Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

That second half performance from ulster could give them a bit of a shot in the arm. They looked completely rudderless in the first half though so hard to know where they are at

How does qualification for home draws in the knockout rounds work?

It is very likely that the 5 leading teams in our group will win all four matches, so bonus point wins in our remaining matches are essential

Tickets for challenge cup final 20 euro each, really good value as 2 good teams will be in the final regardless. Heineken Cup 131 euro each which is too pricey for me..

Thornbury is a dislocated kneecap. I'd imagine there will be more info tomorrow after the press conference

I love SHL, since the begining, his involvement is immaculate (this Friday included), he's strong, a good n°8 IMO but a small one (barely 1m85 when any pro team have now 1m90+ eightmen). Wasn't able to find any exception, Facundo/Fagerson are the closest/smallest I've found with 1m88-86.

Another iconoclast hypothesis. A big beast, who's played there a bit for Sale in August. Cian Prendergast!!

Dowling/Murphy are both good enough for n°6 in the meantime of Boyle recovery

For sure we have other options at 6 if Cian can be effective at 8. Dowling looked very abrasive there on Saturday, even if himself and Murray have been my favourite lock pairing due to the number of games Thornbury has missed. Hopefully, Josh has come through the return to play protocols successfully and is available as an option as well.

Indcientally, I though Darragh Murray looked good again last weekend, the row has really become an area of strength for us. There is a lot of hype about young talent in that position at other provinces, our guys seem to be under the radar for now, but we have no reason to envy them (although I wouldn't mind Edogbo!).

Really like the look of SHL, he’s starting to settle in nicely. Would definitely consider him more of a 7 though.

Thought Booth and McCormack both done well in their cameos over the last two weeks, wouldn’t be disappointed to see them getting more game time. Long term could see booth more as a 6/8. Oliver will certainly be feeling the pressure.

Prendergast should probably be given the opportunity at 8. He has great hands for a back row but would be worried he’s not quick enough at 8. Game time at 8 for him would also give him a boost for Irish camps, covering 6,8 and 4 would be a great asset to him in getting into 23s.

While Boyle is out I’d like to see Prendy and SHL get game time at 8, with Oliver, McCormack and booth at 7 and Murphy, Butler at 6. Have Dowling, Leva and the two Murray’s locking down the second row while Thornbury is out.

Injury permitting I’d be looking for something like this at the weekend:

Buckley Heff Bealham

dowling N Murray

Murphy Prendy Oliver

Marmion Carty

Bundee Farrell

Mack Porch Byrne

Delahunt Dooley Aungier D Murray SHL Blade Hawkshaw Kilgallen

Thornbury to undergo surgery on his knee. Out for a while. Wilkins saying "a number of weeks if not more".

Boyle to miss time with a shoulder injury. No time scale yet.

Any idea what is the issue for Matt Burke? Would like to see him get some more time thought he played well last season

Burke was mentioned in a recent injury update, neck issue.

I just feel really sorry for the two guys. Boyle has been outstanding in the last couple of games and returning to the form that won him attention beyond Connacht and a cap (I looked at the incident in which he was injured and there was no wrap from Tietie, just a high speed, heavy impact contact, I was surprised it wasn't sanctioned).

Gav had such a long time out with injury last year, exactly at the moment where he was also in contention to be capped, the recovery took forever, now he's back on the operating table. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth as a fan to see their bodies being mangled like this.

I haven't enjoyed our challenge cup games, both opponents were undisciplined and resorted to attempts at bullying which crossed the line into illegality. And in both cases the refs failed to take the game under control, sacrificing player safety. We won, but the cost was too high. For me it's also appears that the URC refs are ahead of their peers in other competitions in this regard, particularly the French who are taking too laissez-faire an approach.

Of course fans aren’t entitled to know but in every other major team sports fans would be informed. A standard provision in contracts advising that will happen and done.

Maybe it’s because of being a relatively young professional sport but Rugby has this weird thing about limiting information available, it’s the same with contracts, it would be totally unheard of and unfathomable in other team sports for supporters to be unsure when a contract expires.