Really disappointing from the lads. They needed to be thumping Dragons at home and building up a head of steam going in to the end of the season.

I hope Connacht have Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith stood at the Sportsground gate with those memory wiping yokes. Dear Lord.

For anyone who wants to watch the match in English go to S4C and hit Red button.

We need to remember this is a big game for Dragons too. They are already out of the Challenge Cup so their one remaining hope for doing anything this season is sneaking into 8th place and a play off. It looks unlikely but they'll be thinking win here and they've a chance of doing it. Our first aim tonight is to win. Being slow out of the blocks has been a familiar sight recently. We don't want to give them anything to cling on to early or it could be a tough evening.

salmson wrote: Dem-don't-look-like-Dragons-Daddy have two match points away from home, both earned against Scarlets, conceding an average of 32 points and losing by an average of 16. Goal for Connacht - given the teams selected - has to be to restrict them to 1 try while sticking 50 on them. I fancy us to do it.

watched leinster tonight. edinburgh are not great but no matter the team you face it takes time to break it down. it will be likewise with dragons. it takes time. we should win, and win well, but it is not going to be a capitulation

Dem-don't-look-like-Dragons-Daddy have two match points away from home, both earned against Scarlets, conceding an average of 32 points and losing by an average of 16. Goal for Connacht - given the teams selected - has to be to restrict them to 1 try while sticking 50 on them. I fancy us to do it.

menacethedenis wrote:

dobby wrote: I really don't think he has a future at Connacht

We know. For some reason you feel the need to state it over and over and over again. Maybe stay on topic this is a match thread?

I didn't think I had been so repetitive. I thought I had been gentle. Obviously not

dobby wrote: I really don't think he has a future at Connacht

We know. For some reason you feel the need to state it over and over and over again. Maybe stay on topic this is a match thread?

I would have to disagree with you on this. We beat Cardiff ,albeit we left it late by 6 points away from home. Our record there is dire. We are playing Dragons at home . On paper they are nowhere as good as Cardiff. Our 23 is the strongest I've seen all season. If we can get fast clean ball out to the wings we could ate them. The bookies had the handicap at +11 earlier in the week. They are growing more confident in a big Connacht win and so am I !! Roll on......

I have suggested that our centre partnership of recent times has not really been effective. Salmson has said as much (I take your name in vain so you are welcome to dispute). What Salmson definitely said is that the ball to our wingers is rubbish. I like the Craig/Tom partnership (honestly I was not that terribly surprised). I think that will certainly help things. Years into Jacks introduction (and I admit I felt he was the right choice) I no longer feel that way. It is at the point where he can't kick any appreciable distance to touch, he can't land a penalty, he can't drop a kick in front of goal, and on a good day yes he can kick positionally. Its simply not enough. I really don't think he has a future at Connacht

clanman wrote: the bookies have the dragons +14pts in the handicap, can't see us beating them by more than 10pts

I'd be in agreement with you Clanman, but you could see it being by more if Connacht get out to an early lead and Dragon heads drop. In that case a win by 20+ and a TBP would be a very likely outcome.

Don't know about the gap but a high-scoring game is likely

the bookies have the dragons +14pts in the handicap, can't see us beating them by more than 10pts

Quality team my only concern would be the lineout as said already, there are at least a number of options to throw to, its just a question of whether they can pull it off. Dillane potentially playing for his Ireland bench spot in that regard.

Well it's only February, but you might be right

salmson wrote: 8 internationals starting, 5 lads playing for contracts on the bench.

www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-team-to-fa...gons-5/#ConnachtNews

Connacht team to face Newport Gwent Dragons

Saturday February 18th, kick off 19:35, the Sportsground

(Connacht caps in brackets)

15 Tiernan O’Halloran (119)
14 Niyi Adeolokun (50)
13 Tom Farrell (2)
12 Craig Ronaldson (59)
11 Matt Healy (85)
10 Jack Carty (72)
9 Kieran Marmion (115)

1 Denis Buckley (109)
2 Dave Heffernan (76)
3 Finlay Bealham (73)
4 Ultan Dillane (37)
5 Quinn Roux (47)
6 Sean O’Brien (32)
7 Jake Heenan (48)
8 John Muldoon (293) (captain)

Replacements:

16 Tom McCartney (57)
17 Ronan Loughney (190)
18 JP Cooney (44)
19 James Cannon (10)
20 Nepia Fox-Matamua (17)
21 Caolin Blade (38)
22 Steve Crosbie (0)
23 Rory Parata (25)

I'm open to correction but I feel, with the notable exception of Bundy, that as strong a side as we have had out all year!

After having a look at that squad, I'm really looking forward to an another exciting evening up in the Sportsground. Seems like ages since the last match against Zebra!