Bazzo wrote: Why on earth would we need to rest players? They've played 1 match in the past month.

Because we are not going to make Top 5. As such we need to play for what we need to play for. And we need to maintain our players for the playoffs. So the discussion is no longer about what we need to make Top 5 but what we need to make the playoffs. So if you accept that we simply rest players and try new players as we have a lot of leeway in qualifying for the playoffs. To be honest I was very surprised with the 1 to 8 selection this weekend. I expected a shake-up there. There is loads of talent in this area so I was a bit put out by Pats selection. I would really like Delahunt to get a chance. I think he has a great future but Pat would seem to think otherwise.. Its great to see Masterson back and then confusing to see Connolly put aside. While I may not have been a fan of Farrell and Aki, just the look of it makes me wonder if I am wrong on that one. I would rather Caolin in front of John, in the knowledge that John is leaving but I suppose if you rest Craig you have to use John purely on a penalty kicking basis. As for Jack, we need a new backup to Marnitz (who we have hardly seen). It is getting beyond a joke where your outhalf betimes is not used for kickoff, is not used for touch kicking, is not used for penalty licking and is questionable as to what he is used for.

I suspect UR just haven't updated the broadcasters list from the original match listing unfortunately.

Magpie wrote: Great to see Masterson in the squad.

Ultimate Rugby has it as being broadcast on Eurosport Italia. Here's hoping.

Italian Eurosport 1 listed as China Open Snooker and Figure Skating World Champs and 2 as World Superbikes at time of the game.

Great to see Masterson in the squad.

Ultimate Rugby has it as being broadcast on Eurosport Italia. Here's hoping.

Strong pack and a good mix of experience and young talent throughout the backs and bench. Should definitely win but would like to see a strong performance

Heenan has a shin injury.

Connacht team to face Zebre

Saturday April 1st, kick off 3:30pm (2.30pm Irish Time), Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi

(Connacht caps in brackets)

15 Josh Rowland (1)
14 Danie Poolman (80)
13 Tom Farrell (6)
12 Bundee Aki (56)
11 Stacey Ili (12)
10 Jack Carty (76)
9 John Cooney (36)

1 Denis Buckley (113)
2 Tom McCartney (60)
3 Finlay Bealham (77)
4 Quinn Roux (52)
5 Andrew Browne (150)
6 Sean O’Brien (35)
7 Eoin McKeon (102)
8 John Muldoon (297) (captain)

Replacements:

16 Dave Heffernan (80)
17 Ivan Soroka (0)
18 Dominic Robertson-McCoy (6)
19 James Cannon (13)
20 Eoghan Masterson (35)
21 Caolin Blade (40)
22 Craig Ronaldson (63)
23 Eoin Griffin (74)

Tiernan and Kieran on a rest week.
Loughney Jp cooney and Niyi picked up knocks in training and Dawai is waiting on a new visa and couldnt travel

Home side will be up for it. 6 behind Treviso after their surprise win last weekend. Still to play them in Parma in R22 to decide who gets the Italian spot in Not the Heiny next year (although that could become irrelevant if Zebre's finances are as bad as rumoured, new side in Rome etc).

Why on earth would we need to rest players? They've played 1 match in the past month.

dobby wrote:

connemara man wrote:

dobby wrote:

connemara man wrote:

dobby wrote: Rumour has it that connacht rugby is facing similar budget problems. Anyway game is irrelevant. Its a matter of giving players a rest so they get their bodies ready for the playoffs

This game is more important than that, they need to start building momentum for the possible playoffs

Team already has momentum. This game is irrelevant. We can't make top five but we have our playoff place sorted unless a total disaster happens. So its time give the guys a break. So I expect a secondary team named tomorrow

Can't agree with you there. Last week was poor. Scrum was giving up ground and the team were lacking clinical edge in the oppo 22 and​ are predictable/easy to defend against.

A win this weekend and a good performance more importantly, add a win in Edinburgh to build up steam before Leinster come to town. I'd like to see us playing like champions and really put Zebre to the sword

I think you may get a shock tomorrow then

With the team announcement? It'll be 60-70% full strength and anyone stepping in should be doing something to put pressure on the players above them.

connemara man wrote:

dobby wrote:

connemara man wrote:

dobby wrote: Rumour has it that connacht rugby is facing similar budget problems. Anyway game is irrelevant. Its a matter of giving players a rest so they get their bodies ready for the playoffs

This game is more important than that, they need to start building momentum for the possible playoffs

Team already has momentum. This game is irrelevant. We can't make top five but we have our playoff place sorted unless a total disaster happens. So its time give the guys a break. So I expect a secondary team named tomorrow

Can't agree with you there. Last week was poor. Scrum was giving up ground and the team were lacking clinical edge in the oppo 22 and​ are predictable/easy to defend against.

A win this weekend and a good performance more importantly, add a win in Edinburgh to build up steam before Leinster come to town. I'd like to see us playing like champions and really put Zebre to the sword

I think you may get a shock tomorrow then

dobby wrote:

connemara man wrote:

dobby wrote: Rumour has it that connacht rugby is facing similar budget problems. Anyway game is irrelevant. Its a matter of giving players a rest so they get their bodies ready for the playoffs

This game is more important than that, they need to start building momentum for the possible playoffs

Team already has momentum. This game is irrelevant. We can't make top five but we have our playoff place sorted unless a total disaster happens. So its time give the guys a break. So I expect a secondary team named tomorrow

Can't agree with you there. Last week was poor. Scrum was giving up ground and the team were lacking clinical edge in the oppo 22 and​ are predictable/easy to defend against.

A win this weekend and a good performance more importantly, add a win in Edinburgh to build up steam before Leinster come to town. I'd like to see us playing like champions and really put Zebre to the sword

connemara man wrote:

dobby wrote: Rumour has it that connacht rugby is facing similar budget problems. Anyway game is irrelevant. Its a matter of giving players a rest so they get their bodies ready for the playoffs

This game is more important than that, they need to start building momentum for the possible playoffs

Team already has momentum. This game is irrelevant. We can't make top five but we have our playoff place sorted unless a total disaster happens. So its time give the guys a break. So I expect a secondary team named tomorrow

dobby wrote: Rumour has it that connacht rugby is facing similar budget problems. Anyway game is irrelevant. Its a matter of giving players a rest so they get their bodies ready for the playoffs

This game is more important than that, they need to start building momentum for the possible playoffs

cadman wrote: Unfortunately it is not on GBFM, budget restrictions (

Rumour has it that connacht rugby is facing similar budget problems. Anyway game is irrelevant. Its a matter of giving players a rest so they get their bodies ready for the playoffs

Unfortunately it is not on GBFM, budget restrictions (

Is it on Galway Bay?