Aargh that was a frustrating half. Some good defence, but sloppy handling errors and seem to be lacking any structure in attack. Heenan has shown well thus far. Ah You has hands covered in grease. Big concerns with Loughney and then White going off.

mareegoo wrote: hope locks n rodders step up to the mark tnite and put their hands up for starting slots

Think it would take more than one good performance from Rodney to be in the frame for a regular starting slot, but it would be great if he could repay the faith now 2 coaches have put in him and prove that he has truly turned the corner. A strong 50 minutes would do that for me.

hope carty comes on he looks class anytime ive seen him

lam said he's training well so here's hoping

hope locks n rodders step up to the mark tnite and put their hands up for starting slots

Hoping for a good performance.

A win would be wonderful and strong individual performances would really stir up squad competitition

ummm, wrote: Quick note on the preview. Jack Carty made his senior debut last year. Away to Glasgow I think.

Good spot, came on for an injured Gav in the first half I think:

www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/30.p...lineups&fixid=173476

Quick note on the preview. Jack Carty made his senior debut last year. Away to Glasgow I think.

Borders no.2 wrote: Sorry a bit late with the factfile, would like to have included more but time went against me this week. Hope to get back on track for next week

I was late with the preview as well, but it's up now. Have to say the fact-file is a useful thing to have open when writing that!

Bloody hell folks, between the opposition fact file, the match preview, the post match view from the terrace and Rob's match reports and analysis we're now averaging upwards of 4 articles a week in the news section.

That's incredible turnover for an entirely voluntary organisation. Well done to everyone involved.

Borders no.2 wrote: Sorry a bit late with the factfile, would like to have included more but time went against me this week. Hope to get back on track for next week

No worries Borders, its up now anyhow

They say it's the hope that kills you, but anyway... turns out Treviso have the worst scrum in the league, only getting 60% of there own ball.

Caveat 1: Only 4 games, stats skewed by the Munster game where Treviso won but their scrum got eviscerated (hence Munster have statistically the best scrum).

Caveat 2: Make your own Dave joke, he won a penalty off Adam Jones last game so I'm giving him a 2nd (well, 102nd) chance.

I'd fancy us to do their lineout too, what with Browne, George, Muldowney, and Clarke all in the team.

As I said, it's the hope that kills you.

Sorry a bit late with the factfile, would like to have included more but time went against me this week. Hope to get back on track for next week

Rabo Direct Pro 12 Round 5
Benetton Treviso v Connacht
Friday 4th October Kick Off 20:30 (19.30 Irish Time) On TV: TG4 & Mediaset

Connacht travel to Stadio Monigo to take on Treviso on Friday night. Treviso have steadily improved since joining the Rabo Direct Pro 12 in 2010 and finished in a record high 7th place last season with 50 points. Treviso have taken some notable scalps at home over the years and just two weeks ago (for the 2nd season in a row) Munster returned home with 0 points from their visit. Connacht have a mixed record there with a win, a draw and a loss from their 3 visits.

Despite facing a tough set of fixtures Treviso have claimed a creditable 5 points from their 4 fixtures while Connacht have been disappointing in only collecting a solitary 4 pointer from their 4 fixtures to date. Both sides will be looking for a win to round of this series of fixtures but the smart money will be on Treviso to collect their 2nd win of the season.

Treviso Stats
Founded: 1932
Ground: Stadio Monigo
Capacity: 6,700
Captain: Antonio Pavanello
Coach: Franco Smith

Rabo Direct Pro12 League Position 2012/13: 7th Points:50
Heineken Cup: 4th in Pool 2 Points: 5
ERC European Ranking 29th (4 pts)

Previous Results
Treviso 19-24 Ospreys
Scarlets 26-10 Treviso
Treviso 29-19 Munster
Ulster 32-13 Treviso

Next Fixture:
Saturday 12th October 2013 14.35 (13.35 Irish time) Treviso v Montpellier @ Stadio Monigo

Heineken Cup (Pool 5)
Treviso
Leicester
Montpellier
Ulster

Achievements
Italian League: 15 Titles
Italian Cup: 4 Titles

Permit Players 2013/2014
Matteo Ferro Hooker (Rugby Rovigo Delta)
Ornel Gega Hooker (Rugby Mogliano)
Andrea Lovotti Prop (Rugby Calvisano)
Jean-François Montauriol Lock (Rugby Rovigo Delta)
Mantvydas Tveraga Lock (Petrarca Rugby)
Marco Barbini Flanker (Rugby Mogliano)
Filippo Giusti Flanker (Petrarca Rugby)
Tommaso Boni Centre (Rugby Mogliano)
Joe van Niekerk Centre (Rugby Rovigo Delta)
Denis Majstorovic Wing (Rugby Club I Cavalieri Prato)
Edoardo Padovani Full Back (Rugby Mogliano)

Players In 2013/2014
Matt Berquist from France Biarritz Olympique

Players Out 2013/2014
Tommaso Iannone to Zebre
Giulio Toniolatti to Zebre
Tommaso Benvenuti to USA Perpignan
Kris Burton to Newport Gwent Dragons
Bees Roux to Golden Lions


Previous Meetings

Friday 26th April 2013 Rabo Direct Pro 12 Treviso 23-23 Connacht

www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/12347.php

Saturday 3rd November 2012 Connacht 18-3 Treviso

www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/2326.php

Friday 2nd December 2011 Connacht 13-15 Treviso

www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/2438.php

Saturday 3rd September 2011 Treviso 9-11 Connacht

www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/2258.php

Just had a look at the rabo 'statzone' Rodder has only had 7 league starts for Connacht, all in 2011-12. Really not sure what to make of that. Not that I was suggesting earlier that he has turned everything around but I was (very) cautiously optimistic that he could be starting games and do ok, not sure what to think of this selection now.

there defintely would be a better balance to the backline with murphy at 12 and griffin 13 letting Henshaw move back to 15 or at least until the 2 other lads return.

I remember last year Murphy putting a couple of hard tackles in defense that resulted in pressure and turnovers, lack of turnovers has been a big concern for me this season so far, he does'nt offer too much in attack but moving Henshaw to 15 offsets that negative

phatguerilla wrote:

theCulk wrote: Clearly resting players for the H Cup. But keeping Griffin at 12 just fathoms me

Why? He hasn't done badly there at all imo and if he still has aspirations to play for Ireland - which I'm sure he does - then a bit of flexibility won't do him any harm?

I think it's fair to say you could tell Griff hasn't played 12 a lot before this term but at the same time has done pretty well there. From the 2 games I've been able to watch this year I felt there was a marked improvement in his play from the Cardiff to the Ulster game.

That said I am dying to see him be given a stretch at 13 especially with McShaz and Tonetti coming back in (fingers crossed) over the next few weeks.

It's a bit of a shame that Lam's doesn't seem to rate Murphy enough to give him a shot at 12.

swift4prez wrote: by the looks of it, james sooialo was going to play fullback, clarke named captain but due to work permit, james couldnt play, duffy in and left clarke as captain!?

With James unable play I'd have put TOH at fb and kept Healy on the wing, least Healy has a bit of form unlike Duffy

Delighted to see Muldowney get a start
Very fearful of penalty count with Rodney starting though:(