And don't forget we've beaten Munster by 35 to 14 without

1) Masterson
2) Heenan
3) Fox Matamua
4) McGinty/Boshoff to come
5) Roux and Marshall
6) Poolman and Leader
7) TOH
8 ) White
9) Ronaldson

And I just highlighted the obvious contenders for the starting XV, not even talking about Heff, Connolly, Blade, McSharry, Gaffney, Parata, who are Very promising....

After last season I was very hopeful of qualifying for the champions cup and possibly pushing for 5th place but I really would never have expected to finish top 4, playing absolutely stunning rugby and scoring hatfulls of tries. I remember Pat saying we don't have the best players but he has now and it's down to his philosophy. He is a magnificent coach and what he has done for rugby in Connacht is wonderful.

Fantastic result, iffy internet stream here in France meant I had to abandon my attempt to watch it "live".
I'll start looking for it on youtube tomorrow.
Superbe!

One thing I forgot to add, delighted to see us taking the 3 at the end. Didn't matter in the context of bonus points or unlikely to with scoring difference but instead of kicking it out and celebrating the win we wanted the scoreboard to fully reflect our work and that professional approach of the squad.

My first post is to express my love and admiration for one Niyi Adeolokun and I have no regrets. What a run he's having! Always seems like Connacht have at least one sensationally on-form winger minimum at all times.

Cannot wait for the Craggy Island after this.

Superb stuff. It's one thing to beat Munster when we are underdogs but to comprehensively out play them when the weight of expectation was on us is particularly sweet. What Pat Lam and his management team have done in transforming the skill levels and mentality within the squad is nothing short of fantastic. Tonight was a victory for rugby being played the way it should be and proves that if the right mentality is embraced there is no reason Irish teams can't play exciting attacking rugby.

All week we heard Munster's former players wheel out the bitterness stuff that worked well in the past, (Munster's brand and reputation on the line etc.) to try and cajole something our of their team and try and put doubt in Connacht minds. What they forgot was that in the past Munster had the players, game plan and know how to win big games. At the moment they seem to have completely lost their way. In an Irish context it's worrying that Foley and the old boys club's reign of terror is being allowed to carry on into next season. On paper the teams should be evenly matched but tonight they met a well drilled team playing with confidence who knew what they were doing.

From the off we were on our game, we let them in for a soft one which was disappointing and the 2nd try along with the butchered try at 6-14 would have raised doubts in the past, especially in a game where we were favourites but we kept our cool and once we got the first try back we were motoring. 2nd half Munster came out with intent but we kept our discipline and rode out the storm and the last 20 or so minutes were a joy.

Bundee Aki what a man! What more can you say. Let's hope we have him fit for the run in. There are a lot of inter-changeables at the minute which don't affect us but for big games he's one man who must be there. Loads of heroes in the pack. Didn't give Munster a sniff once we got going.

Treviso next up. Hopefully can do the business to set up a mouth watering game against Glasgow on the final day. Either way we'll probably have to beat Glasgow. Maybe Ulster might ensure Leinster leave with 0 points and 6 points could be enough?

Either way thanks to everyone for another memorable night. Champions Cup qualification well and truly sealed. Top 4 effectively in the bag barring a ridiculous series of events and still 2 rounds left. Don't wake me up from this dream yet!

Guys, guys.... WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON???:ohmy:

Before the game we were talking about the slim chance to miss Champions Cup,
Now it's nearly impoossible to miss the semi final for the 1st time in our history (Scarlets would need 10/10 and +75 of goalaverage to be in front)

Am I dreaming? Seriously.... Wow

So proud.

And to think we blew at least 4 other try scoring attempts and are missing so many players.

Wow.

The fact that Cronin and Kilcoyqne are ahead of Buckley is tragic.

I will say it here now. BEALHAM WILL BE A LION.

You all heard it here first!!!!

Wow.

What an absolute star John Muldoon is......... A credit to CRC.

Brilliant game.

See you in Galway for The Warriors game, if can get a flaming ticket!

We are going to have to be very very good to be you all.

Best
JD

Go the boys in green. Incredible. The dream continues

35 14 to connacht baby

Leinster game was huge. This is huger (excuse the English)

Beaming sunshine and a full ground 45 mins before kickoff.... Drink it in folks cause we've not seen many days like this before at the SG

Now let's beat this red shower!!

phatguerilla wrote: I know this won't happen but hoping to see a little less rugby played in our 22, Connacht have been doing this for a long time now under Lam and they are becoming more successful at playing out of the 22 but still risky. Nothing wrong with a clearing kick and trusting our counter lineout/defence to hold up the ball closer to half way line.

We won't see any cross field kicks inside our own half much less inside the 22 this time I'd say. They have to be a little more cagey especially if they have a lead, but they have to continue playing in the style that has brought them this far.

Starting to get the pregame jitters. Happy enough with the team but Henshaw has possibly under performed since he came back from Ireland camp (played every minute in six nations - has he had a proper rest?) and I don't like him at fb, his worst position imo. Somewhat worried about SOL-Robb axis, very raw, I like both players individually but they were not at their best against Ulster. Perhaps Bundee will take on more responsibility/swap into 12 position more often this time.

Major plus in our column is everyone knows what Munster are about, their coaching staff are not capable of creating big surprises, only chance of victory for them is the entire team performing to a Stander-esque standard which probably hasn't happened more than once this season if at all. There are some individual players who are quality but also a lot of average players. Robb shut down T'eo, he can do the same to Saili. SOB and Mul to double tackle Stander throughout I imagine. Negative against us is tiredness, stuttering lineout and raw players in key positions. I think we can win but I don't care to predict by how much and I don't particularly care if we win ugly, especially if we have to grind it out in the final minutes.

I know this won't happen but hoping to see a little less rugby played in our 22, Connacht have been doing this for a long time now under Lam and they are becoming more successful at playing out of the 22 but still risky. Nothing wrong with a clearing kick and trusting our counter lineout/defence to hold up the ball closer to half way line.