FACECUTTR wrote: I'm surprised we did so well in the Champions cup.

Our Champions Cup performances proves we can play. It also proves we choose when we want to play. And that is not good enough. We can absolutely kick the ass out of Zebre in the Champions Cup and then lose to them in the Pro12. Now justify that performance. I do think (hope) we manage qualification to Champions Cup rugby next year. But we need to a bit more clinical in our approach. Our Pro12 loss to Zebre this year was simply unacceptable. Our performance last weekend was unacceptable. And there is no other word for it. These players are paid to perform, and as Pat said it is the entertainment industry, so it is not good enough. They let themselves down and they let their supporters down on Saturday and they should be let know this

I think it's two different things. Leinster are in form and playing good stuff. They can make 11 changes because they still have the mix of talent and experience to make it work. Added to that it isn't a team just put together. These lads are used to playing with each other when the internationals are out or rested and going back a lot of them have experience of playing together at B&I Cup level.

Its mainly fluency and form for us really I think. Last season most of the squad were used at various points and most were able to come in and fit in pretty seamlessly with what we were trying to do. This year we're finding it more difficult to impose our game on teams (for various reasons) regardless of personnel. Added to that you'd have a few key pillars to the team who played pretty much every game and set the tone. When you make multiple changes to a team that's struggling for rhythm and are playing a number of players in their first game in a long time it adds to the difficulties.

The players have no confidence. The start to the season was a shambles and then Pat announced his news. 2 coaches left and we had a huge injury list. I'm surprised we did so well in the Champions cup.

I am probably the most changeable and fickle person, but I have changed my mind. I think back to the Leinster game and the Leinster guys managed with a totally changed team. How come we get absolutely killed when we change our team? Surely if we play to a plan we should be able to manage. changes no matter what the position?

Not trying to make excuses for last nights performance but there were an awful lot of changes to the team. It has to be hard to get coordination right. It was the perfect time to try something new and indeed we probably should be looking at giving a similar teamsheet another chance next weekend. The downside to that is if we get another walloping our confidence will be really low going into the qualifiers

Betty Swallocks wrote: I stand corrected then swift4prez. Was that the case with both Ellis and Bell?

Pat convinced Ellis to stay on til Christmas. Bell left at the end of the season and was replaced by Conor Mcphillips.

I stand corrected then swift4prez. Was that the case with both Ellis and Bell?

Betty Swallocks wrote: @sol.ie.
As for the play-offs: on last night's performance we'll be lucky to get within 50pts of Quins/Northampton/Glos.

Gloucester are getting an almighty beating by Bath now so they dont look too hot right now.

Betty, it was a case of losing him after the pro12 final but pat convinced him to stay till after the Munster game.
We weren't shabby in losing a coach 5 months early, in fact we kept him 7 months longer than planned

@sol.ie. I guess what I'm saying is how come we were open to the two guys heading back down South mid-season. Why did their contractual position allow that? This is shabby, has had a substantial effect on this shitty season, and I would argue wouldn't have been allowed to happen at Leinster or Munster. We should be demanding better from Willie and his management team TBH.
As for the play-offs: on last night's performance we'll be lucky to get within 50pts of Quins/Northampton/Glos.

Betty Swallocks wrote: The end of this season can't come fast enough. We'd be better off not having to play a play-off game as we are a total rabble. We're counting the cost now of people like Willie Ruane and Tim Allnutt not doing their jobs by the pre-season debacle, allowing half the coaching team depart mid-season, and then added to by Pat's announcement in December.

Last night just wasn't good enough Tim and Willie. Do you get that?

While I can't disagree on the pre-season, bit harsh re: the coaches. Our coaches are employees, not indentured servants. If they want to go, we can't stop them, we have recognize their contribution, plan for the next season and go on as best as circumstances allow.

And how would we be better off without a playoff?

The end of this season can't come fast enough. We'd be better off not having to play a play-off game as we are a total rabble. We're counting the cost now of people like Willie Ruane and Tim Allnutt not doing their jobs by the pre-season debacle, allowing half the coaching team depart mid-season, and then added to by Pat's announcement in December.

Last night just wasn't good enough Tim and Willie. Do you get that?

I also hope Schmidt doesn't get to see a replay of that game, because if he does TOH and Finlay B will not be touring this summer. TOH's attempts to tackle in the corner were risible. His defence was really poor. Other than perhaps Buckley and Heenan I struggle to see any others joining Kieran Marmion on the tour plane this summer.

Hugely disappointing performance. Scarlets are a very good team and will be competitive against anyone in the play offs but the fact they could empty their bench after 40 and early in the 2nd half said it all really. We need a fresh start in the summer. This season is ending very badly for us. The play off is still there but there's no sign of a big performance coming in the near future. We're a bit of a mess at the moment. The main worry I'd have looking towards next season is Boshoff's defence. It'll have to improve hugely or honestly we can't justify playing him.

Tonight's performance was so bad (especially in the first 40) it's hard to put words on it and to be honest its for analysing another night. For now it's a tough night for those leaving.

wp_rathead wrote: Lineout went well - Heffernan and SOB had good games

Backline was always going to be in trouble with 3 lads (4 if include Griffin) with zero game time up against a Scarlets side in good form..

Still no excuse for some of the errors mind
Doesn't look like we'll have another game in Sportsground until end August if tonight is any indication

Glad players like Loughney, Poolman, Fox, Cooney and O'Leary got a send off from crowd - shame wasn't on back of a better performance never mind the result

It was a very poor effort by Connacht tonight.You are left wondering why. Yes we have a fight on our hands for Champions Cup qualification but this was a really poor effort. All across the field we didn't compete. It was as poor a performance that I have seen at Connacht

Lineout went well - Heffernan and SOB had good games

Backline was always going to be in trouble with 3 lads (4 if include Griffin) with zero game time up against a Scarlets side in good form..

Still no excuse for some of the errors mind
Doesn't look like we'll have another game in Sportsground until end August if tonight is any indication

Glad players like Loughney, Poolman, Fox, Cooney and O'Leary got a send off from crowd - shame wasn't on back of a better performance never mind the result

Torn to shreads