sea_point wrote:
I know you've got a thing for Masterson.. But Mul has to be in the 23, so I'd have him on the bench and George starting at 8 with McKeon at 6. Mul can be rested properly for Challenge Cup.

Haven't thought about that combo, TBH. But still think Master deserve a go now (not eliegible in Europe), and in addition McKeon should be kept at 8, moving him all the time isn't good..

connachta wrote: Edinburgh was very agressive at ruck-time, played all on physicality against Glasg... I'd keep the same structure, with Leader on the wing, and Muldoon rested, out of stamina as he admitted himself. This would be the team assuming Ronaldson suffered from concussion :

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

1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Quinn Roux
5. Aly Muldowney
6. Eoghan Masterson
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. Miah Nikora
23. Dave McSharry

I know you've got a thing for Masterson.. But Mul has to be in the 23, so I'd have him on the bench and George starting at 8 with McKeon at 6. Mul can be rested properly for Challenge Cup.

I'd also agree with CE about Blade on the bench for this, with the La Rochelle game coming up. Doesn't matter what anyome thinks, Pat's already clearly stated that he wants to win the competition. We have a squad to do it, Cooney's ineligibility is his own concern. Blade put a huge marker down with the Bayonne performance and is eligible to cover Kieran in both comps..

Outlaw, have u ever seen connacht win anything?
Beat Exeter and you win the group and most likely a home quarter final. It's vital for the brand. Add in that you play scarlets in middle of 6 n's and it's got to be treated with respect. After all what's the point in celebrating like it's 1999 after beating munster if you can't beat Edinburgh at home the following week.

connachtexile wrote: I'd have Blade instead of Cooney for the simple reason we need Blade to get some gametime before Exeter the week after as Cooney is ineligible.

In my estimation Exeter doesn't matter and neither does that competition. If I had my way I'd field our academy side in the Challenge Cup.

Qualification for the Champions Cup is all that matters and as a result the Pro 12 is the absolute priority

True but this match is an 8-pointer, if it's tight, and it might, Cooney gets the experience to grab the win...

I'd have Blade instead of Cooney for the simple reason we need Blade to get some gametime before Exeter the week after as Cooney is ineligible.

Edinburgh was very agressive at ruck-time, played all on physicality against Glasg... I'd keep the same structure, with Leader on the wing, and Muldoon rested, out of stamina as he admitted himself. This would be the team assuming Ronaldson suffered from concussion :

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

1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Quinn Roux
5. Aly Muldowney
6. Eoghan Masterson
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. Miah Nikora
23. Dave McSharry

they've been very inconistent this season, it will depend which Edninburgh turns up, one thing i noticed yesterday was how they use Cuthbert on the right hand side to clear their lines, he looks very laboured when he kicks and I think it's a weakness we should target the charge downs.

Visser's back but not Grant Gilchrist (arm), and above all Cornell Du Preez (leg, MOTM of the 1st leg)

Backing up our performance won't be easy, Edinburgh is strong. But for the 1st time of the season, I saw we can score tries against a good team, and then that we can be more then average. Roll on Burgh and Exeter!!!

Ok Edinburgh turn over Glasgow 20-8 tonight and in the process win the 1872 Cup so they'll be in buoyant mood heading to the Sportsground. Of this batch of 4 games this is the one I'd have targeted as one we need to win. I wasn't particularly worried about this game looking at Edinburgh last week away to Glasgow but they were much improved tonight.

Edinburgh are now just 8 points behind us. We really need to push that gap out to 11 or 12 and go a long way to pushing them out of the equation. A win for them moves them to within 4 or 5 so massive game to come on Friday. While Munster was a huge win, this game to me is more important in terms of our goals for this season.

We've seen in previous seasons we usually haven't been able to follow up big wins with a performance in the next game. Everyone will need to go to the well again next week.