McNamara wrote: Bit off topic but is anyone still waiting on their season ticket? I have an eticket for tomorrow but it's a bit weird

I heard of a good few that didn't. A lot of family ticket holders only got the kids' tickets.
I was late getting mine last season but I thought they'd have it all sorted this time around.

Bit off topic but is anyone still waiting on their season ticket? I have an eticket for tomorrow but it's a bit weird

I Have a ticket for the clan stand tomorrow.
If anyone would like to buy it?

I can meet you in the huntsman beforehand

sligsup wrote:

Craic Head wrote:
Denis B
Dave H
Finlay B

Ultan
Gavin T

Eoin McK
Jared B (Capt)
Robin C

Bladey
Jack C

Healy
Tom F
Kyle G
Cian K
Tiernan O'H

Shane D
Conan the Barbarian
Conor C
James C
Paul B
James M
Craig R
Eoin G

I actually think Eoin G will be starting or not in the 23 match day squads, doesnt offer the versatility off the best Kelleher or Leader do hence why I think Niyi will start before kelleher.

Yep, Griff was a bit random and Niyi probably should have been in there as Craig can cover centre as well as fly half. Not a bad guess at the team though nearly got a full house, Copeland and Thornbury must be injured.

Very few rain expected (15%), little breeze (10 mph)
Should be a good game.
I'm just worried about this damned Hogg, who is probably the best FB in Europe...

MulMan wrote: Glasgow team is much stronger than I was expecting, thought some of the Scottish internationals would have been rested, my optimism from earlier in the week is declining as this is now a tougher task than originally forecasted. Still hopeful though and we've got a really strong side named too.

Paddy Power would seem to agree as Glasgows odds have tightened. That said Connacht is on a high after the Leinster win and a successful pre-season. They also have the advantage of having this team play together in pre-season so they should be comfortable together while this Glasgow team hasn't seen much of each other since the end of last season. Also home advantage is hugely important. So while you might be a bit deflated with what Glasgow are throwing at Connacht, there is every reason to hope that Connacht can overcome them. It certainly will lay down a marker for the season ahead. I tend to believe it will be a positive marker

Glasgow team is much stronger than I was expecting, thought some of the Scottish internationals would have been rested, my optimism from earlier in the week is declining as this is now a tougher task than originally forecasted. Still hopeful though and we've got a really strong side named too.

Connacht team: www.connachtrugby.ie/godwin-set-for-debu...heir-pro14-campaign/

(15-9) Tiernan O’Halloran, Cian Kelleher, Kyle Godwin, Tom Farrell, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, Caolin Blade, (1- Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, James Cannon, Paul Boyle, Jarrad Butler, Eoin McKeon.

Replacements (16-23): Shane Delahunt, Peter McCabe, Conor Carey, Quinn Roux, Cillian Gallagher, James Mitchell, Craig Ronaldson, Niyi Adeolokun.

9 academy graduates starting including 6 in the pack with two more on the bench. 6 starters are internationals, 2 more on the bench. First (competitive) start for Boyle & Godwin.

Glasgow team: Glasgow team on twitter

Pretty much fully loaded.

Bit late. Murray Kinsella has already broadcast Copeland's status on Twitter.

salmson wrote: Round of applause for the medical & conditioning teams.

www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-squad-update-31st-august-2018/

Copeland being monitored for a knock picked up against Bristol, Horwitz out til mid-September, Masterson out til October, everyone else present and correct.

That page has been taken down by Connacht again. Seems they posted it too early

Round of applause for the medical & conditioning teams.

www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-squad-update-31st-august-2018/

Copeland being monitored for a knock picked up against Bristol, Horwitz out til mid-September, Masterson out til October, everyone else present and correct.

Craic Head wrote: Denis B
Dave H
Finlay B

Ultan
Gavin T

Eoin McK
Jared B (Capt)
Robin C

Bladey
Jack C

Healy
Tom F
Kyle G
Cian K
Tiernan O'H

Shane D
Conan the Barbarian
Conor C
James C
Paul B
James M
Craig R
Eoin G

I actually think Eoin G will be starting or not in the 23 match day squads, doesnt offer the versatility off the best Kelleher or Leader do hence why I think Niyi will start before kelleher.

Denis B
Dave H
Finlay B

Ultan
Gavin T

Eoin McK
Jared B (Capt)
Robin C

Bladey
Jack C

Healy
Tom F
Kyle G
Cian K
Tiernan O'H

Shane D
Conan the Barbarian
Conor C
James C
Paul B
James M
Craig R
Eoin G

My team for sat, factoring in match i saw and team selections in the oreseason friendlies
1. Denis B
2. Dave H
3. Finlay B
4. Ultan D
5. James C
6. Paul B
7. Jared B
8. Robin C
9. Caolin B
10. Jack C
11. Matt H
12. Tom F
13. Kyle G
14. Niyi A
15. Tiernan O'H

16. Shane D ( Dave has started most games hence gets the Nod)
17. Conan O'D ( Played v Wasps , minutes seemed a priroty here)
18. Conor C
19. Cillian G (Factoring Roux & Gavin have barely featured but could be Joe M)
20. Eoin McK
21. James M (Dont think Conor Mck has done anything to get ahead)
22. Craig R
23. Cian K

...

My own team would be
1) Buckley
2) Delahunt
3) Bealham
4) Dillane
5) Cannon
6) E.McKeon
7) Butler
8 ) Copeland
9) C.McKeon
10) Carty
11) Healy
12) Farrell
13) Godwin
14) Niyi
15) TOH

16) Heff
17) CODonnell
18) Carey
19) the most available between Roux and Thornbury
20) Boyle
21) Blade
22) Ronaldson
23) Kelleher

I love the look of that team, solid values in the starting XV, impact players on the bench

The one you will contest the more is SH, but I think McKeon has been the most consistant/quick to recycle, qualities putting him above Blade or Mitchell to play a whole hour IMO.
Different scenario will happen when Marmion comes in, as Blade bring more impact/vista from the bench vs tired opposition, and Mitchell more experience to close out games. So it's a paradoxe, a player should be prefered starting to hold the ball distribution, but leapfrogged for the bench role...