Diom wrote: he didn't look that big to me but then again I was often far away from him

What do you mean Father?!

Dunno... he didn't look that big to me but then again I was often far away from him. McSharry is not what I would call a bruiser either, his impact is from his speed and from choosing great lines. Both are tall, but neither are tanks.

Are mcsharry and leader not bigger than Poolman? Leader in particular looked a proper unit even last season. Isn't he 6'3''?

Niyi looks very light. In fact the entire backline as a whole does (given that Poolman is the biggest fella there). One on ones with Brew will be a bit one-sided.

I'd say that Nikora will start to try and add some experience to the backs... but you never know Pat could throw caution to the wind.

salmson wrote: Couple questions for anyone who was at the hit-out Saturday...

Did George play lock for the probables?
Did Loughs play any part or is he still injured?
Anyone on the possibles stand out?

Well, that's the second question answered, Loughs fit for Dragons: www.connachtrugby.ie/squad-update-pre-dragons/#ConnachtNews

George on probables and looked meatier and hungrier than last year. McKeon put himself about well and James Connolly also impressed me as possibles no. 8. Bucks and Heff also impressed. Jake was quieter than usual and possibly outplayed by WillyF. Ronaldson didnt play. Carty marginally better than Nikora. Niyi completed outplayed Panter in all aspects. Some nice handling by Robb when he came on and Leader looked . Not sure why Quin Roux sat it out. He wasn't on any injury list that I saw. Leader growing in confidence everytime I see him.
No superstar on view but I was really impressed with lack of handling errors. Having Peter Fitzgibbon there to ref was a great idea.

Couple questions for anyone who was at the hit-out Saturday...

Did George play lock for the probables?
Did Loughs play any part or is he still injured?
Anyone on the possibles stand out?

Well, that's the second question answered, Loughs fit for Dragons: www.connachtrugby.ie/squad-update-pre-dragons/#ConnachtNews

NewGuy wrote: Anyone guess the team for the weekend from what I saw at training it could be .not that I agree with it
Buckley
Henry
White

Kearney
Naoupu

Muldoon
Heenan
McKeon

Porter
Carty
Niyi "trinty winger"
Mc sharry
Leader
Poolman
Layden

That's a very young back line. I would be worried that there might be a lack of leadership there, only McSharry and maybe Porter, might be experienced enough. I'm not sure if Pat had any real choices, though.

I like the look of your team, I would probably change Heffernan for Henry if fit and switch McKeon and Muldoon to put them at 6 and 8 respectively. After that given form and injuries the team pretty much picks itself atm. First home game, Pat will want to put out his best team possible. Hoping to be there this weekend for a famous victory!

Anyone guess the team for the weekend from what I saw at training it could be .not that I agree with it
Buckley
Henry
White

Kearney
Naoupu

Muldoon
Heenan
McKeon

Porter
Carty
Niyi "trinty winger"
Mc sharry
Leader
Poolman
Layden

A lean 97kg at 5'11'' would be pretty beastly. I don't know what to make of the connacht stats, the website has clearly been updated which is good, and Connacht have hired a new full time s&c coach, which should see players improving composition, conditioning and size. But then the site lists Rodney at 6'2'' and I am 99% sure I've passed by him before more than once and was able to see the top of his head (while being 6ft myself). Its been a while since I saw Muldoon in the flesh but I don't think he's 6'4''?
On the other other if George is 120kg then that will go a long way to filling a gap in second row so hopefully the majority of the stats are close to accurate.

Con_Job wrote: Hi all,
I've been following this forum for a while now and decided to join up!
From looking at the player stats, i was wondering was it my imagination or has the whole squad bulked up considerably? Conor Finn @97kgs seems very big for his age! Andrew Browne too, looks closer to the size of Damien than he has been in previous years with the second row options in general looking like a physical bunch

I was thinking the same thing about Finn. Also Buckley and George have put on a lot of weight. The person who impressed me the most on Friday was Peter Robb. He's just gone 20 and built like a brick s***house. Thighs like Chris Hoy. Niyi looked sharp at the trial game but could do with another 10kg to be ready for the professional game.

Hi all,
I've been following this forum for a while now and decided to join up!
From looking at the player stats, i was wondering was it my imagination or has the whole squad bulked up considerably? Conor Finn @97kgs seems very big for his age! Andrew Browne too, looks closer to the size of Damien than he has been in previous years with the second row options in general looking like a physical bunch

Mils said yesterday he wouldn't be playing till end of October. From what I've heard this isn't a setback but was always the planned recovery time from his elbow surgery earlier this year. He's going back to NZ in october to visit his medical team and hopefully get the all clear.
Also in an interview in indo he indicated that he could possible stay on for another year. Not sure whether to believe this or not.

At Paddy Power:
www.paddypower.com/bet/rugby-union/guinn...ev_oc_grp_ids=349742
They clearly did feck all research as Kieran Marimon isn't even an option :blink:

wp_rathead wrote: Poolman is 6/1 to be Connacht top try scorer.. that is cracking value imo - he is looking like an absolute TANK since pre season

Which bookie is offering those odds?

Muldoon formally announced as captain. I think he deserves it, had a good season last year, hopefully he continues in that vein.