It's certainly strange. By all accounts Buckley did very well against Edinburgh and with the changes in the second row, back row, halfback and centre it might have made more sense to keep the same front row as last weekend to minimise disruption. As it is the back three is the only unchanged unit.

I guess bringing Borlase on and then discovering he's not up to the job is not ideal. At least this way he can be subbed off if things aren't going well. Having said that, maybe he has impressed in training.

Still, major congrats to both Peter and Dave on their Connacht debuts.

Borlase starting ? It's a gamble considering how little game time he has had. I hope they dont regret giving him his start this weekend.

I'm having a hell of a senior moment filled day. Yes, I meant second row.

_nobody_ wrote:

ummm, wrote: No back row cover on the bench?

Muldoon and Grace???

I presume he meant second row cover, I presume George will move up if one of Swifty or Kearney gets injured. Not ideal though, would prefer specialist cover...

ummm, wrote: No back row cover on the bench?

Muldoon and Grace???

A few quick things:

That's not 'a couple of changes'. Someone at the branch needs to learn how to count.

We're preparing to throw this game. New guys need game time, true, but every game counts right now.

No back row cover on the bench?

connolly wrote: If i was jarvis i would be realy pissed off and be onto my agent telling him to get me out of here.
Miah hasn't even being on the bench, yet he comes straight into the first 15 <strong>bloody joke</strong>

Not really that big a joke. Being on the bench doesn't necessarily mean you're second in line for the outhalf throne.

NOC and Nikora play similar games and Eric obviously feels they play the game plan he wants to have for the first 50-60 minutes, with Jarvis in the role of a looser game that he wants to finish the match with.

green-devil wrote: what has happened to mc crea and tj anderson?

I know vainikolo got a try but for me he has been a let down so far.

Good to see some young guns getting a chance

Borlase debut will be interesting

There was always going to be a bedding in period for him, given this is his first time playing in the NH and we his first team.

Personally think he was guilty of trying to hard in the first couple of games, and thankfully he's looked a lot more accomplished recently. I think we'll see the best of him (hopefully) in the run Pro12 in, which we could do with to push up the table...

Would have liked if Moore and Jarvis started along with Buckley but sur im not makin the decisions.
Good to see the young guys getting a go and hope Borlaise goes well.

what has happened to mc crea and tj anderson?

I know vainikolo got a try but for me he has been a let down so far.

Good to see some young guns getting a chance

Borlase debut will be interesting

If i was jarvis i would be realy pissed off and be onto my agent telling him to get me out of here.
Miah hasn't even being on the bench, yet he comes straight into the first 15 bloody joke

16. Reynecke,
17. Buckley,
18. Maguire,
19. Muldoon,
20. Grace,
21. Moore,
22. Jarvis,
23. Tonetti
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15. Duffy,
14. Vainikolo,
13. Griffin,
12. McSharry,
11. O'Halloran,
10. Nikora
9. Murphy

1. Loughney,
2. Flavin,
3. Borlase(Debut), wooooooooooooooooooooo
4. Swift,
5. Kearney,
6. Dave Heffernan(Debut),
7. Ofisa,
8. Naoupu

Sorry, I meant either DG or TJ on the bench.

Got distracted by... stuff.

ummm, wrote: Connacht feed is saying a 'couple of changes' will be announced.

Guess that's Macca and NOC.

Will be interesting to see if Jarvis will start, or if Eric will perfer to bring him on for a change in tempo at the end as he has been doing recently. Miah could go from not in the 22 to starting.

I guess Kearney will be in the second row with either Gannon or TJ, probably DG.

What about Swifty, isn't he available. Wilkinson is supposed to be kept on in the Ireland squad too, only Loughs getting released.

Connacht feed is saying a 'couple of changes' will be announced.

Guess that's Macca and NOC.

Will be interesting to see if Jarvis will start, or if Eric will perfer to bring him on for a change in tempo at the end as he has been doing recently. Miah could go from not in the 22 to starting.

I guess Kearney will be in the second row with either Gannon or TJ, probably DG.