Does black mean no difference? Evans is a much more established pro centre than Ronaldson. McKeon/Navidi might depend on what position each comes on in?

The tradional head-to-head

15 Adam Thomas, 15. Darragh Leader
14 Alex Cuthbert 14. Niyi Adeolokun
13 Cory Allen, 13. Robbie Henshaw
12 Gavin Evans 12. Craig Ronaldson
11 Dan Fish, 11. Danie Poolman
10 Rhys Patchell, 10. Jack Carty
9 Lewis Jones; 9. Kieran Marmion
1 Gethin Jenkins, 1. Ronan Loughney
2 Matthew Rees (c) 2. Dave Heffernan
3 Taufa’ao Filise, 3. Nathan White
4 Jarrad Hoeata, 4. Mick Kearney
5 Filo Paulo, 5. Quinn Roux
6 Macauley Cook, 6. John Muldoon ©
7 Sam Warburton, 7. Willie Faloon
8 Manoa Vosawai 8. George Naoupu

Replacements: Replacements:
16 Kristian Dacey, 16. Shane Delahunt
17 Sam Hobbs, 17. Denis Buckley
18 Scott Andrews, 18. Rodney Ah You
19 Josh Turnbull, 19. Aly Muldowney
20 Josh Navidi, 20. Eoin McKeon
21Tavis Knoyle, 21. Ian Porter
22 Gareth Davies, 22. Fionn Carr (nothing to compare)
23 Geraint Walsh 23. Shane Layden

Ccl : I've the feeling It will be VERY VERY tight on the paper

_nobody_ wrote:

connachta wrote: Nikora has just a little groin prob, no worriness

He is starting for the Eagles strangely enough! Just out of favor possibly?

And not 100% in form probably. 95% won't have been enough in such a tight game
See him on the bench in Treviso..

connachta wrote: Nikora has just a little groin prob, no worriness

He is starting for the Eagles strangely enough! Just out of favor possibly?

Conor Finn or O'Leary could have been tried too
But I'm happy with Ronaldson, Nikora has just a little groin prob, no worriness

phatguerilla wrote: Adam Thomas is a principality player and primarily a centre (according to wiki),

No 10 cover, but nikora not on the injured list?

Adam Thomas has played in all games this season- twice from bench. Started at 15 against Glasgow.
I read somewhere that nikora picked up an injury playing for Corinthians. In any case we have 2 10's on starting line up.
Overall I would have preferred Mcsharry to start this game and be tested against Treviso.

phatguerilla wrote: Adam Thomas is a principality player and primarily a centre (according to wiki), Dan Fish is primarily a full back, are they daring us to try and kick behind them?

.

I think that why Lam has prefered Ronalson over Leader for 12, kicking game, little chips over the top etc...

*cough* I also called George to start *cough*

www.cardiffblues.com/rugby/7237.php

Adam Jones is rested according to this. Their Tongan prop is even chubbier, I still think we can edge them in the scrum and our front five should be more mobile around the field.

I imagine the speedy Fish is at 11 because (1) they're petrified of Adeolokun's pace and (2) they want to test Adeolokun defensively.

Linley in the Advertiser called George starting, only real surprise in the pack is Loughs starting, but Buckley can't start every game.

No Adam Jones - is he injured? Edit: dropped.

Given the subs we can bring in to the pack - Buckley, Ah You, Muldowney, McKeon - versus Cardiff's forward bench of the excellent Navidi and not much else I'd rate, we should be able to take this. No excuses.

Lol its ok I had a similar thought initially. Although we're in a good place with injuries for now, the backs cover does look quite makeshift. But overall I agree with Lam that McSharry shouldn't be run into the ground and actually I'd like to see Leader get another run at centre. Given that Treviso is next after Cardiff I imagine Henshaw will also get a rest next week, or perhaps this was just a result of the big shifts McSharry put in so far this season.

phatguerilla wrote: Adam Thomas is a principality player and primarily a centre (according to wiki), Dan Fish is primarily a full back, are they daring us to try and kick behind them? Their pack looks big and blunt, depending on how much Warburton has improved from last week.

No 10 cover, but nikora not on the injured list? I know they often miss players on that list but still? Off the bench there should be lots of impact in our forwards, probably minimal from our backs imo.

edit: Leader and Poolman provide centre cover Connachta.

You're right I'm a fool,I had a bad night...Sorry

Adam Thomas is a principality player and primarily a centre (according to wiki), Dan Fish is primarily a full back, are they daring us to try and kick behind them? Their pack looks big and blunt, depending on how much Warburton has improved from last week.

No 10 cover, but nikora not on the injured list? I know they often miss players on that list but still? Off the bench there should be lots of impact in our forwards, probably minimal from our backs imo.

edit: Leader and Poolman provide centre cover Connachta.

Ronaldson at a 12 for such a crucial match... big ask for him

I was right about Layden on the bench
Carr at 22??? who's the cover for centre??

Connacht team to face Cardiff Blues
02nd October 2014

There are eight changes to the Connacht Rugby team that will take on the Cardiff Blues at the Sportsground tomorrow night (kick off 19:35).

Ireland international Kieran Marmion returns to the starting line-up to mark his 60th Connacht appearance while wing Niyi Adeolokun and centre Craig Ronaldson represent the other changes to the young back line.

Up front, Galway born prop Ronan Loughney earns his first start of the season after coming on from the bench in the last two rounds. Nathan White also comes in to the front row with Mick Kearney and Quinn Roux starting behind them in the pack. After missing last week’s game away to Glasgow Warriors, Willie Faloon returns to start at openside flanker.

Meanwhile, Leitrim-born back Shane Layden is promoted to the bench following his fullback debut in round one.

Commenting on the team selection and the upcoming game, Head Coach Pat Lam said:

“Kieran (Marmion), Niyi (Adeolokun) and Willie (Faloon) return to the starting line-up after a break last week to recover from niggles and are all raring to go.

“With Dave (McSharry) taking on a huge physical workload in the last four games, we’re going to manage him this week. It’s great to give an opportunity to young Craig (Ronaldson) at 12 who has done well for us coming off the bench and will also offer us added kicking options.

“Up front we have some bruised bodies from the last few weeks so there is some rotation in the pack – it’s great to have some depth there to allow us to mix it up.

“Cardiff is a team full of quality internationals led by British & Irish Lions’ captain Sam Warburton. Despite losing three from four, I can see the influence new coach Mark Hammett is having and the improvements they’re making week on week. We have no doubt that this is going to be a tough game.

“But for us, getting the four points this week is the priority. While we’ll be focussed on the process, the support from our fans will help us massively. Against Leinster two weeks ago, I had never experienced that sort of noise, and it would be awesome if our supporters can replicate that again and some more tomorrow night.”

Connacht line-up v Cardiff Blues

15. Darragh Leader
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Craig Ronaldson
11. Danie Poolman
10. Jack Carty
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Ronan Loughney
2. Dave Heffernan
3. Nathan White
4. Mick Kearney
5. Quinn Roux
6. John Muldoon ©
7. Willie Faloon
8. George Naoupu

Replacements:

16. Shane Delahunt
17. Denis Buckley
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Aly Muldowney
20. Eoin McKeon
21. Ian Porter
22. Fionn Carr
23. Shane Layden

Unavailable/Injured: Jason Harris-Wright, Sean Henry, Tom McCartney, Andrew Browne, Jake Heenan, Tiernan O’Halloran, Matt Healy, Bundee Aki, Mils Muliaina

CONNACHT v CARDIFF BLUES

At Sportsground, 7.35pm
Live on TG4
Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU, 62nd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Andy Brace, John Carvill (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: John Cole (IRFU)
TMO: Dermot Moloney (IRFU)

There are still Tickets remaining for the Main Stand, Seated Stand, and behind the goals, for Connacht v Cardiff on Friday 3rd October at the Sportsground. Adult tickets start at €20 while it’s just €5 for all Juniors.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.tickets.ie , from Centra or SuperValu stores province-wide or from the Connacht Rugby office at the Sportsground (9am – 5pm Mon – Fri).

Cardiff Blues: 15 Adam Thomas, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Cory Allen, 12 Gavin Evans, 11 Dan Fish, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Lewis Jones; 1 Gethin Jenkins, 2 Matthew Rees (c), 3 Taufa’ao Filise, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Filo Paulo, 6 Macauley Cook, 7 Sam Warburton, 8 Manoa Vosawai

Replacements: 16 Kristian Dacey, 17 Sam Hobbs, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Josh Turnbull, 20 Josh Navidi, 21Tavis Knoyle, 22 Gareth Davies, 23 Geraint Walsh

rossie wrote: Can anyone tell me if the surcharge still applies to tickets sold on the night?

at least it still cheaper than going to the Aviva to watch Leinster v Munster