A win thanks to John Muldoon.

Won vital turnovers and made important yards when we were in our half. Reason why he is a legend

I think a small change in tact was evident. Kicked more. Pick and go more around the breakdown.

evidence of trying to mix up our play.

Good stuff

Simply a huge game. Absolute must win if we are to have any ambitions this year. Looking forward to seeing how the back 5 work out tonight. Real pace there

Based down near Stephens green was thinking maybe sinnotts as they have a lot of screens

Boots09 wrote: Hi Guys,

Stuck in Dublin for the game, wondering is there a usual spot in the city centre where any clan might go or failing that any recommendations for somewhere to hopefully see the game?

Cheers

Where are you based Boots? I know the woodshed has being used in the past.

Hi Guys,

Stuck in Dublin for the game, wondering is there a usual spot in the city centre where any clan might go or failing that any recommendations for somewhere to hopefully see the game?

Cheers

Great selection, much more like what we want to see. I expect to see a lot of carries from McCartney and McKeon. Will be interesting to see if Carey will be more effective with a proper second row behind him. We've been badly missing those players like Bucks, McCartney, McKeon, Roux (and hopefully Cannon) that bring a high tempo and lots of work beyond their primary role which made a massive difference last year.

Marmion 24 and O'Halloran 25 have recently hit the tonne as far as I remember.

Am I right in thinking that Bucks is the youngest 100 Connacht caps player- at 26!! Great achievement

Podge57 wrote: Anyone know story with SOB?

Surreptitiously swapped places with the other SOB to play Australia, hiding under the helmet ?:woohoo:

Cardiff Blues: Dan Fish; Blaine Scully, Rey Lee-Lo, Willis Halaholo, Tom James; Steve Shingler, Tomos Williams; Rhys Gill, Kristian Dacey, Scott Andrews, George Earle, Jarrad Hoeata, Josh Turnbull, Ellis Jenkins (capt), Josh Navidi.

Replacements: Matthew Rees, Brad Thyer, Taufa'ao Filise, Macauley Cook, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Rhodri Davies, Alex Cuthbert, Matthew Morgan.

Anyone know story with SOB?

In fairness, with 4 on international call up, 10 out injured, that is a great squad. So much to look forward too. Hopefully Bucks and Tom can pick up where they left off. Obviously eyes will be on Boshoff if he gets a start but I am delighted to see Poolman back in green. Looking forward to it.

salmson wrote: On the downside, I don't see anyone at 4/5/6 who can do the "Aly role" in Browne' absence.

Roux did it in Rodney Parade when Browne went off - would assume he will be in that role again.. But Browne is massive loss here..

Great to see Bucks, Tom, John Cooney and Craig back. On the downside, I don't see anyone at 4/5/6 who can do the "Aly role" in Browne' absence.

Connacht team to face Cardiff Blues
24th November 2016

Connacht Rugby trio Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney and John Cooney have all returned from injury to take their place in the starting XV for round 9 of the Guinness PRO12 against Cardiff Blues.

Buckley runs out at the Sportsground tomorrow night for his 100th Connacht appearance and his first game in two months, packing down with the returning McCartney and tighthead Conor Carey.

James Cannon makes his first Connacht and PRO12 start alongside Irish international Quinn Roux in the second row. The back row, with captain John Muldoon at number 8, remains unchanged from the last round with flankers Eoin McKeon and Jake Heenan starting.

Less than two weeks after making his Ireland debut against Canada, wing Niyi Adeolokun starts at the Sportsground tomorrow night in a pacey back three with Cian Kelleher and Stacey Ili.

Craig Ronaldson partners Bundee Aki in midfield while October Player of the Month and outhalf Jack Carty is joined by Cooney on his season debut.

The most notable inclusion among the replacements is Marnitz Boshoff. The South African is in line to make his Connacht debut having arrived in Ireland last month following his commitments in the Currie Cup competition.

Ronan Loughney and Nepia Fox-Matamua also return from injury to take their place in the match day squad.

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

“The break in games has been extremely beneficial as we have been able to get some players back from injury and work on improving our game.

“We really enjoy playing Cardiff as they are always a tough challenge. Our games always go right down to the wire. We will have to be on our game as their away form is very good this season.

“We know we have to improve on our last outing to get the points on offer so being back at the Sportsground after a long break is a major boost. The atmosphere will once again be electric as its all set to be a full house, which is fantastic on an international weekend.”

Connacht team to face Cardiff Blues

Friday 25th November, kick off 19:35, the Sportsground

(Connacht caps in brackets)

15 Cian Kelleher (
14 Niyi Adeolokun (41)
13 Bundee Aki (49)
12 Craig Ronaldson (55)
11 Stacey Ili (5)
10 Jack Carty (63)
9 John Cooney (26)

1 Denis Buckley (99)
2 Tom McCartney (47)
3 Conor Carey (6)
4 Quinn Roux (38)
5 James Cannon (2)
6 Eoin McKeon (94)
7 Jake Heenan (41)
8 John Muldoon (captain) (284)

Replacements:

16 Dave Heffernan (66)
17 Ronan Loughney (189)
18 JP Cooney (36)
19 Lewis Stevenson (6)
20 Nepia Fox-Matamua (9)
21 Caolin Blade (29)
22 Marnitz Boshoff (0)
23 Danie Poolman (73)

Injured: Ivan Soroka, Conan O’Donnell, Ben Marshall, Andrew Browne, Eoghan Masterson, Rory Moloney, Shane O’Leary, Eoin Griffin, Josh Rowland, Darragh Leader.

Ireland squad: Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Kieran Marmion, Tiernan O’Halloran.

Connacht Rugby v Cardiff Blues
Friday November 25th
At the Sportsground, 7.35pm
Live on TG4

Remaining tickets available here.

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 141st competition game)
Assistant Referees: Simon Rees (WRU), John Carvill (IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eddie Wigglesworth (IRFU)
TMO: Charles Samson (SRU)

Paddy Power have us at 4/11 to beat Cardiff