greyingbeard wrote: IRFU can only rest players if they've played a certain number of games already, Robbie being injured means he's nowhere near being overplayed so it'll be between Pat and the surgeon to decide if he plays in one or both games before the 6N

Yes, on the contrary it might be dangerous to throw him directy in International game. HAS TO play vs Scarlets, no doubt about that

IRFU can only rest players if they've played a certain number of games already, Robbie being injured means he's nowhere near being overplayed so it'll be between Pat and the surgeon to decide if he plays in one or both games before the 6N

wp_rathead wrote: So what we thinking if Robbie is fit lads:
Fullback and give TOH a break?
Or at 13 where he'll likely be against Scarlets, could partner Peter Robb?

Agree with this wholeheartedly. Toh needs a break. He has a long season still in front of him with no backup of note. In any case I see Robbie starting at 15 for Ireland in the 6n (McCloskey can't be ignored and Fitzgerald would be my preferred partner in the centre) as RK is no more than ordinary this weather.

clanman wrote:
i have a bad feeling about this, that if Henshaw plays this weekend then he'll not be available for the Scarlets match and instead will be called up for Ireland duty and not released, in fact I can see him being on the bench for Ireland's first 6-nations match.

Not impossible I suppose but he's been out injured for awhile and Joe might actually like him to get some games in before the 6N.

Yeah, even before I heard Leader was injured and out for the season I thought Robbie might play some FB. TOH could have already used the break now it's even more important since Connacht will probably be without Henshaw for 5-6 games over the 6N period.

connachta wrote: Henshaw for FB against both Enisei and Scarlets.
TOH in the fridge for 2 weeks please, he'll be our last FB available until April, with Leader out and Henshaw with Joe

if he gets just a knock we'll be forced to use either Poolman, Gaffney, or Carr there. Some talent, but not sure values at 15...

i have a bad feeling about this, that if Henshaw plays this weekend then he'll not be available for the Scarlets match and instead will be called up for Ireland duty and not released, in fact I can see him being on the bench for Ireland's first 6-nations match.

Henshaw for FB against both Enisei and Scarlets.
TOH in the fridge for 2 weeks please, he'll be our last FB available until April, with Leader out and Henshaw with Joe

if he gets just a knock we'll be forced to use either Poolman, Gaffney, or Carr there. Some talent, but not sure values at 15...

So what we thinking if Robbie is fit lads:
Fullback and give TOH a break?
Or at 13 where he'll likely be against Scarlets, could partner Peter Robb?

Linley Mackenzie reporting Harris-Wright, McKeon, Ronaldson out of Enesei game, Leader out for season. Marmion back, Henshaw training, available pending sign-off from surgeon.

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While we have to show due respect to Enisei, this should be a game where we will be alright resting a few. Enisei have done well at home but got two sound beatings away from home. Go with a solid pack and a similar enough team that did the job out there and we should be fine. There is obviously players who need gametime also so that has to be brought into consideration also.

The sooner we get the job done the better but after the last few weeks I just want to see us getting the basics right first and foremost. We don't need to force it from the first minute. If it takes until the last 15 or 20 so be it but let's not cause ourselves unnecessary problems like we did time and again in the last two games.

Playing a weaker side, get our kicking game right, play the game in the right areas and we will get our reward.

Should they take Enisei lightly? No, but also no need to panic. They outscored Brive 3-0 in tries and even with a side like Connachta has named there is plenty of fire power to get the win plus the 4 tries. They just need to clean things up and play smart against Enisei.

If Robbie is 100% I would get him in this game either in the centre or at fullback. He needs a run out before the Scarlets game.

I think Henshaw may play to get a run out before Scarlets and also will he be available for the Scarlets game with the first 6 nations game the following weekend, likewise Marmion and White

menacethedenis wrote: Strongest team possible again from Pat I assume?

Hell no!!!!!!

1) Buckley for gametime, O'Donnell on the bench (Loughney out of breath since Scarlets)
2) Heff
3) Bealham (have to prepare his switch back to TH)
4) Qualter
5) Naoupu
6) SOB
7) Connolly
8 ) McKeon (hope his ankle is ok)
9) Blade (deserves to be ahead of porter)
10) mcGinty
11) Niyi
12) Robb
13) Parata
14) Poolman (needs gametime)
15) Leader

which leaves fully preserved and specifically trained for Scarlets :


2) McCartney (full-power after 3 games since comeback)
3) White (fresh and rested)
4) Dillane (boosted by Irish call-up)
5) Muldowney (rested against Enisei)
6) Muldoon (better than ever)
7) Heenan (full-power after a month since comeback)
8 ) Masterson (might have to play if Mckeon is out)
9) Marmion (rested as we speak)
10) Carty, Ronaldson (one or both on the bench for the Russian)
11) Heals (better than ever)
12) Aki
13) Henshaw (has to recover)
15) TOH (finally rested)

Connacht v RC Enisei - Challenge Cup R6 - 23/1/16
15:00 - Sportsground

Before the Brive match I would have been pretty confident of getting the maximum 5 points here handy enough. Now? I'm not so sure. Hopefully it was the wake-up call we've needed and we'll see a reaction from the players this week, particularly from our out-halves. Enisei played well last week and will be buoyed by the win, I'm sure they'll be looking to end their maiden campaign with a bang. Strongest team possible again from Pat I assume? We can't really take any chances with our qualification in the balance. The permutations detailed in the other thread give me a headache!