As an aside interesting to see Eddie O'Sullivan at the game. Is that as good as a done deal???

Oh dear god no. :sick:

As soon as Rodney came on we were sent hurtling backwards which cost us a penalty at a key time. He did some good work after that alright but we can't keep coughing up 3 point opportunities in the hope that one day he'll consistently manage to hold his own.

I think you hit the nail on the head here and if he doesn't make it at the end of this season I'd cut him loose.

Overall hard to get excited about the quality of the game but we achieved the primary objective of winning (and by more than 7).

Awful evening. First half we took our chances reasonably well, lots of scrums, try was very scrappy but we'll take it. Parks was crucial in keeping us moving forward and getting in relieving clearances and was 3 from 3 in terms of kicks. He made a couple of poor mistakes too, 1 missed touch from a penalty and first drop off stright out but overall was important in the first half in particular. 13-0 was ok at half time. Treviso lineout was poor to put it mildly, Harris-Wright did fairly well in this regard bar one or two that were marginally not straight.

2nd half in the main was awful, account has to be taken of the evening but some of the mistakes were very poor and overall we lacked direction and left Treviso in the game. They were down to 14 yet got 3 points and almost got within bp range only for their 2nd penalty to come off the post. We had really lost our way at that stage but at least we steadied up to get the try to finally seal the game.

Overall I thought after a shaky start the scrum held its own, you'd hope they'd fare a bit better alright though. As soon as Rodney came on we were sent hurtling backwards which cost us a penalty at a key time. He did some good work after that alright but we can't keep coughing up 3 point opportunities in the hope that one day he'll consistently manage to hold his own.

Some poor first up tackling from Connacht on occasion tonight which would have been punished by a better side, some good defensive hits when we got our defensive line organised and Treviso never seriously threatened a try in fairness but we never threatened anything like a bonus point either.

Top performance from Andrew Browne, hopefully he'll get an injury free run and he can show the quality he has. McKeown filled in fairly well at 8. McCarthy put in a good effort. Others had their moments. Poolman looks like he could be a useful signing.

At the end of the evening its job done, performance wasn't anywhere near what we'd like but it was a dirty evening, lads deserve their short break now and lets get everyone tuned in for two very winnable games in 3 and 4 weeks time against Dragons and Edinburgh. Two wins there and we'll start to bed ourselves in around mid-table.

As an aside interesting to see Eddie O'Sullivan at the game. Is that as good as a done deal???

With the weather the way it was I think a five pointer may have been beyond us but it's a disappointment. Still we won and get a bump up the table. Now all we need to do is build some momentum.

P.S Glad to hear Andrew Browne played well and Gav getting a try. How was Poolman? I know he scored but overall gamewise?

Strange sort of game. Weather was miserably cold, but the wind was less of a factor than it can be. Wouldn't criticise anyone for handling errors, even though there were enough of them from both side. I think the scoreline flatters us. Treviso were worth a try and a penalty more than that, but you don't always get what you deserve when you are that ordinary. Their lineout was a shambles, but as someone predicted here, after a very solid lineout in the first half, our lads rose to the challenge in the second half and matched their lineout shambles for shambles. The scrum was poor again. The backs didn't get enough good ball to be able to do much. Delighted for Gav getting the try. First ballback from injury and he has to haul his ass 15 yards over the line. He looked like he was going to collapse after he got up! I don't think we'll play a poorer side this season, and being 13-0 up at half time I think it was a very disappointing second half performance to not even come near threatening the bonus point. But a win is a win....

For someone coming back from a longterm injury I thought Andrew Browne had an absilute stormer of a game. stayed on for the 80 as well I think.

According to facebook Connacht 13 - 0 Treviso at Half-time. Poolman with the try and Parks with the rest of the points. Weather is meant to be cat.

Hopefully we can kick on in the second half but can't see this been a five pointer.

Crowds aside the lads should be professional enough to deliver the same performance that they did against Leinster. No reason not to.

Will be good to Poolman in action finally.

Don't think the weather will help either the attendance figures or the performance.
But here's hoping...

Really is no excuses not to get the win looking at the Treviso team. 5 should be a possibility but lets make sure we win the game first and build from there. We were 15-0 down in jig time last year and spent the rest of the game chasing our tails making one stupid mistake after another. 3,6,9,12 whatever it takes lets build up a healthy advantage and we can go chasing tries then.

With Dragons and Edinburgh in disarray the next 3 games are crucial and offer big possibilities to really give our season a real kick-start.

Really happy to see Mick Kearney on the bench hopefully he can remind EE of what he's capable of and that will put less of a strain on Gannon/Swift/Macca to play week in week out. This will really lift us up the league table so it's a must win. C'mon Connacht!

Great results tonight. 4 points tomorrow will put us 8th, 5 will put us 7th. Hon Connacht!

I'm surprised Duffy didn't get back in. It looked tailor made for him, given the opposition and particularly the way Henshaw was shifted to centre last week. And I don't think Henshaw would have been too put out by being ousted by the club captain. I can only guess he isn't 100% yet.

The more I think about it the more I think this has the makings of a 5 pointer if our lads are tuned in properly. My only reservation is that it is just half of our first choice pack. Hooker might be a judgement call, but the backrow is considerably weaker than usual. Willie and George have been two of our best players this season and Muldoon is no slouch either. At least he's on the bench and will almost certainly get get game time. But hopefully there's enough it in that pack to have the winning of the game and, as they say, the backs can decide by how much.

Would love a fullback like Jared Payne. Gav is safe as houses usually, but he has been off form before the injury. I'm glad to see Henshaw get the nod even though Gav is back fit. It's a great vote of confidence for him and I think it'll show players that you need to perform to get your place.

salmson wrote: In fairness to Duffy he was second top scorer (6 to TOH's 7, 4 in the league) last season, though admittedly his league record prior to that (5 in 81) was really poor. Great to see Henshaw retained, also nie to see an all-local back row (including replacement).

My point being that our FB (whoever he is) needs to offer a consistent attacking threat, not just a competent defensive one otherwise we are always looking to our wingers only...

Good to see Browne and Duffy back from injury, long may they stay healthy. Excited to see what Poolman can add. I really think he'll be able to create some chances, it will be up to the others to be on hand when he sets off. He may be just what Vainikolo needs. Besides being the last game for 3 weeks, think there are enough in the squad that need to prove some things to the Irish selectors and Connacht management that they should stay well motivated throughout.

Creedence, was thinking along the same lines, but have been following Connacht long enough to know they are quite able to play down to the level of their opponents especially if they're Italian. I'm hoping they play it smart and this is were Parks' experience (he'll need to remind himself above all else) should come into play. The win is paramount so take your early points and if you find yourself with two tries and a good lead at the break then go looking for a bonus point in the second half. And truth be told, sure Treviso are minus any number of 1st choice players, but their half backs have been involved with the squad most of this season, the pack will likely be a tricky proposition and Brendan Williams is always a danger to breakout. Bottom line though this is a game Connacht should win and with room to spare.

1	Michele Rizzo	1	Matteo Muccignat
2	Leonardo Ghiraldini	2	Franco Sbaraglini
3	Lorenzo Cittadini	3	Jacobus Roux
4	Antonio Pavanello (capt)	4	Marco Fuser
5	Francesco Minto	5	Corniel Van Zyl (capitano)
6	Vosawai	6	Manoa Vosawai
7	Zanni	7	Valerio Bernabò
8	Robert Barbieri	8	Marco Filippucci
9	Botes	9	Fabio Semenzato
10	Kristopher Burton	10	Alberto Di Bernardo
11	Iannone	11	Angelo Esposito
12	Alberto Sgarbi	12	Andrea Pratichetti
13	Benvenuti	13	Christian Loamanu
14	Giiulio Toniolatti	14	Andrew Vilk
15	Luke McLean	15	Brendan Williams

Team on the left is what the put out against Toulouse - team on the left is playing us on Saturday. Only one survivor! We have to be looking at the full 5 points. When Leinster turn up with a little shy of a half first team we can beat them out the gate.