There isn't much to take from a game like this that we don't already know but for me the biggest positive is Kieran Marmion. He really looks to be taking his game up a level in the European games this year. Really pulled the strings yesterday and put runners through the gaps almost at will. Its against limited opposition but the Wasps games proved his worth.

The front row replacements are a worry. The scrum was an embarrassment after we lost our big hitters. I hope Denis Buckley was purely precautionary. Him and Bealham will have to go the full 80 next Sunday.

Also we need to hit the ground running next Sunday. Its been a common theme in a lot of games. We got the early try yesterday but we never pushed on. We really only got motoring properly after 20 or so. Not good enough against higher standard opposition.

I attended the match and made a video for YouTube and here it is.



Agree with Podge57 about PA announcer announcing substitution as John Cooney was taking a kick (3:40 into the video). Should have waited until after the kick to make the announcement

Podge57 wrote: Couple of thoughts; ( Albeit against very poor opposition)

James Cannon had a very solid game - played the Aly role very well!
Lineout functioned well with Lewis also playing well
SOB stepping up well
Cooney is not an outhalf! - this not a criticism its just not his position - actually like him as scrum half!
Tom Farrell looks to have potential (possibly allow craig back to outhalf?)
Nyi - guy is struggling! Turnover ball in tackle becoming more frequent. not much awareness of options around him. Is working his socks off but perhaps trying too hard?
Great to see Matt Healy returning to form - would love to see back three of Kelleher, Matt and Tiernan
Marmion is class - think experience with Ireland is bringing him on a ton!

Gripe; PA announcer giving sub updates when our kicker lining up shot at goal! - need to cop on here methinks! Sloppy at best!

now back to me Sunday Paper(s)

Looking forward to Toulouse!

Little concern about Cooney at ten, he's an excellent footballer, good feet, hands and gas. To step in as he did yesterday was frankly excellent. And with Craig fit things like line kicking (as yesterday) can be shared. Also with a game under his belt, we'll see Craig take on more workload I'd suspect.

My major concerns from.yesterday is our exit strategy, or the accuracy around that yesterday which contributed heavily to both Zebre tries. I know own it was far from a first choice squad, with players out of position and coming back in, but if we play a loosely as we did in first twenty in Toulouse the game will be gone. Players cannot get isolated from support in the search for a weak shoulder, and support needs to work harder to stay in touch and be more accurate in the clearout.

My other major concern is front row, unless we have other bench options next week (and pray to the gods Buckley is fit folks). But Andress is just not in the right condition to do what is required. If you track his time on the pitch yesterday it was uncomfortable viewing from scrums to general play he was miles off the pace..I don't mean any disrespect to him, I know he's come in to get us out of a hole, but he for me is a huge risk if brought to Toulouse.

Agree with a lot of that. Cannon and SOB2 were brilliant. Niyi did seem very frustrated throughout the game (would he have got a penalty try if the score line was tighter?)
Crowd was great. Nice to see opposing players being applauded.
And..... does Tiernan have kiwi genes? Some of his offloads were outstanding.

Couple of thoughts; ( Albeit against very poor opposition)

James Cannon had a very solid game - played the Aly role very well!
Lineout functioned well with Lewis also playing well
SOB stepping up well
Cooney is not an outhalf! - this not a criticism its just not his position - actually like him as scrum half!
Tom Farrell looks to have potential (possibly allow craig back to outhalf?)
Nyi - guy is struggling! Turnover ball in tackle becoming more frequent. not much awareness of options around him. Is working his socks off but perhaps trying too hard?
Great to see Matt Healy returning to form - would love to see back three of Kelleher, Matt and Tiernan
Marmion is class - think experience with Ireland is bringing him on a ton!

Gripe; PA announcer giving sub updates when our kicker lining up shot at goal! - need to cop on here methinks! Sloppy at best!

now back to me Sunday Paper(s)

Looking forward to Toulouse!

Going well now lads

Try Bonus point in the bag.....

28 mins down..but won't be able to whip off a few guys to save them for next week yet

21 : 14 to Connacht

Listening on radio...sounds like it's a wild west shoot out...

Just a heads up to anybody unfortunate enough not to be able to make the match in the sportsground.

The match will be live on Sky Sports Mix which I believe is available to all Sky (Channel 407) and Virgin Media (Channels 400 and 430 (HD)) customers.

Have they rested a few? e.g. Geldenhuys, van Schalkwyk, D'Apice.
Or have they a few injuries?

They've made quite a few changes from last week, not sure if this team is better or worse

15 Kurt Baker

14 Lloyd Greeff

13 Edoardo Padovani*

12 Mattia Bellini

11 Guglielmo Palazzani

10 Carlo Canna

9 Marcello Violi*

8 Federico Ruzza*

7 Johan Meyer

6 Maxime Mbandà* (cap)

5 Valerio Bernabò

4 Gideon Koegelenberg

3 Pietro Ceccarelli

2 Carlo Festuccia

1 Andrea Lovotti*

A disposizione:

16 Oliviero Fabiani

17 Andrea De Marchi

18 Dario Chistolini

19 Joshua Furno*

20 George Biagi

21 Carlo Engelbrecht

22 Derick Minnie

23 Serafin Bordoli

that's a very strong side for us as we have many injuries

Bazzo wrote: If I had to guess I'd say we'll see: 9. Marmion 10. Cooney 12. Ronaldson 13. Parata 21.Blade 22. Farrell 23. Poolman

Not a bad shout if I do say so myself

Need to get the BP as early as possible and get the likes of Ronaldson, Muldoon, Buckley, Bealham, McCartney off ASAP and wrap them n cotton wool for next week !

Nearly guessed the 23. On a more important note, I'm not expecting any lineout issues this w/e given the lock selection.