Niyi will face a centre 8 kilos heavier.. hope he will escape from him with his speed!!

they have 4 centres in their backline, initially i was thinking we should keep it in the forwards but now after looking at their team their backline looks short on pace which we can take advantage of.

We must to target a weaker team, their 4 wingers are injured, as well as two bock-rowers. Win in Thomond was more a loss of Munster. And Leinster or other "home fortress" teams are different of us, they could be fine with LBP away as they KNOW, they'll win the return in RDS, at 99%. Whereas for exemple, we were robbed in Cardiff last season, and unable to take revenge at the Sportsground

But agree with you LBP is meanwhile a correct result

To conciliate the positons, I'd say we won't have any BP if we don't target a win. Last season, we were leaded in Edindburgh by 10 or 13, 8 minutes before FT. Then, it ends with a 30 points margin! we simply can't keep a result by "playing it safe", we haven't the accurate kicker to use that strategy.

Borders no.2 wrote: I'm quite happy with our side for this one. That backline has huge potential if we can get them some decent ball. I think the pack is competitive, Heenan is a huge loss no matter how you dress it up. Faloon is a very good player but the ball carrying of Heenan is so significant to us. Others will have to try and step it up.

Hoping for a big performance from Jack Carty, how he does in general play and our kicking stats will be hugely significant.

Having Ronaldson and Muldowney back on the bench is welcome. We will need big seasons from both.

Interesting to see Finlay Bealham ahead of Ronan Loughney who isn't on the injured list (was using the I-Pad for the scrums the last day). Also is JP Cooney still around, thought he was a player of potential but hasn't seemed to push on or hasn't been given the chance. Either way Bealham has yet to convince me from what I've seen of him. He has plenty of time on his side but would have thought the others offered better options and the ability to switch sides.

I was talking to Loughney briefly last week. He was visibly limping, but said he was ok. I imagine it's precautionary more than anything else

I'm quite happy with our side for this one. That backline has huge potential if we can get them some decent ball. I think the pack is competitive, Heenan is a huge loss no matter how you dress it up. Faloon is a very good player but the ball carrying of Heenan is so significant to us. Others will have to try and step it up.

Hoping for a big performance from Jack Carty, how he does in general play and our kicking stats will be hugely significant.

Having Ronaldson and Muldowney back on the bench is welcome. We will need big seasons from both.

Interesting to see Finlay Bealham ahead of Ronan Loughney who isn't on the injured list (was using the I-Pad for the scrums the last day). Also is JP Cooney still around, thought he was a player of potential but hasn't seemed to push on or hasn't been given the chance. Either way Bealham has yet to convince me from what I've seen of him. He has plenty of time on his side but would have thought the others offered better options and the ability to switch sides.

connachta wrote: I can't see any frightening name in this Edimburgh team.

Agree. If anything Dougie Fife was more impressive than Visser against munster so losing both wings is a blow. Also team captain Coman has taken a knock and in on the bench.For once we seem to be up against a team with a bigger injury list than ours.
Looking forward to the Ulsterman John Andress Vs Buckley tussle at scrum. Andress destroyed Ryan last week and will be a good marker for Buckleys progress.
Du Preez will be wont be used to playing at 8 but IMO is their biggest threat. New centre combination Andries Strauss (Richardt's brother) and Burleigh have good records in SA and NZ but may take time to click together.
We can win this one.

The IMF wrote: PP has us +7 for this game and they're never too far off.

I watched bits of their game against Munster and was impressed with their 8 and 9, perhaps not frightening names but they have enough about them to be respected.

Little bit harsh on Layden to be dropped from the squad completely IMO, thought he did a lot of things well last week apart from the couple of knocks-ons.

Didn't say at all they hadn't to be respected, on the contrary, even if my heart hope a win, the +7 bet is the reason talking. But I predict an open game, 34 28 something like that, opening the door for a double BP

PP has us +7 for this game and they're never too far off.

I watched bits of their game against Munster and was impressed with their 8 and 9, perhaps not frightening names but they have enough about them to be respected.

Little bit harsh on Layden to be dropped from the squad completely IMO, thought he did a lot of things well last week apart from the couple of knocks-ons.

Sol_ie wrote: If its on BBC Alba, they'll interview him in the middle of the pitch.

At around the 60 min mark

I see La Rochelle are playing Castres at 7 tomorrow on Sky Sports 2. Could watch the first few minutes in the Dail to whet our appetites.

connachta wrote: For the bench, I'm not a big fan of Carr since he came back, quite disappointing, always isolated. But with a 21 Year-old backline average, it might be more reasonable to add some experience with him...If Pat motivates him correctly, then why not to get the old Fionn back to his level... He still has some lights of pace, and can be consistant when he wants to. In Toulouse, he saved the team 2 minutes after kick-off with a very good tackle (despite he's not famous for defense).

This might sound dumb but when I watch Carr I feel he can only concentrate on either defense or offense in a match and do one well, but if asked to do both he dithers and falls apart. That's just my impression of his playing, I hope its not as simple as that in the players head.

I don't think you get the Red Button on the 'Other Channels' on Sky. team looks capable of beating edinburgh, we got stuffed by them last year and it's going to be a lot closer however I do think they will edge it

If its on BBC Alba, they'll interview him in the middle of the pitch.

Decadence wrote: Strong team, that backline looks a lot more dangerous. We'll miss Heenan's workrate, but hopefully Faloon can recapture his form from 2 seasons ago. Hopefully Ronaldson will make a good impact off the bench too.

if you can't get the red button i suppose you could always sync galway bay fm wiht you telly!

Rob Murphy will be in attendance LIVE at The Dail, so that shouldn't be a problem!

Is Brett coming along to do co-commentary?
Swift4Prez, I assume you will be doing a stand up piece for TG4 outside the ground pre-game?

For the bench, I'm not a big fan of Carr since he came back, quite disappointing, always isolated. But with a 21 Year-old backline average, it might be more reasonable to add some experience with him...If Pat motivates him correctly, then why not to get the old Fionn back to his level... He still has some lights of pace, and can be consistant when he wants to. In Toulouse, he saved the team 2 minutes after kick-off with a very good tackle (despite he's not famous for defense).. But will Edinburgh be a big enough name to put good pressure on him??? That's why Lam has to create this pressure saying :
1) the young guys need you to be more concerned with team spirit, support, organisation etc. Not only you and the ball, running lateraly against everyone else
2) We've Layden, Niyi, and very soon TOH, Mils and Healy so you're no more assured to be in the 23 at all. Then get your butt moving, clearly

I can't see any frightening name in this Edimburgh team. The front row is international, ok, but ours is more than solid. The rest is beatable on the paper. No excuse then, let's get back home at least a double bonus point!