try anything

Was that not more about Ultans form? Any time he did play he was far from his best

A lot of people seem to rate Carthy, I don't. He's the reason we are behind in this game. Simple kicks missed. He also kicked it out over the end line giving Munster possession in midfield which ended up in a converted penalty.

That game was won in the set piece, huge performance from our pack but especially our tight five. Dooley was excellent off the bench too. Any improvement in attack was negligible. Munster didn't really offer much to question our defence but I thought it was ropey enough during the one spell they managed to put some phases together. More of Hawkshaw at 12 please.

Munster are absolutely dreadful.

Carty's first game in 6 months. Let's be fair it's like a pre season for him. We won and that's all that matters. I am actually looking forward to next week now just to see how things progress. Munster are a complete **** show at the moment but I can see there younger player quickly replace the vanguard. Jesus Murray reminded me of a spectator at a gaa game giving about about every ref's decision that he didn't agree with.

Thought Hawkshaw and Ralston did well as a new combo but then the Munster centres were anonymous. Hawkshaw ran well and stood up in challenges.