Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

realhorrorshow · 20-10-2023 3:06pm

CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY 23 VS OSPREYS

15:00, Saturday 21st October 2023 @ The Sportsground

15. Andrew Smith *

14. Diarmuid Kilgallen (16)

13. Tom Farrell (99)

12. Cathal Forde (13)

11. Byron Ralston (15)

10. JJ Hanrahan *

9. Caolin Blade (170) (C)

1. Denis Buckley (228)

2. Dylan Tierney-Martin (24)

3. Jack Aungier 50)

4. Oisín Dowling (44)

5. Joe Joyce *

6. Cian Prendergast (47)

7. Shamus Hurley-Langton (20)

8. Jarrad Butler (114)

16. Tadgh McElroy *

17. Peter Dooley (18)

18. Dominic Robertson-McCoy (79)

19. Niall Murray (56)

20. Seán O’Brien *

21. Colm Reilly (17)

22. Jack Carty (195)

23. Liam McNamara *

ElisaAtWar · 20-10-2023 3:27pm

It's a really interesting team selection. Not what most would have expected but to be honest I find it a very exciting selection. If it works it really could be a sign of what is to come for the rest of the year. I simply like this a lot.

KBurke85 · 20-10-2023 3:58pm

Oliver and Porch miss out throughout injury.

Hanrahan picked based on performances in training

Wegians89 · 20-10-2023 4:33pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121263522#Comment_121263522

Interesting that. Thought JJ would be putting pressure on Jack this year but didn’t expect it so soon. Presume it’s similarly why Dowling is ahead of Murray.

Strand1970 · 20-10-2023 5:20pm

Good for Jack overall to know he has to perform or he will be on the bench. Competion focuses the mind

Dubinusa · 20-10-2023 8:22pm

No Boyle! He's in danger of falling off a cliff. Very strange. He was playing great a couple of years back.

KBurke85 · 20-10-2023 8:38pm

Injur

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121264520#Comment_121264520

injured per the squad update during the week

https://www.connachtrugby.ie/news/squad-update/bp2735/

Wegians89 · 20-10-2023 8:57pm

Good to see Thornbury starting for blackrock this weekend

ElisaAtWar · 20-10-2023 10:29pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121264697#Comment_121264697

Andy Friend said a while back that Thornbury injury profile suggested maybe an early retirement.

Wegians89 · 20-10-2023 10:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121265289#Comment_121265289

Did he? I must have missed that. That’s actually pretty bad to be saying publicly. I can see where he’s coming from

Zeugnis · 20-10-2023 10:46pm

Interesting team, I'd echo the sentiment expressed by others that it's good to see Jack under pressure from JJ, think it can only do good. At a squad level, it shuts a door for Tom Daly, a matter myself and @ElisaAtWar have discussed in the past, and also makes life harder for Hawkshaw.

DH was one of the names I was surprised not to see on the sheet, but I hope to see more of him this season, along with Shayne Bolton, Shane Jennings, Sam Illo and Darragh Murray. From the pups I'm looking forward to Mathew Devine entering the action and curious about Chay Mullins and Josh O'Connor, both of who have their fans.

Last season Connacht surpassed my expectations on almost every count, it was a great season, even though I felt we lost a knockout game against the Stormers that was there for the taking. But we broke through on the mental strength front and even when behind didn't let the head drop. I'm psyched to see what contribution Scott Fardy will make, very excited for the back five players to be learning from a such a hardy and intelligent player. Leinster will be gunning for silverware this year, Munster are back in the saddle, so it's going to be tough, but we should be looking to finish in the top eight.

Looking forward to seeing Bundee back in Sportsground, what a world cup he had, a genuine Connacht legend. And with Mack and Finlay to enjoy as well - we're lucky.

And so many thanks to Andy Friend for leaving us in rude health.

Wegians89 · 20-10-2023 10:49pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121265407#Comment_121265407

I doubt we will see Mullins before the Olympics. He seems to be on the 7s path atm. Agree with the other young lads you’ve named there. Would also add McCormack as another I’d like to see more off

SqueakyKneecap · 21-10-2023 3:03pm

Great touch from Hansen to be in attendance

SqueakyKneecap · 21-10-2023 3:09pm

JJ motoring well so far

Burkie1203 · 21-10-2023 3:10pm

Good to see Connacht playing a bit more pragmatic and taking points to get the scoreboard moving. Excellent start

SqueakyKneecap · 21-10-2023 3:13pm

What an introduction for Joe Joyce. A penalty winning monster hit.

Prendergast must have 10 big tackles made already. He's everywhere.

SqueakyKneecap · 21-10-2023 3:15pm

Lovely try

ElisaAtWar · 21-10-2023 3:17pm

Tom Farrell. Gary Ringrose part II

Burkie1203 · 21-10-2023 3:17pm

Really impressive from connacht so far. Poor pass there but solid basics mostly and not overplaying it

SqueakyKneecap · 21-10-2023 3:19pm

Two trys absolutely butchered but encouraging stuff considering the starting 15.

SqueakyKneecap · 21-10-2023 3:23pm

A poor 5 minutes of finishing there in the 22 but the opportunities are coming. Need a bit more calm and precision but I wouldn't worry just yet.

Blackheath · 21-10-2023 3:25pm

I think Forde is a decent player

ScissorPaperRock · 21-10-2023 3:27pm

Very impressive from Connacht so far. Just need a bit more patiences and precision in finishing opportunities.

Blade in for a 2nd just as I write that.

OldRio · 21-10-2023 3:31pm

This is delightful.

ScissorPaperRock · 21-10-2023 3:35pm

Forde impressing so far.

Blackheath · 21-10-2023 3:37pm

Joe Joyce has settled in well

SqueakyKneecap · 21-10-2023 3:37pm

Bladey has the best positioning of any scrumhalf in the country. Never seen a SH in the right place so often.

ScissorPaperRock · 21-10-2023 3:37pm

Blade in for a hat trick 😂

OldRio · 21-10-2023 3:37pm

A hat trick. Wow. In 34 mins

ElisaAtWar · 21-10-2023 3:57pm

Bundee you have a job on your hands to getting a starting position 😀. Forde and Farrell have been incredible. Defensively Connacht has been impressive also other than that try for Ospreys.

The new blood I felt was only going to be positive and so far it seems that way. I am liking what I am seeing a lot. Get on Connacht

Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

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