Connacht v. Ulster - Sunday 23rd August
- sea_point
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Betty Swallocks wrote: We're down to the bare bones in the back three. No sign of TOH which must mean he's injured alongside O'Donnell, Healy, and S Fitzgerald. Worrying, but thank god for Tom Daly's versatility. Wonder if Delahunt and C Fitzgerald are injured or just rotated/rested?
From Andy Friends comments yesterday, whole lot of rotation for the Munster game, so lads that didn't participate at all yesterday will be involved (if fit) and the bench guys will be getting starts.
As for the actual match yesterday....
Porch was almost everything I hoped he'd be a fullback. Hoped he'd see a bit more space to run into, but his contribution for Marmo's try was absolutely top drawer, from the catch and placement to getting himself into position two phases later for the break up the left wing that led to the delicious grubber that sat up perfectly for the supporting Marmo.
Joyous rugby....
Lot's of positives, Gav was a nuisance for the Ulster lineout, Murray has clearly beefed up (was essential he did) during the lockdown. Bundee back to Beast Bundeee, Tom F purring along like a Connacht version of Yannick Jauzion. Marmo back to his efficient best. Solid pack performance, units worked well.
The newly constructed back three was the most impressive takeaway from yesterday for me though...
Finally not a fan of former players reffing our games, felt Murphy was trying too hard to be seen to be neutral and ultimately just didn't give us some obvious decisions as a result..
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- Betty Swallocks
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Agree with all of that SeaPoint. A very efficient performance. The starting front five fronted up all day and looked fit and strong. Hugely disappointing for Thornbury to come off injured and hopefully it's not as serious as it looked. Dillane has surely played himself into the 23 (if not into the starting team itself) for the Italy game and both Heffernan and Bealham will have done their chances no harm yesterday too. Heff was the best of any of the hookers on display over the weekend and will surely see time in the Irish jersey before Christmas. Back row were efficient in everything they did, and I wonder might Farrell think of including Jarrad this Autumn. Only Leavy I think has a higher ceiling than him at 7. Marmion played extremely well and Carty's game management and that basketball pass for Porch's try were top class. Bundee was Bundee. Nothing more to be said, and Tom Farrell is surely now putting it up to his Munster namesake for a place in the Irish squad. The back three were a revelation with Wootton looking very sharp and Sullivan coming into the game well in the second half. Porch I thought was superb. Excellent in the air. Fast and Elusive.
Finally I think we can take Munster next week too. Guys like TOH, Blade, Robb, Arnold, Tom Daly, Oliver, Conor Fitzgerald, Healy, Roux, and McAllister should play with Bundee, Marmion, Carty, and Dillane on the bench.
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