phatguerilla wrote: Dara o'briain just dropped the development province tag again!!!

Yes, but we give that sentiment plenty of ammunition. Is that only two BP from all Inter-pros this year? Then, you can only expect comments like that. If he says it often enough it will stick, only one way of stopping it!

I think after the good run, everyone thought that was the year done.

Without missed kicks and Murphy we should have one if not two BP... Sorry to say that but Connacht was the better team overall ... lack of physicality and costly mistakes are now HUGELY frustrating. we've the potential for next year guys. FRONT UP RISE UP

Dara o'briain just dropped the development province tag again!!!

26-13 at full time. Good result for Connacht. Looking at Edinburgh's run in I wouldn't particularly fancy them in any of the remaining games and we are only 1 point behind them at present.

Borders no.2 wrote: 19-13 now!

and toulouse draw vs oyonnix which more or less means they'll be in Hcup next year. im not happy

19-13 now!

14-6 at half time to Zebre at home to Edinburgh. If they can see that out it would be good for us.

Good to see a sell out for this, which should be a novel experience for the travelling Munster fans.

not quite sure what McSharry has done wrong to deserve being dropped to the bench, we were poor in a lot of areas last week. Munster tight 5 looks worryingly strong tomorrow, i just hope we don't try and play our way out of our own half. Miah should be kicking for touch every chance he gets and we should be able to stop them mauling on their lineouts. hopefully Faloon is up with the pace and can chop down their backrow where they look weak.

The Irish qualified thing is all part of the propaganda!!

Its a good Munster pack (even missing most of their regulars) for tomorrow and that's probably where they will look to win it. Kearney and Browne in the 2nd row looks a bit lightweight for my liking. I think Nikora had to get the start this week which doesn't really reflect well on our options. The key for Connacht will be to put serious pressure on Duncan Williams. Keatley is a good player at this level when he has a good scrum half beside him. Keatley was very good in this game last year but he had Stringer beside him and between them they pulled Munster through.

I like the look of Connacht's backline if the forwards can deliver some good ball. I think we have our two best wingers back in the team and it'll be good to see Henshaw in the thick of it at 13.

come on. it's basically a given at this stage

Yeah, I like the looks of that Connacht team. The bench may have some question marks but with the injury list what can you expect. This backline could be really exciting. If a platform can be established I'm confident Nikora can get them going. I'm not going to call this a must win for Connacht, but another heavy loss to another province will undo a lot of the good work that was recently done. Wouldn't mind seeing a solid 7-10 point Connacht victory with a try bonus thrown in for good measure.

Miah Nikora is handed the reins at outhalf and completes an all-Irish qualified starting team.

Aren't they jumping the gun on Poolman?

I really love that selection I've to admit it

The Sportsground is licensed to sell booze but Connacht played a game on Good Friday a few years back and there was a row between the branch and the greyhound people. Long story short, I didn't get my pint.

Typical. Wish we could ditch the greyhound folk and be done with them. That said I'm sure the feeling is mutual.

Some thoughts on the team.

Glad Parks is dropped he was dire last week while Nikora did well.

Worried about Dineen on the bench it's a huge call-up for him after only recently being converted. Hope he's not needed.

Faloon at 7 yay! No offence to Masterson whose done well but Faloon is a groundhog.

Our bench is very shallow looking.

Glad Leader got brought into the first team on form he deserves it.

Healy and Poolman brought in so two good defenders on the wings who can cause damage to.

This is going to be tough.

Rotating a number of players as expected was necessary, putting McSharry on the bench is a bit odd but could be a masterstroke if he comes on with 30 to go and ups the tempo and physicality. Also we might see him and Parks off the bench together and McSharry will offer fresh defensive cover for the flyhalf.
If JHW can live with Varley in the scrum then we have a really good shot of taking dominance early on imo.
Really big test for Kearney against doc/poc that will be interesting to see. Personally feel he is in with a shout for the tour to Argentina if he continues to impress.

Surprised to see Griffin given nod over McShaz at 12..

Loughney over Buckley is also a puzzlier

Glad to see Poolman back, honestly think he has the attributes to be a Trimble like winger

Also Faloon at 7 - been ages since we have had a recognised openside start!

That is a strong looking Munster pack but bar Keatley not the most fearful looking backline..

That said, worse looking Munster sides have come to the Sportsground and won - gutted I'm going to miss this game.