connemara man wrote: You don't need a swift or George if players take the contact on their own terms. Ultan for all the good work for his try got caught upright a lot in possession and driven back. Not picking on him it's just there was a passage of play where we had a lineout midway between our 22 & 10 metre line, ran the ball ineffectively and ended up clearing the ball with a kick that gave the king's possession from the lineout in the exact same spot. Better teams will crucify that type of play.

If we aren't pushing teams Back in the ugly yards there'll be no space for the incredibly talented backline to work in. The old adage of earning the right to go wide is true and we don't do that enough. Look at Jack Conan always shifting his feet and the point he lets defenders hit him so he is always able to gain extra yards or break the gainline.

Also a deep backline is fine as long as the recipient of the pass is running into the ball. Something which just wasn't happening yesterday and was an issue last season aswell

I 90% agree

What you've describe as "take the contact on their own terms" is what I called "using techniques". It matters but it's not enough IMO

What would be the solution(s)?

Probably a mix of 1 last signing (Big carrying 5/8 à la Naoupu, or center à la Lee-Lo/Teo)...

...And using better the squad we have : Heffernan starting sometimes, Dillane teeth in contact back like they were 2 years ago, Harley Fox in the Academy, Robb back in December, Leader maybe more "cohesive" than Niyi/Cian, Ili over Griff/Healy on the wing/bench, Coulson who loves contact (poor Saffer felt it yesterday), Roux priviledged over Browne, SOB over a non-carrying guy in back-or-2nd-row... Of course all those possibilities won't happen in the same time, but we have tools to fix this at least.

Just seen Muldoon's yellow. Lucky not to be red shoulder makes contact with the head

You don't need a swift or George if players take the contact on their own terms. Ultan for all the good work for his try got caught upright a lot in possession and driven back. Not picking on him it's just there was a passage of play where we had a lineout midway between our 22 & 10 metre line, ran the ball ineffectively and ended up clearing the ball with a kick that gave the king's possession from the lineout in the exact same spot. Better teams will crucify that type of play.

If we aren't pushing teams Back in the ugly yards there'll be no space for the incredibly talented backline to work in. The old adage of earning the right to go wide is true and we don't do that enough. Look at Jack Conan always shifting his feet and the point he lets defenders hit him so he is always able to gain extra yards or break the gainline.

Also a deep backline is fine as long as the recipient of the pass is running into the ball. Something which just wasn't happening yesterday and was an issue last season aswell

10 is not the main issue, flyhalf controversy hides it
Why our back-line has to play deep, why our outhalf is under pressure? Because we don't win collisions. Simple as.
Even in such a good win like yesterday. Only Heffernan really wins the static contact areas.

I don't say others are inefficient, using smart techniques, bouncing on players like Bundee, accelerating around the ruck like Butler, etc.
But you have to use powerful players to gain the advantage line in dirty conditions. That's why we lost last week. We miss 1 Naoupu-or-Swift-like player.

Otherwise typical 2016 Champions yesterday, with slightly more kicks/balance. Loved it

Haven't really seen the replay for Muldoons card, but a yellow for Finlay's shoulder seemed harsh relative to a yellow for a blatant tip tackle (from an offside position to boot). I think people were aggrieved about Muldoons card because they had been throwing themselves head first into rucks repeatedly just before it happened.

Good result, but should have had the job done much sooner, strange decision not to kick to the corner for a fourth try. Really like the look of Farrell at 13, really nice footwork and very solid in defence. Tiernan looked really sharp in the first half, we're a much better team with him in it.

Just a point to note on our first two games. As a critic in the past I think Jack seems to be revitalised under Keane Carolyn etc. Whether that's down to Keane giving he more freedom or autonomy to play his natural game , whether Lams system didn't suit him , whether it's the man management from our now coaches but I think we have a much more confident player this season . Almost like a new signing . Hope he builds on the first to games and continues to develop and progress.

The Kings player who was stretchered off was back out sitting on the bench before the end of the match. He walked out under his own steam and looked fine thankfully.

I agree for the most part.

We seemed to lose momentum after the Kings player's injury. (hope he is OK, it looked a bad one). Thought we should have gone for the corner instead of posts at start of 2nd half as they were on the ropes just then, and seemed to get a breather from that.

Good to see TOH back and Healey had some nice touches.

Thought Finlay's yellow was deserved; just lazy shoulder. Mul lucky not to get a red; have seen worse where clearouts by shoulder have resulted in sending off. Not sure if he hit the player on the head.

Can't have too many complaints after last night. Our new SA cousins have a bit of work to do before they are up to pace. they'll get there!

I think we played exceptionally well for 15 minutes in the first half, like Pro12 Final well, everything was working, everything was gelling. For the rest of the match we looked very comfortable. Didn't really need to get out of 3rd.

Have to say I thought the two yellows were a bit harsh, but thought the standard of refereeing was fine besides that.

Stakeknife84 wrote: Thanks Mark Windscribe works perfectly. Will pass on the tip to others over here.

No problem, I'd advise uninstalling it when you're not using it as the permissions it asks for are a bit mad.

Thanks Mark Windscribe works perfectly. Will pass on the tip to others over here.

phatguerilla wrote:

chops123 wrote: Is there anything to be said about Bundee playing 12? Is this because of Schmidt wanting to see him there?
Or is it more so to cover Jacks outside shoulder in D? Or both

Did Keane not pick Bundee primarily at 12 when they were at Chiefs, or did their time there not overlap?

Yep Bundee was primarily a 12 at Chiefs but not sure KK was involved at that stage

chops123 wrote: Is there anything to be said about Bundee playing 12? Is this because of Schmidt wanting to see him there?
Or is it more so to cover Jacks outside shoulder in D? Or both

Did Keane not pick Bundee primarily at 12 when they were at Chiefs, or did their time there not overlap?

chops123 wrote: Is there anything to be said about Bundee playing 12? Is this because of Schmidt wanting to see him there?
Or is it more so to cover Jacks outside shoulder in D? Or both

Do Connacht have a 12 other than Bundee? Even Craig is a bit of push at inside. I see no inside centre other than Bundee on the 40 odd players in this squad. Do you?

Is there anything to be said about Bundee playing 12? Is this because of Schmidt wanting to see him there?
Or is it more so to cover Jacks outside shoulder in D? Or both

Dobby we have TOH back ! S**t happens with squad announcements . This is not X File bullsh**t Lighten up and enjoy the buildup And ! an absolute full on "the fields" when LIAM is brought onto the pitch. And hopefully in a few weeks SAM ! End of the day We are CONNACHT