think most of us would have expected toulouse to be winning at half-time. so yes they are leading at half-time. roll on second half. maybe time for farrell at centre

We were 10 down at half time in the first game and won by two. We're eleven down but losing by 7 will do.

Hugely disappointing first half. Both tries were far too soft for this level. First was just a very fractured defensive line and a mismatch and the 2nd showed why Peter Robb at 13 doesn't work. In general play far too many basic errors. Scrum has gone quite well but we don't have reinforcements for that area. Quinn Roux I don't know what he was thinking but that was unforgivable. Only 14-3 by some miracle but we've given Toulouse the impetus and you can't do that against top French sides at home. Zebre looked ok for a while but that was never going to last and we'd have needed them to not only win but win by 8 or more.

N17 wrote: You would want to be a hell of an optimist to see a postive in that half of rugby. somehow we arent dead and buried yet

I'm a hell of an optimist then. We are very much still in this game

You would want to be a hell of an optimist to see a postive in that half of rugby. somehow we arent dead and buried yet

Ok,it's a disappointing start. Clan Prayer time.... Any particular Saint for interventions?

We still have the battle to get the play off spot in the league after this which is obviously important looking towards next season but in terms of moving Connacht forward this game looks like a fork in the road moment. Pat Lam targeted retaining the league title and a European q/f at the homecoming last May. The aspiration of winning the league is obviously long since dead and buried but I think q/f qualification would prove to ourselves and to those looking on that we are still on an upward trajectory and that last season wasn't a flash in the pan.

For years this weekend used to be us battling away in the Challenge Cup while Leinster and Munster in particular played crunch matches. Its a nervy day but its a good kind of nervousness. We are where we've aspired to be for years we have to go out and take the next step on the road today.

My main concern is that we start solidly. If we do there's every chance of us qualifying.

I don't think that I have ever been as uptight before a game. Not being there makes it worse. It's like waiting to a Leaving Cert exam wishing there was more time to prepare. If we don't panic , take our time , do what we do best with as little mistakes as possible we will be fine.

Wet dark and cold here in Toulouse. Just need a bit of wind and the place will be just like the Sportsground. Connacht Abú.

P.S. will be interesting to see how many Connacht supporter are here. Lots of green around the town - and some Leinster brothers as well.

"Ok, this is it. Biggest game ever for Connacht. Bigger than the Pro12 final. This is it. I am absolutely on tenderhooks for this one. Are we good enough? Do we want to win enough? I honestly believe we have both the ability and the desire. Roll on tomorrow"

I don't think it is nearly as big a game as the Pro 12 final, competing for an actual trophy, and a chance to be outright winners of the Pro 12 was in my opinion a bigger day.
Having said that it is a hugely important game, and another step for Connacht and their evolution.
Hon Connacht!

connachta wrote:

dobby wrote: Ok, this is it. Biggest game ever for Connacht. Bigger than the Pro12 final. This is it. I am absolutely on tenderhooks for this one. Are we good enough? Do we want to win enough? I honestly believe we have both the ability and the desire. Roll on tomorrow

99% agree, not for the part in bold though, let's ponderate it a bit

Have to move on. So this is the next step.Been there, done that amazing pro12 champions. Tomorrow next step.

dobby wrote: Ok, this is it. Biggest game ever for Connacht. Bigger than the Pro12 final. This is it. I am absolutely on tenderhooks for this one. Are we good enough? Do we want to win enough? I honestly believe we have both the ability and the desire. Roll on tomorrow

99% agree, not for the part in bold though, let's ponderate it a bit

Ok, this is it. Biggest game ever for Connacht. Bigger than the Pro12 final. This is it. I am absolutely on tenderhooks for this one. Are we good enough? Do we want to win enough? I honestly believe we have both the ability and the desire. Roll on tomorrow

salmson wrote:

clanman wrote: as strong a team as we could have hoped for, although don't be suprised to see some late fitness tests.

The Eagles selection should give us a good idea who's going to France as cover (and therefore who's touch-and-go).

Edit: Robertson-McCoy is with the Eagles so they must be confident in Buck's fitness.

Yeah but Loughney is back and not with Eagles, so maybe the 50/50 Buckley told about still stands...
If you look at the Eagles side you can reasonably imagine 3 men have done the trip as covers : Lough, McKeon, and Parata

Benji wrote:

salmson wrote: Toulouse:

15. Yoann Huget; 14. Arthur Bonneval, 13. Yann David , 12. Gael Fickou, 11. Paul Perez; 10. Jean-Marc Doussain, 9. Sébastien Bézy; 1. Cyril Baille, 2. Christopher Tolofua, 3. Census Johnston, 4. Richie Gray, 5. Yoann Maestri, 6. Joe Tekori, 7. Thierry Dusautoir, 8. Francois Cros
16. Leonardo Ghiraldini, 17. Vasil Kakovin, 18. Gurthro Steenkamp, 19. Talalelei Gray, 20. Piula Faasalele, 21. Gillian Galan, 22. Toby Flood, 23. Alexis Palisson

Some great players in that side

I just think Connacht want this more than Toulouse. Its another stepping stone. The French teams run hot and cold. If Connacht lose this game they will leave nothing behind. As a team selection it makes sense. Lots of big lads to take the strain. Happy to see Farrell and Dawai on the bench. And Salmson I did check John Cooneys tackling last weekend and you were spot on. He is not the tackling machine that Marmion, or indeed Jack is. So I hit the bookies today and got Connacht at 5/1. And strangely I feel reasonably confident.

you quoted one rare weak link.
But Tolofua, who should have been out injured, is such a great ball-carrier/offloader for example. Misses some tackles though, we have to target that.
To keep possession will be the key, as it was 3 years ago