Squad Update ahead of Wasps game
20th August 2014

With just over two weeks to go to the official start of the new season, the Connacht squad were busy preparing for their pre-season clash with Wasps in London this Saturday, August 23rd.

Following on from last week’s injury update, Andrew Browne has had knee surgery and is looking at 4 weeks on the sidelines. Aly Muldowney (ankle) and Matt Healy (hand) will also join Browne in the rehab group for the next 3 – 4 weeks.

Backs Miah Nikora and Conor Finn both sustained minor back strains earlier in the week and are unavailable for the game with Wasps.

Captain John Muldoon sat out training yesterday with a tight hamstring but will be reassessed ahead of the team departure on Friday.

Meanwhile, Dave McSharry and Nathan White have both resumed full training. White, who had minor back surgery in June, will be available for selection ahead of the season opener against Dragons on September 6th.

As part of the IRFU player welfare programme Irish internationals Robbie Henshaw and Kieran Marmion, who are both involved in full training, will be available for selection in round 2 of the Guinness PRO12. Tighthead prop Rodney Ah You is available for round 1.

Connacht Rugby kick off the 2014/15 season on Saturday, September 6th at the Sportsground when they welcome Welsh side Newport Gwent Dragons (kick off 5pm) for the first round of the GUINNESS PRO12.

If you haven’t already got your Season Ticket for the new season, you can sign up now. For details on Season Tickets, go to ConnachtRugby.ie, Tickets.ie or call the office on 091 561 568.

www.connachtrugby.ie/squad-update-ahead-...s-game/#ConnachtNews

salmson wrote:

Diom wrote: Muldowney is injured though I think ??

Badly sprained ankle in training before Clermont game, out for another few weeks at least. Browne out for at least that long with a knee issue leaving us with Kearney, Roux, Swift and Qualter our fit locks. On that subject, anyone know how (the real) SOB is injury-wise? Missed half the 6 nations and the U20 WC, haven't heard whether he's fit again.

Good call on Muldowney forgot about his injury.

Fairly sure I saw SOB with a moonboot on recently (or if not him a similar ginger tank of a young fella that should be signed up!) Its a pity as preseason would have been ideal time for him to get a look in.

4 weeks for Brownie and Muldowney isn't a case of bad shortage, moreover Naoupu could (and should for lineout) cover our 4 fit locks

Diom wrote: Muldowney is injured though I think ??

Badly sprained ankle in training before Clermont game, out for another few weeks at least. Browne out for at least that long with a knee issue leaving us with Kearney, Roux, Swift and Qualter our fit locks. On that subject, anyone know how (the real) SOB is injury-wise? Missed half the 6 nations and the U20 WC, haven't heard whether he's fit again.

Muldowney is injured though I think ??

I may be mistaken but no sign of Launchbury in either the injured list or the team against Welsh? Wonder if he is being rested? It would be a pity in a way as it would be a super test for Kearney and Muldowney (although he's probably played against Wasps before) as well as any of the young locks.

So second friendly up this weekend and Wasps have been busy on the last week with a Friendly against and also signing Sailosi Tagicakibau from Irish (at his best (couple of seasons back) Tagicakibau is unstoppable)...

Wasps see off Welsh in first pre-season game

Wasps 38 - 24 London Welsh

On a sunny afternoon at Adams Park, Wasps kicked off their pre-season programme with an entertaining victory against the Aviva Premiership returnees London Welsh.
It was all square, 10-10, at half-time, before a penalty try gave the visitors an early second half lead. Wasps then produced some excellent attacking rugby to run in four tries, before Welsh added a consolation score in the final minute of the game.

After several minutes of pressure, with forwards and backs combining well, Wasps took the lead in the 14th minute, when Charlie Davies had the strength to complete a close-range thrust by going over for a try, which was converted by Alex Lozowski from wide out on the right.

The visitors responded with pressure of their own after turning down a kickable penalty to find touch at the corner. An effective catch and drive set up a series of phases, with the home defence being stretched, until left winger Nick Scott came into midfield to cross the line, just to the right of the posts. Olly Barkley landed the conversion to level things after 19 minutes.
Five minutes later, a Wasps throw iin to a lineout went too and far, and Welsh came close to a second try. They were stopped on the line, but Wasps conceded a penalty near the posts and Barkley’s kick put his side 10-7 ahead.

Almost immediately, Alex Lozowski’s jinking run nearly created a second Wasps try, only for his offload to go to ground a few metres from the line.
After Rob Miller’s long clearance found touch inside the Welsh 22, the visitors knocked on at the lineout. They were then penalised at the scrum and Lozowski’s well-struck penalty brought Wasps level, four minutes before half-time.

In the final play of the half, Miller gathered a long clearance deep inside the Wasps half. He counter attacked down the right and fed Jonah Holmes, who cut inside past a series of defenders. The ball was quickly recycled to find Tom Varndell, who slipped one tackle, before being stopped a few metres short. He tried to pass infield, but the ball was gathered by a defender and Welsh cleared to touch to bring the half to an end.

Wasps made six changes at half-time, with new signing Sailosi Tagicakibau one of the replacements, taking the place of Elliot Daly in the centre.
Four minutes after the restart, another replacement, Nathan Hughes, pounced on a loose ball to launch a thundering charge in midfield. Chris Bell ran a good line at pace to go through the gap, but the captain’s pass out to replacement left-winger Tom Howe just failed to go to hand, a few metres outside the Welsh 22.

Alex Lozowski then produced another impressive run through the heart of the Welsh defence. He fed Sailosi Tagicabikau, but the ball went astray and the visitors were able to launch a counterattack, which ended with Wasps winning a crucial turnover on their own line. A minute later, a powerful drive by the visitors’ pack was brought down illegally, and the referee awarded a penalty try. Barkley converted to give his side a 17-10 lead, with ten minutes of the second half gone.
It took four minutes for Wasps to draw level, following a lineout near the left corner. A well-controlled drive took play to within a metre of the line, before play came infield and Guy Thompson went over by the posts. Ruaridh Jackson landed the simple conversion to make it all square at 17-all.

Four minutes later, Wasps were ahead, when Nathan Hughes crashed over from close range following a sustained attack which had seen the ball spun out wide to both wings, before the defence was finally breached. Jackson added the extra two points as the game entered the final quarter.
Ten minutes from time, Sam Jones sent Hughes in for his second try of the afternoon, following several minutes of sustained Wasps pressure. Jackson’s fine conversion stretched the lead to 31-17.
Almost from the restart, Tim Molenaar’s powerful run was stopped just short of the Wasps line. Wasps won a turnover and launched a daring counterattack down the left wing. When Tom Varndell was stopped on halfway, the ball was moved back across the field where Kearnan Myall showed excellent pace and skill to send Tom Howe away down the right. Howe passed back infield to Myall who went over for a superb try, which Jackson again converted, to stretch the lead to 38-17 inside the final five minutes.

As the game entered injury time, slick passing in midfield created a consolation try for former Wasps back Chris Elder. Tristan Roberts added the conversion, to make the final score 38-24.
Wasps play their second and final pre-season friendly next Saturday, when Connacht are the visitors to Adams Park.

This is from the squad announcement for the Welsh match..

Injury Update & Squad
The following players are unavailable for selection this weekend (please note, these are only anticipated return dates.)

Ben Jacobs (groin) - expected to be available next week.
Will Helu (calf strain) – expected to be available early September.
Josh Bassett (groin) - expected to be available early September.
Long-term injuries carried over from last season:
Jake Cooper Woolley (foot) - expected to be available early September.
Jack Moates (ACL) - expected to be available mid October.
Will Taylor (bicep) - expected to be available end October.
Christian Wade – Christian has recovered well from his foot injury and has reached his last stage of rehab. Having tweaked his hamstring, he is expected to return early September. The workload on his foot will be managed carefully throughout the season.

Injuries before starting pre season
Alapati Leiua – injured his ankle playing for Hurricanes against the Crusaders at the end of June - expected to be available end September.
Bradley Davies - injured his hamstring during Wales camp at the end of May - expected to be available end October.
Andrea Masi – back niggle picked up during Italian summer tour - expected to be available early September.

Squad to play London Welsh
15 Rob Miller
14 Jonah Holmes
13 Elliot Daly
12 Chris Bell (capt)
11 Tom Varndell
10 Alex Lozowski
9 Charlie Davies
1 John Yapp
2 Edd Shervington
3 Phil Swainston
4 Will Rowlands
5 James Gaskell
6 Buster Lawrence
7 Thomas Young
8 Ed Jackson
16 Tom Lindsay
17 Alex Lundberg
18 Simon McIntyre
19 James Cannon
20 Kearnan Myall
21 Joe Simpson
22 Ruaridh Jackson
23 Sailosi Tagicakibau
24 Tom Howe
25 Andy Goode
26 Tom Bliss
27 Sam Jones
28 Nathan Hughes
29 Guy Thompson

Bayonne have beaten Newcastle 26 - 25 in their pre season game this evening.

The Clan are putting together plans for the Wasps friendly on 23rd Aug.
Hoping to organise a pre match get together at The Hour Glass Pub, (Address: 144 Chapel Lane, Sands, High Wycombe) which is about 10 minutes walk from the ground.

According to the Wasps ticket office there are about 60 tickets out to Connacht for the match between Branch, Players families, Management and Supporters

I see Joycey has just arrived in Issoire....
Dream job!

Info on Adams Park for those going over to the game

www.rugbygroundguide.com/wasps.html#club

For those travelling to the Wasps game.

Connacht fans should request tickets in the Panache stand. (previously known as the Dream stand).

There is unreserved seating for this game so the ticket will only say Panache Stand on it and you can find fellow Connacht supporters once you enter the stand.

The Panache Stand was previously known as the Dreams Stand so when you call the ticket line and they have no idea what you are talking about, mention the Dreams Stand.

Fourdogs wrote: Guys

Is anyone going to the Wasps game. If there is a group, will try to organise a get together somewhere in High Wycombe

Barring a dose of Ebola, I'll be there with bells on...

Guys

Is anyone going to the Wasps game. If there is a group, will try to organise a get together somewhere in High Wycombe

St Placide wrote:

connachta wrote: I thought about that, but as I didn't know if he wanted to rent a car, I proposed the easiest solution, train from Limoges..

Sea_point always finds a way....

Desperation is the mother of invention, and I've never met a train station I couldn't sleep in...

connachta wrote: I thought about that, but as I didn't know if he wanted to rent a car, I proposed the easiest solution, train from Limoges..

Sea_point always finds a way....