Connacht vs Llanelli Scarlets - 15/09/12 15:00

I'm not expecting much out of this game. That's a strong Scarlets team. Davies to run riot unfortunately

Scarlets by 15

We really need to dig in, that's a serious Scarlets team. Very strong backline, streets ahead of us at half back and a good back row, Murphy no8 is a huge prospect

Only area where we can target them is the front row. But as showed against Cardiff, that won't be enough.

It is a very strong Scarlets back line, North, Davis and Williams will in all likelyhood be on the plane when Gats picks his Lions squad. (reckon the Scarlets fans have seen our team sheet and gone 'Aw no not Griffin, McShaz and Fets!')

That said I definately feel we can target them upfront (perhaps less so with George missing out) but would like to think we can limit the amount of time and exposure to the ball of their backline, which should keep us in the game going into the last 20mins.

If we got a losing bonus point I'd be happy. Excited about seeing George North in action as well which is pretty much blasphemous but whatever. We've a strong pack and its good to see Browne back playing but this back row have never played before which is a worry.

I think this game will tell if Connacht rugby has really started to turn a corner. In the past this number of changes has spelled disaster for the team, but all six players coming on including Wilkinson should see this as a golden opportunity to stake a claim in the side. Not only should there not be a drop off (not saying much at this point), I'm expecting these lads to help the team step things up.

Connacht really need to retain possession as much as possible or be prepared to put in 200 tackles. McSharry and Griffin have quite a challenge in front of them.

Scarlets by 20 and a try bonus point. Not looking good.

Connacht will win this one. 19-18 I would say. Llanelli have an awful record in Galway. That'll continue. When is Parks due to be fit?

I love it when everyone writes us off and say we'll be hammered, its usually when we win!!! Scarlets will be by far our toughest game so far and on both teams performances so far you'd say Scarlets should win comfortably but its all on the day.

Connacht will undoubtedly try to take it to Scarlets up front where hopefully there will be some joy. If there is it can lay the foundation but we'll need much more control and game management than we have demonstrated in our two games to date.

Anything like the number of handling errors there was against Cardiff and to a lesser extent Zebre and we are in for a long day.

We have had a few injuries but I'm happy enough, great to see Andrew Browe back, delighted to see McKeown get a chance, he's a player we need to develop. Pack is relatively strong despite a few absentees. Half back would be the worry, Marmion has got two games under his belt and did ok last week, Nikora needs to do something this week, he was much better in Italy last week but still engaged in some aimless kicking, if his forwards give him the platform he needs to get us territory.

Happy with the backline, great to see McSharry back, hopefully himself and Griffin can redevelop their partnership that looked promising for a while last season.

Lads stay at home today talking like that
Connacht are the best team in the world

Maybe not the best in the world, but certainly good enough to beat this Llanelli team. We nearly took them 2 years ago at their place, and the home team usually wins, so let's grow a pair lads!

mary hinge wrote: Maybe not the best in the world, but certainly good enough to beat this Llanelli team. We nearly took them 2 years ago at their place, and the home team usually wins, so let's grow a pair lads!

Jesus, that was a great game, Fionn Carr was electric in the good conditions.

I hope that we can keep it competitive and give ourselves a chance to grind a win out, but there is some real class in that Scarlets team, will take something special to beat them. Don't expect McSharry to be fully match fit, but needs to get back in at some stage. Looking forward to seeing our backrow in todays game.

Its a strong scarlets team but if we get behind the lads we can beat them,

I'm glad to see that McKeown is starting, he has shown lots of promise, we should not forget the try against S Africa in the world cup in Italy

Awful stream, but a stream nonetheless

www.globalsports1.co.nr/

Nothing to complain about, an aswsome 1st half, against the wind, 8-0, and a magnificent try!