I really hope we won't finish 'one of the 3 best 2nd" , for an away quarter-final once more. Could only hurt more the squad, uselessly. We have to focus on Pro 12, now, heavy schedule to come.

Thankfully that's over. Disappointing but by no means fatal to our European hopes. Still in our hands to win the group if we win in Brive and even if we lose in Brive we should still qualify in 2nd place with a 5 pointer against Enesei. Looking ahead to Ulster, we'll have to examine the body count.

this collapse was predictible. Doesn't matter
Poolman injury is a pity though

EDIT : he walked off by himself, good

I'd just like to say that while it is terrible to have so many injuries at present I think it is great to see young guys like Conan getting such exposure. Players of his age at other provinces would rarely get such experiences.
Great to see him play being a Sligo man as well. #fiveproudcounties

Pat's making a statement to the ERCC after not being allowed add another player - no harm in it I suppose, this is a game we wouldn't have expected a lot from even before the injury crisis, although with the relative form of both teams it would now be seen as an opportunity to score some points, but the way Newcastle were talking after the game they were happy enough to almost throw the game in Galway then look for revenge this weekend. Happy for O'Leary to get some time at 10 as that is a position he's played in the past and almost certainly wanted to play here but hasn't had the chance.

Pity this isn't on tv, if the scrum holds up then there's a lot of potential for an exciting game.

In the days of 22 man squads, 5-2 splits on the bench were commonplace. Plenty of versatility with Poolman, Parata, Ronaldson, O'Leary able to cover a couple of positions and in a pinch Carty could play FB and as Connachta said, Porter can fill in on the wing. I'm sure Heffernan worked in in the centres during training this week. With the way injuries have been going makes plenty of sense to hold some players back for Ulster. Should still be a competitive match.

6 changes for Newcastle.

15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Alex Tait, 13 Belisario Agulla, 12 Chris Harris, 11 Marcus Watson, 10 Craig Willis, 9 Sonatane Takulua, 1 Alex Rogers, 2 Scott Lawson, 3 Jon Welsh, 4 Mouritz Botha, 5 Sean Robinson, 6 Will Welch (C), 7 Daniel Temm, 8 Ally Hogg

16 George McGuigan, 17 Rob Vickers, 18 Taione Vea, 19 Calum Green, 20 Richard Mayhew, 21 Michael Young, 22 Tom Catterick, 23 Juan Pablo Socino

In relation to our team, its the sensible decision to target Ulster even if this team is like a team Bradley would have put out in a non-targeted game a few years back. However, in the backline I'd maybe have looked at keeping a bit of continuity in the centre and on the wings and maybe go with Shane O'Leary at full back with Ronaldson at 10.

Newcastle look a bit stronger than last week and will want to give their season some distraction by progressing in Europe.

The results of last week's games put us in a great position to qualify and since a top 2 seeding looks very remote we have to pick our battles at the moment. If we get a losing bonus point it still leaves us 4 clear of Newcastle plus having the better head to head. I don't expect us to win but I'd expect a competitive showing. At a minimum I'd hope we can lose by less than 15 which would leave us ahead of Newcastle if level on points at the end of the pool.

If any of them are carrying even slight niggles there's no point risking them on that ridiculous plastic pitch

Dillane, Aki, Marmion, White and Connolly rested/specifically prepared for Ulster, that's a very very wise choice from Lam IMO

If TOH isn't in the plane at all (I still expect a good surprise), I guess Porter would play on a wing if one of the backs is out. He did so during a Wasps friendly in London last year IIRC...

Where is Ultan Dillane in all this?

salmson wrote: Just 22 players (5-2 split) named for Newcastle.

www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-team-to-fa...cons-2/#ConnachtNews

Did I miss White and Connolly being injured or is there an element of silly buggers from Pat here?

Connacht team to face Newcastle Falcons, Sunday December 20th, 3pm, Kingston Stadium

15 Danie Poolman
14 Rory Parata
13 Peter Robb
12 Craig Ronaldson
11 Niyi Adeolokun
10 Shane O’Leary
9 Caolin Blade

1 Conan O’Donnell
2 Jason Harris-Wright
3 Rodney Ah You
4 Danny Qualter
5 Andrew Browne
6 Sean O’Brien
7 Eoghan Masterson
8 George Naoupu (captain)

Replacements:

16 Shane Delahunt
17 Finlay Bealham
18 Saba Meunargia
19 Aly Muldowney
20 Dave Heffernan
21 Ian Porter
22 Jack Carty

Simply a case of leaving them behind to prep for Ulster i'd imagine

Just 22 players (5-2 split) named for Newcastle.

www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-team-to-fa...cons-2/#ConnachtNews

Did I miss White and Connolly being injured or is there an element of silly buggers from Pat here?

Connacht team to face Newcastle Falcons, Sunday December 20th, 3pm, Kingston Stadium

15 Danie Poolman
14 Rory Parata
13 Peter Robb
12 Craig Ronaldson
11 Niyi Adeolokun
10 Shane O’Leary
9 Caolin Blade

1 Conan O’Donnell
2 Jason Harris-Wright
3 Rodney Ah You
4 Danny Qualter
5 Andrew Browne
6 Sean O’Brien
7 Eoghan Masterson
8 George Naoupu (captain)

Replacements:

16 Shane Delahunt
17 Finlay Bealham
18 Saba Meunargia
19 Aly Muldowney
20 Dave Heffernan
21 Ian Porter
22 Jack Carty