Hodges was officiating at the RWC so there is no fear of him going away, im not his biggest fan but hes not a bad ref either.

Prior this season and last season the Connacht fans hadnt a great name with officials (grapevine chat) that has changed and I for one hope that it continues in this vein.

As Borders said, dont put yourself in the position where the refs decision can ruin your day, a lot was made of Jouberts call against Scot, the simple fact is Scot should never have gone to the back of the lineout and should have secured their own ball, but its easier to blame the ref.
In the Gloucester game the ball should never have been passed wide(ish) to Muldoon who was isolated but again its easier to blame the ref.
Its also funny how teams never claim that the ref won them a game when decisions go their way !

Anyway its important that we dont undo all the good work of the last season or so , we dont have to be nice , just dont be rude or abusive !

Somebody (Joel Jutge) must like him, he was running the line in a few World Cup group games. All we can do is hope exposure to a higher level of rugby has improved him. He couldn't possibly get any worse.

I would've thought after last year's twin debacles with this clown Hodges that we wouldn't have to endure him again. Surprised he's still officiating to be honest.

The IMF wrote: Ah crap.... Leighton's back!!!

But... but... I thought Hodges had been put out to pasture? Did the Pro12 Overlords hear we could go top this weekend and dig him out of the back of the deep freeze?

Facebook has both Robbie and Nathan training all week so I don't see any reason they shouldn't be available for selection. A week off this early in the season should be more than enough.

Like Evil_g said they can have the weekend after off but this one is key.

Borders no.2 wrote: I don't expect we'll see Robbie Henshaw back until next week.

We really don't (or shouldn't) need Robbie next week though. If he can't play this weekend he might as well put his feet up until the Munster game. That's the start of a tough run of league games.

Munster(a)
Cardiff (a)
Ulster (h)
Leinster (a)
Scarlets (a)
Scarlets (h)

We got a grand total of 6 points in those fixtures last year (4 of which came at home to the Scarlets).

If we could have him for Edinburgh, Cardiff and both Scarlets games I'd be happy.

[edit] Also, don't boo Hodges

To be fair, while the hullabaloo about Leighton was to some extent justified, looking back at the two games he had a direct effect on last year, Edinburgh at home we just didn't do enough in the first half with a gale behind us, 13-7 when it was at least a 15 point wind, conceding 7 was unforgivable in the conditions. We were blown off the park in the 2nd half but we had dug our own grave by that stage.

Cardiff away we led 10-3 at half time, at a minimum we should have been 12/14 points clear and really could have had it wrapped up at half time. Also, having got in a winning position, we didn't close out the game in the manner we should have before Leighton decided to stick his oar in and dictate the finish to the game.

He refereed us against Munster away last season and was fine, we were comprehensively beaten fair and square.

Bottom line is that the eccentricities of the ref / officials can have an effect on the game but for me blaming refs is futile, we need to learn from what went wrong in the games that cost us last year.

The team looks strong again for the weekend. Shane Delahunt was good last Saturday but I'm happy to see Tom McCartney back. Unfortunately we'll be missing John Cooney off the bench but hopefully Dannie Poolman and/or TOH will be available. Would be great to have Ronan Loughney and Nathan White back to come off the bench and ease the pressure on Dennis Buckley and Rodney. I don't expect we'll see Robbie Henshaw back until next week.

We've had some good victories under Pat Lam but now we need to push on for the consistency needed to take the next step. Leighton shouldn't be an issue. This is our chance to place ourselves where we need to be heading into the European games.

Hard to be nice when the ref is such a completely incompetant t*t!! :whistle:

I think its very important that we keep it civil. We have done really well this season and last season, Id hate for that to be undone in one game.

Personally I think we should kill him with kindness !!

Must renew my be nice to the refs thread !!

I think green tethers around a parking space with guide lights to his changing room.

That is not going to be a nice atmosphere at all. I hope we can try and be somewhat civil

He can have my spot.

In Gort.

Ah crap.... Leighton's back!!!

First time back in the Sportsground since parking space-gate!

Can the Clan lay on a complimentary space for him?

Borders no.2 wrote: For me the next two games will tell a lot as to whether we have the mentality to get Top 6 this season. If we want to be a Top 6 team, good victories like yesterday need to be backed up with wins at home to Edinburgh and Treviso. No excuses. Reading the report on the Edinburgh game, they were minus their world cup internationals bar Sam Hidalgo Clyne who only came off the bench. Its not going to be easy for them to immediately re-integrate these players into the team. What cost us last year against Edinburgh was a sloppy start so hopefully we can build a lead early on.

All points now are hugely important as it'll be a struggle to get much between late November and January. In the league, 4 of the next 5 after these two home games are tough away games (Munster, an improving Cardiff, Leinster and Scarlets with just a tough home game against Ulster sandwiched in there). Add in the fact that its a week in week out cycle and we are likely to get stretched for numbers at times while the others will have a full hand to choose from again, now is when we need to make headway.

Yeah, that's why we have to target 29 points after round 7, because it might be 29 points after round 12 too.
But for squad depth, with our new US fly-half I think we're ok... Heenan, JHW, McSharry are coming back soon, and the young team which played yesterday is up to it, for the least.

The only worriness for me is the LH spot, hope Ronan comes back 100% fit starting next week, because Buckley can't go on playing the full 80 minutes every weeks. Instead of 19 year-old O'Donnell, I Wonder if we'd better having McCartney as substitute LH, considering Delahunt, Heff and JHW are ok for the hooker spot. He was recruited for the LH/hooker switch if needed, after all....

For me the next two games will tell a lot as to whether we have the mentality to get Top 6 this season. If we want to be a Top 6 team, good victories like yesterday need to be backed up with wins at home to Edinburgh and Treviso. No excuses. Reading the report on the Edinburgh game, they were minus their world cup internationals bar Sam Hidalgo Clyne who only came off the bench. Its not going to be easy for them to immediately re-integrate these players into the team. What cost us last year against Edinburgh was a sloppy start so hopefully we can build a lead early on.

All points now are hugely important as it'll be a struggle to get much between late November and January. In the league, 4 of the next 5 after these two home games are tough away games (Munster, an improving Cardiff, Leinster and Scarlets with just a tough home game against Ulster sandwiched in there). Add in the fact that its a week in week out cycle and we are likely to get stretched for numbers at times while the others will have a full hand to choose from again, now is when we need to make headway.

phatguerilla wrote: Wouldn't drop TOH completely, unless he was poor against Spreys? Leader and Parata for the bench places perhaps.

Wasn't poor but went off after 10 minutes, on an up-and under contact. No need to risk him when you get a HealyPoolman/Leader trio available.

For Henshaw, Parata indeed if he can't play even on the bench. But would be unfair if the Scottish International lads are back for 'Bra

Don't think we're going to see Henshaw yet, White possibly. Wouldn't drop TOH completely, unless he was poor against Spreys? Leader and Parata for the bench places perhaps. Fantastic to get the win against Ospreys but really have to focus the minds against and Edinburgh team that will be hurting after losing to Zebre.

You're getting a little ahead of yourself assuming a win against Treviso but to have even 28 points and be almost half way to sixth place based on last seasons table would be a fantastic return for the start of the season.