In the slow race for 8th (but not 7th and not 9th) I was hoping Cardiff would win in Belfast tonight.

FACECUTTR wrote: I don't think the rot is going to stop. The turnovers have not been addressed nor has the very pourous defence. Last season we worked so hard but this season is a shade of that. The bad start with no preseason games and then the news of Pat going just sucked all the confidence out of the players. The sooner the new coaching ticket is in place the better.

Think Pat said today that Zebre had 4 chances and executed 3 of them. So if you ignore how many chances Connacht had and just focus on the opposing teams chances it does give a team something to work on. And as ever Pat says we have lots to work on. So, while not ignoring attack, can we just get the basics of defence right. That would be nice.

I don't think the rot is going to stop. The turnovers have not been addressed nor has the very pourous defence. Last season we worked so hard but this season is a shade of that. The bad start with no preseason games and then the news of Pat going just sucked all the confidence out of the players. The sooner the new coaching ticket is in place the better.

Do-able, just need to find the will not to let them win any facet of the game. Unfortunately we are happy to concede restarts, lineouts etc.. in previous games. Any day now the rot will have to stop.

Out of 9 games against top 6 opposition this season, we have won one. We have scored 114 points and conceded 252, scored 12 tries and conceded 28. That's an average score of 12.67-28, average of 1.33 and 3.11 tries scored and conceded respectively.

I don't expect us to fix everything at this stage of the season, but I'd like us to to at least get fired up and match up physically to a top 6 team, to show that we have the capability to put in a performance in the playoffs.

Glasgow is a similar team to us, but when you look how they do against Sarries, that shows the gap K;K still has to fill.

Tall Paul wrote: What happens if Munster Or Leinster win it?
Would Connacht get their spot?

No. That rule died with the HEC.

What happens if Munster Or Leinster win it?
Would Connacht get their spot?

pinky wrote: ....
Win tomorrow so and I won't be the feckin eejit who booked flights to Toulouse.

Pinky, nobody would ever think you an eejit unless that is if Bordeaux, Brive, Racing or even Pau end up in 7th, then I wouldn't be so sure.

pinky wrote: Win tomorrow so and I won't be the feckin eejit who booked flights to Toulouse.

Please no. Pau is more likely now, though.. would be waaaay better

pinky wrote: So that's one less thing to worry about. Only followed the score updates but it seemed good entertainment.

You were wrong, the game was nice to watch

So that's one less thing to worry about. Only followed the score updates but it seemed good entertainment.
Win tomorrow so and I won't be the feckin eejit who booked flights to Toulouse.

All finished now and La Rochelle win 22-32. Match was probably closer than it should have been. Hamish Watson basically tried to drag Edinburgh to a win by himself.

Spoke too soon maybe, Edinburgh have one back and Rochelle have looked a little less utterly dominating. Still think it'll be too much for the Scots.

Edit: Aaaaand Rochelle score.

Doesn't look like we'll have to worry about Edinburgh winning the challenge cup... 2 tries down after 10 mins.

pinky wrote: Am I right in saying that if La Rochelle win tonight and Connacht win tomorrow, Connacht are guaranteed the playoffs at least? They'd be 21 ahead of Edinburgh with 4 to play and only Blues could catch them via either route.

Going to be a lot of dead rubbers in the Pro12 run-in. Edinburgh & Dragons have nothing to play for in the run-in, and Glasgow, Blues, ourselves & Zebre could join them after next weekend. Contrast with last season couldn't be greater.