Henshaw and McKeon return to face Edinburgh
28th November 2013

The Connacht team to face Edinburgh in Friday’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash at Murrayfield (KO: 7:45pm) has been named.

Head Coach Pat Lam has made six changes to the team that lined out against Scarlets last weekend.

Irish international Robbie Henshaw returns to the mix and starts at full back against the Scottish side. Henshaw is joined in the back three with Connacht’s record try scorer Fionn Carr and last week’s try scorer Matt Healy. Former Scottish international Dan Parks has been named at outhalf.

Up front, Ronan Loughney starts at loosehead in place of the injured Brett Wilkinson. Mick Kearney has been handed his first start of the season after coming off the bench in the last two PRO12 games. At 6’5”, the 22-year-old joins skipper Craig Clarke in the second row.

Eoin McKeon returns to the side after missing three months due to injury. The back rower, who played 80 minutes for club side Buccaneers last weekend, starts at Number 8.

Prop Denis Buckley is named on the replacements bench which also includes forward John Muldoon on his return from injury. Scrumhalf Frank Murphy, who played his first minutes of senior rugby in over a year last weekend, is also included.

Commenting on the team selection and the upcoming game Head Coach Pat Lam said:

“We know winning at this level comes down to fine margins which has been frustrating for all of us so far this season. But we are determined to capitalise on every opportunity we create to give us a chance of a much needed win here.

“We face another challenge away from home tomorrow. This season Edinburgh have proven a strong side who are tough to beat at home. They’ve won their last three games at Murrayfield, including an excellent Heineken Cup win over Munster.

“Our squad has been boosted by the return of Robbie (Henshaw) and Eoin (McKeon) while John (Muldoon) passed a late fitness test which sees him named on the bench. We need to deliver a performance that gives us every chance of getting the result.”



Connacht line-up v Edinburgh

15. Robbie Henshaw
14. Fionn Carr
13. Eoin Griffin
12. Dave McSharry
11. Matt Healy
10. Dan Parks
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Ronan Loughney
2. Sean Henry
3. Nathan White
4. Mick Kearney
5. Craig Clarke (captain)
6. Aly Muldowney
7. Jake Heenan
8. Eoin McKeon

Replacements:

16. Jason Harris-Wright
17. Denis Buckley
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Michael Swift
20. John Muldoon
21. Frank Murphy
22. Craig Ronaldson
23. Gavin Duffy

Unavailable/Injured: Mata Fifita, Willie Faloon, Miah Nikora, Danie Poolman, Kyle Tonetti, and Brett Wilkinson

1 Dickinson
2 Lutui
3 Nel
4 Atkins
5 van der Westhuizen
6 Du Preez
7 Rennie
8 Denton

9 Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN
10 Leonard
11 Cuthbert
12 Atiga
13 De Luca
14 Fife
15 Tonks


16 Hilterbrand
17 Blaauw
18 Cross
19 Cox
20 Grant
21 Hidalgo-Clyne
22 Beard
23 Brown

[quote="fluffychickens"


Henshaw at 15 is a given. Gavin has had such a tough time it would be impossible to think he could be 15. Fionn will be 14 but with both the fundamental problem is left unsolved. Robbie is yet untrained on how to play team rugby and fionn simply chooses not to play team rugby[/quote]

OUNCER is that you ?

Welcome

test

Thanks fourdogs,
I've been more of a lurker than a contributor. I'm flying to Glasgow tomorrow and will be making my way across for the game on Friday.
Will drop you a pm with my details. Do you know what stand you will be going to?

Thanks again for the reply!

clanman wrote:

fluffychickens wrote:

The IMF wrote: Interesting to read in the IT today they reckon Henshaw slots straight into 15 for Friday night.

"Henshaw featured briefly at both centre and fullback against Australia but the return of the Dave McSharry-Eoin Griffin midfield partnership coupled with Connacht’s dire need to turn their abysmal campaign around will see him shift to 15 in Murrayfield this weekend."

www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/a-success...fitzgerald-1.1608322

I wonder how much say Lam has had in whether Eoin or Robbie started before the AI's? Hopefully the article is on the money anyway, I think we're all agreed the backline has a much better balance about it with Robbie at 15 and Griff and Dave in the centers.

Henshaw at 15 is a given. Gavin has had such a tough time it would be impossible to think he could be 15. Fionn will be 14 but with both the fundamental problem is left unsolved. Robbie is yet untrained on how to play team rugby and fionn simply chooses not to play team rugby

you're 100% correct about Robbie and 50% correct about Carr, in defense Carr needs to learn or be willing to play the team game however in attack Carr needs to be given the freedom to do the unexpected, he was our leading trying scorer for the very reason that as the last link on the attack he showed individual skills not team skills.

Have watched this team for so long would like to voice an opinion on your opinion. When toh had a great year it was not about him, it was an understanding that griffin worked with him that made all the plays. Toh and griffin have been good friends and worked together well. Carr is a singular player and will do his thing. Robbie does not interact with team at all. So weekend will see another disjointed performance. Its such a pain listening to comments about dropping griffin who has been the thread to the backline of this team. These are people and some work together and some don't.Robbie does not work at full back, fionn does not work at wing for reasons explained

fluffychickens wrote:

The IMF wrote: Interesting to read in the IT today they reckon Henshaw slots straight into 15 for Friday night.

"Henshaw featured briefly at both centre and fullback against Australia but the return of the Dave McSharry-Eoin Griffin midfield partnership coupled with Connacht’s dire need to turn their abysmal campaign around will see him shift to 15 in Murrayfield this weekend."

www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/a-success...fitzgerald-1.1608322

I wonder how much say Lam has had in whether Eoin or Robbie started before the AI's? Hopefully the article is on the money anyway, I think we're all agreed the backline has a much better balance about it with Robbie at 15 and Griff and Dave in the centers.

Henshaw at 15 is a given. Gavin has had such a tough time it would be impossible to think he could be 15. Fionn will be 14 but with both the fundamental problem is left unsolved. Robbie is yet untrained on how to play team rugby and fionn simply chooses not to play team rugby

you're 100% correct about Robbie and 50% correct about Carr, in defense Carr needs to learn or be willing to play the team game however in attack Carr needs to be given the freedom to do the unexpected, he was our leading trying scorer for the very reason that as the last link on the attack he showed individual skills not team skills.

The IMF wrote: Interesting to read in the IT today they reckon Henshaw slots straight into 15 for Friday night.

"Henshaw featured briefly at both centre and fullback against Australia but the return of the Dave McSharry-Eoin Griffin midfield partnership coupled with Connacht’s dire need to turn their abysmal campaign around will see him shift to 15 in Murrayfield this weekend."

www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/a-success...fitzgerald-1.1608322

I wonder how much say Lam has had in whether Eoin or Robbie started before the AI's? Hopefully the article is on the money anyway, I think we're all agreed the backline has a much better balance about it with Robbie at 15 and Griff and Dave in the centers.

Henshaw at 15 is a given. Gavin has had such a tough time it would be impossible to think he could be 15. Fionn will be 14 but with both the fundamental problem is left unsolved. Robbie is yet untrained on how to play team rugby and fionn simply chooses not to play team rugby

anyone fancy going to the dail bar and asking them to tune in galway bay fm and see if its on.
second choice; we could have few pints looking at twitter and guessing whats happening between tweets

anyone?

mareegoo wrote: this game on tv lads?

Anyone know if it's on the wireless?
Have GBFM been doing much coverage this season? All the away games so far have been on the telly box so I haven't needed it.
As I recall for this fixture last season it was on the radio in Scotland but on a channel that wasn't available online.

EDIT: BBC Radio Scotland MW still not available online and in any case they are broadcasting Dundee v Kilmarnock
www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland/programmes/schedules/mw/2013/11/29

Juicet3rry wrote: Hi all,
I'm actually heading over to this game. Is anyone else going? Was just wondering for strength of vocal support in numbers.

Looks like we might have a few more back row options available. I don't fancy seeing Muldowney at 6 again.

Thanks

Juicet3rry

Welcome to the Forum. Myself, Mrs Fourdogs and Moremiles will be there.

Drop me a Private message for contact details.

Interesting to read in the IT today they reckon Henshaw slots straight into 15 for Friday night.

"Henshaw featured briefly at both centre and fullback against Australia but the return of the Dave McSharry-Eoin Griffin midfield partnership coupled with Connacht’s dire need to turn their abysmal campaign around will see him shift to 15 in Murrayfield this weekend."

www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/a-success...fitzgerald-1.1608322

I wonder how much say Lam has had in whether Eoin or Robbie started before the AI's? Hopefully the article is on the money anyway, I think we're all agreed the backline has a much better balance about it with Robbie at 15 and Griff and Dave in the centers.

Hi all,
I'm actually heading over to this game. Is anyone else going? Was just wondering for strength of vocal support in numbers.

Looks like we might have a few more back row options available. I don't fancy seeing Muldowney at 6 again.

Thanks

Rabo Direct Pro 12 Round 9
Edinburgh v Connacht Friday 29th November 19.45

After a hugely disappointing defeat at home to an understrength Scarlets side last Saturday, Connacht will be hoping to pick up the pieces against fellow strugglers Edinburgh on Friday night. A surprise Heineken Cup win at home to Munster has been the highlight of an average season for the Scottish side to date but they will expect to make it 4 wins from 9 in the Pro 12 on Friday night.

Getting to Murrayfield
www.scottishrugby.org/murrayfield-stadium/directions

Edinburgh Stats
Founded: 1996
Ground: Murrayfield
Capacity: 67,144
Captain: Greig Laidlaw
Coach: Alan Solomons

Rabo Direct Pro12 League Position 2013/14: 9th P:8 Pts:12
2012/13: 10th Points:36
Heineken Cup 2012/13: 4th in Pool 1 Points: 0

Recent Results
Edinburgh 20-13 Benetton Treviso
Ulster 41-17 Edinburgh

Next Fixture:
Friday 20th December 2013 19.35 Edinburgh v Leinster @ Murrayfield

Heineken Cup (Pool 6) (Current Standings)
Perpignan 6
Munster 5
Edinburgh 4
Gloucester 4

Previous Meetings

Friday 12th April 2013 Rabo Direct Pro 12: Edinburgh 24-32 Connacht

www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/12368.php

Saturday 1st December 2012 Rabo Direct Pro 12: Connacht 23-24 Edinburgh

www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/2459.php

Nope.

this game on tv lads?