Connacht 2019/20/21

[Ruckedtobits]

They gave up bad penalties at the wrong time in the wrong place. Ali’s yellow card hurt them too. I thought it was desperately unfair to give him yellow for denying a line break. He passed up a king hit (coming from the blindside) on a hospital pass to go for the intercept and he had a go at catching it. He wasn’t trying to stop an overlap. Of course, once you go one handed it can be called, but upgrading to yellow was based on a misreading by the ref and TMO.

+1
Terrible decision and it wouldn't have happened to Munster. Also missing the clothes-hanger tackle by Cloethe on Carty was really poor as even the Eir commentators (cheerleaders) noticed it.

Cloete is a helluva groundhog, and he got the steal at the death, but his discipline is just a total liability. Always feel like he is about to get a penalty reversed or a try chalked off.

He wouldn't have been given that penalty in either the Prem or Top14 as both have specified that lifting a body up without being in a position to steal the ball is not a valid turnover. He does it all the time and usually starts with his hands taking his weight. An illegal poacher.

[cormac]

+1
Terrible decision and it wouldn't have happened to Munster. Also missing the clothes-hanger tackle by Cloethe on Carty was really poor as even the Eir commentators (cheerleaders) noticed it.

Cloete is a helluva groundhog, and he got the steal at the death, but his discipline is just a total liability. Always feel like he is about to get a penalty reversed or a try chalked off.

He wouldn't have been given that penalty in either the Prem or Top14 as both have specified that lifting a body up without being in a position to steal the ball is not a valid turnover. He does it all the time and usually starts with his hands taking his weight. An illegal poacher.

100% correct. He was never on the ball for that turnover. I thought he was hard done by for the yellow card. Looked to me that it was Billy Holland who dived straight off his feet.

[sunshiner1]

21 players sign for Connacht but no Quinn Roux. Happy that Wootton is staying and that they retained John Porch. Jack Carty is supposedly on a 1 year contract which is interesting. I'd say if he doesn't get a chance internationally this year he'll be off to France to earn some good money as there was interest from big french sides.

[mildlyinterested]

21 players sign for Connacht but no Quinn Roux. Happy that Wootton is staying and that they retained John Porch. Jack Carty is supposedly on a 1 year contract which is interesting. I'd say if he doesn't get a chance internationally this year he'll be off to France to earn some good money as there was interest from big french sides.

heard Blade and Bealham may follow.

[sunshiner1]

That would be a massive loss for Connacht. The guys coming up after them are decent but not at their level. And Leinster will probably be made to shore up the gaps.

[Ruckedtobits]

Sorry for Connacht and Andy Friend that they couldn't hold out for the win playing against the appaling conditions with 14 men. Edinburgh were stifled by young Connacht team for 70 mins but ultimately the loss of Butler for both skills and leadership was too big a handicap.

[sunshiner1]

by Ruckedtobits

Sorry for Connacht and Andy Friend that they couldn't hold out for the win playing against the appaling conditions with 14 men. Edinburgh were stifled by young Connacht team for 70 mins but ultimately the loss of Butler for both skills and leadership was too big a handicap.

Agreed. Would love to see Connacht sign another second for next season as well. Donnacha Ryan or Frank Bradshaw Ryan who is meant to be looking for a new club.

[Ruckedtobits]

Good performances in the conditions from Thornbury, Aungier and Murray. Niall Murray's agility in the air and his general carrying and handling is a credit to Jimmy Duffy and the skill coaching in Connacht.

Thornbury is fast assembling a portfolio of performances that will demand attention from Andy Farrell, Simon Easterby and Paul O'Connell. It took a long time for Dev to be considered international material but once he was and Coaches understood how to use him, he became an automatic Squad choice. At this point in his career, Thornbury has the unique attributes of height and body weight. He also now brings good hands, excellent poaching skills for a big man and no little carrying ability. Subject to no injuries, which he now appears to have finally shaken off, he could be a serious contender for RWC 2023.

Aungier has been the benificiary of the crazy Salonoa behaviour leaving Leinster, having commited himself to staying, and therefore Leinster allowed Aungier go to Connacht. He has taken the opportunity with both hands and his scrum work has improved and, in addition to his excellent ball-carrying, now ensures that he is a regular in the Squad and getting sufficient game time to prove his calibre. In the Leinster Academy it was always said that he was a better match competitior than a trainer and he is proving it thus far.

Niall Murray had an unfortunate start to his Academy career with injuries but he is another player who has benefitted from Jimmy Duffy's coaching and his carrying last evening in particular was aggressive and beneficial, and his discipline in ball placement was very noticible.

Friends has really developed the strength of his Squad and it will be interesting to see in the remainder of the Season - Rainbow Cup and European Challenge Cup - if the evidence of that improvement emerges in the results.

[Oldschool]

Sorry for Connacht and Andy Friend that they couldn't hold out for the win playing against the appaling conditions with 14 men. Edinburgh were stifled by young Connacht team for 70 mins but ultimately the loss of Butler for both skills and leadership was too big a handicap.

Think they shot themselves in the foot at the end by kicking away possession but for the first time in a while they've put together a string of consistent performances.
They could have quite a good post Pro14 end of season.

[scentofgunpowder]

Good performances in the conditions from Thornbury, Aungier and Murray. Niall Murray's agility in the air and his general carrying and handling is a credit to Jimmy Duffy and the skill coaching in Connacht.

Thornbury is fast assembling a portfolio of performances that will demand attention from Andy Farrell, Simon Easterby and Paul O'Connell. It took a long time for Dev to be considered international material but once he was and Coaches understood how to use him, he became an automatic Squad choice. At this point in his career, Thornbury has the unique attributes of height and body weight. He also now brings good hands, excellent poaching skills for a big man and no little carrying ability. Subject to no injuries, which he now appears to have finally shaken off, he could be a serious contender for RWC 2023.

Aungier has been the benificiary of the crazy Salonoa behaviour leaving Leinster, having commited himself to staying, and therefore Leinster allowed Aungier go to Connacht. He has taken the opportunity with both hands and his scrum work has improved and, in addition to his excellent ball-carrying, now ensures that he is a regular in the Squad and getting sufficient game time to prove his calibre. In the Leinster Academy it was always said that he was a better match competitior than a trainer and he is proving it thus far.

Niall Murray had an unfortunate start to his Academy career with injuries but he is another player who has benefitted from Jimmy Duffy's coaching and his carrying last evening in particular was aggressive and beneficial, and his discipline in ball placement was very noticible.

Friends has really developed the strength of his Squad and it will be interesting to see in the remainder of the Season - Rainbow Cup and European Challenge Cup - if the evidence of that improvement emerges in the results.

Good insights rtb. I would also add Cian Prendergast to the players you singled out for praise. He's abrasive and impactful on both sides of the ball, got through a very promising 48 minutes at the weekend. Looks like he could be a future starter at 6, if Sean O'Brien's injury troubles continue.

[cormac]

Connacht currently running in tries for fun in Llanelli. Scarlets defence not the most committed is must be said.

[cormac]

Connacht defence joining in now. End of season chuckabout.

[Ruckedtobits]

That was a game of extraordinary attacking and appalling defending by both teams in perfect conditions.

[sunshiner1]

What it looks like is that the Connacht players went into a good lead and decided that none of them wanted to be injured for the next game and took the foot of the gas mentally. If I was Friend I would be p***ed. They could have won that game.

[JB1973]

was a great game to watch, shame Connacht couldn't have beaten them though

[IanD]

Let's talk about a team still in Europe

Connacht 17 - 8 down away to Leicester

[Dexter]

Oh dear Connacht.. What a shambles...

[cormac]

Connacht are either boom or bust. Mostly bust so far. Have conceded two tries while a man up.

[Morf]

Can't see any shape in attack.

Lots of chaotic effort that's ultimately ineffective.

[the spoofer]

Two really good 9s and no 10