We won the Pro 12 and still we have Pat and the coaching team being questioned. New players have been integrated into the group almost seamlessly throughout Pat's time here. With only 1 pre-season game for whatever reason there had to be a balance of game time and seeing some new faces. I hate these games being honest, no real intensity, everyone feeling their way into things again. They can be awful to look at, its a glorified training session especially this far out from the season. I remember being at the Grenoble game last year when we were getting hockeyed and some in the crowd questioning that with us having made no big signing in the summer whether we'd struggle significantly during the season. Ideally we'd have at least one more game a week or so before the opening game but I have full confidence we'll be in good shape to perform strongly against Glasgow.

I'm at a loss for Montpellier selection. I've seen the B&I stuff which is pedestrian. I've seen the emerging ireland stuff which is woeful. There is nothing to be learnt about new players if they simply are fitting to something that will never start a PRO12.

Pre-season is about integrating players not simply playing 80 minutes for 'rugby time'. I really think management have to approach the concept of pre-season differently. Yes all our internationals will not play against Montpellier so its a matter of finding the balance without them.

The Montpellier first 40 minutes selection would be a huge stretchof the imagination as a starting Connacht 15. I see this as a total waste of an opportunity to integrate new players into a core group.

For what it's worth, that's a better score than this time last year against Grenoble.

It's great to see those three names on the score sheet.

Full time Montpelier 21 Connacht 19. Connacht tries from Kelleher, Brennan and Fox-Matamua.

Oh I'm aware but I don't use them for specific reasons lol.

FACECUTTR wrote: Any chance you guys could keep me posted on the score and stuff. I don't have twitter or facebook

Twitter? I hear they have that on compewters now: twitter.com/connachtrugby/

Any chance you guys could keep me posted on the score and stuff. I don't have twitter or facebook

huggie37 wrote: does anyone know of any streams or radio coverage for the match later?

Afraid just Twitter:
"This game will not be broadcast on tv or radio. Keep an eye on our Twitter and Facebook accounts for score updates."

does anyone know of any streams or radio coverage for the match later?

I think it could be decision making. Muldoon rarely gets it wrong from the back of the scrum. Neither of them are exceptionally fast.

Darragh wrote: Is it his extra mobility over Muldoon?

Eoin is a fair bit bulkier than John I think, so I can't imagine he's more mobile. I'd say it's the opposite if anything.

NewGuy wrote: I Love that team , cant wait to see Cormac Brennan , Cian Kelleher , Dominic Robertson-McCoy and sean obrien at lock !!

One of Cian Cormac or Niyi will have to last for the full game as Dannie is absent

Darragh wrote: It's funny how they prefer McKeon at 6, over 8. Is it his extra mobility over Muldoon?

I thought 8 has to be quicker to react and move...

It's funny how they prefer McKeon at 6, over 8. Is it his extra mobility over Muldoon?

I Love that team , cant wait to see Cormac Brennan , Cian Kelleher , Dominic Robertson-McCoy and sean obrien at lock !!

Connacht team to face Montpellier, Thursday August 11th, Saint-Affrique, kick off 8pm (local time)

15. Cian Kelleher
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Eoin Griffin
12. Bundee Aki
11. Cormac Brennan
10. Jack Carty
9. Caolin Blade

1. Denis Buckley
2. Dave Heffernan
3. Dominic Robertson-McCoy
4. Sean O’Brien
5. Danny Qualter
6. Eoin McKeon
7. Jake Heenan
8. John Muldoon (captain)

Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Tom McCartney, Ivan Soroka, Ronan Loughney, Saba Meunargia, JP Cooney, Cian Romaine, Lewis Stevenson, James Connolly, Nepia Fox-Matamua, Conor McKeon, Conor Lowndes, Shane O’Leary, Ed O’Keeffe, Peter Robb, Rory Parata, Josh Rowland.

*Danie Poolman was a late withdrawal from the squad due to a visa issue that prevented him from travelling.

Non-playing: Finlay Bealham, Conor Carey, Ultan Dillane, Kieran Marmion, Matt Healy, Tiernan O’Halloran