ummm, wrote: The Irish Times has Cooney at 1, but Buckley at 3.

Either way, confusion abounds.

Think that's more the paper's error than the branch. They have Cooney at tighthead in the text of the article and loosehead in the team listing at the end of it.

The Irish Times has Cooney at 1, but Buckley at 3.

Either way, confusion abounds.

where is that game on?

We're playing Munster A next week so I could us bringing back a few lads if fit like White, Parks etc, fingers crossed. Not a good sign that they're playing neither friendly up to now

ì wonder if this is another innaccurate press release from the branch in the vein which we are becoming used to( players listed in 2 teamsheets etc).

everything i have ever heard and read about JP Cooney is that he is a LH exclusively and always has been and here he is being selected at Th in prob the biggest game of his career to date for a team that already has 4(5 if u include Reilly) who can play Th on its books? Then you pencil Peter Reilly into the equation who wasnt listed in the official press release of the connacht squad for 2012/13 or in the official acadamy list released just before! the mind boggles.Is he on a contract?i dont believe for a second that he would leave leinster to join our sub acadamy. Poss not even to join our acadamy.

Im surprised to see young Henshaw starting at centre against the AP champs a few days after getting his leaving cert results. I heard he was a very talented boy but i dont think even BOD came through this quick! it will be great if he is that good but i am a bit sceptical about this selection (team) to be honest.

AFAIK its last game before cardiff at home in pro12?

I'd be surprised if the full squad or close to it aren't back for the first game but for the time being good to see some new faces getting the chance to prove themselves. They did much better than expected away to Exeter last Saturday so hopefully we can get a good performance and a few more players can put their hand up for selection ahead of the Cardiff game.

Hard to get excited about this one though given the number of times we've played them and are going to play them in the last few seasons.

I'm not complaining but its surprising Rodney isn't in the squad for these games or is he injured?

Porterbelly wrote: Layden is still in the rehab stage of his injury although he's not too far away from being ready.

Crazy that Macca, Loughs, Wilko and Duffy are being held back from action by the IRFU because they were on the summer tour. Loughs was the only 1 who played and fuck all at that and now they're going to miss the 1st couple of games

It's not that crazy. If they were training up until June 23rd and they got 4 weeks off they're only 3 weeks into preseason.

You could argument that they shouldn't have been brought if they weren't going to get gametime, but equally if there's no hope of international recognition for Connacht that'll hurt us in the long term. No easy answer I'm afraid.

Layden is still in the rehab stage of his injury although he's not too far away from being ready.

Crazy that Macca, Loughs, Wilko and Duffy are being held back from action by the IRFU because they were on the summer tour. Loughs was the only 1 who played and fuck all at that and now they're going to miss the 1st couple of games

I'm slightly surprised that Shane Layden hasn't seen any action over the two games is he still injured? Peter Reily must be smiling as well hes got alot more gametime than he ever would have with Leinster so far.

After challenge cup semi final 2004, challenge cup 2010/2011, Hcup 2011/2012, all very
tight matches, and before Hcup 2012/2013, here's a rehersal in the Stoop!

Connacht announce XV to face Quins



Connacht have announced the squad that will face old time rivals Harlequins at the Stoop this Saturday. The second and final pre-season friendly kicks off at 2.45pm, and gives the squad an opportunity to build on last week’s 8-6 win over the Exeter Chiefs. Coach Eric Elwood has opted to give more players a run-out before the league opener in two weeks, with just six players that started against Exeter retaining their jersey. Fetu’u Vainikolo, Miah Nikora, George Naoupu and Michael Swift, along with positional switches for Tiernan O’Halloran on the wing and Andrew Browne in the second row will get their second start in a week.

The match presents a good opportunity to blood more of the Academy players that have been competing well in training. Robbie Henshaw starts at outside centre after coming on in Sandy Park last week, while Kieran Marmion will make his first senior start for Connacht at scrum half. Kieran played a pivotal role for Ireland at the IRB Junior World Championship, starting four of their five games en route to a highest ever finish of fifth.

Some of the close season signings also get their first start in Connacht colours. AIL signings Mata Fifita and JP Cooney come into the side at inside centre and tight-head respectively. Signed from Sligo RFC, Fifita will form a new centre partnership with Henshaw. Cooney is joined in the front row by fellow new recruit Jason Harris-Wright and Denis Buckley. Elwood has demonstrated his belief in his younger players by fielding a front row with an average age of just over 22 years against such formidable position. Willie Faloon also makes his first start since his move from Ulster.

The other personnel changes see John Muldoon come into the side at openside flanker and Matthew Jarvis at full-back.

Head coach, Eric Elwood, is looking forward to the challenge. “I have a lot of confidence in this week’s selection. Quins is always an important game for us, one we look forward to, and we’ll be looking to recreate the physicality and passion previously shown against this side when we meet them throughout the season.”

Harlequins are familiar opposition to all Connacht fans. This pre-season game on Saturday is the first of at least three fixtures against Conor O’Shea’s side as they are once again in our Heineken Cup pool. Last season’s home game will live long in the memory of all Connacht supporters, as a first ever win in the competition was achieved in atrocious weather conditions in January. Following their European elimination, Harlequins lost only two more games in the Premiership as they were crowned league champions for the first time in their history with a 30-23 victory over the Leicester Tigers.

Following the Harlequins encounter, Connacht will have a two week break before the first game of the RaboDirect PRO12 season. The Cardiff Blues will be the visitors to the Sportsground to get the 2012/13 season up and running.

Make sure you don't miss any of the action and pick up a Connacht Rugby Season ticket today, guaranteeing access to all of Connacht's home Heineken Cup matches, RaboDirect PRO12 matches and British & Irish Cup matches. Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.ie or from the Connacht Rugby Offices on 091561568.



Connacht XV

15. Matthew Jarvis

14. Tiernan O’Halloran

13. Robbie Henshaw

12. Mata Fifita

11. Fetu’u Vainikolo

10. Miah Nikora

9. Kieran Marmion

1. Dennis Buckley

2. Jason Harris-Wright

3. JP Cooney

4. Michael Swift

5. Andrew Browne

6. John Muldoon

7. Willie Faloon

8. George Naoupu



Replacements (from):

16. Finlay Bealham

17. Adrian Flavin

18. Peter Reilly

19. Mick Kearney

20. Dave Gannon

21. Johnny O‘Connor

22. Eoin McKeon

23. Dave Moore

24. Jack Carty

25. Conor Finn

26. James Loxton

27. Mark McCrea

PS : I've exactly predicted the 1st rowx, thank you Eric for having listened to me :lol: