Scarlets v Connacht; 30th March 2014 - 14:05 RTE

Our work at the breakdown has improved but against a physically stronger side we need to get in extra quick to stop the ball being left open. I have issues with Patterson but 2 more points is a decent result and we would be happy with that on any day other than today. Really in terms of looking to finish top 6 was lost early in the season with some of the poor defeats we had. Was impressed with a lot of our play, however, defensively we still have a lot to work on. The good sides will test your defence in a way the likes of Dragons and Zebre didn't.

Positives to build on and still plenty to work on.

I think it's a day we missed having an out and out seven. Masterson has done extremely well but I just remember thinking how I'd love to see the likes of Heenan or Faloon out their. Our ball presentation wasn't as good as it could have being either. Fair play to the boys for not putting the head down and getting the last try. Nearly screamed myself hoarse for McKeown to touch it down.

I'm part of those rather happy.. 0 point 80th min, 2 points 82th min. Honestly just what we deserve... defense still to work on, especially the forwards, + diving in the rucks ; but attacks were well built, the team has never given up, and last gasp try is an award for our two "pure talent" guys : Henshaw and Mc Keon

Ps the offload Henshaw/TOH is a top class action we weren't used to see in Connacht

I think the point after the game about development province was that Connacht have developed to the point where they are capable of feeding Ireland with quality players rather than just being a place for young leinster/munster/ulster players to get game time before moving back. I understand why it would have bothered people though and it was Daire O'Brien trying to be too clever for his own good.

I thought some of the criticism of connacht by the panel displayed a lack of awareness from the lads which isn't really acceptable when its your job to be informed. Yeah we all would have liked to have seen connacht jackal for the ball more Shaggie, but with no 7's left to play and an 8 as flanker who has about a half dozen starts it wasn't going to happen.
Maybe make some sort of acknowledgement of how well he's done rather than just dismissing the backrow. If TOD and every other 7 at munster were missing for instance the panel would at least have known who was and wasn't familiar with the position and whether they were filling in or not.

Already a long post but wanted to acknowledge how far Connacht have come this season, we've seen some serious improvements in just a few months. The same problems still remain with regards to some quality ball carrying forwards (although though heffernan made an impact) and a few other areas but we're getting there. It was always a big ask for the same team to perform at the same level for weeks in a row and the niggles and imbalanced back row caught up to us imo.

I think Scarlets are pretty much where we are aiming to be in another year or two, we saw how close the two teams are in some regards already and with a couple of additions to the team and refinements in the game plan we can easily catch up and even surpass them.

I thought some of the criticism of connacht by the panel displayed a lack of awareness from the lads which isn't really acceptable when its your job to be informed. Yeah we all would have liked to have seen connacht jackal for the ball more Shaggie, but with no 7's left to play and an 8 as flanker who has about a half dozen starts it wasn't going to happen.
Maybe make some sort of acknowledgement of how well he's done rather than just dismissing the backrow. If TOD and every other 7 at munster were missing for instance the panel would at least have known who was and wasn't familiar with the position and whether they were filling in or not.

Already a long post but wanted to acknowledge how far Connacht have come this season, we've seen some serious improvements in just a few months. The same problems still remain with regards to some quality ball carrying forwards (although though heffernan made an impact) and a few other areas but we're getting there. It was always a big ask for the same team to perform at the same level for weeks in a row and the niggles and imbalanced back row caught up to us imo.

I think Scarlets are pretty much where we are aiming to be in another year or two, we saw how close the two teams are in some regards already and with a couple of additions to the team and refinements in the game plan we can easily catch up and even surpass them.

This is pretty much what I wanted to say verbatim. Fair play Phatguerila.

I was particularly annoyed when O'Brien (just before 2nd half started) asked the panal if any of them saw a Connacht win and they all had a great giggle...especially seeing as Jackass, sorry Jackman was on the panal, you'd think he'd remember how tough the media are on Connacht, but I suppose eaten bread is soon forgotten.

especially seeing as Jackass, sorry Jackman was on the panal, you'd think he'd remember how tough the media are on Connacht, but I suppose eaten bread is soon forgotten.

Jackman in his autobiography had some pretty mean stuff so say about Connacht. A lot was warranted admittedly but he has little love for us. Was always a good player for us though.

It was pretty childish of them to just giggle but honestly could anyone have reasonably expected a 4 try bonanza based on the first half? I expected Connacht to keep things tight and play for penalties. It was a bit of a shock, but I think its great to see Connacht coming out in the second half and showing some changes in gameplan, it was only a few months ago when it seemed like we couldn't score in the second half for anything.

The coverage was a joke. If they dont have anyone with knowledge about Connacht, why not try to get some journalists from the West up to the studio for the day?
Anyone would have been better than the lads on RTÉ.

I've tweeted about it a couple of times today, but each tweet had to be edited a couple of times.
Honestly, with my broken Irish, I would have learnt more watching TG4 than RTE

The coverage was a joke. If they dont have anyone with knowledge about Connacht, why not try to get some journalists from the West up to the studio for the day?

Why not Adrian Flavin? He's written for the journal.ie a few times and knows his stuff he's also a former player.

couldn't agree more about RTEs coverage which is why I watched it on BBC Wales. had a mini rant on twitter about it so hopefully they'll have noticed

connachtexile wrote:

especially seeing as Jackass, sorry Jackman was on the panal, you'd think he'd remember how tough the media are on Connacht, but I suppose eaten bread is soon forgotten.

Jackman in his autobiography had some pretty mean stuff so say about Connacht. A lot was warranted admittedly but he has little love for us. Was always a good player for us though.

He'd do well to remember he'd have finished his career in AIL if Connacht didn't give him an avenue back to the pro game. He has since knocked a good living out of the game and has established himself as an up and coming coach. None of that would have happened if he hadn't got back into the pro game.

TBH I wasn't a fan of his when he was with Connacht, tended to pick and choose his games too much for my liking.

O'Brien is a complete joke.

Lenihan said that Connacht are extremely frustrating to watch and they are.
Both he and shaggy went on to show several examples of good and naive play to show why.
O brien s reference to Connacht as a true development province was intended IMO in the way that phatguerilla said. A province properly funded by the irfu and loaded with Irish players pushing for inclusion for international squads.
He thinks he's funny but he's not.

Does someone know who made the deflection on the last Connacht restart kick?