Babbling 'brook

Overall we look to have good dept at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12 and 15 but consistent weakness at 1,9, 13 and Underdeveloped at 10. I have mixed feelings about 7, jvdf has been way ahead of his competition and I still see some of our other back row options starting before the other provincial 7's. Who all...

So you've a choice, FMF or Lowe / Hansen ? Good player and all that but FMF misses out and TOB is getting a look in. On the Buckley call RTB, I know.its subjective but Dooley at 4 and Buckley who has completely kept him in second place all season outside the top 8 looks like a personal bias. ( Which...

Good work RTB
Denis Buckley missed?

Jager tackle, looks fine to me. Hugely unfortunate in that he got caught at exactly the same time by both tacklers. Height, wrap, contact point, all fine. Where's the foul play? Totally agree that the outcome is massively unfortunate but it's a rugby incident for me. Best wishes on a speedy and full...

RTB it must be nearly time for an update

The system works, Leinster are the current jewel in the irfu provincial crown and are deserving of all their cc.

Anyone hazard a guess at who these Poni's might be?

Munsters efforts last night should have earned a few players a nice long summer holiday.

Duggan Heffernan aungier Murray dillane Prendergast Oliver butler Marmian carty porch Daly Arnold Sullivan TOH

Imo there are 2 barriers to Connacht being able to compete with the other 3 provinces and to being continually involved at the pointier end of the season in both competitions. 1. Population and therefore additional incomes which can be derived from it and playing pool primarily connected to the prov...

What size squad and is there room for some bolters and if so, who?

Prendergast

Dooley was so obvious a couple of years ago that I left him out because he must have had plenty of chances but didn't want a move anywhere or he'd have been off.

Sunshine, that's a bit pessimistic, Burke has been great, duggan is decent in set piece and has youth on his side. Buckley is 31 not old for a prop, should have a year or two. With Jennings, Forde, Dylan tm and winger can't think of his name pushing up from academy that should be relatively low cost...

Fair point re Coombes

Munster waited for the annual Connacht collapse which, for once, never arrived. Delighted for Connacht to win a tight game for a change but more importantly this should now herald a new era in Munster rugby, trying to win match's instead of waiting for the opposition to lose them. Lots of talk of Mu...

I see the flashes of talent from Harry but it's not enough for me. I understand the view that he has a high upside and therefore is worth the time investment but it's Leinster who need to invest not Ireland. He needs to become comfortable then dominant at league level and then try to being his game ...

The Media generally sets the topics for discussion after the weekends rugby. A full blooded interpro with a narrow margin of victory is always likely to dominate the conversations at least until teams are named for the following week ( on this occasion until int squad is named). This week that started with Stringer, Flannery and heaslip post match followed by Friend, Williams, thornley etc. That Connacht fans are also discussing it is to be expected.

The topic, beirnes offside ( not the only talking point but certainly the dominant one). So in this context Connacht fans are likely to feel aggrieved for a number of reasons.

1. We lost, we are pissed off.
2. We think Beirne was off side and that the try shouldn't have stood.
3. We feel it's not the first time we've come out the wrong side of decisions.
4. We feel the world is against us.
5. We want to be one of the big boys.

Now I'm not a ref basher (I do make an exception in the case of Frank Murphy ). I generally look for the reason a decision was made not evidence of a conspiracy. In this situation the officials got it wrong, wrong not to review it. Let's move along, it happens.

Here's where my very long winded point comes, in rugby the laws of the game are very complex, very few fans know them all, few players know them all, most refs seem to know them but they are open to wide interpretation. As a game I enjoy the contribution for the most part of the refs interpretation, it adds to the drama, excitement and leaves the outcome of all games in the balance. Something I consider of value. The alternative is an amebic shadow of a game lasting longer than an NFL Match. I'd rather get shafted a couple of times a year by a shocker of a decision.

So are Connacht fans whingers, yeah we have a chip on our shoulder and with good cause, we are the runt of the provincial litter in terms of facilities, funding, population, tradition, representation, reporting. Genuine underdogs in Irish rugby. I for one am happy to embrace that role and take my pleasure in watching great players missed out via the usual pathways grinding their way upwards in a tough career and a gradual process of earning respect from our provincial rivals on the pitch.

Connacht have to look to ourselves and not be distracted by the ref. We had control of the game, toh was first to the ball and knocked it on, delahunt took the crocked lineout not the ref, carty missed the conversion etc pappili gave the ball away 3 times in 6 minutes.

The reffing team didn't cover themselves in glory, they are descended from a long line of anti Connacht officials who have always worn their Munster underwear under their shorts and have shrines to Peter o Mahoney beside their single, red beds where they sing themselves to sleep with stolen anthems and dream of countries called Cark. b$&%@#ds

Let's move on, Ulster await.

Connacht have plenty of history of blowing hot and cold but from time to time they are actually beaten by a better side. Dragons were better in defence, attack, set piece and game plan. Played the ref well as well and totally managed the pace of the game. Their young Centre was excellent and their b...

Who really knows about these things, decent looking prospect hope it works out for all concerned. I wouldn't rule out irfu involvement protecting a decent prospect from an overseas offer. Pure speculation of course.

The optics mightn't be great, signing a centre after letting one go but that's not the reality of the situation. Deals were done a long time ago on our 5 and on sob. I would puke if I thought a 6th centre was signed while letting roux go because of lack of money. We seem that have only 6 props signe...