Great to be looking forward to a game this much at this stage of the season. Usually at this stage, we'd have won a couple of early games, then went on a losing run and everyone would be on a bit of a downer by now but while some of the performances have been up and down we have 23 points on the board and have a chance to really position ourselves where we want to be.

In terms of the team, hooker and out half are the big calls for me for this one. Our lineout isn't going to become a well oiled machine overnight but we need to be at least able to win the vast majority of our own lineouts. It was fine the last night as we could drive over them in the scrum anyway but i'm sure that won't be the case here. Harris-Wright for me should have been brought off much earlier the last night, it was clear he was struggling with injury and leaving him on probably exacerbated the issue.

McCartney worked hard when he came on but his darts didn't exactly inspire me but think with this experience he's probably the right call for this one. I just hope they can get some sort of understanding together in the line out during the week.

At Tight Head, Ronan Loughney did well admittedly against a poor opponent, I'd be tempted to leave him there and have Rodney's ball carrying to come on late on but happy enough with either on that one.

At out half, Carty looked hungry when he came on and did well for his try. I can't come down strongly on any side at out half really but I think Carty should probably get a tentative nod with Ronaldson on the bench.

In the backline we have a welcome selection headache. Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw really excites me as a combination but would be tough to drop McSharry as well. Again I'm not too pushed on that one.

At full back I'd leave Mils in for this one and give Daragh Leader the start the following week against Bayonne.

Looking at Scarlets, they have been strong at home and have taken some good scalps but have yet to win away from home and with that number of players missing, it has to tilt the balance in our favour. Having said that they did win here this time last year but I'd like to think we have moved on since then. If we could win by 8 or more it would nearly feel like a bonus point but I'd be delighted with any sort of win from this one.

I just wonder if Robbie will be released given the two big matches he's just played in for Ireland?

24th November 2014

Following Connacht’s 40-point win over Zebre on Friday night, Pat Lam’s squad were back to full training on Monday as they prepare for the second of three back-to-back home games with Scarlets the visitors on Saturday (kick off 7:30pm).

Hooker Jason Harris-Wright was the only major injury concern from the last round of PRO12 action. The 26-year-old was replaced just before the half hour mark after going down at the Sportsground with an injury to his right knee. An MRI is scheduled for Monday evening to determine the extent of the damage and a report will be provided later in the week.

In better news, Michael Swift has returned to full training and is now available to play. The concussive symptoms of his fellow second row team mate Aly Muldowney have improved and the 31-year-old resumed the full return-to-play protocols today.

Galway man Tiernan O’Halloran has also made good progress following knee scope surgery at the end of October and is on track to resume full training next week.

Back row Mata Fifita played his first game of rugby this season when he came on for the second half of Buccaneers 21-16 win over UL Bohemian at the weekend. After recovering from a heel injury, the Tongan born forward came through the game and returned to Connacht training today.

The Connacht Eagles are also in action this week following a five week break. Nigel Carolan’s squad will travel to Richmond to face London Scottish – who they beat 30 – 27 at the Sportsground in October – in the fourth round rth round of the B&I Cup competition. Kick off is at 7pm on Saturday November 29th while the senior team kick off at the Sportsground a half hour later.

Of concern to Carolan is Academy prop Jamie Dever who earned his first senior cap against the Ospreys in round seven. The Mayo man is suffering from an ongoing right A/C joint problem and is also scheduled for an MRI today, Monday, but is unlikely to be available to travel with the Eagles this weekend. Back row James Connolly is also unavailable with a hamstring injury.

Connacht v Scarlets
Saturday 29th November
The Sportsground
Kick off 19:30

Tickets are selling fast for Connacht v Scarlets but there are some remaining for the Main, Enclosed and new Seated Stand.

This is a big match against Scarlets and were playing them at a great time with them missing so many. A win is a must and anything else like denying them the bonus or getting one ourselves after would be great.
We can dream but we could be 6 points ahead of them next week if things went well.
Not sure about Nikora at 10. With all the new players and the improved experience it would help him along. Nikora has been around a while and I dont think his good enough.

I read that too, it's because English clubs called players back

Rob Evans, Emyr Phillips, Samson Lee, Rhodri Jones, Jake Ball, Rhodri Williams, Rhys Priestland, Scott Williams and Liam Williams. Injuries to Ken Owens and Gareth Davies.

So it's actually 9 away with Wales and 2 other 1st teamers injured, they'll be here with a weakened front row so we should be looking for penalties and yellow cards at scrum-time.

Scarlets apparently will miss not only 4, but 6 (1 more Wales called-up and 1 injury from glasgow). We must take this match lads

To be clear, my issue was not Lougney vs AhYou or Bealham, but is about JHW who went out with a knee problem against Zebre. If JHW is unavailble, as I said, I'd put Loughney back to LH (moved once again, poor guy!). It's the only reasonable solution to have a full substitute front row : 1)Buckley 2)McCartney 3)AhYou /// 17)Lough 16)Heff 18) Bealham

if you really want to keep going on with Loughney as n°3, you can imagine something like 1)Buckley 2)Heff 3)Loughney /// 17)McCartney 16)Delahunt 18) Ah You.. But I'm a bit more sceptical....

wp_rathead wrote: No Leader in your squad Cows?

You know what? It's the 1st time in Connacht history we've got this kind of nice dilemma : 3 players close to international level McSharry, Leader and Muliaina, for only 1 spot and a bench spot!

we are stronger defensively with McSharry in the team, he did'nt start against Cardiff and the Ospreys, 2 matches where our defense let us down.

wp_rathead wrote: No Leader in your squad Cows?

Think McSharry deserves to be in the squad if not starting. Putting himself and Ronaldson in, allows for more cover IMO

*PS - I may have a man crush on McShazz

No Leader in your squad Cows?

I'd go with the following:

Buckley
McCartney
Loughney (Thought he was immense on Friday)

Kearney
Roux

Muldoon
Faloon
Naoupu

Marmion
Carty

Healy (Was excellent on Friday)
Aki
Henshaw
Poolman
Muliaina

Ah You
JHW
Heffernan
Muldowney
McKeon
Porter
Ronaldson
McSharry

Ronaldson can come in, and others move if needed

wp_rathead wrote: 19:30 for those that wanna see the first half

Nobody wants!: :whistle:

PS : Sorry I edited :lol:

19:30 for those that wanna see the first half

We all know the importance of this "8 pointer". No rotation except tactical one, we've to bring a 110% team :
I'd see (before squad update)

1) Buckley
2) McCartney
3) AhYou
4) Kearney
5) Browne (for defence and lineout)
6) Muldoon
7) Faloon
8 ) Naoupu
9) Marmion
10) Carty (for kicking)
11) Healy
12) Aki
13) Henshaw
14) Poolman
15) Muliaina (better he has 2 games in a row, continuity and experience could be worthwhile in a tight game)

17) Loughney
16) Heffernan
18) Bealham
19) Roux/Muldowney (depends on who is impressive this week in training sessions, if the latter is back to fitness)
20) McKeon
21) Porter (long range kicking duties when Carty's off, despite Cooney was good)
22) Nikora (deserves the bench after Zebre IMO)
23) Leader (can cover FB or Centre)


Not the kind of game to try new combinations, but on the long term, I wonder if Aki/Henshaw should become Henshaw/Aki... The Irish one have defence/kicking abilities (a 12), the N-Z one loves gaps (13 abilities)... Just asking your opinion