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Why the star beside Big George's name? It's in the official Connacht release, but not explained.

george has been very poor, vs cardiff he was sent back 5+ metre a few times, doesnt seem to have the power to be a number 8. now rodney at 8 would work :evil:

Ulster XV and replacements to face Connacht, RaboDirect PRO12, The Sportsground, Saturday 21st September (kick off 18:45);



(15-9): J Payne,
D McIlwaine,
D Cave,
L Marshall,
M Allen,
P Jackson,
I Porter;
(1-: T Court,
R Herring,
D Fitzpatrick,
J Muller (Captain),
I Henderson,
R Wilson,
C Henry,
N Williams;

Replacements (
16-23): N Annett,
K McCall,
R Lutton,
L Stevenson,
R Diack,
P Marshall,
J McKinney,
C Gilroy.

Surprised George has been dropped. He seems to be our main line out target and forward ball carrier so far this season.
Happy to see Heenan start though, and very excited to see Clarke make his debut

Come on the Cows

Clarke named for first derby clashFionnCarr resized

Head Coach Pat Lam has named his side to face Ulster tomorrow night at the Sportsground (KO 6:45pm) and there are three changes to the starting XV from last week.

New signing Craig Clarke will take his place in the second row for the first derby clash of the season with provincial rivals Ulster. The 30-year-old lock will start alongside skipper Michael Swift.

Clarke’s fellow New Zealander Jake Heenan will also make his first start for Connacht tomorrow night. The 21-year-old former Baby Blacks captain comes into the back row at number 6 as John Muldoon moves to Number 8.

CraigClarke trainingThere is just one change to the backs with Fionn Carr, who missed last week’s game against Cardiff, returning to right wing.

Speaking about the team selection and the upcoming fixture, Head Coach Pat Lam said:

“It’s a big boost for the team to have Craig available to start. It’s been a frustrating time for him with injury but he came through the week well and is raring to go.

Jake made a big impact coming off the bench in the last two games and his selection gives us an energetic back row.

Fionn trained well this week and returns to the wing.

We’re all really looking forward to the first interprovincial game where both the teams and supporters will bring a lot of passion to the Sportsground.”

Connacht line-up v Ulster

15. Gavin Duffy
14. Fionn Carr
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Eoin Griffin
11. Matt Healy
10. Dan Parks
9. Kieran Marmion







1. Brett Wilkinson
2. Jason Harris-Wright
3. Nathan White
4. Michael Swift (captain)
5. Craig Clarke
6. Jake Heenan
7. Willie Faloon
8. John Muldoon

Replacements:

16. Sean Henry
17. Rodney Ah You
18. Ronan Loughney
19. Aly Muldowney
20. George Naoupu*
21. Paul O’Donohoe
22. Craig Ronaldson
23. Danie Poolman

Unavailable / Injured: Denis Buckley, Conor Finn, Eoin McKeon, Shane Layden, Tadhg Leader, Dave McSharry, Miah Nikora, James So’oialo, Kyle Tonetti, and Marcus Walsh


Connacht v Ulster
Saturday 21st September
At the Sportsground, 6.45pm.
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU, 30th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Kieran Barry, John Carvill (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: John Cole (IRFU)
TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU)

While the Clan Terrace is now sold out for Connacht v Ulster, tickets for the Main Stand are available online from tickets.ie, from the Connacht Rugby office, and from Centra and SuperValu stores province-wide.

Tickets bought from the Connacht Rugby office are €25 for adults and €5 for children (aged 4 – 17)

- See more at: www.connachtrugby.ie/2013092083503/clark...sthash.1vNaA52Z.dpuf

as far as i know, they only open about 90mins before and closes after.

try this place instead. €4 for the day (i think). 5mins (if even) walk from eyre square.

maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=Dyke+Road&dadd...irflg=w&mra=ltm&z=17

dont park in from of the cinema/argos/shopping centre and leave thinking you can save €4 cause you'll get clamped. this car park is grand, €4 all day. might be busy saturday!?

you could park in the Mervue Business Park near the Avaya\Nortel building, i've parked there a few times and had no issues but that's not to say it's a completely 100% safe place to park but then nowhere is

Are the 2 match day car parks only open for the duration of the game or are they open all day, would prefer to park up and enjoy the hospitality of Galway rather than have to move the car nearer kick off, sorry for the inconvenience....

ah wasnt you so, i spent over an hour after the game talking to 3 guys in the skeff. great guys.

Many thanks, yes I was at the Pillo last year but the wife was with me so I was on my best behaviour.....

Usually Match day car parks available at Moneenageisha CC (B ) and City Hall (A)

maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=College+Road&d...me&mrsp=1&sz=18&z=16

either of these or you could park in the estate close to the ground, its called 'the green' :evil: few people park in front of driveways there :evil: :evil: :evil:

By anychance are ye the crowd that stayed in the pillo hotel last year?

Travelling down on Saturday and was wondering where would be the best place to park near to the Sportsground, used to park in the Hotel but not staying overnight this time, any help would be most welcome and yes whither we win lose or draw we'll be singing SUFTUM

Forgot Faloon played for Ulster. Yep I'd stick him in as I'm sure he'd be amped to take them on. Would love to see the Battle between Muller and Clarke in the line out that would be awesome.

Borders article above is now up on the front page

Connacht Squad Update CraigClarke training_resized

The Connacht Rugby squad are training today in a rain-soaked Sportsground in Galway ahead of their first interpro game of the season. Pat Lam’s men will take on last year’s RaboDirect PRO12 finalists in round three this Saturday night, kick off 6:45pm.

Despite last Friday’s disappointing 21-10 loss away to Cardiff Blues, the Connacht squad came through with relatively few knocks and bruises.

Craig Clarke made a welcome return to training yesterday and will continue to be monitored in today’s session to assess his availability for this weekend.

Denis Buckley and Tadhg Leader were also back to full training at the start of this week.

Galway-man Eoin McKeon remains on the injury list with an ankle sprain. He will undergo a scan this week for further review.

It was confirmed yesterday that outhalf Miah Nikora will require shoulder surgery and could face up to five months on the sidelines.

Training PatLam_resizedHead Coach Pat Lam said:

“Miah's news is a big blow to us. We don’t have someone of his experience alongside Dan Parks, but we have to move on and give the other guys an opportunity.”

The team to face Ulster is set to be announced at noon on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Connacht Eagles prepare to welcome Leinster ‘A’ to the Sportsground this Thursday 19th September, KO 6pm.

There were some injury concerns following last week’s defeat to Munster ‘A’ and Academy players Shane Layden (hamstring) and Conor Finn (knee) look set to be side-lined for a number of weeks.

Academy scrum half Marcus Walsh (knee) will also be out of action for up to two weeks following injury during a club game with Corinthians RFC.

Connacht Eagles v Leinster ‘A’
Thursday 19th September
At the Sportsground, 6pm

Connacht v Ulster
Saturday 21st September
At the Sportsground, 6.45pm.
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU, 30th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Kieran Barry, John Carvill (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: John Cole (IRFU)
TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU)

While the Clan Terrace is now sold out for Connacht v Ulster, tickets for the Main Stand are available online from tickets.ie, from the Connacht Rugby office, and from Centra and SuperValu stores province-wide.

galway_gas wrote:

connachtexile wrote: What changes would people like to see for this game? Ulster haven't being doing well and we could definitely win here. I'd like something like this.

1. Wilkinson
2. JHW
3. White
4. Muldowney
5. Clarke (if fit)
6. Browne
7. Heenan
8. George

9. Marmion
10. Parks
11. Healy
12. Griffin
13. Henshaw
14. Carr
15. Duffy

16. Henry
17. Cooney
18. Loughney
19. Kearney
20. Fifita
21. POD
22. Ronaldson
23. Poolman

would stick Faloon ahead of Heenan for this one. He'll be up for it against his old teammates.

Exactly what I was going to say. Can't leave that man out, but Heenan seems like the real deal and will make a pain of himself.