Cardiff team looks strong on paper but its little different to the team that has really been struggling for any semblance of form in the last few months. However, they will cause us problems in attack. Defensively we need to be a lot stronger and not concede soft ground around the fringes. Navidi is a player we need to get a handle on early and try and stop them getting on the front foot.

Defensively they don't impress me. We will get chances. Like wp_rathead I'd feel a lot more confident if Nathan White was starting. Hard to judge the scrum last week, it did what it had to do without being properly tested but Rodney desperately needs to deliver a big showing. Glad to see Mick Kearney back, he has done well off the bench in the last couple of games, obviously Quinn Roux is a loss though.

Not overly confident but don't see why we should go there with any fear either.

For the sake of the player, I think he may go in ProD2 in France, with an ambitious club like Agen, Aurillac, Perpignan. Have some gametime, score tries as he always did, and who knows, finish his career in top 14. With Poolman re-signed ¨+ Healy better than ever + Niyi + TOH back + Gaffney coming, Carr is promised to Eagles, and he deserves more...

sea_point wrote: For that matter, what is Fionn Carr doing with his weekends...?

He was water boy last weekend against Treviso.

Jesus I wish White was fit for this - the Cardiff front row isn't the strongest. Need big game from Rodney!

Craig Clarke pretty much paid for his signing with his performance away in Toulouse alone last season - a similar one by Mils in Cardiff would be most welcome

Not too concerned about Mil's lack of pace, as long as he's tidy at the back and makes his hits.
My concern is starting players direct from injuries especially in big games and away from home, I'd always rather they have game time for the bench before the return to a starting role...

What's going on with Dave Heff, not on injured list and not in Squad? Last involved for Scarlets game..
For that matter, what is Fionn Carr doing with his weekends...?

ConnachtCows wrote: Connacht team to face Cardiff
05th March 2015

Connacht team to face Cardiff

15. Mils Muliaina
14. Tiernan O’Halloran
13. Danie Poolman
12. Dave McSharry
11. Matt Healy
10. Craig Ronaldson
9. John Cooney

1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Mick Kearney
5. Aly Muldowney
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. Jake Heenan
8. George Naoupu

Replacements:

16. Shane Delahunt
17. Ronan Loughney
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Andrew Browne
20. Eoghan Masterson
21. Ian Porter
22. Jack Carty
23. Darragh Leader

Unavailable/Injured: Jason Harris-Wright, Sean Henry, Nathan White, Michael Swift, Willie Faloon, Eoin McKeon, Kieran Marmion, Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Niyi Adeolokun.

I like the look of our team, Danie is adjusting at 13 and hopefully continues to improve. With so many kicking options on the field we have to be accurate with our clearance kicks and not try to run everything from out own 22. This is the game that proves whether this team is learning and continuing to improve or have settled at this level.

Like the team my only real concern is Mils lack of pace on the super quick 4G pitch

Tough Blues team...

ConnachtCows wrote: No Quin Roux. Surprised, but we're still just as strong in that area.
Surprised that Masterson has dropped to the bench. He hasn't done anything wrong to lose his spot. Hopefully it means that George has stepped it up, and is playing even better

I'm a big fan of Masterson, but Lam made a wise choice, experience needed for this kind of away games

wp_rathead wrote: Cardiff Blues: 15 Rhys Patchell, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Cory Allen, 12 Gavin Evans, 11 Joaquin Tuculet, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Lloyd Williams; 1 Sam Hobbs, 2 Kristian Dacey, 3 Taufa'ao Filise, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Lou Reed, 6 Josh Turnbull, 7 Ellis Jenkins (c), 8 Josh Navidi

Replacements: 16 Rhys Williams, 17 Thomas Davies, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Filo Paulo, 20 Macauley Cook, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Gareth Davies, 23 Tom Isaacs

we've got very few chances against that team. :dry: Probably their best, Warburton aside

Cardiff Blues: 15 Rhys Patchell, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Cory Allen, 12 Gavin Evans, 11 Joaquin Tuculet, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Lloyd Williams; 1 Sam Hobbs, 2 Kristian Dacey, 3 Taufa'ao Filise, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Lou Reed, 6 Josh Turnbull, 7 Ellis Jenkins (c), 8 Josh Navidi

Replacements: 16 Rhys Williams, 17 Thomas Davies, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Filo Paulo, 20 Macauley Cook, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Gareth Davies, 23 Tom Isaacs

Yeaah Kearney's back! I was right (for once :lol: )

No Quin Roux. Surprised, but we're still just as strong in that area.
Surprised that Masterson has dropped to the bench. He hasn't done anything wrong to lose his spot. Hopefully it means that George has stepped it up, and is playing even better

Connacht team to face Cardiff
05th March 2015

Pat Lam has made three personnel changes to his side that will travel to face Cardiff Blues at on Friday night (7:35pm).

Mils Muliaina returns to the fray and will start at full back, while last week’s opening try scorer Tiernan O’Halloran shifts to the right wing.

23-year-old Mick Kearney is promoted to the starting lineup and joins Aly Muldowney in the second row while George Naoupu at Number 8 represents the other change to the pack.

Darragh Leader returns from injury to take his place on the bench and his fellow Galway-born team mate Andrew Browne is included amongst the replacement forwards.

Commenting on the upcoming game, head coach Pat Lam said:

“With another physical challenge away from home, it’s great to be able to bring in fresh legs up front with Mick, George and Andrew in addition to the leadership and experience from Mils out the back.

“Like every game from now until the end of the season, four points against Cardiff is massively important in the context of our ultimate goal.

“Challenges we face this week such as a short five-day turnaround, long travel, and 4G pitch were all identified early on and we tailored our preparation accordingly.

“We know how dangerous Cardiff can be, especially at home. They had a fantastic win against Edinburgh last weekend, playing more of an expansive game and stretching the defence to score some quality tries. Once again we will need to perform as a team to secure the desired outcome that will leave us in a strong position before the break.”

Connacht team to face Cardiff

15. Mils Muliaina
14. Tiernan O’Halloran
13. Danie Poolman
12. Dave McSharry
11. Matt Healy
10. Craig Ronaldson
9. John Cooney

1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Mick Kearney
5. Aly Muldowney
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. Jake Heenan
8. George Naoupu

Replacements:

16. Shane Delahunt
17. Ronan Loughney
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Andrew Browne
20. Eoghan Masterson
21. Ian Porter
22. Jack Carty
23. Darragh Leader

Unavailable/Injured: Jason Harris-Wright, Sean Henry, Nathan White, Michael Swift, Willie Faloon, Eoin McKeon, Kieran Marmion, Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Niyi Adeolokun.

salmson wrote: Cuthbert ready to play according to BBC. Has Dave Mc ever played left wing before?

Poolman or Healy are good enough defensively to take cake of Cuthbert

Cuthbert ready to play according to BBC. Has Dave Mc ever played left wing before?