zebre the better team in the first half, they butchered a try when there player only had mc sharry to beat but didnt know weather to go left or right, stopped and was tackled.

mostly everything going out wide to the wings, only the last 4mins that the forwards made some carrys.

we need to put on a score or two fairly fast, no bonus point for us today i guess but we need the win first

We need to capitalise on the extra man at the start of the second half and widen the gap.

Have to say I'm enjoying the Italian commentary far more than TG4's usual fare. "Mamma Mia!" and "Stupido....stupido..." have been highlights

Zebre their own worst enemies here. We've been pretty average. Early try second half while they're a man down should settle us down. O'Halloran looks lively and Henshaw has been great again. Come on lads!!!!

Great kick from Parks. Vital 3 points after weathering a fair bit of pressure. YC for Bergamasco. Connacht got the reward for not just kicking it out. 9-3 isn't bad.

2 kickable opportunities missed for Zebre. Mixed first half, have soaked up a fair bit of pressure but that pressure has in many cases been forcedd upon ourselves. Also for all Robbie Henshaws quality he hasn't impressed me in the air and the Italians clearly see that as an area they can get joy we were very lucky just before ht, ref gave a dubious knock on with Zebre through.

Scrum started well but has faded a bit. With Bergamasco gone off we need to come out and get another score or two. If we leave this sitting at one score we'll be sucker punched. Zebre have shown they can cause us trouble up front.

Customary Connacht slopiness in these type of games. 3-3 but this isn't good.

I don't like messing around for games like these but you just have to trust the managements judgement on this one that the gametime for the A team is what he needs. This could seriously come back to bite them though.

That team should be capable of getting the job done but who knows?

Yeah ER was the only one I'd change but hopefully he'll put in a big performance. Having Muldoon back is a big plus.

Can't see Eric cutting off his nose to spite his face with regards to Wilkinson. You could just as easily say Brett hasn't been putting in the performances because he's already out the door in his mind, which I don't buy either. He's better served getting time with the Eagles this weekend and working himself back into contention for the Quins game. With Loughney able to cover both sides he'll go on if one of the props goes down early and Rodney can sufficiently put in at least a 20 minute shift especially if the game has opened up towards the end.

As someone said this is the best side that could be put out considering injuries and in reality it's probably as good as a side as Connacht could put out even with everyone available. They really need Swift, McCarthy and Muldoon to raise their performance levels to where they were in the recent past. I'd take my chances with a back row of Faloon, Muldoon and Big George firing on all cylinders against just about any out there. I hope Ethienne has been working on his darts, I know this game won't be a stroll in the park, but they need to have their set pieces down for the Quin's game so let's get it all worked out here.

menacethedenis wrote: .... and give away some stupid penalties...

Yes David Gannon is in the MDS too...

.... and give away some stupid penalties...

Way, way too early for starting a load of unsubstantiated speculation about Wilko's intentions.

The fact is he has looked a little undercooked this season in the tight and loose. While we know Rodney may struggle technically in the tight he will run and carry till he drops in the loose and make his hits..

Wilko hasn't been getting minutes and has missed pre-season with us due to the IRFU player welfare yoke. Much better him playing with the Eagles than sitting on the bench in Italy.

That's as strong a team we can put out considering the injuries. Here's to a win!

rossie wrote: if wilko is undecided about his future decisions of this nature could make his mind up.

he wud know more than anyone how much superior and senior to rodney he is.

You won't get too many arguments on Wilko's superiority to dave.

I'd say though if Wilko's in the A team it's because he's keaving, and not that he might leave cos he got dropped to the A team as you put it.

He's given us half a decade's excellent service, and would likely be first choice next year for Munster (should he decide to go there). I don't think anyone would begrudge him a shot atthe big time.

Perhaps Wilkinson isn't 100% fit and that is why he is in the Eagles team where the pace isn't the same as the HCup game will be.

agreed. an underperforming wilko is still twice the scrummager that rodney is.

rodney does seem to be one of ee favourites tho and gets far more chances than his performances deserve.

if wilko is undecided about his future decisions of this nature could make his mind up.

he wud know more than anyone how much superior and senior to rodney he is.