That's a much need win. It didn't sound too convincing though going by twitter. any one care to fill us in on the performance? Still though 4points

What's weather like? Will game go ahead?

Because of support, tradition, success and most of all budget?

Connacht have none or very little of the above and its unlikely to change any time soon. You compare yourself to teams around you to see how you are developing, improving and utilising your resources.

Why on earth would you compare them to poor teams in other countries? To make yourself feel better? I dont get it....?

The other three provinces are an obvious comparison. They are what rugby in this country has been built on and it is where we want to be.....

Darragh507 wrote: need to win but my god thats a piss poor team to put out....dont think one player would start in another province...most wouldnt even be the second pick....

I don't think comparing Connacht to Munster, Leinster and even ulster is fair. Munster have been in the top 8 of Europe for 13 of the last 14 seasons. Leinster wouldn't be far behind that stat and ulster have joined them there in the last 3 or so years. Leinster and Munster A have each won the B+I cup and always reach the knockout stages.

Connacht need to compare themselves to dragons, blues, Edinburgh, Worcester, Newcastle, Irish etc. On paper they compare competitively but they haven't played well under this coach.

I'd disagree with borders. I think its a good team that's picked. In Buckley, JHW, Dave, Kearney and Heenan there is mobility and ball carrying not to mention dog on the floor. The backs are the best in squad bar pool man. If ronaldson keeps it simple and kicks 75%+ they should win.
There are 6 new foreign players in that Edinburgh team which makes them an unknown quantity. Will be interesting to see how Richards brother does for them at 12.

Anyone know when Poolman is back?

One thing is now certain for Connacht - you simply can't win any rugby matches if you continue NOT to score in the second half

The outcome will be same this weekend if they don't put anything on the board in the second half tomorrow.

need to win but my god thats a piss poor team to put out....dont think one player would start in another province...most wouldnt even be the second pick....

I agree this is one we need to win. 2 wins from 13 is awful. The next 3 games offer opportunities to make the table look a lot more respectable but it starts with getting the right result tomorrow evening. I'd take any kind of win at the moment.

Great to see McSharry back, I always feel the backline looks a lot more balanced / dangerous when he starts.

Not too convinced about the starting pack but the Edinburgh pack wouldn't strike huge fear into you either.

I'll give us a hesitant nod to get over the line in this one. Don't think this will be a classic though.

Massive massive game with the fixtures as they fall from now until the end of the season, a win on saturday is pivotal in generating some momentum for us to make any progress up the table.


Edinburgh
Zebre (a)
Benetton Treviso
Dragons (a)
Scarlets (a)
Ulster Rugby (a)
Munster Rugby
Cardiff
Ospreys (a)

Ulster away you can write off but every other game is contestable with or without Clarke. Henry, Wilko and White all to come back into contention from Treviso onwards with Poolman and Healy hopefully back fairly sharpish. The season starts here.

Edinburgh:

15 Jack Cuthbert
14 Dougie Fife
13 Nick De Luca
12 Andries Strauss
11 Tom Brown
10 Carl Bezuidenhout
09 Grayson Hart

01 Wicus Blaauw
02 James Hilterbrand
03 Willem Nel
04 Grant Gilchrist
05 Izak van der Westhuizen
06 Mike Coman (capt)
07 Roddy Grant
08 Cornell Du Preez

Replacements: Ross Ford, Alex Allan, Geoff Cross, Ollie Atkins, Tomas Leonardi, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Sam Beard, Harry Leonard.

I dont get Muldoon at 8. Must just be me. I'd have Carty playing as well, with Ronaldson on the bench

Great to see McSharry back though

Connacht v Edinburgh
At The Sportsground, 5pm.
Referee: Claudio Blessano (FIR, 5th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Olly Hodges, Mark Connolly (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Wayne Sheridan (IRFU)

Connacht line-up v Edinburgh

15. Robbie Henshaw
14. Fionn Carr
13. Eoin Griffin
12. Dave McSharry
11. Tiernan O’Halloran
10. Craig Ronaldson
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Denis Buckley
2. Jason Harris-Wright
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Mick Kearney
5. Michael Swift
6. Andrew Browne
7. Jake Heenan
8. John Muldoon (captain)

Replacements:

16. Dave Heffernan
17. Ronan Loughney
18. JP Cooney
19. Aly Muldowney
20. George Naoupu
21. Paul O’Donohoe
22. Dan Parks
23. Darragh Leader

Unavailable/Injured: Brett Wilkinson, Nathan White, Sean Henry, Craig Clarke, Dave Nolan, Willie Faloon, Eoin McKeon, Aaron Conneely, Matt Healy, Gavin Duffy, and Kyle Tonetti.

Edinburgh haven't won away from home in league this season but have had 2 away games called off because of weather. They have one 5 out of 7 at home though which is better form than Connacht, beat Gloucester away in hec afaik, and have recruited a load of foreign players, particularly Currie cup, over the last few months. Solomons is doing a good job there.

This we have to win. McSharry back at 12. Carthy 10. And maybe Pooleman on the bench.

Rabo Direct Pro 12 Round 14
Connacht v Edinburgh Saturday 15th February 17.00

After a narrow defeat at an understrength Glasgow, Connacht will target just their 3rd Rabo Direct Pro 12 win of the season at home to Edinburgh. A 33 point trouncing away to the Scottish outfit marked one of the lowest points of Connacht's season to date. Edinburgh who due to postponements are playing their first Pro 12 game of 2014 have been making steady progress under Alan Solomons and will expect to leave Galway with the 4 points for the 2nd season in succession.

Edinburgh Stats
Founded: 1996
Ground: Murrayfield
Capacity: 67,144
Captain: Greig Laidlaw
Coach: Alan Solomons

Rabo Direct Pro12 League Position 2013/14: 8th P:11 Pts:22
Rabo Direct Pro12 League Position 2012/13: 10th Pts:36
Heineken Cup 2012/13: 4th in Pool 1 Points: 0

Recent Results
Edinburgh 16-20 Glasgow (Pro 12)
Edinburgh 27-16 Perpignan (HC)
Munster 38-6 Edinburgh (HC)

Next Fixture:
Saturday 22nd February 2013 14.30 Scarlets v Edinburgh @ Parc Y Scarlets

Heineken Cup (Pool 6) (Current Standings)
Munster 23
Gloucester 14
Edinburgh 12
Perpignan 7

Previous Meetings

Friday 29th November 2013 Rabo Direct Pro 12: Edinburgh 43-10 Connacht

www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/13501.php

Friday 12th April 2013 Rabo Direct Pro 12: Edinburgh 24-32 Connacht

www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/12368.php