clanman wrote: nathan should be good to go for the Treviso game

Linley, Dave, John Fallon all reporting him as still out.

nathan should be good to go for the Treviso game

I saw Denis at lunch and he was on crutches and his ankle was in a boot

I think this is one of those rare occasions where shooting the messenger should be permitted.

salmson wrote: Linley tweeting injury news and it's not good:

Bucks - ankle fracture several weeks
Aki - knee, will miss Treviso
White - still not back from concussion sustained vs. Leinster

returning: McGinty, TOH, Heenan.

I'd seen talk on boards of a Dennis injury. Not good is right, but those returning players are all key guys so it's not all bad. Pity Nathan is continuing to struggle because we could do with him starting at tight head to free Finlay up to play loose head?

Linley tweeting injury news and it's not good:

Bucks - ankle fracture several weeks
Aki - knee, will miss Treviso
White - still not back from concussion sustained vs. Leinster

returning: McGinty, TOH, Heenan.

connachta wrote: As rumours seem to go in a good way for injuries ending

Pat should have headaches for the 3 next games

3) Bealham or White
Backrow : 2 of McKeon Heenan (for play-off) and SOB
10) and 22) 2 of McGinty Carty or O'Leary
12) Robb or Ronaldson
13) Aki or Henshaw implying
15) TOH or Henshaw
14) and 23) Niyi, Poolman Parata or Carr

16) Heffernan or JHW (or even Delahunt)
19) Roux or Browne
21) Blade or Cooney

With No 10 22. Should Pat go with his Best pair AJ & Jack or should he reward loyalty and go with Jack & Shane as they will be both here next year. I'm slightly going with the latter but could be turned.

I would almost put Henshaw on the bench for this game and give Robb a run out as it could be his jersey next year if he plays his cards right.

I guess I've been following the team for too long. Obviously a much different team, only Muldoon survives, under much different management but a little over 10 years ago Connacht went to Italy and lost to a Catania side they should have easily dispensed with. Sure Treviso don't have a chance against Connacht but that's the whole thing about banana skins, they're totally unexpected.

phatguerilla, I'd say Carty needs some more rugby to be ready for Glasgow and beyond so if he is fit he should start. SOL is a professional and will fully understand.

The only way this is a banana skin for Connacht is if they fail to prepare correctly - which has never happened under Lam. Other than sending the Eagles I don't see how Treviso can make this difficult for us. Potentially we might see a little rotation - don't think Buckley needs to start; some rotation at lock could be worthwhile, Connolly might get a start on a flank, but if Heenan is fit probably needs the gametime if he's in the frame for Glasgow.
Would be tempted to stick with O'Leary at 10, as dropping him now at the first sign of a fit senior 10 could be bad for confidence, and could still need to call on O'Leary even as a sub after this. Otherwise backs should be played in their best positions.

I also have to reverse my previous position that this result doesn't matter that much. Five points here and nothing for Leinster in Ravenhill would mean we only need a bonus point against Glasgow for a home semi.
So definitely worth making the effort

Beg to disagree: Treviso have pushed a few teams close at home but they got pounded by the other top 4 teams (Leinster, Ulster, Glasgow). Once upon a time this fixture would have been a stumbling block but Connacht are a different team now.

This game has banana skin written all over it. It was the one game in this run to the end of the season that started with the Leinster game that you would have said was a sure 4 or even 5 pointer. Top versus bottom. As neill_m said though this is Treviso's last best chance to catch Zebre and salvage Champions Cup rugby. They will be less likely to fall away should Connacht get an early lead. Connacht's job will to be to keep building on any lead so that the game is not still in the balance with 10-15 minutes left.

As rumours seem to go in a good way for injuries ending

Pat should have headaches for the 3 next games

3) Bealham or White
Backrow : 2 of McKeon Heenan (for play-off) and SOB
10) and 22) 2 of McGinty Carty or O'Leary
12) Robb or Ronaldson
13) Aki or Henshaw implying
15) TOH or Henshaw
14) and 23) Niyi, Poolman Parata or Carr

16) Heffernan or JHW (or even Delahunt)
19) Roux or Browne
21) Blade or Cooney

Creating match discussion thread

neill_m wrote
Looking at the recent results for Glasgow and Ulster in Italy - should be a 5 pointer. Glasgow were behind at HT away at both sides and were too good in the 2nd half. Ulster had the BP by HT last week.

The only note of caution is that Treviso are only 3 points behind Zebre for the Italian Heineken spot and this is their last home game of the season - they will be going all out for the win as they have to travel to the RDS on the last weekend.