RogueXV wrote: Aki's backrow experience.

So Aki is a centre sometimes playing backrow
And Dawai is a backrow sometimes playing centre

These Kiwis are crazy :woohoo:

I'm not saying we're not favourite, I'm saying it's a real embush, not only "showing respect" phrasing

But the more I look to the team the more I think Lam balanced it well : We struggled because we were so light against Toulouse, Italians have the same target/strategy, so he "muscled" his selection with Roux, SOB Robb, Delahunt J.P Cooney and McCoy. Without forgeting to ponderate with "electric finishers" in the back-three. Smart move Pat!

wp_rathead wrote: No Poolman is a puzzler alright, especially when you look at the bench. We practically have 3 out halves in the 23 and no one to cover back 3

It's still a very strong squad mind

Yeah, I think if I wasn't going to start Bundee, I would just give him the day off and have the more versatile (I'm discounting Aki's backrow experience) Poolman on the bench though with Ili, Kelleher, Ronaldson and SOL in the squad everything should be covered. Will be interesting to see how Ronaldson & Robb get on.

Good call on the social media.

Hi all!

Just wanted to note that we'll be showing this in Murtys this weekend as usual! All are welcome.

No Social Media posts etc. on this until tomorrow - given the other news today.

fatgav wrote: Anyway of recording this game on sky? Bt have it but appear to have it hidden behind a red button.

Balls, I have Sky+...

BT Sport wrote: Can I record BT Sport red button programmes?
Only if viewing over BT TV. Simply press the 'Record' button on your remote when watching a red button programme. You can also schedule recordings of BT Sport red button programmes from your Channel Guide, as well as record a BT Sport red button event whilst watching another BT Sport broadcast.

Extended highlights of the match are on BTS2 on 12:45am on Monday though...

No Poolman is a puzzler alright, especially when you look at the bench. We practically have 3 out halves in the 23 and no one to cover back 3

It's still a very strong squad mind

I am surprised not to see Poolman involved , great man for a try. I know he doesn't have the raw pace of our other wingers but is he just not fancied by Pat. he is not involved with the Eagles so I assume he is travelling as cover.

Connacht team to face Zebre
21st October 2016

The Connacht team to face Zebre in round 2 of the European Champions Cup has been named. Ahead of the trip to Italy, Pat Lam has made seven personnel changes from the side that defeated Toulouse six days ago.

In the absence of Tiernan O’Halloran due to injury, Cian Kelleher starts at fullback for the second time this season. New signing Stacey Ili is handed his first start having made two recent appearances from the bench.

Returning from injury, Peter Robb joins up with Craig Ronaldson in midfield while Ireland international Kieran Marmion is named in the number 9 shirt.

Hooker Shane Delahunt starts for the first time this season and packs down in the front row with the incoming JP Cooney and Finlay Bealham who shifts over to the tighthead side.

Quinn Roux is once again named to start in the second row having had to withdraw late before the game last weekend. The back row is also changed with blindside flanker Sean O’Brien earning his first start this season. Following his return from injury, the 21-year-old from Galway made an impressive cameo from the bench against Toulouse on Saturday

Commenting on the team selection and the upcoming game head coach Pat Lam said:

“The best thing about our improved performances individually and collectively as a team is that it has brought back good competition for places in the squad. With that in mind, and obviously some niggles and injuries, we’ve made some changes for our trip to Italy.

“With Zebre’s target of winning their first Champions Cup game, we are fully expecting to see the real Zebre front up at home. Our whole week has been focused on our continued improvement in team performance which will give us the best chance to face their challenge head on. “

Connacht team to face Zebre

Sun 23rd October, kick off 16:15, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Live on BT Sport / beIN Sport

(Connacht caps in brackets)

15 Cian Kelleher (5)
14 Niyi Adeolokun (38)
13 Peter Robb (19)
12 Craig Ronaldson (53)
11 Stacey Ili (2)
10 Jack Carty (60)
9 Kieran Marmion (107)

1 JP Cooney (33)
2 Shane Delahunt (19)
3 Finlay Bealham (63)
4 Quinn Roux (35)
5 Andrew Browne (146)
6 Sean O’Brien (21)
7 Jake Heenan (38)
8 John Muldoon (captain) (281)

Replacements:

16 Dave Heffernan (63)
17 Dominic Robertson-McCoy (0)
18 Conor Carey (3)
19 Ultan Dillane (33)
20 Eoin McKeon (91)
21 Caolin Blade (26)
22 Shane O’Leary (20)
23 Bundee Aki (47)

Personally think that Poolman is wasted at Full back.
Him on the wing and Kelleher at full back offers a lot more than Kelleher on the wing and Poolman at fullback IMO

I'd start McKeon at 8, and O'Brien at 6. Potentially Connolly at 7 too.

Team announcement in a few minutes

I'd like to see it unchanged, except Poolman straight in for TOH as FB (let Cian on the wing, Ili 23, and add Danie experience for a tricky one)
SOB for Muldoon (deserves a bit of rest on the bench as N°20, and McKeon deserves to go on as blindside)
Marmion for Blade (Brought a lot against Toulouse)
Roux starting, Dillane benching (as expected last week)
And that's all

Anyway of recording this game on sky? Bt have it but appear to have it hidden behind a red button.

menacethedenis wrote: Citing Commissioner: Richard McGhee (Sco)

is it just childish to wonder why his parents named him Dick?

Ahead of the round 2 Champions Cup clash away to Zebre on Sunday, the Connacht Rugby medical team have provided the following update.

Quinn Roux is recovering from his concussion injury and will integrate into team training this week.

Peter Robb is integrating into team training this week following the hip injury sustained in training.

Eoin Griffin sustained a concussion whilst playing for the Eagles on Sunday and is currently following the return-to-play protocols.

Tiernan O’Halloran sustained a knee injury in the game v Toulouse and will be unavailable for this weekend’s game v Zebre.

Marnitz Boshoff will arrive in Galway at the end of the week and will complete a routine medical examination before integrating into full team training.

Zebre v Connacht

Sunday, 23 October
Kick-off: 16:15 (local time)
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi

Live on BT Sport / beIN Sports

Referee: Matthieu Raynal (Fra)
Assistant Ref: Tual Trainini (Fra)
Assistant Ref: Thomas Dejean (Fra)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
Citing Commissioner: Richard McGhee (Sco)