Shelflife wrote: One thing that I found very frustrating on sat was the programme details and teamlists. Is it really that hard to get the teams correct esp our own team. its annoying to look through the side and then try to work out who actually is playing in certain positions.

If changes have been made then announce them, and get the announcements right !! there were at least 3 sub announcements made that were wrong.

The program was a bit all over the shop, but when you have approaching 30 people take the pitch it's hard to get it all nailed down. More a problem of logistics really, only so many numbers printed on jerseys and all that. The announcements were a bit mad, I imagine the announcer sitting in the booth freaking out because 3 people are wearing 14.

Porterbelly wrote:


In terms of Jack Carty, he has a good brain but just lacks a yard or 2 of pace imo. He makes lovely gaps for himself and draws in the defence but doesn't seem to have the pace to take advantage of them

He chased down both Wasps wingers to save two tries. He has plenty of pace

[/quote]

In terms of Jack Carty, he has a good brain but just lacks a yard or 2 of pace imo. He makes lovely gaps for himself and draws in the defence but doesn't seem to have the pace to take advantage of them[/quote]

Unless i'm getting someone mixed up ,the Jack carty I saw saturday had blistering pace.

As per my earlier post,(happened on the Clann side in the first half)the wasp's winger was home free until Carty made up 10 yards from no where.Pulled off a great tackle to save a certain try.

Hard game to gauge on how players performed. Interesting to note the comments on here about the game whether it was how players performed or didnt perform or the new laws etc.
I wish that people would say why they thought someone performed poorly or why they thought someone performed well.

connachtexile wrote:

Slightly worried to about Duffy going up to see a specialist I know that's the norm but it strikes me it could mean that the injury was more serious than initially thought.

I gather its not that serious and may get away without surgery but second opinion sought to confirm.

One thing that I found very frustrating on sat was the programme details and teamlists. Is it really that hard to get the teams correct esp our own team. its annoying to look through the side and then try to work out who actually is playing in certain positions.

If changes have been made then announce them, and get the announcements right !! there were at least 3 sub announcements made that were wrong.

I know we used a lot of players but we should at least know our own.

connachtexile wrote:

Back Row Forward Mata Fifita suffered an injury to his AC joint and could be out of action for up to four weeks.

Meanwhile, Gavin Duffy, who was ruled out of last weekend’s game due to a fractured cheekbone, will see a specialist in Dublin today for further review.

Gutted for Fifita I have to say it looks like he be big for us this year. Slightly worried to about Duffy going up to see a specialist I know that's the norm but it strikes me it could mean that the injury was more serious than initially thought.

Agree re Fifita, all he needs is coaching. Flanker is where he started out before Sligo moved him to centre so it should suit him ok. You don't come across lads with his power every day of the week. Tank. Could be very useful in the future.

In terms of Jack Carty, he has a good brain but just lacks a yard or 2 of pace imo. He makes lovely gaps for himself and draws in the defence but doesn't seem to have the pace to take advantage of them

Back Row Forward Mata Fifita suffered an injury to his AC joint and could be out of action for up to four weeks.

Meanwhile, Gavin Duffy, who was ruled out of last weekend’s game due to a fractured cheekbone, will see a specialist in Dublin today for further review.

Gutted for Fifita I have to say it looks like he be big for us this year. Slightly worried to about Duffy going up to see a specialist I know that's the norm but it strikes me it could mean that the injury was more serious than initially thought.

clanman wrote: What was people's verdict on Ronaldson?

Not great. For a really big lad we seemed to be trying to hide him out at the end of the defensive line, missed/stepped out of his first 2 tackles, improved greatly after that and made several tackles. Nothing much to report on the offensive side bar one superb kick which almost put the winger through, it bounced the wrong way but still gained us 50 metres of territory.

In fairness to the guy the whole team was wojious for the 3rd quarter of the game while he was on, so hard to judge.

I'm not sure if he was getting enough ball from Frank to show what he could do given a chance, but certainly didn't embarrass himself. Very little chance to have a look at his kicking.

What was people's verdict on Ronaldson?

wp_rathead wrote: Muldowney seems like a handy player

liked look of Heenan when he came on..

Griffin was impressive, took try well, seems to have the spark back that he was missing abit last season

I think all the talk off TOH as a potential FB can be put to bed, didn't seem comfortable in the position to me

Frank and POD just showed how vital Marimon is to our team, both were pretty poor

Any word on Faloon's injury?

Nothing in today's squad update, but given his excellence last season they probably took him off as a precaution after a bang. It is the nature of Loosies to care very little for their own welfare even in "Friendlies"...

Connacht Rugby wrote: Squad Update ahead of Newcastle Game

The Connacht squad returned to training today following the pre-season friendly against London Wasps at the weekend.

Having involved a total of 40 players in the first two pre-season games, Head Coach Pat Lam will now select a squad of 26 to travel to Newcastle this weekend to take on the Falcons. The third and final pre-season game presents another opportunity to build on the different team structures ahead of the first RaboDirect PRO12 game at home to Zebre on September 7th.

During last Saturday’s clash with London Wasps, a number of players came through with some minor bumps and bruises.

Back Row Forward Mata Fifita suffered an injury to his AC joint and could be out of action for up to four weeks.

Meanwhile, Gavin Duffy, who was ruled out of last weekend’s game due to a fractured cheekbone, will see a specialist in Dublin today for further review.

Players Dave Nolan, Dave McSharry and Kyle Tonetti continue to make progress in returning from more significant long-term injuries.

Pat Lam will announce his 26-man squad for Newcastle on Friday 23rd August at 12pm.

Connacht kick off the official 2013/14 season on Saturday September 7th (KO 5pm) at home to Zebre.

Season Tickets remain the only way to guarantee entry to all three home Heineken Cup games and 11 RaboDirect PRO12 games. Season Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at www.tickets.ie or from the Connacht Rugby offices.

Connacht v Newcastle Falcons
Saturday 24th August
Kingston Park
Kick off 3pm

The game in Newcastle is not televised but we will have live updates via Twitter.

- See more at: www.connachtrugby.ie/2013081983404/squad...Nz1tCa.kpxhFefQ.dpuf

Sean Henry carried a lot of ball into contact which was great to see.

Healy looked powerful and quick, could be a great player for us.

Carr made one or two good breaks.

But Heenan is my one to watch. He was everywhere in defense when he came on, made it very difficult for them.

Muldowney seems like a handy player

liked look of Heenan when he came on..

Griffin was impressive, took try well, seems to have the spark back that he was missing abit last season

I think all the talk off TOH as a potential FB can be put to bed, didn't seem comfortable in the position to me

Frank and POD just showed how vital Marimon is to our team, both were pretty poor

Any word on Faloon's injury?

Conneely has bulked up massively since I last saw him. Was very impressed with Heenan while he was on, made a couple of very strong tackles and made a nuisance of himself. Sean Henry, Fifita and Griffin caught my eye.

My biggest worry before the game was that we haven't hired a new defense coach. Atrocious one up tackling and glacial defensive line speed on Saturday mean it's an even bigger worry now.

Thought that Jack Carty had a decent run at out half.

He sav4ed a certain try by making up 10 yards chasing back .Think it was Varndel,who had 40 yards to run in front of him,with no defender in sight .Carty appeared out of the blue to make a cracking tackle.

Thought Healey played some good stuff on the wing and showed some real potential.

Rodney-sorry but just don't get it .