This is down to the Individual, Alcohol effects Players differently even from playing at Amateur level, some players could have been out the night before until 3am off their rocker and then turn up the following morning and play a full game no bother. Another Player would do the same and would be stuck to the bed till 6pm the following day. The fact is Im not saying they should be out till 3am before a game of course I was referring to amateur sport. But its up to the Player to make the decision, its their livelihood and if alcohol consumption is effecting their performance/career then they should do something about it.

Do people actually think these guys should remain teetotal? Anyone ever worked hard for a week and wanted a night out? What if your boss says that to you, are you going to work harder or feel frustrated that you can't let go with a couple of beers. Rugby players need a beer just as much as any worker. If they are going out on a weekday with a match at the weekend fair enough but if they are going out the night after a game, what harm? For what rugby players do to their bodies in a game, they are well entitled to enjoy a drink. They usually have recovery 1-2 days anyway, so it is not like they are going into training hungover.

It isn't a Connacht thing either, sure I met Chris Robshaw England Captain in Supermacs the night of the Quins game of his rocker. He was in England training camp the next. It is no biggie, as long as it is done at a sensible time with a sensible amount.

www.drinkaware.co.uk/check-the-facts/hea...e-and-fitness-levels

www.gaa.ie/medical-and-player-welfare/fi...-sports-performance/

I've no problem having pints if you are playing for pleasure with your mates, but it must be questionable for elite sportspeople.

Is there any scientific basis for suggesting refraining from moderate alcohol consumption during a playing season has any impact on the physical performance of sportsmen? If so, I'd love to hear of it.
Whilst fully accepting that consumption of alcohol has very few physical benefits (other than allowing you to forget some terrible knock-on!) does anyone think drinking a week before the game has a direct effect on any subsequent performance? However, alcohol has well identified socially lubricant benefits (and disadvantages!) which most of us are well aware of - and most of us partake in.
In all my (very modest) playing career the cameraderie, team bonding, post mortem, 'war stories' and the craic over a few pints after a match was our equivalent of the modern post match video analysis - and much more enjoyable! I'll be delighted if the current rugby player can balance the traditional and professional rugby worlds and - as it's their career on the line - I'll trust their judgement.

columoc wrote: I think some of you are a bit unfair to Rory lads (and unnecessarily patronising - no room for ageism on this forum) as he raises a reasonable point; especially as he is a new poster.

+1

My view is that it is unreasonable to expect every pro athlete to be a teetotaler, but at the same time, they should realise that they are unlikely to succeed as pro atheletes if they drink too much. A few beers after a game with another game the following weekend seems ok to me, especially since they had put in a reasonable performance in this case. Having said that, I wouldn't argue with a head coach banning lads from going out if they put in a performance that he deems below par. And on the flip side, I would like to see teams being rewarded with a big night out if they pull an exceptional performance out of the bag.

columoc wrote: As for Dr Roberts, so what, though at least he won.

this is clearly a slow news weeks, little light hearted fun never killed anyone.

yes jamie roberts won with wales, first time in over a year!

also little fact, jamie roberts has only won 2 or 3, maybe 2 more games all year, both club and country!

I think some of you are a bit unfair to Rory lads (and unnecessarily patronising - no room for ageism on this forum) as he raises a reasonable point; especially as he is a new poster. Take no crap Rory.

Elite athletes should refrain from alcohol, especially while in training. No matter what the rugby culture is of yesteryear, alcohol builds weight, slows metabolism, slows recovery and generally slows mental reactions. If lads are serious about being professional athletes they should behave as such. Plenty of time to party after their career.

Now if they had one for the first time in x years, you might forgive them, but they didn't and have a match a week later. Not smart!

As for Dr Roberts, so what, though at least he won.

There has been issues at Connacht over recent years and to ignore it would be wrong. However, its up to each individual to make the call for themselves. Really players drinking 5 or 6 days before a game is no real problem in my eyes. Like everyone in the working world they were back at work/training on Monday and there's nothing wrong with them having a few drinks on their off day even if they lost. Its their indiscipline on the pitch last Friday that would worry me more.

Lads who are out drinking on a regular basis will be found out in one shape or form and most players nowadays realise the extent to which they can drink and still hope tp operate at a high level. Lads who are out drinking within a couple of days of a game are no use to you (bar maybe Paul McGrath 20/25 years ago) and given Galway is a small place will be found out.

The new management team may have to strike a bit better of a balance than their predecessors.

Did anyone have a look at Davies ID before he was served? He can't be more than 16. :lol:

It's part and parcel of the game of rugby at all levels (J2 and up, even u-18 :whistle: ) to have some beers after a game. I've been drinking with the best and worst of them haha

salmson wrote: And he's a doctor to boot! For shame

spot on salmson. if a doctor approves, end of debate really. rugby players go out and drink, its good for you :lol: :woohoo:

And he's a doctor to boot! For shame

Rory McTiernan wrote: Seen all the Lads drinking on Saterday surprsing seeing as they lost to a second choice Scarlets team is there not a ban on alcohol consumption during the season I mean these guys get paid quiet alot of money to play rugby sure its grand if theyr winning to have a few casual drinks but they seem to be seen out every weekend and they arent performing on the pitch....professional sportsmen should put theyr bodies as no 1 prioritties

welcome, as this is your first post its hard to know if your serious or just trying to start something.
ill take the less serious view, bit of banter.
my guess is you only turned 18 and started going to pubs/clubs and this is the first time you seen pro sportspeople drink.
all teams more or less that spend the night after a game in galway go out drinking that includes england internationals, french, scotish and welsh.

this picture might surprise you, taken on saturday by lions centre jamie roberts having a can after the game. be sure it was the first of many.

So basically your saying that just because we were missing a few players and the face we never win away which seems to be the case last 8 away games lost and the fact that the lads get bored they should go on the piss 6 days before a big game at home, these guys arent winning theyr loosing regularly and they dont seem to care,professional sportsmen shouldnt drink especially if theyr in the current situation the connacht lads are in abit embarresing dont ya think,doubt Isa Nasewa or Sexton have lunch time pints after a loss!

Oh, and most importantly: welcome on board!

Don't know if you're trolling or genuinely naive so I'll be charitable and go with the latter:

1: The Scarlets backline was raw but 7 of their pack started in the last HEC game, so not a second string selection.
2: We ourselves had our pack leader and two best outside backs absent on international duty. A new problem but a welcome one.
3: We haven't won against Scarlets in a decade and regularly get shellacked over there. Due to the lack of TV coverage I have no idea how well or badly we performed but the score suggests somewhere in the "alrightish" zone.
4: There's little doubt there's some slackness in the camp, probably due to the impending regine change. This has been covered at length/ad nauseum in other threads.
5: There are 4 very good teams in the Rabo; 2 decent ones (Scarlets are one of these), and 6 mediocre to pony ones (we are one of those). Again the question of realistic expectation for Connacht is thrashed out regularly.
6: Young bored sportsmen having a beer? Not news. Perhaps the (entirely salutary) GAA senior county team January to championship-exit beer-ban gives people in Ireland unrealistic expectations, but if you look at football/golf/American major league sports/Usain Bolt/cyclists riding the easier stage of the Tour de France with hangovers (yup, I didn't believe it at first too) then I think you'll find that for all the talk rugby players (pro and amateur) are much tamer than they/we think.