Yeah, the tackle was during Picamoles try. It took me a couple of looks at the replay to relise it was a Connacht back that put the tackle in. At first I thought it might have been Carr because the cameras keep going back to him during the review, but relised soon enough he was involved in the failed attempt on Picamoles.

As for the game, thought the affects of the bug and the budget differences were quite evident. This was more like what I expected of the game in France. I was a little disappointed at times. Maybe their tries were just well manufactured (first one a bit against the run of play), but they felt soft or at least frustrating, but Toulouse were well worth their victory. However there were certainly some good performances put in by Connacht. The highlight for me was Muldoon with the ball has a look outside for his support, seeing none gives the ball a good kick down field and then chases it himself. He's what it means to be Connacht.

menacethedenis wrote: Didn't spot a tip tackle Culk, when did that happen?

I think it was when Nyanga passed it to Picamoles for his try in the second half, watched it on the box and thought 'oops', but the cameras didn't linger on it so don't think it was too bad, I'm sure they'd have made a meal of it if there was anything in it.

columoc wrote: I just read Gerry Thornley in the IT, apparently Marmion was sick before the game, at half time and then again immediately after the game. Stunning display and committment from the lad, but as Pat Shortt would say, "you can't be doin' dat".

Better an empty house than a bad lodger...

Scrum half tip tackling a back row sounds outrageous but it shows his massive heart and commitment. Doubt there was any malice in it. He gave picamoles a lot of hardship in both games. He is already a legend.

theCulk wrote:

columoc wrote: I just read Gerry Thornley in the IT, apparently Marmion was sick before the game, at half time and then again immediately after the game. Stunning display and committment from the lad, but as Pat Shortt would say, "you can't be doin' dat".

He needs to be managed carefully now and would benefit from a week or two off, even if we need him. Better for his welfare in the long run.

He might be forced to take a break. Reckon he'll be cited for his tip tackle on Nyanga

Nyanga will be ashamed to admit he was dumped by a sick scrum half, Marmion will get off.

I saw the tackle from behind the bohermore posts so maybe it looked worse from the sideline but I thought it was a fantastic tackle, moreso highlighting once again Marmion's strength (even when extremely fatigued) and never say die attitude.

Didn't spot a tip tackle Culk, when did that happen? Disappointing night indeed but considering the circumstances we did well. I'd say there was more than a few of the lads suffering from that virus. It's vital now that we take this form back into the Rabo. Qualification from the pool is almost certainly beyond us but the fact that we even put ourselves in the mix is something we can be immensely proud of. The whole Rugby world would have heard about last weeks victory and that can only be a good thing with regards to convincing players to come here in the future.

columoc wrote: I just read Gerry Thornley in the IT, apparently Marmion was sick before the game, at half time and then again immediately after the game. Stunning display and committment from the lad, but as Pat Shortt would say, "you can't be doin' dat".

He needs to be managed carefully now and would benefit from a week or two off, even if we need him. Better for his welfare in the long run.

He might be forced to take a break. Reckon he'll be cited for his tip tackle on Nyanga

I just read Gerry Thornley in the IT, apparently Marmion was sick before the game, at half time and then again immediately after the game. Stunning display and committment from the lad, but as Pat Shortt would say, "you can't be doin' dat".

He needs to be managed carefully now and would benefit from a week or two off, even if we need him. Better for his welfare in the long run.

I think our performances were roughly equivalent across the two games, bar the defence, which was understandable given the epidemic. The difference was that Toulouse did not mess around on Saturday, and they had Medard back, who, like two years ago, scored some tries which he made look easy.

But still the determination and character that we showed even when we were 20 points down is hugely encouraging in particular from guys like Griffin and Marmion. Heenan, Muldoon, McKeon and Buckley were immense over the two games. Fionn, Matt and Robbie looked very sharp in attack at times. Clarke is providing genuine leadership on the field. We finally have a bench that we can look forward to using, rather than worrying about. The bar has been raised, there can be no excuses for dropping back to the performances from the start of the season.

Ah well, so much for the double!

But the lads played their hearts out. We saw on Saturday what Toulouse are capable of, but it shouldn't be a downer. If anything this should serve to highlight just what an incredible result it was when we beat them on their own doorstep.

columoc wrote: My only gripe: what happened to the 9000 tickets...I think they announced 7200 attendance. #surprised

They have a health and safety limit of 7500 at the moment I believe. I heard the real figure (i.e. the number of actual people in the ground) and it's a fair bit less than that.

Still, it was a great atmosphere considering the result. The players did us proud, and everyone agrees now that they just need to push on and improve in the league.

Hopefully a sign of how much Connacht has come on as a club when Dusautoir says 'We know Galway'!!!

Thierry Dusautoir, looked relieved :

Of his second visit to Galway, he smiled and said: “It was different the first time, but now we know Galway and the weather as well; a lot of ruin during the day, and it is quite cool, but I think it sees a good game of rugby tonight, without the rain, but quite windy. I think it is quite special and you can feel that people here love rugby.”

No complaints about either the result or the performance. Toulouse showed great respect by playing their A game through the full match. Connacht did their best, a big ask, just not at that level yet, but much improved. The players should take confidence and bring that to the Rabo.

I was watching Toulouse coach Guy Noves and he is a class act. He really gets the importance of Community in a club. At end of half time he applauded the choir until they had all left the pitch, and his behavior with his team, coaches and with Connacht players and officals was impeccable. (some one will surely write how he's a right bollix ) I also noted the Toulouse officals making sure that they had collected Connacht flags to bring home. They may be rich, but they have a traditional outlook (similar to Clermont) - unlike many of the nouveau riche clubs.

My only gripe: what happened to the 9000 tickets...I think they announced 7200 attendance. #surprised

Some great words about the supporters in the IT by Craig Clarke today :

The Connacht captain was also thrilled by the home support. “I think it’s awesome. For the size of the crowd related to the noise it makes, it must be one of the best in the world.
“The crowd are so vocal and so passionate. A team that’s 30 points put on them, the home team, and the crowd are still clapping you off and cheering for you.
“I don’t understand how it works, but I appreciate it and we all do. It makes us really want to perform for these people.”

Ill echo a lot of the comments here so far. Tough day to take, but given what the lads went through during the week was to be expected. I think, like a reverse of last week, the score line flattered Toulouse this week.

We've a lot of greatness to build on, need to bring some of last weeks excellence to the bread and butter Rabo games.

Roll on 2014.

There are days just to say well done. Our lads did us so proud last week in Toulouse. A quick turn-around to the home game, hit with virus, facing the 33million bench out in force this week… ye did well lads. Looking at the team named on Friday afternoon, I thought good team- even with so many out with injuries we were lining out a good team. Two changes yesterday, still ok. My point- we’re building well, team coming together (with a lot of young ‘home-growns . Happy to be at matches where I can see heart and potential being realised. Way to go, we’re on the right road.. win next Sat please