Interesting team and squad and i 2nd exiles comments above.

I hope parks arrival has focussed miah on his kicking duties. He imp roved in latter games last season but was poor from tee before xmas. It probably will decide the game. If hes consistant from tee connacht will win.

connachtexile wrote: Thoughts on the team.

1. It shows how useless the deadsite is I think most of us still thought Griffin for example was still injured. How hard is it to do an up to date injury report?

2. Surprised that Marmion got picked in front of Moore. I rate Marmion highly but it doesn't say alot about EE's opinion of Moore if he's on the bench.

3. Fafita's in action and I'm excited to see him play. Dido Henshaw if he gets picked.

Can't wait to see this tomorrow!

Why would they report something if its not true? Seems like arguing for the sake of arguing to me.
Why keep an up to date injury chart in public. Other teams would then know who they need to concern themselves with, and who to ignore

Interesting going with the Fifita pick in the centre, I guess Eric sees him as a direct Henry replacement, bit of bosh up the middle and (hopefully) create space for Grico. Really glad to see Grico is starting and that reports of his demise were greatly exaggerated.

Can't fault the pack and looking forward to seeing Faloon make his debut.

Well, I say, 'seeing', but I'll be listening on't radio.

Thoughts on the team.

1. It shows how useless the deadsite is I think most of us still thought Griffin for example was still injured. How hard is it to do an up to date injury report?

2. Surprised that Marmion got picked in front of Moore. I rate Marmion highly but it doesn't say alot about EE's opinion of Moore if he's on the bench.

3. Fafita's in action and I'm excited to see him play. Dido Henshaw if he gets picked.

Can't wait to see this tomorrow!

Connacht announce XV to take on Cardiff Blues in the opening round of the RaboDirect PRO12 league




Connacht Rugby have announced the starting XV that will take on the Cardiff Blues in the opening round of the RaboDirect PRO12 tomorrow at the Sportsground.

Gavin Duffy will lead his side out, having been announced as captain for a second year running. The 6’2 former Mayo Minor footballer has 10 Irish caps and was called up to the Ireland squad during the summer tour to New Zealand. Duffy is supported on the wings by last season regulars Fetu’u Vainikolo and Tiernan O’Halloran while the dynamic centre partnership of Mata Fifita and Eoin Griffin complete the backline.

Kieran Marmion will gain his first cap for Connacht at scrum half. Kieran started in the preseason friendly against Harlequins and also played a pivotal role for Ireland at the IRB Junior World Championship, starting four of their five games en route to a highest ever finish of fifth.

Another regular from last season is out half Miah Nikora who got a good run out in both pre-season friendlies in August.

Connacht have plenty of experience amongst the starting forwards. John Muldoon, Mike McCarthy, and Johnny O’Connor have almost 450 caps between them while Michael Swift holds the record with this his 220th cap for the Province. Ronan Loughney, with 105 caps, provides plenty more experience with George Naoupu , Denis Buckley and Ethienne Reynecke completing the firepower of the forwards.

In the past two seasons both Connacht and Cardiff Blues have begun with an opening weekend victory and tomorrow both sides will endeavour to hold on to that record.

It’s been a summer of change for Cardiff Blues with a number of senior players such as Martyn Williams, Xavier Rush and Deiniol Jones retiring from the game and a new exciting crop of youngsters coming through.

Director of Rugby, Eric Elwood, is looking forward to kicking off with the new season. “All the pre-season training has led to this point and we can’t wait to get going.”

KO is at 5pm at the Sportsground.




Connacht XV

15. Gavin Duffy (Captain)

14. Tiernan O’Halloran

13. Eoin Griffin

12. Mata Fifita

11. Fetu’u Vainikolo

10. Miah Nikora

9. Kieran Marmion

1. Denis Buckley

2. Ethienne Reynecke

3. Ronan Loughney

4. Michael Swift

5. Mike McCarthy

6. John Muldoon

7. Johnny O’Connor

8. George Naoupu



Replacements (from):

16. Adrian Flavin

17. Rodney Ah You

18. Finlay Bealham

19. Dave Gannon

20. Willie Faloon

21. David Moore

22. Matthew Jarvis

23. Robbie Henshaw

bluesboy wrote: Blues will be without internationals Sam Warburton, Leigh Halfpenny, Bradley Davies and Alex Cuthbert. Also, injuries to Jamie Roberts, Michael Paterson, Chris Czekaj, Rhys Patchell and Benoit Borrust, and illness to Jason Tovey mean that it will be a very patched up side with many 3rd choice players starting. My guess at the starting 15 is something like:

15 Fish
14 James
13 Evans
12 Hewitt
11 Robinson
10 Davies
9 Williams
8 Pretorius
7 Copeland
6 Navidi
5 Cook
4 Reed
3 Filise
2 Kyriacou
1 Trevett

That is quite possibly the weakest Blues side I have ever seen in this league!!!

Will be interested to see how Robin Copeland goes for you, I've liked the cut of his gib since his St Mary's days, had sort of hoped that we would have picked him up before he headed to England with Titans and then to you.

I know we're not short of talent in the 2nd/back row but from what I've seen of him over the years he always struck me as having the talent to be international calibre. At only 24 I can see him doing three years and opting for Wales as he's hitting his prime....

ummm, wrote: Aye, but for which team?

As a Blues supporter I would take a losing bonus point now, but as usual will be disappointed on the day if that is all we get!

we have to take our time, but against that team, we must seek an offensive BP...

Aye, but for which team?

I was just informed that I forgot about Ceri Sweeney at 10, but then again that shouldn't change the outcome!!!

As you know, first games can be hit and miss, but personally I don't expect anything better than a losing bonus point... :pinch:

bluesboy wrote: Blues will be without internationals Sam Warburton, Leigh Halfpenny, Bradley Davies and Alex Cuthbert. Also, injuries to Jamie Roberts, Michael Paterson, Chris Czekaj, Rhys Patchell and Benoit Borrust, and illness to Jason Tovey mean that it will be a very patched up side with many 3rd choice players starting. My guess at the starting 15 is something like:

15 Fish
14 James
13 Evans
12 Hewitt
11 Robinson
10 Davies
9 Williams
8 Pretorius
7 Copeland
6 Navidi
5 Cook
4 Reed
3 Filise
2 Kyriacou
1 Trevett

That is quite possibly the weakest Blues side I have ever seen in this league!!!

Thanks for that Bluesboy. Thats a lot of big names missing. What type of result are you expecting from this game.

Blues will be without internationals Sam Warburton, Leigh Halfpenny, Bradley Davies and Alex Cuthbert. Also, injuries to Jamie Roberts, Michael Paterson, Chris Czekaj, Rhys Patchell and Benoit Borrust, and illness to Jason Tovey mean that it will be a very patched up side with many 3rd choice players starting. My guess at the starting 15 is something like:

15 Fish
14 James
13 Evans
12 Hewitt
11 Robinson
10 Davies
9 Williams
8 Pretorius
7 Copeland
6 Navidi
5 Cook
4 Reed
3 Filise
2 Kyriacou
1 Trevett

That is quite possibly the weakest Blues side I have ever seen in this league!!!

The Connacht Clan will be having a Player Forum in the Clan Bar after Saturdays game against Cardiff. Full story in the news section:

Player Forum article

I've also started a separate thread for anyone who has a particular question in mind that they'd like asked

he played the 1st half against munster A, so he will problably lined up on the 1st of september due to Kyle and Eoin injuries

I thought McSharry was still injured?

I would keep Mc Crea as 13, has power and pace, is fit after friendlies


my try :
G Duffy ; F Vainikolo, M McCrea, D McSharry, T O'Halloran; M Nikora, D Moore; D Buckley, E Reynecke, R Loughney ; M Swift, M Mc Carthy; J Mudoon, W Faloon, G Naoupu.

Subs : P Reilly, K O'Byrne (big problem here dunno if J Harris Wright or Fla will be fit on time) J P Conney (or N. White); A Browne ; J O'Connor, K Marmion ; M Jarvis (a "de luxe" joker who can come in as 10, 12 or 15); D Poolman (as 13 or 14)