Sorry, I was just thinking aloud. I understand the need to hold on to Henshaw. Would rather see him released, but obviously that isn't going to happen. While I dont wish injury on anyone, I would love to see him get on the pitch against New Zealand

Schmidt said in his pres conference both Jackson and Henshaw would have started if Sexton and Kearney were unfit, hence their retention.

Cover/24th man, take your pick.

Kearney was a doubt before selection and it's still possible he won't make it, in which case you'd expect to see Henshaw on the bench and Madigan at 15, or Henshaw at 15. Either way Ireland wouldn't want to have him travelling up and down to Galway.

ConnachtCows wrote: Why wasnt Henshaw released for this game?

Yesterday was a rest day for the Irish squad, so presumably the guys carrying injuries had to pass fitness tests this morning to be named in the team, and will be monitored right up to kick off. You'll note that Jackson isn't released to Ulster either.

Why wasnt Henshaw released for this game?

I have to admit that I know nothing about Masterson. I share swiftforprez worry about Denis Buckley also.

IMO this is a must win game at home against a much weakened Scarlets team. Taking that into consideration there are a lotof risks taken together with this team selection.

Team looks good, nice mix of youth and experience, Heenan is back which is great, Ronaldson getting a run at 10 with first choice sh and centres. Well done swifty.
I wanted to go to this but I've had a chest cold all week and I don't think standing out at a game will help things, hopefully I can get to a game before christmas its a bit depressing how long its been since I was at one now. /pity party.

Is Leader really better than Carr at this stage? We've one of the worst try scoring rates in the league and I really don't think we're using Carr enough.

first things first, denis buckley! Locks moving back to cover loose.

secondly, 2 captains (duffy swift) playing and it clarke captain. (100% right choice)

thirdly, my god do we have some Academy. look over the years, henshaw was a month in the academy when he won his spot in the team. leader was in the academy HOURS before running out for the senior team in wales. Now masterson a month in his academy and starting. i know ive missed a few but this is great work, plus something very handy to be telling young players we'd want to sign.

last but not least, take a bow Michael Swift, 250th cap.

Connacht team to face Scarlets
22nd November 2013

The Connacht team to face Scarlets in Saturday’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash at the Sportsground (KO: 5pm) has been named.

Eoghan Masterson has been handed his first cap by Head Coach Pat Lam and starts at Number 8. A month after signing for the Connacht Academy, the 20-year-old will make his senior debut at the Sportsground. Hailing from Portlaoise, where he attended CBS, Masterson represented Ireland U20s in the 2013 6 Nations v Scotland. While his mother is from Westport, it is his Scottish father that enabled Masterson to also represent Scotland U20s in last summer’s Junior World Championship. The young back rower impressed coaches in last week’s ‘A’ interprovincial clash with the Ulster Ravens.

This weekend’s game is Michael Swift’s 250th for Connacht. His second row partner Craig Clarke captains the side on Saturday.

In the back line, Galway-man Eoin Griffin makes a welcome return to the centre, while Darragh Leader moves to the wing. Craig Ronaldson has been selected at out half.

Commenting on the team selection and upcoming game, Head Coach Pat Lam said:

“Eoghan Masterson arrived here during the summer on trial with the Academy and since then, the coaching staff have been so impressed with his professionalism both on and off the field. He has worked hard on his game and has truly earned his opportunity and first senior Rabo game. I believe game time at this level is an essential part of a young player’s development once they do the hard work and it’s great to see players like Eoghan, Darragh (Leader), Jake (Heenan), Craig (Ronaldson) and Matt (Healy) all following in the footsteps of Robbie (Henshaw) and Kieran (Marmion).

“The recent break really allowed the team to recoup, and we needed that especially as we know Scarlets present a tough challenge. They had a good win against Ulster the last time out and they’ve been consistently playing at the top end of the table. Like all our games against Welsh sides, it’s sure to be a physical encounter.

“Training this week has been good despite the disruption of losing Danie Poolman to injury on Thursday and only getting Eoin McKeon back training late in the week. But there was a great buzz at training and everyone is raring to go. We’ve prepared well and are looking forward to this fixture.

“We need to keep improving. In the last four or five games we have pushed teams really close. We have shown a lot of heart and commitment, and also created enough opportunities to win all of those games, but we were not clinical enough.

“However there is a real doggedness and determination to get off the table and we want to start climbing, commencing tomorrow against Scarlets.”

Connacht line-up v Scarlets

15. Gavin Duffy
14. Darragh Leader
13. Eoin Griffin
12. Dave McSharry
11. Matt Healy
10. Craig Ronaldson
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Brett Wilkinson
2. Sean Henry
3. Nathan White
4. Michael Swift
5. Craig Clarke(captain)
6. Aly Muldowney
7. Jake Heenan
8. Eoghan Masterson

Replacements:

16. Jason Harris-Wright
17. Ronan Loughney
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Mick Kearney
20. George Naoupu
21. Frank Murphy
22. Dan Parks
23. Fionn Carr

Unavailable/Injured: John Muldoon Andrew Browne, Mata Fifita, Willie Faloon, Robbie Henshaw, Miah Nikora, Danie Poolman, and Kyle Tonetti

Connacht v Scarlets
At Sportsground , 5pm.
Referee: Matteo Liperini (FIR, 5th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Paul Haycock, Ollie Hodges (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: John Cole (IRFU)

Rabo Direct Pro 12 Round 7
Connacht v Llanelli Scarlets Saturday 23rd November 17.00

Connacht will be looking to kickstart their Rabo Direct Pro 12 season when they host a weakened Scarlets at the Sportsground on Saturday. After just one win in seven rounds of the competition Pat Lam and his squad will be acutely aware of the need to pick up points during the International Window. Scarlets demonstrated their potential with a surprise win away to Harlequins in the Heineken Cup but come into this game off the back of a heavy beating away to Saracens in the LV Cup last weekend.

Llanelli Scarlets Stats
Founded: 2003
Ground: Parc Y Scarlets
Capacity: 14,870
Captain: Rob McCusker / Jonathon Davies
Coach: Simon Easterby

Rabo Direct Pro12 League Position 2013/14: 6th P:7 Pts:16
2012/13: 4th (Beaten 28-17 by Ulster in the semi-final) Regular Season Position 4th Points:66
Heineken Cup 2012/13: 4th in Pool 5 Points: 2
Anglo-Welsh Cup 2012/13: 3rd in Pool 3 Points: 8

Recent Results
Scarlets 17-9 Ulster (Rabo Direct Pro 12)
Scarlets 21-13 Dragons (LV Cup)
Saracens 51-10 Scarlets (LV Cup)

Next Fixture:
Saturday 30th November 2013 19.15 Leinster v Scarlets @ RDS

Heineken Cup (Pool 4) (Current Standings)
Scarlets 6
Racing Metro 6
Clermont 5
Harlequins 2

Previous Meetings

Friday 8th February 2013 Rabo Direct Pro 12: Scarlets 25-15 Connacht

www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/12340.php

Saturday 15th September 2012 Rabo Direct Pro 12: Connacht 11-24 Scarlets

www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/2532.php

I take it the team is being named tomorrow?

Referee: Matteo Liperini (FIR, 5th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Paul Haycock, Ollie Hodges (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: John Cole (IRFU)

Liperini's 3rd game was; round 14- Scarlets v Connacht: 8th February 2013.
thats 15 rounds ago, 84 games and he could only manage to be ref in 1 of them 84 games.

1 st: Edinburgh v Treviso 5/10/12
2 nd: Treviso vs Zebre 29/12/12
3 rd: Sarlets vs Connacht 8/2/13
4 th: Dragons v Zebre 4/10/13
5 th: Connacht vs Sarlets 23/11/13

Ah You to start and White to get 20 mins near the end. He's being off for a long time and needs to be brought back slowly to lose some rustiness.

Sol_ie wrote: Despite breaking up the front row website address, I do think Rodney should start

Vewwy well....

buzzdixon.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04...f_brian_1358087c.jpg
WELEASE WODNEY!

ummm, wrote: that'd break up the WWW front row. That kind of silliness pleases me.

Great, ummm. Now I won't be able to un-see it.

I agree with what's been said here, a morale boost is well needed and well within reach. Can't wait to see team selection, I would say that the few weeks off have benefitted us to a MASSIVE degree. It's ours for the taking, hopefully.

Despite breaking up the front row website address, I do think Rodney should start