Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

The opposite was a common criticism of Peter Stringer at his height... He was so fast from the base that he didn't look to snipe that often. But it gave ROG a much more time to set up attacking plays as the opposition was always under pressure... This is the reason I like Marmion, he just keeps on upping the pace until the opposition breaks and gives Jack the opportunity to use his distribution better.

Saying that Blade had a very good game on Saturday. He covers a lot of ground and spends a lot of time relieving his back three and that is why we see him there so often... We are really lucky to have both of them...

What was very strange about that incident was that The Clan went mental about it. And then the stadium tv showed the incident and the referee wouldn't even consider looking at it. And the TMO, or should I say what TMO

Bought the old man a season ticket in the GT stand as a gift, thought that was extremely pricey for what it was - €485. Like you really should have priority access to an Ireland ticket for that price imo.

I know its a bit apples to oranges but you can get a season ticket (81 games) for the local MLB team where I am in the US for ~€370.

Streaming on epcrugby.tv

Looks a little strong up front, but ok, that will provide a strong structure for Illo to come into, so makes sense. But the back line looks too experienced, we don't need Tiernan with Jack, Bundee etc. Keep Kilgallen at 11, move Porch to 15, and either give Bundee the week off or move him to 13 (then TF to the bench) and put in either Hawkshaw or Forde at 12.

the team i think I'll watch t'morrow in the stadium

1) Duggan (would prefer Dooley having gametime)

2) Delahunt

3) Illo

4) D.Murray

5) Dowling

6) SHL (Hurley)

7) McCormack

8) Booth

9) Reilly

10) Forde or Hawshaw

12) Aki or Bolton

13) Ralston (covering winger)

14) Byrne

11) Kilgallen (give him 2 in a row!)

15) McNulty

16) De Buitléar 

17) Dooley

18) McCoy (would prefer Aungier, didn't play that much)

19) Fifita (would prefer Thornbury to be sure locking TBP)

20) Butler

21) Marmion

22) Forde or Hawshaw

23) Farrell or Bolton

Didnt expect them to start Illo away in France, huge opportunity for him. Excited to see more of him, D Murray, SHL and Kilgallen

Papa Leahy, Sammy Arnold and Tietie Tuimauga (I thought he'd returned to NZ?) all starting for Brive tomorrow...

https://twitter.com/CABCLRUGBY/status/1603371796966817792

I'm hoping that the lack of starts for Colm Reilly means that we are hopeful of keeping both Marmion and Blade, as if one is to leave we would really need to get game time into Reilly to prepare him to step up to second choice.

I agree they are all talented, especially Devine, but one of them may need to play a lot of minutes next season. Scrum half is an extremely difficult position, even the most talented young 9s will have some very tough days, see Van Poortfliet for England vs NZ, or Nathan Doak once or twice recently.

Colm Reilly is going to have a few stinkers, and that's ok, but we may rely on him quite a bit next season and there are very few easy games for us in the URC season. If Reilly has a few games like Cormac Foley had against us this season, it could genuinely be the difference between qualifying for Europe or not. I would much rather see him getting some starts under his belt in the Challenge Cup this season. Of course, if Marmion and Blade stick around we can afford to be a bit more patient in developing the young lads.

Waston Bar tonight still, before the game?

Don't think it was quoted here before, but I thought that this was interesting from Andy Friend:

"There has certainly been a change to last year when we didn’t do anywhere near as much rotation," said Friend. "That’s working for us this year.

"I’ll pay Pete Wilkins a compliment there, he’s managing that squad well. The way we work it is Pete selects the team, he needs to show it to me but he’s got really good logic behind the way he’s selecting that side at the moment. Most players are getting a chance.

"Whenever you announce a 23, with a squad of 44, there’s always going to 21 blokes who aren’t so happy. But most are very aware we are looking to give opportunities to everybody."

It's rarely agree with Connachta but on this one I agree with him. Leinster have always used rotation while Connacht has usually been unable to do so based on a significant injury list. Indeed this the first year I remember where we have the ability to rotate. This is a credit to Andy Friend. While some argue (me included) that everything hasn't been great under his tenure, there is one huge positive in the quality of players he has integrated. So finally we can start rotating without the concerns we had some years ago with such a call

Just looked at Brives twitter, they are pointing their fans to EPCR TV

Papa in big bother here now too.... Could be looking at a red.

Yep he's got a red, will be a big ban now. Wasn't an obvious high hit but head on head and no wrap until after the collision......