I'm a Quins fan and have enjoyed the many encounters that our clubs have had over recent years. I've been to Galway and have been welcomed by Connacht fans and also (I hope) welcomed Connacht fans to the Stoop. I take exception with the post above. I know that the words (and sentiments) aren't echoed by the vast majority of Connacht supporters, but I'm really not happy with someone advocating injuring an opposition player. I know there's a smily there, but that doesn't change the sentiment.

I like rugby to be hard and fair. If someone is better than you on the day, shake their hand at the end of the game and say 'well done'. I'd be very disappointed if Evans was targetted off the ball and late as well. Whilst I think on the one hand we were all disappointed to draw Connacht (more because it would have been nice to have gone somewhere different), on the other, we were all pleased to renew friendships which have been struck over the years. I think it's unlikely I'll be at the game on Friday, which is a real shame, but I hope that the game can be played in the spirit that it should be and that as supporters, we can shake hands and have a beer together at full time.

I wish Connacht the best for Friday (and for the long season ahead).

rant over 

Hi Clare
          At no point do I suggest injuring the player, I mention hurting him i.e in the tackle it makes the player think. Rugby is a tough sport and whether you like it or agree with it players are targeted if they are deemed important it is all part and parcel of the game and has been since the game was invented. Do not think for a moment Quins do not do it too, of course they do and Dean Richards was a master of it when he played and when he coached, but even now they still do it every single rugby team in the world does it.
I also do not suggest you hit him off the ball, late yes again this happens all the time and few of the Quins players are past masters at this themselves. We all shake hands at the end of the game, it is all part and parcel of the game, I have been hit late and targeted and I have also hit and targeted, did I cry about it no its a tough sport and one gets on with, shakes hands has a few beers and sings a few songs that is Rugby. I did not and have never suggested you injure a player on purpose and I do not think any rugby player would ever do so. So my rant is is over, enjoy the defeat on Friday and you can plot your revenge when you come over to the sunny west coast of Ireland where it never rains.

So, anyone willing to make a scoreline prediction for Friday night?

I'm fearful we'll be on the receiving end of a thumping, something like 36-8 to Quins. Really hope I'm wrong.

I hate to say it, but it very easily could be worse than what you've predicted.  I hope not, but the last three games haven't exactly given me much confidence going in to play the top English team at their own place.

We have flags. 

Connacht to bring some over

Yep, good stuff. If anyone has one at home make sure to bring it as well!

So, anyone willing to make a scoreline prediction for Friday night?

I'm fearful we'll be on the receiving end of a thumping, something like 36-8 to Quins. Really hope I'm wrong.

Welcome Clair, you are obviously not a back row forward, I was ! and if I could leave my fingerprints on a scrum half or an outside half I would have achieved my goal if he gets injured then it would have been unintentional, the game of rugby is a full contact sport, don't worry about Evans he will not be taken unawares he will be expecting the special attention he will be getting, the same as our Ten, whoever that is ????

We have flags. 

Connacht to bring some over

We shall fight in the Stoop, we shall fight in the rucks and mauls, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our try line, whatever the cost may be.

We shall fight on the 22, we shall fight on the halfway line, we shall fight in the ingoal and in touch, we shall fight in the bar afterwards (to get to the counter); we shall never surrender

We'll probably knock-on a few times though. 

Welcome Claire. I echo SP above. I wouldn't ever advocate intentionally injuring another player, but like yourself, I want to see a good hard, no quarter given, game of rugby.

I'm a Quins fan and have enjoyed the many encounters that our clubs have had over recent years. I've been to Galway and have been welcomed by Connacht fans and also (I hope) welcomed Connacht fans to the Stoop. I take exception with the post above. I know that the words (and sentiments) aren't echoed by the vast majority of Connacht supporters, but I'm really not happy with someone advocating injuring an opposition player. I know there's a smily there, but that doesn't change the sentiment.

I like rugby to be hard and fair. If someone is better than you on the day, shake their hand at the end of the game and say 'well done'. I'd be very disappointed if Evans was targetted off the ball and late as well. Whilst I think on the one hand we were all disappointed to draw Connacht (more because it would have been nice to have gone somewhere different), on the other, we were all pleased to renew friendships which have been struck over the years. I think it's unlikely I'll be at the game on Friday, which is a real shame, but I hope that the game can be played in the spirit that it should be and that as supporters, we can shake hands and have a beer together at full time.

I wish Connacht the best for Friday (and for the long season ahead).

rant over 

Hi Claire

Welcome onboard the new site..

With regards to Evans and for that matter whichever flyhalf Elwood choses for us, both will fully expect to have the living bejaysus knocked out of them certainly for the first 40 minutes (the notion that your own Fa'asavalu or Robshaw won't be trying in turn to rearrange the atttire on our flyhalf is fanciful at best).

Teams at every level always, always, always target the half backs to disrupt the flow of their opponents and that is especially true if you are a world class half back like Nick Evans (or Johny Wilkinson for that matter), they are the smallest players on the park and the easiest to target physically. Rugby is a tough sometimes brutal sport, but most teams play up to the letter of the law in terms of physicality and gamesmanship and I know Connacht are no different in that regard, in fact if anything as a team we are probably too nice on the pitch which is probably where Clan Clover is coming from.

If we have any chance of success on Friday night (apart from winning the drinking war hands down..) it'll be because we have managed to disrupt the flow of your half backs (and front up to your impressive pack). Certainly don't expect any intimidation of players above anything that players themselves would deem as acceptable and an inherent risk of their position...

Enjoy the evening and may the better Connacht win...

I know what you mean about Henry, but the 13 channel is easier to defend and I do not believe he is a 12, he has a side step after all which is not only rare in a 12 but in modern rugby there is no room for a 12 to perform one hence why I think he would be better at 13.
Not wanting to single out players, but the number 6 you suggest has shown no leadership this year. As a player he is not playing his best at the moment, although he fronted up last night. He was in my IMHO the best defensive number 6 in Irish Rugby but also not a great offensive 6, but for one match Ireland against the Baa Baa's he showed fantastic offence skills that night, but that was with a good team. The problem with plenty of mauling and keeping it tight is you use energy so forwards will fatigue quicker which means subs, and you cannot change all your forwards.Ofisa and O Connor after Nick Evans will create mayhem to the Quins back line especially if we use a rush defence system initially. Make him  throw bad passes, make him kick early, hit him late the odd time and also hit high and low at the same time if the opportunity arise's. People might not like what I am saying, but I am not suggesting killing him, I am merely suggesting you hurt him a little . With O Halloran and Fetu both been good broken play runners any kick over the top can be counter attacked with Duffy a brilliant strong straight line runner. As for Rodney at scrumtime, he can be devasting and weak, one week with Greg Feek would have Rodney sorted.

I'm a Quins fan and have enjoyed the many encounters that our clubs have had over recent years. I've been to Galway and have been welcomed by Connacht fans and also (I hope) welcomed Connacht fans to the Stoop. I take exception with the post above. I know that the words (and sentiments) aren't echoed by the vast majority of Connacht supporters, but I'm really not happy with someone advocating injuring an opposition player. I know there's a smily there, but that doesn't change the sentiment.

I like rugby to be hard and fair. If someone is better than you on the day, shake their hand at the end of the game and say 'well done'. I'd be very disappointed if Evans was targetted off the ball and late as well. Whilst I think on the one hand we were all disappointed to draw Connacht (more because it would have been nice to have gone somewhere different), on the other, we were all pleased to renew friendships which have been struck over the years. I think it's unlikely I'll be at the game on Friday, which is a real shame, but I hope that the game can be played in the spirit that it should be and that as supporters, we can shake hands and have a beer together at full time.

I wish Connacht the best for Friday (and for the long season ahead).

rant over 

No idea Branch will die with how many tickets they sold info, but they'll crawl out of the woodwork alright don't you worry.

I'd say there'll be three or four from over here in the UK for every one travelling over for the game. You get lads who support London Irish but from the Wesht who'll come along, especially as it's Quins (and lads and lassies in the S/E and further afield who'll travel for the game)...

Would be great to see a decent sized group of Connacht fans there, not just for the craic, but I'm sure it will impact the players too

Do we have any idea how many Connacht fans are expected at this game?
I know about 10 personally, and only I am on this forum of that group

No idea Branch will die with how many tickets they sold info, but they'll crawl out of the woodwork alright don't you worry.

I'd say there'll be three or four from over here in the UK for every one travelling over for the game. You get lads who support London Irish but from the Wesht who'll come along, especially as it's Quins (and lads and lassies in the S/E and further afield who'll travel for the game)...

Do we have any idea how many Connacht fans are expected at this game?
I know about 10 personally, and only I am on this forum of that group

I was on to the branch about anyone going to the game bringing flasg etc from the brnach and they basically shrugged their shoulder(Eoin).
I though it may be a good idea for all who are going to the game to have some colour instead of sitting there like christians about to cast to the lions!
what's your thoughts?

I've said this many time already the supporters club has to step up for stuff like this, do the co-ordination an arrange the manpower. It's not just about the home games, a presence must be felt away from home and the team need to see an feel the support to enable them to start with bang...

If someone at Connacht can get 300 flags on the Van when it comes over then I will personally go to the Stoop early to collect them and an make sure that there is one in every Connacht seat in the North Stand Section GB and then hand out any extras they can bring to Connacht supporters arriving for other sections.....

This could get messy if both sides play to recent form. Massive step up in quality from Rabo games where we have been badly found out.

Harlequins have quality throughout the side, a young exciting backline, top quality out-half, Danny Care, young promising front row and quality in the likes of Robson, Faasvalu, Robshaw and the experience of Easter and lots to spring from the bench like Clegg etc. No doubt Harlequins are in it for the long haul over the coming seasons and a coach who will develop these lads and give them their chance.

Their inexperience was questioned before Munster last year and they delivered an emphatic response.

Given our recent performances if we deny them a bonus point I'll be satisfied with the evenings work. The defensive mistakes that marred the recent series of games can't be repeated if we are to remain competitive. I just can't see us troubling them at all in attack unless there is a serious change of approach in attack and the personnel picked.

I was on to the branch about anyone going to the game bringing flasg etc from the brnach and they basically shrugged their shoulder(Eoin).
I though it may be a good idea for all who are going to the game to have some colour instead of sitting there like christians about to cast to the lions!
what's your thoughts?

My XV against harlequins









would be the all blacks first xv...................... but i doubt that will happen





After last weekend in Ulster i think we are in a very dark place and up against the EP top side (not defeated this season) spells real trouble........ :'(



I hope conor o Shea has a word to ask his players to take it handy