the few good sides were TOH very dynamic, Poolman ok once more, Fafita/Murphy who deserve to be kept, and our resilience on the try line with a lot a pressure.. Otherwise, It was under the required level

Won't dwell on the postmortem, just glad that can be written off as the last game of the season. That was the poorest performance of the season that I can recall. As for 8th, I'm well satisfied with that and would have gladly taken it at the start of the season. Onwards and upwards!

One final comment, not sure I saw a classier operator than Maitland all season.

Very poor display to end the season. Really the scoreboard flattered us. We never got going from the off. In fairness we have had to play a lot of games with the same squad and a lot of injured players in a short space of time whereas Glasgow had a two week run in to this one but still the performance was a massive disappointment. No point dwelling too long on it but its a reality check as to how much work Pat Lam will have to do to improve the side and how badly we need the vast majority of our squad fit and available. A few injuries and we are seriously stretched.

I was embarrassed for the Eric, Johnny, Adrian Flavin and Mike McCarthy that they were let go with such a performance.

Like last season we hung on for 8th despite going out with a whimper. 38 points is 6 below what I'd hoped we'd hit at the start of the season. We are falling short of the 40 each season

39 in 2010/11
37 in 2011/12
38 in 2012/13

I have mixed feelings on the season but there's plenty of time to go through the ups and downs of the season in the coming months.

The one positive of the night was that the majority of people waited through a painful final 20 minutes or so to give the lads a good ovation leaving the pitch. This is the togetherness and identity which Connacht need to show if we are to grow.

Thanks to Eric, Johnny, Adrian Flavin, Mike McCarthy and to the others who are leaving whose contributions haven't been as significant but have all played their part at different times. All we can do is wish them well as they wake up Monday morning ready for new chapters in their lives.

connachtexile wrote: I thought the same. Fifita can play both backs and forwards at a pinch so it makes sense for him to be on the bench giving options.

It's not like we have any lions standard players that could be on the bench but aren't I suppose, considering injuries that's the best bench possible I think.

Hope vocal cords been rested lads, gonna be a loud and emotional one tonight
Shame weather is misserable
"Theres only 1 mike mccarthy
We won't hold it against ya
That you're going to Leinster
Walking in a macca wonderland"

Fook me it's a miserable one out there for a May Bank Holiday.....didn't think it was gonna be like this today.....

I have arrived in Galway. Woo boo!

Alas we've had to make a call on the Family Day. Due to the windy weather, which isn't ideal for the bouncy castles, we've had to cancel the event. Apologies to all those who were looking forward to coming up early to the game.

The weather won't affect the team though who can't wait to get out there for the last game of the season. Don't miss out on the action. Come up to the Sportsground to say farewell to Eric and the boys.

While the famous Clan Terrace is sold out, we still have tickets available for other areas of the ground. Get yours on ticketmaster.ie or from the Connacht Rugby office until 4pm today.

FRONT UP RISE UP

I thought the same. Fifita can play both backs and forwards at a pinch so it makes sense for him to be on the bench giving options.

Not sure I agree with carrying 2 backs only though. Glasgow have a very decent back-line....with two Lions in reserve!

I suspect it's a 6-2 subs split and the expectation is hat Johnny will come off early, with Mata additional back-row cover.

swift4prez wrote:

Replacements (from): Adrian Flavin, Rodney Ah You, JP Cooney, Mick Kearney, John Muldoon, Mata Fifita, Paul O’Donohoe, Miah Nikora

So, Mata is our backup for the back line, I suppose... as he was at the beginning of the season...

phatguerilla wrote: Its great that O'Connor and Griffin can play. Marmion has played every game this season, amazing young fella, sure to be called up to the Ireland squad under Schmidt in the near future.

Yeah, Marmion deserves an Ironman Award. I'm sure he'll be touring NA next month though he probably could use a few weeks rest after the season he has put in.

Gutted that can't make it to game.House full of patients .

Best of luck for the future and eternal thanks to Adrian,Mike,Fetu'u,Johnny and Eric !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glasgow Warriors team to play Connacht in Round 22 of the RaboDirect PRO12, Sportsground, Friday 3 May (kick-off 7.45pm):


15 Peter Murchie
14 Tommy Seymour
13 Sean Lamont
12 Peter Horne
11 DTH Van der Merwe
10 Ruaridh Jackson
9 Henry Pyrgos

1 Moray Low
2 Pat MacArthur
3 Jon Welsh
4 Tim Swinson
5 Tom Ryder
6 Rob Harley
7 John Barclay
8 Ryan Wilson (C)



16 Doug Hall
17 Ryan Grant
18 Ed Kalman
19 James Eddie
20 Josh Strauss
21 Niko Matawalu
22 Sean Maitland
23 Stuart Hogg



Not available for selection through injury:

M Cusack (shoulder), C Cusiter (shoulder), A Dunbar (hip), C Fusaro (groin), F Gillies (neck), D Weir (ankle).

Some people never learn
"British & Irish Lions pair Stuart Hogg and Sean Maitland drop to the bench, along with Glasgow’s player of the season Niko Matawalu, Ryan Grant and Josh Strauss."

Anyone else hoping that Macca gets subbed off before the end of the game tomorrow?
He deserves a huge (positive) ovation from the crowd for what he's done with Connacht