Munster have stuck up some Highlights on YouTube, haven't had a chance to look at them myself so it could just be only the Munster ones...

Enjoyable first half with Connacht played the better rugby, but Munster took strangle hold in second. Hart got try just before HT that was bit of a kick in the teeth as Connacht were worth a bigger lead than the 12-13 score line

No.8 Wilson was very impressive-
Robb went beast mode a few times, made a few great breaks and also looked assured in defence - exciting if he becomes an option again for the senior side

Leader, Gallagher and Clafferty also looked good
Fitzgerald kicked well and looks a decent prospect

Carey and Tom were decent, although Carey gave away a few penalties which was bit frustrating

Wooten, Bill Johnston and Coombes very good for Munster

salmson wrote: Copeland might not be fit, could be SOBv2 at 8 and Fainga'a on the bench (or Fainga'a at 7 or 8 and one of Butler and SOBv2 on bench). Presume that's SOBv3 on the Eagles bench.

eat work TBH I was going off the squad on the website conroy or Carty were never added .
I think Kerins started a game and as much as I like hogan stand it’s a gaa website.
And Salsom As for the very last post I think we can take it for granted it’s SOB 3 as I’ve never seen ir want to see SOB at 23 it’s a pace not strength thing

Copeland might not be fit, could be SOBv2 at 8 and Fainga'a on the bench (or Fainga'a at 7 or 8 and one of Butler and SOBv2 on bench). Presume that's SOBv3 on the Eagles bench.

sligsup wrote:

Mark Mostyn wrote: So Masterson, Carty, and Kerins are the only three academy players (not counting first years) not to get a game. Wonder are they injured.

Well I think Masterson is injured but year 1. Carty is year one but played eagles last year . Kerins is year 3 but never played seniors but played eagles , I stand to be corrected

Carty and Masterson are both year 2 ( www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-rugby-conf...d-for-201718-season/ )

Has Kerins started a game for the Eagles? According to this article ( www.hoganstand.com/article/index/261773 ) he was named on the bench for Ulster away last season but Marmion ended up starting with Blade on the bench ( www.ultimaterugby.com/match/ulster-rugby...ct-2017/56525/lineup ).

Mark Mostyn wrote: So Masterson, Carty, and Kerins are the only three academy players (not counting first years) not to get a game. Wonder are they injured.

Well I think Masterson is injured but year 1. Carty is year one but played eagles last year . Kerins is year 3 but never played seniors but played eagles , I stand to be corrected

So Masterson, Carty, and Kerins are the only three academy players (not counting first years) not to get a game. Wonder are they injured.

connachta wrote: So many indications in that for Zebre team

Marmion/Blade will be SH Agree but would like to see Keirins given a run in the Eagles
Copeland should be back if Gallagher is listed here or else fa’ainga has being fast tracked
Delahunt/Heff confirmed for now
O'Donnell or McCabe is undicided or else Buckley being rested with McCabe starting and o donnell benching but I agree with you
McCoy will be on the bench instead of Carey apparently...

So many indications in that for Zebre team

Marmion/Blade will be SH
Copeland should be back if Gallagher is listed here
Delahunt/Heff confirmed for now
O'Donnell or McCabe is undicided
McCoy will be on the bench instead of Carey apparently...

www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-eagles-squ...r-celtic-cup-opener/

didn't stop Leinster naming their A side, but yeah makes sense to announce to two teams same day

anyway i'll be going to this game so i'll try to give updates as it goes
very strong munster side

Munster A team for this evening announced:

munsterrugby.ie/2018/09/06/munster-a-nam...r-celtic-cup-opener/

Not a dickie bird from Connacht yet , but given that, unlike Munster, our seniors don't play until Saturday and that team will to some extent be given away by the Eagles selection, that's probably not surprising.

Did anyone make it to the u17 or u18 games today? Would have gone if I knew they were on. 17s won and 18s lost against a US team.

To further back up this point Blackrock have been on a tour of NZ the last month playing local schools teams......during the Lions tour....I dread to think how much that set them back :S

The rumour is that the big schools (Micheals, Rock, etc) all have 7 figure sums for their teams :dry:

Fast twitch wrote: The elephant in this particular room is the issue of resources available to the rugby program in schools. The top 20 Leinster schools are predominantly fee paying. Comparing them to non fee paying schools elsewhere in Ireland doesn't stand up to scrutiny.
Mention of the successful Jes team reminded me that for the season leading up to their first recent Senior Cup win the parents council fund raised to provide the training aids then used by more professional teams such as tackle pads etc.. which otherwise were not provided.
Small things, but this can help instill belief in a young team where they may feel that "the guys in the boarding school have a better team than us".
Access to experienced coaches, support teams in S&C, nutrition, physio as well as gym and other training facilities are what set these schools apart from the rest. The history and culture provide the belief and the status quo is maintained.
Don't expect the IRFU to be worried about this.
Maybe Connacht can develop the schools program to bring more top level players through to Pro12 level and beyond.
Often small investments in developing the under-resourced teams can promote the standard across the entire group.
Couldn't care less that they might be cannon fodder against the elite of the Leinster schools just as long as they provided a player development pathway through to the Connacht Academy and beyond.

Just to reinforce your point.

The elephant in this particular room is the issue of resources available to the rugby program in schools. The top 20 Leinster schools are predominantly fee paying. Comparing them to non fee paying schools elsewhere in Ireland doesn't stand up to scrutiny.
Mention of the successful Jes team reminded me that for the season leading up to their first recent Senior Cup win the parents council fund raised to provide the training aids then used by more professional teams such as tackle pads etc.. which otherwise were not provided.
Small things, but this can help instill belief in a young team where they may feel that "the guys in the boarding school have a better team than us".
Access to experienced coaches, support teams in S&C, nutrition, physio as well as gym and other training facilities are what set these schools apart from the rest. The history and culture provide the belief and the status quo is maintained.
Don't expect the IRFU to be worried about this.
Maybe Connacht can develop the schools program to bring more top level players through to Pro12 level and beyond.
Often small investments in developing the under-resourced teams can promote the standard across the entire group.
Couldn't care less that they might be cannon fodder against the elite of the Leinster schools just as long as they provided a player development pathway through to the Connacht Academy and beyond.