We were very lucky to get the bonus point in defeat. Toolis, Hidalgo-Clyne, and Denton for Edinburgh were the best players on the park. Edinburgh were more physical, played the elements better, and ultimately wanted it more.
I thought Aki (particularly), Henshaw, and Mils did okay in the backs, with McCartney, Roux, Mul, and once again Muldowney doing best in the pack. Ah You was poor again and the less said about Marmion's display the better. Just an off night for him. We know he can do much better. I agree though that other than perhaps the La Rochelle game away this should be Nikora's last game for Connacht. Very poor apart from his place kicking.

Disgusted with that but it sums up how off the pace we were on the night that it could have been worse. Deserved win for Edinburgh, we were well beaten up front and failed to play the conditions in the first half. We battled hard in the 2nd half but the damage was done.

We were nowhere near aggressive enough at the breakdown giving Edinburgh the chance to rack up the penalties. The scrum went from disappointing to a full blown disaster in the 2nd half. Edinburgh came out at the start looking pumped, we were waiting for something to happen. If you keep having slow starts you won't always be able to recover, especially when its as critical to build a lead as it was in the first half.

Was disappointed to see McCartney going off even if he was tired, the only chance we were going to have was from a lineout maul and bringing on Heffernan while it might have brought fresh legs effectively gave up any lineout hopes we had.

Also I think that should be the last game Miah Nikora plays with Connacht. I have my doubts about Carty but he got us playing in the right areas in the 2nd half when he came on. Edinburgh's kicking game was spot on in the 2nd half. Our kicking game in the first half was non-existent.

After tonight Edinburgh are right back in the mix and look like a side who'll have a good 2nd half to the season.

The Munster win feels a bit hollow now but we'll just have to learn from it and then put it to one side and try and undo the damage done when the league restarts in February.

I think we need to mix it up a bit for next week. A lot of lads looked flat tonight.

33 points and 5 points clear in 6th place is still a good return at this stage of the season but we weren't at the races tonight.

Very disappointed. Struggled once we lost the toss, as we have been very slow starters all year.

I think our main problems were at half back.Marmion' s passing was very poor in comparison to the Embra 9 and Cooney, who played very well. He brought the team back into it with crisp passes to hand. Conditions were tough, but marmions's passes were all over the place in both halves, putting receivers under almighty pressure. He needs a rest for a few games.

Brave display in the last 10 minutes the bonus point must be seen as a point won in that context. Glasgow did us a favour but we have to get a least one win from the two visits to Wales next month.

Only surprise it wasn't by more, Edinburgh clearly the better team on the night, played the elements better. Perhaps a testament to the team that they were able to hold onto the losing bonus point down a man & sometimes down 2 for the final 12 minutes. Disappointing, the lineout was a great disadvantage and the scrum was not strong but most put in the effort the results just weren't there.

Missed the first fifteen minutes, Connacht having difficulties when Edinburgh players switch the point of attack/pop the ball back inside. Seemed to wake up after the Edinburgh try. conditions look absolutely brutal going to be very hard playing into the wind in the second half.

Yeah, I also figured Matt deserved to be rotated in, but it would be tough to sit Danie and Leader proved very handy with the boot last time out. Going forward he'll surely get his chances, he's barely put a foot wrong this season.

Healy hopefully understands that the weather is paying a factor in his non-selection. It's torrential out there today. The walk to work was the opposite of fun.

Matt Healy can count himself unlucky to not be in the 23 but overall happy enough. Miah Nikora at out-half doesn't fill me with confidence but he hasn't let us down to be fair with the games he has played but getting Ronan Loughney back is another boost coming off the bench.

Glad to see Coman is being rested by Edinburgh but their back row is still relatively strong.

Its going to be a tough game, hope the crowd get behind the team from the off tomorrow, it'll be tight and we need to be patient and professional if we are going to pick up the 4 points.

Sol_ie wrote: Afternoon all. Delighted to announce that Mr. Miah Nikora will be joining us in the Clan Bar after the match tomorrow evening. Hope ye'll all be able to stick around!

And also, don't forget your voucher for free pint of Heineken in the clan bar that came with the season ticket. I'll swap mine for €4.70 so I can run across the pitch, into the main stand and get myself a Bulmers

Can't really argue with putting out the same team minus Ronaldson that beat Munster. I would have looked to give Muldoon some sort of rest but you know you'll still get 100% out of him as long as he's out there. What was Nikora's injury? I know McSharry came on for him around the hour mark, was that a blood sub or the like? Figured Carty would have been starting if Ronaldson couldn't go. Edinburgh will be tough so I hope they don't spot them a two score lead. They were able to keep Glasgow at arms length even without scoring themselves in the 2nd half. Wind or no wind you can't count on the kind of turnarounds we had against Munster too often.

Afternoon all. Delighted to announce that Mr. Miah Nikora will be joining us in the Clan Bar after the match tomorrow evening. Hope ye'll all be able to stick around!

I like the look of the team selection. Whit all the players performing well last week we will hopefully be treated to another good performance and the 4 points that we need.

Cuthbert at 15 is a weak link, we should get at him on his kicks. Also they are playing 2 no.7's, in the conditions you'd have to question the selection, Denton is going to have to do all thier ball carrying work. Same tactics for us obviously as last week.

Connacht team to face Edinburgh

08th January 2015

Head Coach Pat Lam has named his Connacht team to face Edinburgh in round 13 of the GUINNESS PRO12 on Friday night and there is just one change to the team that defeated Munster 24 – 16 last week.

Miah Nikora has been selected at outhalf, replacing Craig Ronaldson who remains sidelined with concussion. The 29-year-old New Zealander, who came on in the second half at the Sportsground last week, will form the half back pairing with Ireland international and this season’s top try scorer Kieran Marmion on Friday night at the Sportsground.

Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw are partnered in the centre for the third time this season while Mils Muliaina, Darragh Leader and Danie Poolman make up the back three.

Up front, the pack remains unchanged with John Muldoon leading from the back row alongside Willie Faloon and Galway man Eoin McKeon who makes his 60th appearance for the province tomorrow night.

Connacht-born players Ronan Loughney and Jack Carty are both named amongst the replacements for the visit of the Scottish side.

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

“With the pleasing team performance last week against Munster, we are putting out the same match day squad this week with the exception of Craig (Ronaldson). But after showing his experience from the bench last week, Miah (Nikora) now comes in to start this important game for us.

“Edinburgh, under astute coach Alan Solomons, are a very powerful and direct team who have shown against top teams like Glasgow and Munster away from home what they are capable of. Like last week, we are expecting tough conditions as well as a big, physical contact.

“While there was a lot of excitement around last week’s result, at the end of the day it was four points gained and we need another four points this week. Looking at it, we don’t believe it’s a case of ‘backing up’ the Munster win, but rather a case of being even better again in our performance this week. “

Connacht team to face Edinburgh

15. Mils Muliaina
14. Darragh Leader
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Bundee Aki
11. Danie Poolman
10. Miah Nikora
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Quinn Roux
5. Aly Muldowney
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. Willie Faloon
8. Eoin McKeon

Replacements:

16. Dave Heffernan
17. Ronan Loughney
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Ultan Dillane
20. George Naoupu
21. John Cooney
22. Jack Carty
23. Dave McSharry

Unavailable/Injured: Jason Harris-Wright, Sean Henry, Nathan White, Michael Swift, Mick Kearney, Jake Heenan, Craig Ronaldson, Ian Porter, Tiernan O’Halloran.

Connacht v Edinburgh
Friday January 9th
the Sportsground
Kick off 19:35

Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU, 47th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Andy Brice, Olly Hodges (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Gordon Black (IRFU)
TMO: Dermot Moloney (IRFU)

View all news
08/01/15 Posted in
Edinburgh Rugby

Following Friday’s victory over Glasgow Warriors, which secured Edinburgh the 1872 Cup and four league points, there are just three changes to the starting XV to take on Connacht in tomorrow’s Guinness PRO12 match at the Sportsground (kick-off 7.35pm).

Moving up from the bench, Willem Nel replaces John Andress at tighthead. Roddy Grant moves to the blindside with Hamish Watson – who returned to action after injury, from the bench last Friday – coming into the starting XV on the openside in place of Mike Coman. who is being rested. Ross Ford will captain the side.

There are no changes to the backs while coming on to the bench, and potentially making his first appearance for the club, is Scottish-qualified triallist stand-off Jade Te Rure.

After Connacht edged Edinburgh at BT Murrayfield – the club’s only home defeat this season – the visitors will be looking to redress the balance however as Connacht have won three of their last four encounters with Edinburgh, the task in hand should not be underestimated.

Head coach Alan Solomons said:

“We have taken note of Connacht’s victory over Munster and their unbeaten home record and appreciate that we will have to be at our best to come away with the spoils.”

The match will be show live on TG4 and deferred, in full, on BBC Alba at 9.30pm. Gaelic commentary will be from Derek Mackay with English summarising from Jamie Farndale. There will also be English commentary on the red button option, from Paul Mitchell and Scott Hastings.


Edinburgh Rugby v Connacht, The Sportsground, Friday 9 January 2015, kick-off 7.35pm

15 Jack CUTHBERT

14 Dougie FIFE

13 Matt SCOTT

12 Phil BURLEIGH

11 Tim VISSER

10 Greig TONKS

9 Sam HIDALGO-CLYNE



1 Alasdair DICKINSON

2 Ross FORD (Captain)

3 WP NEL

4 Anton BRESLER

5 Ben TOOLIS

6 Roddy GRANT

7 Hamish WATSON

8 David DENTON



Substitutes

16 Neil COCHRANE

17 Rory SUTHERLAND

18 John ANDRESS

19 Fraser McKENZIE

20 Tomas LEONARDI

21 Sean KENNEDY

22 Jade TE RURE

23 Andries STRAUSS



Injury update

Players currently on the injured list are: Wicus Blaauw (knee), Tom Brown (head), Allan Dell (leg), Cornell Du Preez (leg), Jamie Farndale (knee), Hugh Fraser (knee), Grant Gilchrist (arm), Brett Thompson (shoulder) and George Turner (hamstring).

Connacht v Edinburgh – Galway Sportsgrounds Guinness Pro 12 Round 13
Friday 9th January 2015 Kick Off 19:35 On TV: BBC Alba (Delayed) / TG4

Connacht will hope to cement their Top 6 position in the final game before the league takes a break for 5 weeks. Connacht have yet to lose at home this season and beat Edinburgh at Murrayfield 14-13 in Round 2 but will be aware of the dangers posed by the Scottish side following their 20-8 victory over Glasgow last Friday.

Other Match Stats
Edinburgh have won 13 of the 24 League Meetings between the sides with 2 draws.
Connacht's only double over Edinburgh came in the 2003/2004 season
Edinburgh lost 11-7 at the Sportsground last season but won 24-23 on their previous visit to the Sportsground in December 2012.

Edinburgh Stats
Website: www.edinburghrugby.org/
Founded: 1970
Ground: BT Murrayfield Stadium
Capacity: 67,144
Captain: Mike Coman
Coaches: Alan Solomons

Guinness Pro 12 League Position 2014/15: 8th Played 12 Points 24
Rabo Direct Pro 12 League Position 2013/14: 8th Played 22 Points 38
Heineken Cup 2013/14: 3rd in Pool 6 Points 12

Previous Fixtures
Edinburgh 20-8 Glasgow (Pro 12 Round 12)
Glasgow 16-6 Edinburgh (Pro 12 Round 11)
Edinburgh 48-0 Treviso (Pro 12 Round 10)
London Welsh 6-24 Edinburgh (Challenge Cup Round 4)
Edinburgh 25-13 London Welsh (Challenge Cup Round 3)

Next League Fixture:
Friday 13th February 2015 Edinburgh v Ospreys @ Murrayfield Kick Off: 19:35

Challenge Cup (Pool 4)
Edinburgh 16
Bordeaux-Begles 11
Lyon 10
London Welsh 0

Edinburgh Ins and Outs 2014/15

Players In
Neil Cochrane from London Wasps
John Andress from Worcester Warriors
Rory Sutherland from Gala RFC
Tom Heathcote from Bath Rugby
Michael Tait from Newcastle Falcons
Fraser McKenzie from Newcastle Falcons
Jamie Ritchie from Howe of Fife RFC
Phil Burleigh from Highlanders
Anton Bresler from Natal Sharks
Brett Thompson from USA Sevens

Players Out
Steven Lawrie retired
Alun Walker released
Alex Allan to Glasgow Warriors
Geoff Cross to London Irish
Lewis Niven released
Sean Cox to London Irish
Robert McAlpine released
Perry Parker to Rotherham Titans
Izak van der Westhuizen released
Ross Rennie to Bristol Rugby
Dimitri Basilaia to Perpignan
Alex Black released
Greig Laidlaw to Gloucester Rugby
Chris Leck released
Piers Francis released
Gregor Hunter released
Harry Leonard to Yorkshire Carnegie
Ben Cairns retired
Nick De Luca to Biarritz
Lee Jones to Glasgow Warriors
Aleki Lutui to Gloucester Rugby
John Yapp to Wasps

Previous Meetings

Friday 12th September 2014 Guinness Pro 12
Edinburgh 13-14 Connacht
www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/15552.php

Sunday 15th February 2014 Rabo Direct Pro 12
Connacht 11-7 Edinburgh
www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/14210.php

Talking about Exeter in the Connacht v Edinburgh game thread.

Don't get ahead of yerselves lads.

One game at a time