Connacht Team Talk Thread VI - Some like it TOH

And last comment before next game. I like the way Forde kicks penalties. He kicks the ball at a lower elevation to others. As such it gets less impacted by the conditions. Much in the same style as Sexton. Wouldn't object to him playing centre and taking the penalties

Bealham commits till 2026. A good move for all parties.

I doubt it. I think he will be 35 when this contract expires. I know TH have longer careers than most but I think Hansen is more likely.

Will be a tricky one you'd imagine. We probably can't compete financially with what's available elsewhere, and we can't offer a clear path to international rugby. Fingers crossed.

Crucial bit of business. TH props of his quality are always attractive and for my money he's outplayed furlong when available this year. While he seems to genuinely love connacht and living in Galway, I imagine there were at least some inquiries for him from teams with the ability to make an attractive offer.

Aungier seems to be taking a step forward this year after a very solid previous season, so encouraging times

Do wonder with Porch available this weekend, will he make the starting 15. It would be a very harsh call on the back 3 that started vs Glasgow. And I was talking to a friend of mine at the Glasgow game and he said something that I thought was bang on. TOH is not an impact sub. He either starts or he is not in the 23. What he offers is stability, not excitement. He makes sure that the back 3 offer their best defensive coverage. But he is not the guy who is likely to be scoring the tries. Two games in and it's very clear the difference with TOH and without TOH.

And then if you look at Ralston and Kilgallen you get to appreciate that both of them can do their thing because they know behind them is sorted. And that's a comfort for them.

So then we get back to the question should Porch start? And my say is no. John is a fine rugby player but I don't believe he deserves to start ahead of our current wingers who really are doing great stuff.

On another matter I attach an article related to Gavin Thornbury and Andy Friends opinion of his injury profile

'you become sick and tired of being sick and tired’. And I thought Andy Friend said it exactly right in relation to Gavin

It's a tough one. If Porch is fit and ready then he makes our best 15. It is tough to drop the lads who played the last day but as TOH said in the presser the competition for places is insane in the back 3. I can't wait to see more of Smith, and Bolton could be the type of powerful wing to put up against an in form Stockdale. McNamara has looked decent too. Hansen has to come back. It's exciting. And that's without even mentioning Santi.

It all depends on the bench split we go with. But if Porch is fit I say start him, probably ahead of Ralston. But then Ralston offers centre cover - again it depends on the split!

The squad update stated that everyone who played against Glasgow is available except for JJ.

Jack is back in contention this week I think Wilkins mentioned

15. Tiernan O’Halloran (223)

14. Byron Ralston (17)

13. Tom Farrell (101)

12. Cathal Forde (15)

11. Diarmuid Kilgallen (18)

10. Jack Carty (196)

9. Caolin Blade (172)

1. Denis Buckley (230)

2. Dylan Tierney-Martin (26)

3. Jack Aungier (52)

4. Oisín Dowling (46)

5. Joe Joyce (2)

6. Shamus Hurley-Langton (22)

7. Conor Oliver (64)

8. Cian Prendergast (49)

16. Tadgh McElroy (2)

17. Jordan Duggan (40)

18. Dominic Robertson-McCoy (81)

19. Niall Murray (58)

20. Jarrad Butler (116)

21. Colm Reilly (19)

22. David Hawkshaw (14)

23. Andrew Smith (1)

What are you trying to say here kita? I dont get you mean?

No need to apologize just couldnt see what you were trying to say..

I see Connacht shared a pic of the Cordero family all decked out in green for the match tonight. Such a blow that Santi had to go down, was a really exciting signing. Hopefully he recovers and can contribute next year but the lack of detail or updates on the Injury is very worrying

You didn't mention Jennings at all macslash. I thought he really showed huge potential

Anyway I will watch this from home in the comfort of a fire😂