On possible team, with Muldoon being fairly average / injured in the first two games (seems to be carrying some sort of knock), is there an argument for having a look at Kearney / Muldowney at 6 with the other going in the 2nd row with Roux and possibly Swifty on the bench to come on and run in a try from the 10m line again???

Can't see it happening but definitely think Muldoon has not been at his injury free best so far.

connachta wrote: Just've watched again moments of Wales vs Italy 2014 with Lacey, and i'm a bit worried about his constant tendancy to advantage the defense in rucks and mauls...I Know we improved this sector, but still, if the support isn't immediate, it will be very very difficult to retain possession

Thats the way its reffed by most refs these days with the obligatory extra second or two for the big teams, be it ABs or leinster in pro12. Its just the way of things when you are on top. Imo laceys weakness is the engagement at scrumtime. He is a bit indecisive for me and props work off that. Ditto clancy and fitzgibbon.

Just've watched again moments of Wales vs Italy 2014 with Lacey, and i'm a bit worried about his constant tendancy to advantage the defense in rucks and mauls...I Know we improved this sector, but still, if the support isn't immediate, it will be very very difficult to retain possession

Would definitely start White above Rodney

Banm wrote: "Lacey is the fastest rugby referee in the world (as at 2014 January. IRB fitness testing)" - Wiki


Wish they would not have Irish refs for inter pros, we've been screwed too often

Former shannon and munster winger so not overly surprised.
Lynn jones was giving out about neutral refs and no tmo for some games after the connacht game. He branded the league as a joke and questioned how it could be taken seriously with these outstanding issues. Of course his team have just benefited from another problematic area for league when his player, coombs, only got 3 weeks for stamping on AWJs head last week.
He has a strong point on both counts though and the ospreys do on discipline.

"Lacey is the fastest rugby referee in the world (as at 2014 January. IRB fitness testing)" - Wiki


Wish they would not have Irish refs for inter pros, we've been screwed too often

At least it's not Clancy.

swift4prez wrote: Ref change for connacht vs leinster. Fitzgibbon gone, now we've John lacey. I need to be more careful what I wish for

I wonder did Peter refuse to ref the game the way the irfu wanted it to be and got the boot?

Lacey wasn't kind with us?

SOB and McFadden could be injured/rested according to the interwebs.

Ref change for connacht vs leinster. Fitzgibbon gone, now we've John lacey. I need to be more careful what I wish for

I wonder did Peter refuse to ref the game the way the irfu wanted it to be and got the boot?

connachta wrote: ConnachtCows, agree with your team but :
I'd put Rodney for Nathan
1) White had two matches in a row, time to rest a little bit a man who will celebrate his 33th birthday this Thursday
2) Ah You was very good when he came agaist Edimburgh, took the ball on the wing and dragged along 3 players on his back without being pushed in touch

Agree with this, I am curious to other peoples thoughts on this. White or Rodney?

Although Rodney made huge gains last year, White is still my first choice. I think he is a very solid TH and would personally be one of my first names on the sheet.

ConnachtCows, agree with your team but :
I'd put Rodney for Nathan
1) White had two matches in a row, time to rest a little bit a man who will celebrate his 33th birthday this Thursday
2) Ah You was very good when he came agaist Edimburgh, took the ball on the wing and dragged along 3 players on his back without being pushed in touch

And because Heenan AND Henry are injured, Naoupu can be a handy solution for lineout stabilisation
For Carr, would prefer Healy, and even Niyi or Layden

this projection shows how closee the head-to-head should be

Connacht
15. Darragh Leader
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Dave McSharry
11. Danie Poolman
10. Jack Carty/ Craig Ronaldson
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Denis Buckley
2. Dave Heffernan
3. Rodney Ah You
4. some combo of Mick Kearney, Quinn Roux Aly Muldowney
5
6. J Muldoon (think Browne still unavailable)
7. Willie Faloon (bad news of Heenan)
8. Eoin McKeon (assuming he's not rested, Naoupu could get a run)
16. Dineen/Delahunt
17. Bealham/Loughney
18. Nathan White
19. Any of the 3 above
20. George Naoupu (or McKeon)
21. Ian Porter/J. Cooney
22. Any of 2
23. Fionn Carr/M.Healy if back/Layden

Leinster
15: Kearney (no Zane, probably no option)
14: McFadden
13: Macken
12: Madigan
11: Fanning
10: Gopperth
9: any one of Reddan/Boss/McGrath
1: McGrath
2: Cronin
3: Furlong
4: some combo of Toner/McCarthy/Denton/Marshall
5:
6: Ryan (think Ruddock is still unavailable)
7: SOB (if fit, Jennings took a bang at weekend too)
8: Heaslip (assuming he's not rested, Conan could get a run)
16: Byrne
17: Healy
18: Ross
19: any of 4 above
20: McLaughlin maybe, who knows really
21: any of 3
22: Crosbie
23: Mick McGrath

rossie wrote: Imo the sporrsground needs decent covered seating to continue to grow.

Indeed. I prefer the terrace and always will, but it really limits my ability to bring my kids to games: if your kids are under 12 you really want seats so they can actually see the game. Likewise for hospitality you really need to be providing a (covered, permanent) seat.

It wasnt there last season. A raised covered terrace was.
Its my hope that they build a permanent one both sides of the main terrace plus the top tier of the clan. Imo the sporrsground needs decent covered seating to continue to grow. Temporary stands have never been popular anywhere for whatever reason.

how is it new when it's been in place the past 3 seasons?