Toulouse v Connacht Jan 22nd 2017 - Match Thread

Welcome back Connachta.

Any info on this threatened strike at Toulouse Airport ?:

Due to the airport firefighters strike from Friday, 20th January, air traffic could be disrupted from 06:45 AM until the end of the strike. Negotiations are currently ongoing. We will keep you informed of any developments.

Can't find much online about it in English.

Is it likely to go ahead? Could it drag on through the weekend?

Or is a threatened strike just a negotiating position?

Hi evil

I'm sorry to bring you bad news, but I have to answer your question, and I've made a little research.
There's a planned strike of the Airport's firemen. Starting Friday 7AM, for "undertermined lenght of time", so at least for the week-end, probably after too, in all likelihood...
Flight traffic may be "totally interrupted" for security reasons.
I guess I should copy this on the other thread for all of you planning to land/depart from Blagnac Airport

Starting to get excited for this game now.
The opening 10 minutes are going to be huge.
When we beat them in Toulouse a few years ago, they almost scored a try in the opening few minutes, but thankfully Fionn Carr managed to stop them.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Toulouse kick to the corner early, or take scrum penalties for hope of getting us a yellow card.
I imagine they'll be looking to rack up the points as early as possible, so the early part of the game will be hugely important. If we can frustrate them, and avoid giving away penalties early, then they will hopefully start to panic.

We need to also take any offer of points early in the game. Any offer of 3 points should be taken. If we go into a 6 point lead early on, then we're putting them under severe pressure.
I think that the keys to qualification will be
Discipline
Holding on to the ball
Tiring out their big lads.

Come on the Cows, Mooooooo

Some might be upset but it is a masterstroke from Connacht staff

1) hire some secret agents to encourage the strike on the right date-window
2) have the game postponed because the team plane can't land
3) win the rescheduled match with Bundee Dillane and Brownie

Some interesting comments here regarding player fitness for Sunday: the42.ie/3193468

Talking about Ultan potentially being available, although I can't imagine they'd risk him ahead of the six nations would they?

Don't think he will with at best 3 days of training ; maybe 24th man though
The most important is to put SOB ahead of Stevenson for n°19 now the backrow is completed ; the latter shown huge weaknesses again last week

RonanL wrote:

connachta wrote: I had a look to the forum and saw (among other good analysis!) you missed my crazy anticipated team predictions
So here it is, for the most important game until May, including all the great recovery news :

1) Buckley (really has to be fit, Toulouse scrum is almighty)
2) McCartney
3) Bealham
4) Roux (the needed powerhouse)
5) Cannon (excellent against Zebre)
6) Nepia
7) Heenan (yeeees both flankers back, crucial in the rucks)
immortal Muldoon
9) Marms
10) Carty (escaped from ACL)
12) Ronaldson (pivotal in our whole gameplan)
13) Parata
11) Healy (seems on the upper curve)
14) Niyi (has to retain possession when tackled)
15) TOH (confident he can overcome Kearney before RWC)

16) Heff (important impact ball-carrier)
17) J.P
18) Andress (experience of big games make me have him ahead of McCoy for this one)
19) SOB
20) Dawai/McKeon (real 50/50)
21) Cooney
22) O'Leary (Incredible, a real sub fly-half )
23) Robb/Farrell/Poolman (Incredible, we have depth for n°23, choose the one showing the most during training sessions this week!)

Looks good. I have a feeling some of those proclaimed to be fit/training will end up being injured. Pat keeping Toulouse on their toes. So, we might well see Shane starting instead of Jack for example. Or Loughney/Andress involved if Denis doesn't make it (I really hope he does).

I know it was zebre but thought cooney played a blinder, even if he destroyed his 100% kicking record. Thought farrrell was darn good. I could see a ronaldson, farrell centre,

Conn Not 65 wrote: Dobby is back 5 minutes and I agree with him about Farrell/ Ronaldson combination at centre. I need a drink.......

Parata was the only starting back not to make a clean break, he got turned over for a try and he kicked twice... Horribly.

That said he tackled perfectly and passed more than anyone but the halves and nu-Aly James Cannon.

Connachta's almost nailed the XV except I don't think we'll start two returning backrows. Nepia & Jake will dispute 7 but SOB has to start at 6 - his form is excellent, he's a Toulousain style beast, but he gets around the pitch so much easier.

Only two questions in my mind are 13 (Parata/Robb/Farrell) and 10 if Jack isn't fit (SOL or Cooney).

Regardless, if Buckley's fit I'm calling it 5 mstch points to nil and on to London to de-throne the Plastic Fantastic.

Believe.

Conn Not 65 wrote: Dobby is back 5 minutes and I agree with him about Farrell/ Ronaldson combination at centre. I need a drink.......

You only agree with me because I post rational consistent and intelligent posts

If Carty is not fit I think our best 10 option is Ronaldson but has it basically been said that having him as an experienced 12 is almost vital for the system to work fluently that it will allow us to take a risk on the unproven 10 in Cooney?

DeadStraightStare wrote: If Carty is not fit I think our best 10 option is Ronaldson but has it basically been said that having him as an experienced 12 is almost vital for the system to work fluently that it will allow us to take a risk on the unproven 10 in Cooney?

So Cooney pulled the trigger and put TOH through the posts And his kicking percentages are through the roof..And his play was simply otherwise excellent. Yep, jack has to start (sarcasm). Ronaldson at 12 is a prerequisite. He stabilizes things at centre and then its a matter of finding a talent at outside centre.