It depends to a large extent on who Edinburgh have available to them I suppose. I saw them on TV last weekend and they were poor but then again they were missing a number of key players and they did take the scalp of Munster in the Heineken Cup. I think Alan Solomons will get it right there eventually but it'll take a bit of time. I think I heard the team last Friday had no player born in Scotland. That is a problem for any team. Bradley wasted a lot of their increased budget on journeymen last season and they are counting the cost since.

We won there last season but frankly I wouldn't be too optimistic about Friday night. We could really do with a win to turn the tide before the tough December and New Year schedule.

Thought it might be nice to start discussion on this early after some disquiet on the last game thread.

We won this fixture last year despite two yellow cards to nil (and lost the return game I believe) which is another reminder if it were needed of both our inconsistency and ability to beat the odds. I think we're more than capable of another win in Murrayfield this year.

The squad is definitely stronger this year imo than the team that was out for this game last time, with more options and depth at hooker, th, second row, seven, (increasingly at eight), 10, 12,13 all being bolstered over the summer and during the season. Conn will be as close to full strength as any team can be while in season and should be looking for a win and even to deny Edinburgh a bonus point as they did last year at a minimum.

Edinburgh are as they have been for a couple of seasons now, inconsistent, random, pretty poor on average, but they're ahead in the table right now and had an extra days rest as well as home advantage. Both teams have new coaches and will probably both look headless at times throughout the match. Visser is out injured I believe which takes away their main threat, and a number of key players will be just back from the internationals. The least headless/more composed team will win imo.


Things I'm looking for, based on the games I've seen and comments on the scarlets game;

A simple,consistent gameplan in defence and attack for the 80. Heenan et al disrupting Laidlaw at every opportunity would be a plus, and make things a lot simpler for Connacht.
A proper six option
Fewer errors
McSharry and Griff centre combo with a new option at fb (sorry duffy).

Things that cause concern;

Six day turn around, something that's hurt bigger teams than Connacht in the past.
Options at six either coming back from injury and/or lacking match fitness (similar at 8 ).
Losing streak
silly mistakes
continued habit of turning off for 10 minutes at a time.

Even though there will be a six day turnaround there shouldn't be wholesale changes, I'd be content with a change at 6 and 15, (possibly Carr for Leader and Leader for Duffy) and the only enforced change afaik is at loosehead which may finally see the return of Buckley (or not).