Didn't take Marmion long to hit 100 caps did it?

Pray for no knock on's. Looking at the two team sheets, I'm a little fearful but hopefully home advantage will help.

Connacht duo Tiernan O’Halloran and Kieran Marmion will mark a 100th appearance each when they run out at the Sportsground for round 22 of the Guinness PRO12 against Glasgow Warriors tomorrow afternoon (3pm).

Marmion is one of nine personnel changes made by head coach Pat Lam for the sold out clash that will decide a home playoff spot.

Bundee Aki and Matt Healy have both returned from injury to take their place in a back line that also sees the re-introduction of internationals Robbie Henshaw at centre and AJ MacGinty at outhalf.

The league’s highest capped player John Muldoon returns to captain the side at Number 8 behind a second row partnership of Ultan Dillan and Aly Muldowney. Finlay Bealham, the only player to have featured in all 28 games so far this season, is named to start at tighthead prop.

Commenting on the upcoming game, head coach Pat Lam said:

“Going into play off rugby, we couldn’t ask for a better challenge than playing the defending champions who are on fire at the moment. Glasgow are undefeated since February and they have threats all over the park. While there is so much at stake, we know it’s important for us is to stay focused on what has got us here in the first place. The key now is raising all our standards and team work to yet another level over the next few weeks.

“While we have our place in the play offs secure, we all know what it would mean to the club and the province if we can bring a semi-final to the Sportsground for the first time.

“Both sides have an attacking mindset so it should be an entertaining game for all rugby fans and especially those at the sold out Sportsground. We are really looking forward to it.”

Connacht team to face Glasgow Warriors, Saturday 7th May, the Sportsground, 3pm

15 Tiernan O’Halloran
14 Niyi Adeolokun
13 Robbie Henshaw
12 Bundee Aki
11 Matt Healy
10 AJ MacGinty
9 Kieran Marmion

1 Ronan Loughney
2 Tom McCartney
3 Finlay Bealham
4 Ultan Dillane
5 Aly Muldowney
6 Sean O’Brien
7 Jake Heenan
8 John Muldoon (captain)

Replacements:

16 Dave Heffernan
17 JP Cooney
18 Rodney Ah You
19 Quinn Roux
20 Eoin McKeon
21 John Cooney
22 Shane O’Leary
23 Peter Robb

Injured/Unavailable: Denis Buckley, Nathan White, Conan O’Donnell, Andrew Browne, Ben Marshall, Nepia Fox-Matamua, Eoghan Masterson, Ian Porter,Craig Ronaldson, Dave McSharry, Danie Poolman, Darragh Leader, Ciaran Gaffney.

15 Tiernan O’Halloran
14 Niyi Adeolokun
13 Robbie Henshaw
12 Bundee Aki
11 Matt Healy
10 AJ MacGinty
9 Kieran Marmion

1 Ronan Loughney
2 Tom McCartney
3 Finlay Bealham
4 Ultan Dillane
5 Aly Muldowney
6 Sean O’Brien
7 Jake Heenan
8 John Muldoon (captain)

Replacements:

16 Dave Heffernan
17 JP Cooney
18 Rodney Ah You
19 Quinn Roux
20 Eoin McKeon
21 John Cooney
22 Shane O’Leary
23 Peter Robb

Injured/Unavailable: Denis Buckley, Nathan White, Conan O’Donnell, Andrew Browne, Ben Marshall, Nepia Fox-Matamua, Eoghan Masterson, Ian Porter, Craig Ronaldson, Dave McSharry, Danie Poolman, Darragh Leader, Ciaran Gaffney.


Shane over Jack on the bench

15. Stuart Hogg
14. Tommy Seymour
13. Alex Dunbar
12. Peter Horne
11. Lee Jones
10. Finn Russell
9. Ali Price

1. Gordon Reid
2. Fraser Brown
3. Sila Puafisi
4. Leone Nakarawa
5. Jonny Gray (Captain)
6. Rob Harley
7. Ryan Wilson
8. Josh Strauss

Replacements

16. Pat MacArthur
17. Jerry Yanuyanutawa
18. Zander Fagerson
19. Tim Swinson
20. Simone Favaro
21. Grayson Hart
22. Mark Bennett
23. Sean Lamont

Glasgow team vs Connacht:
www.glasgowwarriors.org/news/16/05/06/team-named-connacht-clash

menacethedenis wrote:

pinky wrote: The West's Awake (alternate ending)

Pat Lam special directors cut

I hear those Hollywood a*holes are planning to give it a happy ending.

pinky wrote: The West's Awake (alternate ending)

Pat Lam special directors cut

The West's Awake (alternate ending)

menacethedenis wrote:

Sol_ie wrote:
We'll also be joined by a film crew who are producing a video for Connacht Rugby, so the more the merrier decked out in Connacht gear (or Clan polos!!)

Season review DVD on the way?

I think more of a promo thing, or possibly a superhero movie. Captain Muldoon: Interprovincial War? Iron Aki? Connacht v. Glasgow: Dawn of Hangovers?

Sol_ie wrote:
We'll also be joined by a film crew who are producing a video for Connacht Rugby, so the more the merrier decked out in Connacht gear (or Clan polos!!)

Season review DVD on the way?

dobby wrote:

pinky wrote: Unusual for the bookies to open the markets before the teams are named, but we're in the bigtime now so the rulebook is out the window. PP have given us a 3 point start

for us who are not bookies could you explain what a 3 point start means

I think it means that PP believe Glasgow will win. They believe it so much that they will allow you to bet on Connacht to win and if Connacht lose by 3 points or less, you can still claim your winnings.

I think.............

pinky wrote: Unusual for the bookies to open the markets before the teams are named, but we're in the bigtime now so the rulebook is out the window. PP have given us a 3 point start

for us who are not bookies could you explain what a 3 point start means

Unusual for the bookies to open the markets before the teams are named, but we're in the bigtime now so the rulebook is out the window. PP have given us a 3 point start

Hey folks. WE're doing a bit of an informat meet up with some traveling supporters in the Dail at about 1130 Saturday. Come in for a bite, maybe an early drink to steady the nerves.

We'll also be joined by a film crew who are producing a video for Connacht Rugby, so the more the merrier decked out in Connacht gear (or Clan polos!!)

pinky wrote: A little reminder of a decade ago, lest we forget ...
www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/table.php...189&season=2005-2006

Wow, how times have changed.
Also, Edinburgh "Gunners", what was that all about?

A little reminder of a decade ago, lest we forget ...
www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/table.php...189&season=2005-2006