Connacht 2018-19

[neill_m]

How did the EPRC allow this to happen, I appreciate that the prem brexiteers put us all in this mess, but there surely should have been something in the contract re a requirement that a certain number of games be broadcast. Supposed to grow the game yet we have a position where there are less games in the main tournament yet no additional coverage of the 2nd tier.

Thats before we get into the new better magic sponsorship deals which are so magic we have the same sponsors as the old tournament but at less money.

What a f%~k up.

Under the old Sky/BT deal, Sky always showed a Challenge Cup game on the Thursday night etc. In France there are 2 Challenge games shown every round - one on BEIN Sport and one on Free To Air TV.

[sunshiner1]

Connacht are in the market for an IQ Scrumhalf as a medical joker so I'd imaginge we'll be seeing James Hart heading up there sooner rather than later. They're also looking for a back three player (medical joker) so Leo could be getting a call to let one of our guys head west for experience.

[Oldschool]

Their stadium upgrade projected to cost €30m.
How accurate is that likely to be and how much will the IRFU have to put up to make it happen.

[Peg Leg]

Their stadium upgrade projected to cost €30m.
How accurate is that likely to be and how much will the IRFU have to put up to make it happen.

The Irish greyhound racing board, will be sharing a substantial portion of the burden too

[sunshiner1]

Tom Daly going on loan from Leinster for the rest of the season apparently

[Ruckedtobits]

Is the Connacht team, named to play Perpignan this weekend in France, the youngest average age they have selected in the professional era?

https://www.the42.ie/connacht-rugby-con ... 9-Dec2018/

[Oldschool]

Great result for Connacht and the coach's faith in the NG.
An away QF very possible now as a best runner up.

Sale v Bordeaux ends 14 -17.
Gives Connacht a small chance of winning the group.

[Ruckedtobits]

Is there any link to coverage of Connacht game this weekend?

[sunshiner1]

Allegedly Connacht are in talks to bring over IQ Alex Mitchell from Northampton as a medical joker at scrumhalf.

https://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/per ... x-mitchell

[Ruckedtobits]

Allegedly Connacht are in talks to bring over IQ Alex Mitchell from Northampton as a medical joker at scrumhalf.

https://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/per ... x-mitchell

Fair depth of under-age English experience. Would be decent catch for Connacht as English underage selection is very competitive.

[sunshiner1]

Supposedly they are talking to him and some guy from Harlequins can't remember the name. No idea if either will work out

[John23]

In light of last night's game. Connacht's ability to manage a game in the closing minutes appears to be a problem. I seem to recall watching them play Ospreys away from home this season. They busted a gut to get back level with the O's with a few minutes left only for Carty to aimlessly kick it away. Before you know it. Ospreys run it back for a try.

[hugonaut]

In light of last night's game. Connacht's ability to manage a game in the closing minutes appears to be a problem. I seem to recall watching them play Ospreys away from home this season. They busted a gut to get back level with the O's with a few minutes left only for Carty to aimlessly kick it away. Before you know it. Ospreys run it back for a try.

According to ESPN, they had 22% possession and 15% territory in the second half [source: http://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/matchstats? ... gue=270557 ]. Very difficult to control the game when you have that little possession. Their scrum was also a weakpoint. Clancy only gave four penalties against them all night, and two of them were in the scrum. Cronin's try came from a scrum-penalty-lineout-maul-try sequence, if I recall correctly.

[neill_m]

Read that the former Ulster and Munster SH Angus Lloyd has gone on loan to Connacht. Currently playing for UCD in 1A.

[cormac]

Read that the SH Angus Lloyd has gone on loan to Connacht from Munster. Used to be at Ulster also.

Munster will be looking to get a 50-cap international in to replace him.

[ronk]

I thought Butler was really good for them. Does he qualify for Ireland and when.

He might be good for a few caps.

[johng]

2020. Same time as Lowe and Cloete. The last of the 3 year qualifiers

[johng]

Only others in the system are jgp, Klein and Marshal who qualify before the WC.

No more project players will qualify until at least 2023. And there are precious few of them. Just 2 in Connacht Iithink

[sunshiner1]

Racing in France are in talks with Ultan Dillane about going there next season.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Now that's an interesting move. It's been quite a while since he was at his best (two years?) and obviously he's had a rough time in his personal life, I reckon a move like this could be the best thing for him. They're a good side, seem to be going places, and I suspect that the pack they have and their style of play would allow him to get back to what he did best a couple of seasons ago. Obviously he'd need to be replaced and there's a chance he'd never come back, but I think that could be a great move for all concerned.