With all the injuries, fatigue and disjointed performances of late, I don't expect a bonus point romp, no matter how bad Zebre may have been at times this season. Plus we don't know if O'Shea will have had any affect on mindset in terms of players putting themselves in the shop window for the six nations - after the win against SA you imagine the whole squad want to build on that.

Craig Ronaldson put up a post on Instagram from Fat Tony's with a comment like

"Getting my Sky Sports haircut"

Seems to be indicating that he will be involved in someway this weekend

I never underestimate any side as its a dangerous road to go down. If it was Zebre away I'd be a bit worried but Zebre at home should be a routine 5 pointer if we perform to anything near our potential. The one word of warning is they did manage to win away to Edinburgh a couple of months back so they aren't totally immune to winning on the road but in general they've taken some bad beatings on the road. We could do with imposing ourselves from the off. The Munster game was very disappointing in that regard. Its our home ground we should be setting the tone from the off. Munster seized the initiative from the off in that game and ensured we were playing catch up for the rest of the half.

Main concern is that our key players come through unscathed and we get the 5 nailed down as early as we can. Then we can sit back and hope Wasps ensure Toulouse go home empty handed from Coventry.

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

Cooney has to be in the 23

even if Robb isn't fit I'd be tempted to throw Farrell straight in there, if you're going to give a guy his first start after only a week then Zebre at home would be the game to do it

after watching the video clip I think he's up for the task, regardless of the level of Bedford rugby are at I've seen enough to suggest that we might have found a nugget

Betty Swallocks wrote: Where's Connachta when you need him to go through the endless possible permutations in line-up for Saturday's game??

What endless permutations?

The front 5 picks itself - Bucks, Tom, Finlay, Roux, Cannon - with Stevenson filling in for Quinn if he doesn't make it. Back row is SOB, Mul, and probably Eoin Mc to be preferred at 7 over Connolly. Dawai on the bench. Marmion and the back 3 pick themselves so the only real question is what permutation of Blade, Ronaldson, Robb (if fit), Parata & Farrell will run at 10-13? For me, if Robb's fit I'd go Ronaldson-Robb-Farrell, if not I'd go Blade-Ronaldson-Farrell.

Betty Swallocks wrote: Where's Connachta when you need him to go through the endless possible permutations in line-up for Saturday's game??

Both he and Dobby have been naughty boy's and are having a couple of weeks breather from the Forum.
They'll be back out of the sin bin in time for the Toulouse game though...

Sorta worry that there are not lower impact games for the returnees to test their fitness in before coming back into main squad reckoning. I know itr's Zebre, but they are desperate for any kind of winsat his stage..
I know recovery very much depends on the injury type, but I'm a great believer in graduated return for players, particularly those with elongated injury histories...

Where's Connachta when you need him to go through the endless possible permutations in line-up for Saturday's game??

So not nearly as bad as had been expected? Jack hasn't done his ACL?

Just getting the match thread going. Zebre have been even worse than usual this year so will Ronaldson be risked ahead of Toulouse? Crosbie not added to cup squad so presumably Blade is in contention to start at Out-half for this?


Ahead of Saturday’s Champions Cup game at home to Zebre (1pm), the Connacht Rugby medical team have provided the following update.

Jack Carty picked up a low grade medial knee ligament sprain against Ospreys. He is unavailable this week and his fitness will be monitored ahead of the round 6 Champions Cup clash.

Peter Robb sustained a concussion in the game against Ospreys and will observe the return-to-play protocols

Jake Heenan suffered a minor knee injury against Ospreys. He is unavailable this week and his fitness will be monitored ahead of the round 6 Champions Cup clash.

Ultan Dillane will continue rehab on his ankle injury which does not require surgery. He is expected to return in 3 – 4 weeks.

Quinn Roux is being treated for a groin injury sustained in training and will continue to be monitored this week.

Nepia Fox-Matamua is continuing his rehab for the rib cartilage injury he sustained in the Munster game. He is unavailable this week but his fitness will be monitored by the medical team.

John Muldoon will resume squad activity today having recovered from the hamstring injury that ruled him out last week.

Craig Ronaldson, Dominic Robertson McCoy and Josh Rowland have all been integrated into team training this week following their respective injuries.

John Andress and Tom Farrell, who have recently joined up with Connacht Rugby for the 2016/17 season, have both been added to the Champions Cup squad.

Connacht v Zebre
Saturday January 14th
the Sportsground
Kick off 1pm