Have to say I'm not convinced by Ronaldson at 12. He missed 2 tackles last week that I saw, although he did put in an absolute beast of one in the last quarter to make amends somewhat. He didn't look comfortable to me. I'm surprised Duffy was dropped, I thought S'oailo would start at 12, or even put Poolman in there and start Carr on the wing. Wouldn't be surprised if McSharry came on at half-time or earlier.

Has Ronaldson played other positions outside of 10 with Landsdowne previous to Connacht, or has the Zebre game and last week being just real bandaid patching?

Agree with Rossie plus we need our new hookers up to speed as quickly as possible, Henry has been really good thus far and the more heineken experience he gets the better for Connacht. I'd almost argue that Rael should be on the bench for the same reason.

Great see McSharry on bench

Henry deserves keep his place

While would like carr or toh on bench can understand duffy for his versatility

galway_gas wrote:

clanman wrote: I would have preferred Harris-Wright to start but apart from that it's close enough to the team I would have picked.

He came back from injury very fast so theyre probably phasing him back. No room for TOH or Fionn. Agree either of those would have more impact than Gavin off bench. Hope the "Joint Captain" tag isn't influencing selection.

Good to see McSharry on the bench, a genuine back up for Robbie (whose game time still needs to be managed as he's still very young)

Last season when Robbie had locked down the FB position and he had come back for injury Gave had a couple of his most effective games for us for ages playing on the wing (and defensively he's by far the strongest of the three options)...

From an attack perspective I'd still prefer to have Fionn on the bench especially if the game opens up, his pace and mazy lines of running really stretches defences and creates holes...

According to stats henry was perfect out of touch so should keep the jersey.

clanman wrote: I would have preferred Harris-Wright to start but apart from that it's close enough to the team I would have picked.

He came back from injury very fast so theyre probably phasing him back. No room for TOH or Fionn. Agree either of those would have more impact than Gavin off bench. Hope the "Joint Captain" tag isn't influencing selection.

Overall fairly happy glad the front row get another go and if Ronaldson can be developed as an option at 12 so much the better. Would easily have given toh 23 instead of duffy though, and although its a minor quibble I'd like to see Muldowney starting more often every time he's come on I thought he's impressed and done really well. I suppose there's a case to be made that he offers impact from the bench, perhaps more than swift.

I would have preferred Harris-Wright to start but apart from that it's close enough to the team I would have picked.

Connacht line-up v Zebre

15. James So’oialo

14. Danie Poolman

13. Robbie Henshaw

12. Craig Ronaldson

11. Matt Healy

10. Dan Parks

9. Kieran Marmion

1. Brett Wilkinson

2. Sean Henry

3. Rodney Ah You

4. Michael Swift (captain)

5. Craig Clarke

6. Andrew Browne

7. Jake Heenan

8. George Naoupu

Replacements:

16. Jason Harris-Wright

17. JP Cooney

18. Ronan Loughney

19. Aly Muldowney

20. Mata Fifita

21. Paul O’Donohoe

22. Dave McSharry

23. Gavin Duffy
- See more at: www.connachtrugby.ie/2013101783535/three...sthash.v9EE6sq8.dpuf

Like the look of this team Bench has a lot to offer as well.

Yeah I agree with Rogue's team except it might be a bit unrealistic to expect McSharry to start, might have to wait until the Leinster game.

That's why I picked So'oialo/Ronaldson

I seriously doubt they'd have McSharry in the first XV as he's had bugger all gametime and his match fitness wouldn't last 60 mins at HEC level. 15/20 mins sprung from the bench seems most likely.

Like this team.

1 Wilko
2 JHW
3 Rodney
4 Swift
5 Clarke
6 Browne
7 Heenan
8 George
9 Marmion
10 Parks
11 TOH/Carr
12 McSharry
13 Henshaw
14 Poolman
15 So'oialo

16 Henry
17 Cooney
18 Loughney
19 Muldowney
20 Fifita
21 POD
22 Ronaldson
23 Duffy

so now that we're well into the season what are peoples overall ratings on the players who've played so far? 1-10 rating will do where 10 is outstanding and 1 is diabolical