wp_rathead wrote: Guess Marmion not on bench in Paris then? Shame

Strange one - he didn't get a chance to do anything against Wales to get himself dropped!

The Dwagons are out too:

Carl Meyer,
Ashton Hewitt,
Adam Hughes,
Adam Warren,
Nick Scott,

Jason Tovey,
Sarel Pretorius;

Phil Price,
Elliot Dee,
Brok Harris,
Matthew Screech,
Rynard Landman ©,
Ben White,
Nic Cudd,
Nick Crosswell.

Replacements: Rhys Buckley, Boris Stankovich, Shaun Knight, Cory Hill, James Benjamin, Charlie Davies, Angus O’Brien, Geraint Rhys Jones.

If you look at the various units I'd have us as being stronger than then across the board, bar half backs where I'd have a lot of time for Tovey and (particularly) Pretorius who's a great player.

As has been mentioned the Dragons are very strong at home so any type of win would be a huge result.

Guess Marmion not on bench in Paris then? Shame

Connacht team to face Dragons, Rodney Parade, Thursday, February 11th, 7:30pm:

15 Tiernan O’Halloran
14 Danie Poolman
13 Bundee Aki
12 Craig Ronaldson
11 Matt Healy
10 AJ MacGinty
9 Caolin Blade

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

Replacements:

16 Dave Heffernan
17 Ronan Loughney
18 Finlay Bealham
19 Ultan Dillane
20 Eoin McKeon
21 Kieran Marmion
22 Peter Robb
23 Rory Parata

Unavailable / Injured: Shane Delahunt, Nathan White, Andrew Browne, Ben Marshall, Quinn Roux, Nepia Fox-Matamua, John Cooney, Jack Carty, Shane O’Leary, Robbie Henshaw, Dave McSharry, Conor Finn, Darragh Leader, Ciaran Gaffney.

Dragons full-back Carl Meyer has been cleared of an alleged dangerous charge on an opponent

thats tough on Carty, lets hope he can be back in time for Grenoble match and last few games in Pro12, I'd go with Robb\Aki in midfield. Ronaldson should be ahead of AJ but not sure pat sees it like that.

Misfit wrote: www.newportgwentdragons.com/News/Article/43898

Carl Meyer, the Newport Gwent Dragons full back, has been cited by the independent citing commissioner at the Guinness PRO12 match against Ulster at the Kingspan Stadium, Belfast, last Friday, 5th February, for alleged foul play in the 67th minute of the second half.

The player's hearing, before an independent PRO12 Rugby Disciplinary Committee will take place shortly.

Law 10.4 (g) Dangerous charging. A player must not charge or knock down an opponent carrying the ball without trying to grasp that player.

Wonder could he be ruled out for the match?

Definitely I thought he got away with that a bit on the night. Nigel Owens backed his own convictions which I like but given there was a stoppage for Olding being down anyway he probably should have had a closer look at it.

Hugely disappointed this one isn't on the TV. Frustrating as it can be on TV, listening on radio completely shreds my nerves.

In relation to 10 I'd be inclined to back Ronaldson to get a run at 10 while Carty is out.

Rob's going over. Alan with the pace notes

www.newportgwentdragons.com/News/Article/43898

Carl Meyer, the Newport Gwent Dragons full back, has been cited by the independent citing commissioner at the Guinness PRO12 match against Ulster at the Kingspan Stadium, Belfast, last Friday, 5th February, for alleged foul play in the 67th minute of the second half.

The player's hearing, before an independent PRO12 Rugby Disciplinary Committee will take place shortly.

Law 10.4 (g) Dangerous charging. A player must not charge or knock down an opponent carrying the ball without trying to grasp that player.

Wonder could he be ruled out for the match?

Pretty sure I heard Rob mention that he'd be at the game. I'm taking that to mean there will be radio coverage, and he's not going over to Newport on a Tinder date :woohoo:

Anyway, think I'll just go to the gym while it's on, and listen in there

I was hoping there'd be a late announcement of TV coverage for this, but I've given up on that.
Strange one - you'd imagine a Thursday night game would be attractive to the TV companies.
I assume GBFM will have it.

Waaaaaaaaaaaat??? That's terrible news

:silly: :silly: :silly:

Squad Update ahead of Dragons game
08th February 2016

In round 14 of the Guinness PRO12, Connacht Rugby will travel to play Newport Gwent Dragons on Thursday February 11th. Ahead of the game, the medical department provided the following update.

Matt Healy who sustained a concussion in the last game against Scarlets and Sean O’Brien who was concussed in training are both completing the final stages of the RTP protocols. It is hoped that both will be available for this week’s game

Jason Harris-Wright
Hooker Jason Harris-Wright who was concussed in the Challenge Cup game away to Brive has also been cleared to play this week

JP Cooney
Prop JP Cooney who underwent shoulder stabilisation surgery in October 2015 played 60 minutes for Garryowen FC at the weekend and is now available for selection

Jack Carty
While on holiday in Dubai last week, outhalf Jack Carty suffered an unfortunate accident on a water slide. Following medical review, it was confirmed that the 23-year-old ruptured his spleen. The Athlone man has had the spleen removed and will spend another week in hospital in Dubai. At this stage, the recovery time is likely to be between 1 and 3 months.

not surprised Dragons put it up to Ulster, they only have 1 player on the welsh squad and they also put in a big performamce against Leinster. To be honest I feel a good result over there would be a bonus point, I feel there are easier games coming up where we can pick up max points.

Guessing same team as Vs Scarlets but with either:
Ronaldson 12 Bundee 13
or
Bundee 12 Parata 13

Maybe Dillane will be released to sit on bench but unlikely

Ulster move top of the table with a late penalty from Paddy Jackson getting them over the line against Dragons (17-15). Only saw parts of the game but Dragons will feel it's one they left behind having weathered the storm when they had two players in the sin-bin. It felt like the kind of defeat for them that we have encountered on so many occasions.

Anyway on to next Thursday, Dragons put in a big effort this evening while we had the chance for most of our squad to get a break. Its a relatively quick turnaround for them. Dragons at home are a side that can put it up to anyone on their day. Their pitch looked poor last Friday, doubt it will improve much before next Thursday. It'll be a battle, the lads will have to roll up their sleeves for a tough evening's work.