Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

We now need stabilty vs Leinster but not being overhyped by some

Farrell is better than Raltson (give the latter n°23 only if we don't do the 6-2 split) for now, give him back the 13 spot vs ex-team

BACK YOUR 10, even if he had a nightmare. Same 10/12 and Daly mantained as covering 22

Maybe Blade will bring sharpness in rucks.

Same from Prendergast, straight in at 6, Shamus back to 7, unchanged 2nd and backrow -including 19/20/23 otherwise (light Oliver purely rested)

Dooley has an Irish selection point to make with Ed Byrne, let's start him, Buckley on the bench, unchanged otherwise

Fitz 15 was experimental, Porch was back to his best. He should play 15 along with Hansen and 1 of Wootton/Byrne

The Connacht maul had been going well. So it did surprise me they did not go for the corner. Mind you with POM up against you, that’s always a risky choice.

Munster fans are self-radicalising doomists at this point, and the shrill vehemence is very off-putting. Connacht fans are not happy at the moment either, but I would hope that such an atmosphere doesn't emerge on this forum (helps that we don't have such notions as some of our red-shirted peers).

I’m confused the Shamus Langton part... how old is he now? Wikipedia says 22. When will he become Irish qualified? Will it not be sometime in 2027?

Watched the match back there. Not going to go in on Carty as it was his first game back from injury but feel if he had his kicking boots on early doors could have been a big score. Munster were dreadful and the Two places kicks and kick to touch in the first half let them back in. Was a kick that went dead early in the second half too.

Beirne had a huge turnover after a nice break from porch/Hansen/fitz that should have ended with a score too. He’s head and shoulders above the rest of the Munster team mates.

Big performance from the pack was happy with them. Back line looked better two, Fitz largely had a good match from 15, one knock on. Huge 50:22 for Finlay’s try, left boot option was great from 15. Hawkshaw looked good at 12, tan done very hard lines.

From the pack though Finlay, Thornbury and Dowling were the most impressive. SHL has a strong first start. Finlay showed incredible drove for his try. Think it was one of heff’s best games in a long time, don’t think he missed a line out.

Penalty against Jack just before half time to put Munster ahead clocked a bit harsh, Jack was slow getting up but don’t think he was interfering with a clean out. Few dodgy calls from busby.

Feel like there wasn’t a drop off when the subs came on which was great to see. Boyle of the bench has a great impact. Great defence around the 60 minute mark not to give away penalties.

Things not perfect in attack, hopefully the win will boost confidence and things start to stick a bit more. Feel that there was a bonus point lost that could prove costly later in the year.

Being honest getting a losing bonus point next week would be a good result, but anything can happen in an inter-pro. I’d look to stay largely the same team wise. Bring in Dooley and Murphy to start for Buckley and oliver, with SHL at 7. Would bring Pendergast, blade and DTM onto the bench if they’re available.

The old man was in early to the game and watched him miss 4 practice kicks in a row. Obviously was in his head during the game.

He gets in his own head. Always needs to land the first one. Thought he was pretty good in open play and Connachts attack looked far more threatening with him there

Between hawkshaw and forde id Be concerned if I was Daly. Two good options coming through

Flashes of good old Connacht (1st try for example) but still erratic and handling not what it used to be yeah.

Connacht have focused on defence (slightly improved), scrum (improved) and lineout (massively improved).

They forgot about rucks, Marmion/Reilly had to jump in it so often because there were not protected.

Joyce for Fifita'a, we'd have to release Dowling which is harsh..

OR definitely assign Murphy as 6, release Booth and have room for Roux!

Very interesting but :

Booth and Dowling have 10 years in front of them, Roux has 1 last (33)

And Murphy would have less gametime stuck behind Prandergast. Though the latter is less and less available because of Ireland.

So I can see it happening.Whether Roux nowadays is still worthing it is another question...

It's just something that stuck in my head when he left. He only did 9 years in Ireland.

Actually just checked he did 9 seasons but 10 years. That said I really doubt he paid much if any tax in the year from October 2012 to December 2012 to benefit from tax relief for that year.

I had a notion that he was conscious he's on course to become Connacht's all-time leading points scorer and it got in his head a bit.

Tbh it’s much more impressive hitting the posts, should be double points