Darragh wrote: Not happy that Rodney is starting. Felt he was done here and would have preferred to see Conan or anyone else involved.

I was thinking much the same but then thought that Rodney might want to show something to his future club, pride and even more than pride is at stake, if he performs like the Edinburgh match, it won't look good to his future employers. I'm hoping he might give everything to impress Les Kiss. (fingers crossed).

Having seen them play a few times recently I'd be fairly confident of an easy win over there, their pack has nothing to worry us and with only a couple decent players in their backline I think they've been over-hyped especially here in Ireland with the Irish coaching staff, sorry this is the Grenoble team I mean

Think we'll have a tough time getting an LBP in Ravenhill

Darragh wrote: Squad strength being tested severely.

Not happy that Rodney is starting. Felt he was done here and would have preferred to see Conan or anyone else involved.

Many will say we are already too weak to risk not playing him but I argue playing him is more of a risk.

Going to be a tough one with the new injuries.

I am nearly wondering if there is something not quite right with their s&c/ prep as there seems to be a lot of injuries picked up outside of matches, which is rediculous.

More to do I'd guess with a philosophy of wanting training done with same intensity as you play matches.
Lot's of Pro's and Con's to that philosophy, but results are best judged on the pitch. Injuries will occur despite the best precautions being in place..


As regards Dave's selection, Pat showed in Edinburgh he won't suffer another half hearted performance from him. If he's not delivering Finlay could be on earlier than last Saturday (that being I assume the only reason he's on the bench)...

Many will say we are already too weak to risk not playing him but I argue playing him is more of a risk.


Ditto

Whatever else, Pat must have faith in Rodney's integrity. An Ulster win tonight goes a long way to ensuring Rodney has the option to play Champion's Cup rugby next year.

pinky wrote: I suspect wholesale changes are in the pipeline for Grenoble. Anyone who doesn't get a break this weekend is probably in line for one next week.

You could be right. I'd expect us to take Grenoble regardless of what side they or we put out. These jokers have shipped 255 points at home in the Top 14 this season (10 fixtures). Fine going forward but tackling optional in defence. By comparison our admittedly leaky defence has conceded 152 points in 9 home league fixtures.

Has Brennan played for Wegians this season? I am totally in the dark about him.

Aside from that I am quietly impressed with the team selection. Approve of Dave being given a chance... he has two things to motivate him (hopefully). First is to do well and impress his future team mates and coaches, and the second would be to take part in making a bit of Connacht history before he goes.
SOL at OH is obviously the lad with the most to prove I think, but his cameo last week will have given him some confidence. The Ulster half-back pairing are top top quality so both him and Cooney will need to really switch on from the off. We are also under pressure at 12, but I think we balance out once Aki is included.
Off the bench the pack replacements are very good. Dillane coming in with SOB will be a nice injection between 50 and 60 minutes.

Still not sure if I will make the game or not.

salmson wrote: More interesting is that Roux is rested but Muldowney is still being flogged. I wonder if Muldowney will play no part in the QF vs. Grenoble?

I suspect wholesale changes are in the pipeline for Grenoble. Anyone who doesn't get a break this weekend is probably in line for one next week.

Ulster team.

15-9: J Payne, A Trimble, L Marshall, S McCloskey, C Gilroy, P Jackson, R Pienaar

1-8: C Black, R Best (C), R Lutton, P Browne, F van der Merwe, I Henderson, C Henry, R Wilson.

16-23: R Herring, K McCall, B Ross, R Diack, S Reidy, P Marshall, S Olding, D Cave.

Incredibly tasty backline, forward pack a mix of the good (Best, vd Merwe, Henderson, Henry), the not-so-good (Black, Lutton), and the absolutely useless (Browne, Wilson).

Darragh wrote:
I am nearly wondering if there is something not quite right with their s&c/ prep as there seems to be a lot of injuries picked up outside of matches, which is rediculous.

As Robbie Keane famously sneered at a reporter who asked him if he were fully fit "I'm a professional sportsman. I haven't been fully fit since I was 17."

I suspect these are very minor knocks (Marmion's isn't even specified), which would not have prevented them playing in a must win game, and they are simply being rested, but we don't want to say that.

More interesting is that Roux is rested but Muldowney is still being flogged. I wonder if Muldowney will play no part in the QF vs. Grenoble?

Hopefully the Ulster faithful will leave disappointed but excited by their new tighthead signing.
So who's going to fill us in on Cormac Brennan?

Been impressed with Brennan whenever I've seen him for Eagles - but can he cover 10?
Great too see Cooney back

Squad strength being tested severely.

Not happy that Rodney is starting. Felt he was done here and would have preferred to see Conan or anyone else involved.

Many will say we are already too weak to risk not playing him but I argue playing him is more of a risk.

Going to be a tough one with the new injuries.

I am nearly wondering if there is something not quite right with their s&c/ prep as there seems to be a lot of injuries picked up outside of matches, which is rediculous.

6 personnel and a positional change.

Connacht team to face Ulster, Friday April 1st, Kingspan Stadium, 7:35pm

15 Robbie Henshaw
14 Niyi Adeolokun
13 Bundee Aki
12 Peter Robb
11 Matt Healy
10 Shane O’Leary
9 John Cooney

1 Denis Buckley
2 Tom McCartney
3 Rodney Ah You
4 Andrew Browne
5 Aly Muldowney
6 John Muldoon (captain)
7 James Connolly
8 Eoin McKeon

Replacements:

16 Dave Heffernan
17 Ronan Loughney
18 Finlay Bealham
19 Ultan Dillane
20 Sean O’Brien
21 Caolin Blade
22 Cormac Brennan
23 Danie Poolman




www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-team-to-fa...ster-5/#ConnachtNews

RogueXV wrote: With something like 20 handling errors there is plenty of blame to go around. AJ had as many miscues as anyone, Robbie threw a pass directly into touch not long after coming on and even Bundee knocked on at some point in the 2nd half. If Pat is only going to select players who didn't make mistakes in the Leinster game we'll see 4-5 players lining out again. Bundee has played in every Pro12 game this season and if it weren't for his 3 yellow cards he'd barely have come off. In the selection meeting with Pat I'll be putting forward Robb's name.

It was one thing that really became very obvious from re-watching the game. The number of knock-ons was very much higher than the norm. My guess on this is that Leinster were well up for this game and the hits were simply harder than the backs are used to. Not trying to be unfair but Matt seemed to fumble the ball more often than hold onto it when going into contact, Peter also had his moments as did Tiernan. As the season comes to a close and the stakes rise our backs must expect that the opposition will be VERY focused and will be hitting as hard as they can. So certainly this is one area that will be looked at before the game on Friday.

For all Connacht clan members making the trip to Ravenhill, you will all be made very welcome, I suspect that your long awaited victory could will happen this week, Lam has made you the best team in the league by playing a great brand of rugby. I also can't see anyone having any problems if you sing "The Fields" on Friday, you might find the Ulster faithful join you in appreciation of your team......Slán