What channel is it on connachta?
I've modbro on phone so hopefully will be able get a stream

Good 10 minutes for Manitz Monster kick just fell short from the touchline/halfway-line, and good run inside the opposite defence too

connachta wrote: Manitz Boshoff to start later in the afternoon at 6:30

Correction 6PM

Nice to have options I guess sea point.

I think maybe some of us just rate him higher than you do. I would say he is spectacular and has amazing hands. I think Lam's game plan should really get the best out of him too as he is not really a McSherry type centre who is best bashing it up the middle.

I do like Ronaldson but for me he is rather pedestrian and predictable. I'd prefer him at 10 over Carty but I do want Carty to get games so he can continue his development.

EvoGeo wrote: Tbf sea point i'd be inclined to agree with the Griffin being our most skilful centre. To me his broken field play, handling, passing and offloading are going to add an extra dimension to our backbone this year.

I might be a little biased as I remember the first time I saw him play live during his first season and thinking this guy is amazing and is a certain to play for Ireland. Just hoping it is not rose tinted specs.

I'm a Jes boy, so I'm definitely not knocking him.

But he's proved himself a solid player rather than spectacular, and I stand by my comments in respect of the other two.
If Craig can stay fit and we have Fly-half options then .I can see a Ronaldson / Aki axis in midfield.Especially if Carty is our primary option at Ten.

Manitz Boshoff to start later in the afternoon at 6:30

Yeah, it was announced at the season ticket event last week that he'd been given a one year contract.

I just noticed that in the squad pictures in the Advertiser's Connacht spread, Ivan Soroka is in with the senior squad.
Was anything confirmed there?

Tbf sea point i'd be inclined to agree with the Griffin being our most skilful centre. To me his broken field play, handling, passing and offloading are going to add an extra dimension to our backbone this year.

I might be a little biased as I remember the first time I saw him play live during his first season and thinking this guy is amazing and is a certain to play for Ireland. Just hoping it is not rose tinted specs.

Craic Head wrote: Eoin Griffin if fit, which I assume that he is, would be the most skilful centre that we have. Yes, including Bundee !

When it comes to all round, strength, speed, stamina it would be Bundee, who is the best all round centre in the Pro 12 but if it was purely based on skill set I would have Eoin every day. I think that these two will compliment each other very well, been looking forward to seeing them play together since it was announced that Griff was coming home. I just hope that Griff stays fit, he has had a bad run of injuries. If he stays fit and gets a run of games, with Bundee beside him........ can't wait.

Clearly a personal choice, but I'm not sure which skills area you are focusing on.Griff is a solid player rather than spectacular.

But Craig is ahead if the skill-sets are passing & kicking, and equal at tackling.
Bundee is easily his equal in absolutely every aspect, and far ahead in most..

The most positive thing about his return is that he didn't play that much rugby last season due to injury and little the season before either, if he's healed up and in a good space he should be fresh and chomping at the bit to get game time.

According to Wikipedia he's signed with Dragons for two years

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Beard

ConnachtCows wrote: Just reading a Gerry Thornley article in the Times, and he cover's the in's and out's for each team.
He lists Sam Beard as a signing from Edinburgh.
I hadn't heard about this. Anyone know anymore?

Ins: Sam Beard (Edinburgh), Marnitz Boshoff (Golden Lions), Conor Carey (Nottingham), Eoin Griffin (London Irish), Cian Kelleher (Leinster), Dominic Roberston-McCoy (Northland), James Connolly, Shane Delahunt, Rory Moloney, Seán O’Brien, Rory Parata, Peter Robb (all Academy), Josh Rowland (Ireland 7s).
Outs: Rodney Ah You (Ulster), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), AJ MacGinty (Sale), Aly Muldowney (Grenoble), Api Pewhairangi (London Broncos), Fionn Carr, Conor Finn, Jason Harris-Wright, George Naoupu, Ian Porter.
Last five seasons: 8th, 8th, 10th, 7th, 2nd (Champions).
Betting: 10/1.
Forecast: 6th.

Typo, he signed for Dragons, announced in February

www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/15182...ewport-gwent-dragons

Just reading a Gerry Thornley article in the Times, and he cover's the in's and out's for each team.
He lists Sam Beard as a signing from Edinburgh.
I hadn't heard about this. Anyone know anymore?


*EDIT*

Nevermind. Seems to be a typo on his behalf. He also has Beard playing with the Dragons, which seems to be correct

Ins: Sam Beard (Edinburgh), Marnitz Boshoff (Golden Lions), Conor Carey (Nottingham), Eoin Griffin (London Irish), Cian Kelleher (Leinster), Dominic Roberston-McCoy (Northland), James Connolly, Shane Delahunt, Rory Moloney, Seán O’Brien, Rory Parata, Peter Robb (all Academy), Josh Rowland (Ireland 7s).
Outs: Rodney Ah You (Ulster), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), AJ MacGinty (Sale), Aly Muldowney (Grenoble), Api Pewhairangi (London Broncos), Fionn Carr, Conor Finn, Jason Harris-Wright, George Naoupu, Ian Porter.
Last five seasons: 8th, 8th, 10th, 7th, 2nd (Champions).
Betting: 10/1.
Forecast: 6th.

Eoin Griffin if fit, which I assume that he is, would be the most skilful centre that we have. Yes, including Bundee !

When it comes to all round, strength, speed, stamina it would be Bundee, who is the best all round centre in the Pro 12 but if it was purely based on skill set I would have Eoin every day. I think that these two will compliment each other very well, been looking forward to seeing them play together since it was announced that Griff was coming home. I just hope that Griff stays fit, he has had a bad run of injuries. If he stays fit and gets a run of games, with Bundee beside him........ can't wait.

connachta wrote:

wp_rathead wrote: Am I the only person who is expecting a Robb - Aki partnership rather than a Aki - Griffin one?

You're not, But once again, not until we have a more experienced team available.

Well now the conspiracy theory is out of the way and we all know how things stand I'm beginning to like the conspiracy theory more. Because even my conspiracy theory didn't reckon on such an extensive list of unavailables for the first match of the season. But I go with wp_rathead that from an 'experience' point of view I would start Robb in the centre and I would start Parata on the wing. Not trying to be harsh but where has Grif shown that he is the the form centre option. And while Cormac Brenann looks a fine talent, well Parata is a proven fine talent. And Murray Kinsella says Marmion isn't available so scrum half backup to Blade will be interesting

wp_rathead wrote: Am I the only person who is expecting a Robb - Aki partnership rather than a Aki - Griffin one?

You're not, But once again, not until we have a more experienced team available.