While the backs didn't finish off any move, I'm happy that we targeted the areas where we knew we could get success and persistently stuck with it. For every scrum it was all systems go from once the ball was fed in. We probably need a more rounded game for the games ahead where we mightn't have forward dominance but I'd see Saturday's display of using the forwards to do the heavy work as a positive that can be repeated against certain opposition. We have lost a couple of games this year where if we were a bit more streetwise in how and where we played rugby we'd have won.

Not sure what was in Williams' heart but his intention was to ward off Healy with either his forearm or elbow. The fact that he caught Matt on the head was probably down to how Matt had himself positioned as others have said.

It was fortunate that Connacht were so dominate in the pack otherwise the scores could have easily been reversed especially with Carty's kicking for points being off in the first half. Far too many big breaking runs that were not converted into points. I was excited to see how this backline got on but they never seemed like finishing off a move and it was left to the pack to drive it over for the scores. If the Scarlets had a better platform you'd be worried, their backs seemed the more threatening. This little break is coming at a good time. The upcoming stretch of 4 games will be crucial to Connacht's aspirations of finishing in the top 4. They are all winnable but will require a better all around performance by the team.

Similar to a known shoplifter coming into your shop. You would just be more vigilant when they are around. Not bias,just street smart

I was in the clan terrace (not too far from where it happened) and I was convinced it was foul play until I saw it on the big screen. What I saw was Williams leading with his elbow. Very often you see players pushing the tackler away with the hand but Williams definitely "pushed" Healy away with his elbow.

Someone called it further up the thread.

A Murray Kinsella article on Connacht:

Analysis: Connacht’s pack beautifully cohesive to demolish the Scarlets

biffo77 wrote: Did anyone watch the sky coverage, seems one of the Scarlet players shouted something with swear words at the ref, this was just after the 2nd yellow card. Seems Ben had an idea who said it, but wasn't sure, we could have had another scarlet in the bin at least, or more likely red carded.

wonder will there be a citing over it.

I'd be surprised if there was a citing for that

Did anyone watch the sky coverage, seems one of the Scarlet players shouted something with swear words at the ref, this was just after the 2nd yellow card. Seems Ben had an idea who said it, but wasn't sure, we could have had another scarlet in the bin at least, or more likely red carded.

wonder will there be a citing over it.

Shelflife wrote:
Yes you are, but thats ok ,it was Williams we are talking about, you expect him to do that.

is this bias based on a players previous, I won't expect that from a ref!

His up their with Clarke in Northampton and Hartley. His a thug he cant help himself. Its a pity as his a fine rugby player when he concentrates on it.
Its to be expected off him at this stage.

Had a pretty good view of it and my immediate reaction was that it was deliberate and that he'd be in trouble for it yet when I watched the replays on the big screen it didn't seem to show anything. I do think he meant it ( he seemed to set himself in anticipation of the hit) but was lucky that it was so quick and the cameras didn't seem to catch it.

Evil_g wrote: I have a very clear image in my head of Williams lifting his left arm and smashing it into Healy's face.

Am I that biased that I can actually create memories of things that didn't happen?

He definitely lead with his forearm. There was no television angle so he got away with it, but if there had been it would have been a penalty at the very least. Watching the game back you can see Martin Joyce shouting from the sideline to the ref, as it happened right in front of him.

Evil_g wrote: I have a very clear image in my head of Williams lifting his left arm and smashing it into Healy's face.

Am I that biased that I can actually create memories of things that didn't happen?

Yes you are, but thats ok ,it was Williams we are talking about, you expect him to do that.

I have a very clear image in my head of Williams lifting his left arm and smashing it into Healy's face.

Am I that biased that I can actually create memories of things that didn't happen?

There was nothing to the Williams incident as much as I wanted there to be, hes a nasty cheap shot merchant that Ive no time for at all, but Healy just got his head in the wrong place and caught his shoulder.

While he might be a filthy player, the ref couldn't do anything on Saturday
The replays showed nothing. I was in the Clan Stand and couldnt tell what had happened. The crowd definitely felt they saw something, but from my position, it was impossible to tell.
As for the touch judge, he was behind the play as well (fairly in my opinion)
Bundee definitely looked out for revenge on him for a while after though

Normally I wouldn't wade in, as I didn't see the incident, and I would normally give a player the benefit of the doubt BUT, to put it mildly, Liam Williams is a filthy tramp of a player who has previous of leading with the elbow:





Dirtiest player in the league by a street yet gets away with it more often than not as he's a FB, in the video against SA he should have seen red as it was a massively dangerous tackle