True. We also shouldn't forget that this is CUP rugby with knock-out stages and so on. And with all the same pressures etc.

judging by both munster and leinsters results in the pool stages of this competition where they have reg put up big scores id say connacht can be competitive and will be as good as a lot of the teams in their pool.

I think you guys hit the nail on the head. Also having guys playing using the same calls etc that are used in the first team will speed them along. Are youth section is producing some quality players if we want them to continue to develop they need gametime and this does the job!

I believe we will find it very tough, but we shouldnt look too much into the results, the objective for us should be just the continuation of the development of our youngsters coming through...regular outings against decent oppostion...and as mentioned below I think we will grow into it 2 or 3 years down the road once we have a few seasons under our belt.

I think we'll find the going tough. Take out the first team match 23 and inevitable injuries and we are very stretched but I think regular A games can only be good and at least games at that level are competitive. 2 or 3 years down the road I'd expect us to do very well in this competition as we will have enough players of the right age to hold their own at that level.

We have had a number of lopsided games this year both winning and losing that didn't help the lads in any way.

Its likely our team for next year will look in the main similar enough to last Saturday, the important thing I believe is to get plenty of work on set pieces and defence, get these lads working as a unit, only saw 20 minutes or so of the game last Saturday but our scrum was a disaster and the two tries I saw were far too simple for Enisei.

Well I think the Ensty game showed that our A side needs more regular outings simply so that they are cohesive and competitive, that we struggle against a pretty moderate but professional squad wasn't a surprise. Rugby is about teamwork and understanding and while some of the lads will have played together in different teams our A squad gets together so infrequently that they are at a big disadvantage.

We have a pretty poor record in A games overall and that's even when we put out fairly strong sides, which really comes down to a lack of cohesion...

How are Browne and Nolan recovering, does anyone know? Obviously [begin heresy] Swifty can't last forever [end heresy] and you'd hope to (eventually) replace him with one of these local players.

Also, is this a sign we're finally being treated as an equal in the eyes of others?

Hard to tell, I think. I'm not sure if our omission from the B&I cup in previous years was due to the lack of invitation or if it was due to us not being able to afford to participate.

Ok, so we got kinda side tracked on season tickets, so lets start again...

B&I cup, are we happy? If yes, why? And if no, sod off.

Not having semi-regular 'A' games has been awful for us. We stick to the same starting Senior XV weekly and any new blood coming in has little to no experience around the team apart from training sessions.

The chance to get our fringe players into the mix and let them show what they can do can only be good. The likes of McCrea, TJ, Nikora & Fets (until NOC & Tuohy's injuries) are/were unable to push for a break into the team by virtue of 'A' game performances. I know players don't come to play 'A' games, and it kinda gives a lie to our selling point of 'come to Connacht and you'll get game time' but we need to be more ruthless and make breaking into the Senior team both doable but difficult, unlike the lottery it used to be under Bradley.

Would we even have known McSharry was as good as he is had it not been for injuries in the centres?

This can only be a good thing.

Not only that, but we lose players who just seem to fall away far too often. Our underage interprovincial record in the past two years has been great and the likes of Qualter, Layden, Leader, Finn, the Conneelys and others would be in danger of being forgotten without this bridge from the AIL to the senior team.

Not only that but Dave needs as much practice as he can get in the scrum and 20 mins at the end of games isn't going to do that for him.

In terms of injuries we throw players back into the senior side once they've recovered. Andrew Browne and Dave Nolan will be able to get some 'A' game time under their belts when returning, it's a safer route back into the fold.

I'm dead chuffed.

I stand corrected Borders on second inspection I now see the details.!

I'll have to have another look at my letter I got today so, I didnt see any details of the format on the B&I Cup.

Just on this got the letter about season tickets today: Included in it was confirmation of B&I Cup Details:

32 teams in this competition next season, 12 English Championship sides, 12 Welsh Premiership clubs and 4 from Scotland along with the 4 Irish provinces.

8 groups of 4 with games home and away so 3 home games and 3 away. (much simpler than the present format which is difficult to understand)

fatgav wrote: Do we know what an Adult Gold ticket is, as opposed to an adult one?

I think it's a seated ticket in either the Enclosed Stand or the Crap One We Don't Have Permits For Stand....

Do we know what an Adult Gold ticket is, as opposed to an adult one?

I see the free pint per game has been removed. Did we drink the branch dry this season?

salmson wrote: There's a big banner add on the main page, you can click new or renewal options from there. Since there's no guarantee of HEC rugby next year, I'd imagine they're working on a last few signings to coincide with the formal announcement.

ah, that explains it, only renewals on sale now, early bird from next month.

Full details:

Prices:

Renewals to April 25th (the discounts are as you get 25% off for every new season ticket holder you introduce)

Price 25% 50% 75% 100%
Adult €185 €168.75 €112.50 €56.25 €0
Adult Gold €210 €206.25 €137.50 €68.75 €0
Family €325 €300 €200 €100 €0
Concession €110
Junior €50

Early Bird 26th April - 18th May
Adult €200
Adult Gold €250
Family €375
Concession €130
Junior €50

Full Price 19th May onwards
Adult €225
Adult Gold €275
Family €400
Concession €150
Junior €80