I wonder why when they are putting the game on at 4 they couldn't put it on at 5.30, 6 or 6.30 and draw a bit of a crowd. With it starting at 4 they'll need to have lights on anyway so what difference does another couple of hours make. I know Leinster want to be back at a reasonable hour but they'd still be home relatively early if the game was on a bit later. Bit disappointed with that but I'm sure there is a reason.

Its a Connacht side that should have enough experience to win but more importantly it gives game time to players who will be needed as the season progresses. I think we coped reasonably well without Nathan White but last Friday highlighted amongst other things how badly we need him as an option at tight head for the bigger games. If he can get this game, the La Rochelle game and perhaps get a bit of game time for the Wolfhounds he should be getting up to speed for the Scarlets game.

I wonder will Ronan Loughney be maybe given 40/50 minutes here and then called ashore as he's likely to be on the bench on Sunday, similarly with Dillane and maybe Browne. Good to see Niyi getting a game. O'Leary seems to be moved around a fair bit, it'll be interesting to see how he does at 10.

Bit disappointed at how Masterson has fallen out of favour, looked a good player in the making with the few games he got last season.

clanman wrote: i assume the team selection was made with a view ahead to the game against La Rochelle and giving these guys another chance to represent the Senior team, as for the Leinster team they have 10 U20 players involved. Also I think we can assume Mick Kearney is back for the Exeter game

11

Heffernan, Loughman, Murphy, Oliver, Timoney, Rock, McCarthy, Carberry, Ringrose, Brewer, Dardis.

pinky wrote:

beatthedeck wrote: Is there an admission fee in for the game tomorrow ?

Ponty game was €5 anyway. It won't be more than that.

Highly doubt there will be an admission fee. Ponty game was British and Irish Cup game, played at the weekend. This is not. Hopefully will be at the game. Would be good to see John Healy get some game time.

i assume the team selection was made with a view ahead to the game against La Rochelle and giving these guys another chance to represent the Senior team, as for the Leinster team they have 10 U20 players involved. Also I think we can assume Mick Kearney is back for the Exeter game

Massive difference in experience in both sides, Leinster oldest player is 25 and plays AIL. Has never been in the academy setup.

Leinster 'A'
1. Ian Hirst(25)
2. James Tracy(23)
3. Oisin Heffernan(20)
4. Tadhg Beirne(23)
5. Gavin Thornbury(21)
6. Jordan Coghlan(22)
7. Nick Timoney(19)
8. Peadar Timmins(21)
9. Charlie Rock(19)
10. Joey Carbury(19)
11. Garry Ringrose(19)
12. Steve Crosbie(21)
13. Colm O'Shea(23)
14. Sam Coghlan Murray(22)
15. Billy Dardis(19)

Replacements
16. Bryan Byrne(21)
17. Maks Van Dyk(22)
18. Jeremy Loughman(19)
19. Josh Murphy(19)
20. Conor Oliver(19)
21. Nick McCarthy(19)
22. Harrison Brewer(19)
23. Adam Byrne(20)

Haven't thought it was a 5 day turnaround. Fair point indeed...

connachta wrote: I wondered who will provide cover for Buckley though.. Jamie Dever surely, only other LH in the euro-squad list

I'd imagine the like of Loughney Swift and Browne would be in contention for places on the bench on Sunday. They'll probably only play 40-50 mins tomorrow.

beatthedeck wrote: Is there an admission fee in for the game tomorrow ?

Ponty game was €5 anyway. It won't be more than that.

none of the U20's players are included, i guess they are getting themselves ready for the 6 Nations

Is there an admission fee in for the game tomorrow ?

I wondered who will provide cover for Buckley though.. Jamie Dever surely, only other LH in the euro-squad list

Lough, Niyi, Carr Finn Swift Qualter Browne in the mix means Pat Lam will play the best XV against Exeter, clearly (except hooker)

Eagles team to face Leinster 'A'

13th January 2015

The Connacht Eagles, sponsored by NUI Galway, will play Leinster ‘A’ tomorrow at the Sportsground (kick off 16:00) in just the second interpro game of the season.

Following six straight pool games as part of the British & Irish competition, Eagles Head Coach Nigel Carolan will have an opportunity to play a mixture of senior, Academy and club players against provincial side Leinster tomorrow.

The most notable inclusion in tomorrow’s match day squad is tight head prop Nathan White who makes a playing return after recovering from the elbow injury that ruled him out of action for the last 10 weeks.

Veteran Michael Swift will captain the side from a second row with Academy lock Ultan Dillane who made his senior debut last month but is not registered to play in the European Challenge Cup pool stages when Connacht take on Exeter on Sunday.

On Saturday January 24th, the Eagles will be in action again at the Sportsground when they welcome the German national side for afternoon clash, kick off 14:30.

Commenting on the upcoming games, Carolan said they represent “a great opportunity for guys who haven’t seen a lot of game time recently, whether on the fringes or coming back from injury, to showcase what they can do and put in to practice what they’ve been training for week in week out. It also allows us to try out different combinations within the team ahead of what is going to be a busy and challenging period for the entire squad.

“Tomorrow’s game is a big challenge for our players in what are likely to be very tough conditions and we’re looking forward to seeing how they cope with it”, added Carolan.

Connacht Eagles team to play Leinster ‘A’, Wednesday 14th January, the Sportsground, 4pm

15 Shane Layden
14 Niyi Adeolokun
13 Conor Finn
12 Peter Robb
11 Fionn Carr
10 Shane O’Leary
9 John Cooney

1 Ronan Loughney
2 Jack Dinneen
3 Nathan White
4 Michael Swift (captain)
5 Ultan Dillane
6 Andrew Browne
7 Mata Fifita
8 Danny Qualter

Replacements

16 John Healy
17 Jacob Walshe
18 Saba Meunargia
19 Eoghan Masterson
20 James Connolly
21 Conor Lowndes
22 Conor McKeon
23 Rory Parata
24 Cian O’Donoughue
25 Conor Kyne


Impressed how strong this team looks like!

swift4prez wrote:

Swap to GermanThe European Championship in the European Nations Cup (ENC ) casting its shadow. Therefore, the German National Team 15er now goes into the hot phase of preparation. In addition to two courses in Heidelberg ( 16 to 18 in January / January 30-February 2 ) is at a test match in Ireland for the DRV XV . There, the team of coach Kobus Potgieter meets on January 24 in Galway on the Connacht Eagles.

Some German team plays in Galway 24 January. Pity I'll be in la Rochelle

That's the German national team.
They're in the second tier in Europe now (Division 1A).

Swap to GermanThe European Championship in the European Nations Cup (ENC ) casting its shadow. Therefore, the German National Team 15er now goes into the hot phase of preparation. In addition to two courses in Heidelberg ( 16 to 18 in January / January 30-February 2 ) is at a test match in Ireland for the DRV XV . There, the team of coach Kobus Potgieter meets on January 24 in Galway on the Connacht Eagles.

Some German team plays in Galway 24 January. Pity I'll be in la Rochelle

connachtexile wrote:

Cian Romaine is fecking freak of a size for a 19 year old

I can't believe he isn't already in the academy! He's played so many Eagle's games this season I just assumed that he was. Would love for him to get a run out in the six shirt in the senior team and let him learn his trade before he eventually moves to the second row like we did with Mick Kearney. Carolan and Co. deserve massive credit for bringing the amount of young guys through like they have. With Finlay Belham shaping up to be a good 3rd string T.H and Saba making his first appearance we're finally getting the depth we need to contend with the bigger teams.

Perfectly agree, he should start at lock, a little less exposed, than be moved to 2nd row