ConnachtCows wrote:
Connacht lineup v Zebre

15. Darragh Leader
14. Fionn Carr
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Eoin Griffin
11. Matt Healy
10. Jack Carty
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Brett Wilkinson
2. Sean Henry
3. Nathan White
4. Mick Kearney
5. Andrew Browne
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. Jake Heenan
8. Eoin McKeon

Replacements:

16. Jason Harris-Wright
17. Denis Buckley
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Michael Swift
20. George Naoupu
21. Paul O’Donohoe
22. Dan Parks
23. Gavin Duffy

Unavailable/Injured: Craig Clarke, Aly Muldowney, Dave Nolan, Willie Faloon, Dave McSharry, Craig Ronaldson, Danie Poolman, Miah Nikora, and Kyle Tonetti.


Connacht v Zebre
At the Sportsground, 3:40pm
On Sky Sports Red Button
Referee: Neil Paterson (Sco)
Assistant Ref: David Changleng (Sco)
Assistant Ref: Graeme Marshall (Sco)
TMO: Iain Ramage (Sco)
Citing Commissioner: Yann Le Dore (Fra)

Looks like we're going to try run the legs off the Italians, a very lightweight second row pairing (both conceding three stone to their opposite number).

Not sure with Jake returning from injury that I wouldn't have preferred to see George start at 8 for this, with McKeown moving to 6. George is a couple of stone heavier than young Eoin a would lock the scrum better IMO. We know Jake can cover 6 or 7 comfortably and with his skillset I'd be hugely surprised if he couldn't do a fair impression of a Number 8 if asked to, and I'd prefer to give him a half this weekend and have him fully firing next weekend.....

Happy with that team good mix of youth, brute force and impact from the bench forwards.

Connacht Head Coach Pat Lam has named his side to face Zebre in round 5 of the Heineken Cup tomorrow at the Sportsground in Galway (Kick off 15:40).

There are just two personnel changes to the starting XV this week, with both of those changes occurring in the pack. 21-year-old Jake Heenan, who missed out on the last two games due to injury, is named to start in the back row. John Muldoon returns to his regular position of blindside flanker, having covered the openside in Heenan’s absence. The Portumna-born forward will also captain the side this week, after Craig Clarke was ruled out with a neck injury sustained at the Sportsground last time out. In the New Zealander’s place, Andrew Browne slots into the second row to partner Mick Kearney.

In the front row, Sligo-born hooker Sean Henry, whose last game was against Toulouse in the home Heineken Cup clash, has returned from injury to start tomorrow.

The same all Irish qualified backline that started against Leinster is selected to face Zebre, with Kieran Marmion at scrumhalf, Jack Carty at outhalf, Eoin Griffin and Robbie Henshaw in midfield, and Matt Healy, Fionn Carr and Darragh Leader in the back three.

Mayo-man Gavin Duffy is named on the replacements bench

Speaking about the team selection and the upcoming game, Head Coach Pat Lam said:

“It’s no secret that we were frustrated with the manner in which we lost the game last week. But as everyone saw, there were some positives from that game, including the encouraging performances from our young back line. We have decided to retain this selection for the game against Zebre – another huge challenge. This is Jack’s first taste of Heineken Cup rugby and also a first start for young Darragh (Leader) in the competition. It’s another big boost to their development as young Irish and Connacht-born players.

“It’s fantastic to welcome back Jake (Heenan) and Sean (Henry) to the match day XV. It’s a long season and the last numbers of games have been extremely physical, taking its toll on some of our players. We’ve had to plan without Craig (Clarke) this week but getting some players back from injury has meant we have the strength and depth to make the necessary changes.

“There’s a huge sense of anticipation around this game. We’re still alive in Europe but we need to make sure we are focused this week and do everything we can to get a good win at home against Zebre. We are not underestimating them. They are a team that have been improving with every game and they deserved their win against Treviso last week. They’ll be coming here full of confidence looking for their first ever win in the Heineken Cup.

“With the support of the special Sportsground crowd, it would be fantastic to do it this week against Zebre and then hopefully go further in the competition.”

Connacht lineup v Zebre

15. Darragh Leader
14. Fionn Carr
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Eoin Griffin
11. Matt Healy
10. Jack Carty
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Brett Wilkinson
2. Sean Henry
3. Nathan White
4. Mick Kearney
5. Andrew Browne
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. Jake Heenan
8. Eoin McKeon

Replacements:

16. Jason Harris-Wright
17. Denis Buckley
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Michael Swift
20. George Naoupu
21. Paul O’Donohoe
22. Dan Parks
23. Gavin Duffy

Unavailable/Injured: Craig Clarke, Aly Muldowney, Dave Nolan, Willie Faloon, Dave McSharry, Craig Ronaldson, Danie Poolman, Miah Nikora, and Kyle Tonetti.

Connacht have won all three of their meetings with Zebre in the European competition, including a 33-6 win away from home in Round 2. A win this week would keep the Irish province alive in Europe, with a game to play against Saracens for qualification from pool 3.

Tickets for Connacht v Zebre this weekend can be purchased online from tickets.ie, from the Connacht Rugby ticket office at the Sportsground or from Centra and SuperValu stores province-wide.

Adult tickets start at €30 while it’s €10 for all Juniors.

Connacht v Zebre
At the Sportsground, 3:40pm
On Sky Sports Red Button
Referee: Neil Paterson (Sco)
Assistant Ref: David Changleng (Sco)
Assistant Ref: Graeme Marshall (Sco)
TMO: Iain Ramage (Sco)
Citing Commissioner: Yann Le Dore (Fra)

With the exception of the backrow the team should remain exactly the same IMO.

I'd bring Heenan and Nauopu into the backrow.

If Carty plays 10 I'd leave Henshaw at 13 because he will get ball on the gain line instead of 10 yards behind it.

If parks plays 10 then Henshaw should back to 15 because its a waste having him at 13 he will constantly get the ball five yards behind the advantage line.. Its like having a Ferrari and leaving it in the garage.

I thought Griffin did very well at 12 last week. Mc Sharry is more natural there but he's very injury prone unfortunately.

pinky wrote:

ConnachtBOB wrote: Fecking Gloucester!

I'm going to the Gloucester vs Munster game on Sat (In my Connacht Jersey of course before anyone asks). I just emailed them to see if they'll show the Connacht match beforehand but they're showing the fecking Toulon vs Cardiff one instead.

Think I might be camped out in the Shed with the tablet & skygo

Is that in the ground itself they are showing Toulon v Cardiff?
Teague's or the Kingsholm Inn will surely stick it on for you.

Yeah in the Ground. They've a happy hour for the 2 hours before KO so was hoping.

Gonna try Teagues alright. Was there before & after our game 3 years ago. Hopefully they'll play fair

ConnachtBOB wrote: Fecking Gloucester!

I'm going to the Gloucester vs Munster game on Sat (In my Connacht Jersey of course before anyone asks). I just emailed them to see if they'll show the Connacht match beforehand but they're showing the fecking Toulon vs Cardiff one instead.

Think I might be camped out in the Shed with the tablet & skygo

Is that in the ground itself they are showing Toulon v Cardiff?
Teague's or the Kingsholm Inn will surely stick it on for you.

ConnachtCows wrote:

ConnachtBOB wrote: Fecking Gloucester!

I'm going to the Gloucester vs Munster game on Sat (In my Connacht Jersey of course before anyone asks). I just emailed them to see if they'll show the Connacht match beforehand but they're showing the fecking Toulon vs Cardiff one instead.

Think I might be camped out in the Shed with the tablet & skygo

Kind of surprised by that, seeing as another Irish team are playing.
Anyone I know going to the Saracens game with you?

That's the case I made to them alright but no change. I'll Some pub will be showing it. Even if they only have picture I can put the commentary on GalwayBayFM on the phone.

Herself & Dan are coming. Probably Nolan. Party Harty said that he probably would with a few others but he hasn't bought any tickets yet. He'll be able to get them outside anyway but he should try to be in with the rest of us

ConnachtBOB wrote: Fecking Gloucester!

I'm going to the Gloucester vs Munster game on Sat (In my Connacht Jersey of course before anyone asks). I just emailed them to see if they'll show the Connacht match beforehand but they're showing the fecking Toulon vs Cardiff one instead.

Think I might be camped out in the Shed with the tablet & skygo

Kind of surprised by that, seeing as another Irish team are playing.
Anyone I know going to the Saracens game with you?

Fecking Gloucester!

I'm going to the Gloucester vs Munster game on Sat (In my Connacht Jersey of course before anyone asks). I just emailed them to see if they'll show the Connacht match beforehand but they're showing the fecking Toulon vs Cardiff one instead.

Think I might be camped out in the Shed with the tablet & skygo

Connacht v Zebre – Galway Sportsground Heineken Cup Pool 3 Round 5
Saturday 11th January 2014 Kick Off: 15:40

For the 7th time in the last two seasons Connacht face up to Italian side Zebre on Saturday. After a depressing opening season in which they won no game from 28 attempts, Zebre have managed a couple of notable victories this season which has seen them rise above Connacht in the Rabo Direct Pro 12 table. Connacht have had the upper hand on the Zebre in their head to head fixtures to date and while they are unlikely to have it all their own way a comfortable 33-6 victory in Parma in Round 2 would suggest that Connacht should have the wherewithal to pick up the win to keep their hopes of securing further European action later in the season alive.

Zebre Stats
Founded: 1973 (Formed as Professional Team in 2012)
History: 1973 – 1997 Invitational Selection for North West Italy.
Ground: Stadio XXV Aprile, Parma
Capacity: 3,500
Captain: Marco Bortolami
Director of Rugby: Roberto Manghi

Rabo Direct Pro 12 League Position 2013/14: P:12 Position:11th Points 14
Rabo Direct Pro 12 League Position 2012/13: 12th Points 10
Heineken Cup: 4th in Pool 6 Points 1

Recent Results
Zebre 14-12 Benetton Treviso
Benetton Treviso 20-15 Zebre
Ulster 13-6 Zebre

Next League Fixture:
Sunday 9th February 2014 17:30 (local time) Zebre v Leinster @ Stadio XXV Aprile, Parma

Heineken Cup (Pool 3)
Toulouse 15
Saracens 15
Connacht 9
Zebre 0

Previous Meetings

Saturday 19th October 2013 Heineken Cup Zebre 6-33 Connacht

www.connachtrugby.ie/zebre-6-33-connacht/

Saturday 7th September 2013 Rabo Direct Pro 12 Connacht 25-16 Zebre

www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/12745.php

phatguerilla wrote: Even if Parks suddenly comes good in the next couple of weeks he doesn't offer a running threat and Saracens won't be caught out by a kicking game for a second time. Add to that Poolman was the main threat from cross field kicks and it just doesn't make sense to play Parks, at least Carty and Ronaldson offer an element of the unknown plus a running ability that will prevent the Saracens defense being able to fan across the field as easily.

Connacht/Clarke should have believed they were capable of kicking the line and trying a rolling maul against Leinster when he asked Leader to kick for goal a second time. Assuming this is the case perhaps this is a tactic that Connacht are holding in reserve to break out in the Heineken? We know of course they used it to great effect against Zebre last time they played and have tried it at least once or twice in almost every other game, including against Munster when the weather was arguably unsuited to the tactic.

you make a valid point that we need to play differently this time and do the opposite of what they expect, Toulouse showed that they had learnt from playing us in the first game and when we tried to do the same against them in the second game they didn't let us do it again. just to be clear i'm talking about the saracens game not zebre.

on this saturdays game the weather looks perfect for running rugby, i think it will suit us

Even if Parks suddenly comes good in the next couple of weeks he doesn't offer a running threat and Saracens won't be caught out by a kicking game for a second time. Add to that Poolman was the main threat from cross field kicks and it just doesn't make sense to play Parks, at least Carty and Ronaldson offer an element of the unknown plus a running ability that will prevent the Saracens defense being able to fan across the field as easily.

Connacht/Clarke should have believed they were capable of kicking the line and trying a rolling maul against Leinster when he asked Leader to kick for goal a second time. Assuming this is the case perhaps this is a tactic that Connacht are holding in reserve to break out in the Heineken? We know of course they used it to great effect against Zebre last time they played and have tried it at least once or twice in almost every other game, including against Munster when the weather was arguably unsuited to the tactic.

Carty a perfectly competent defensively but slight flyhalf would be targeted massively against Sarries, they would be sending their heavy artillery trucking down his channel from minute one at every opportunity.

True but Leinster tried to do that to him last wknd and got nowhere. With the Sarries pack I'd rather gamble and go for Carty/Ronaldson then a fly-half who kicks for corners and whose first option is always to kick rather than to pass. Have Parks on the bench but I'd start Carty or Ronaldson if fit.

If Ronaldson is to be considered for a start against Saracens then it makes more sense for him to start the Eagles game rather than come off the bench against Zebre IMO. He needs the game time. If Heenan is 100% recovered I'd start him, anything less and he'd be better as an impact sub.

wp_rathead, I like the look of your centre fullback lineup. Robbie's edges might be slowly softening at outside centre, but it's still a bit of a square peg round hole situation with both him and Griffin. Think he's better at fullback ATM.

Good to hear Nikora slowly making his way back. Imagine he'll be fighting for a spot in next season's squad over the next 3-4 months. Hopefully we'll see the best of him when he does get on.

Connacht have to take this game by the scruff of the neck early on. Zebre will be riding high after their win against Treviso and looking for their first HEC win. Connacht need a convincing win, probably a 5 pointer to keep their interest in Europe going for the Saracens game and help jump start the second half of their league campaign.

Carty is still a better option than Parks in Defence, as seen in the last few games Parks kicking game has been poor, 9 and 10 have to put the defence on the back foot.

When a connacht player breaks the defence line there is nobody on his shoulder looking for the off load, it is something that you see with the Super 15 teams and with the AB and Boks

Heenan, Griffin, Henshaws, Marmion have all been breaking the defence line but with out support

We got it right in Toulouse and got a Try

This has to be down to coaching and conditioning

Hopefully he will stick with Leader and Carty for Zebra

wp_rathead wrote:

clanman wrote:

Sol_ie wrote: So same outhalf set up as last weekend? Hopefully this is just a test run for Ronaldson.

At home against Saracens it was Ronaldson that came on in the 2nd half and made an instant impact, if he gets through the Eagles game it would not surprise me if Lam picks him ahead of Carty and Parks

Or carty 10, ronaldson 12, griffin 13, robbie 15?
Griffin is wasted at 12

After a hammer injury I'd be hugely surprised if Craig starts in either game this weekend. But I would expect Parks/Ronaldson to start against Saracens. Carty a perfectly competent defensively but slight flyhalf would be targeted massively against Sarries, they would be sending their heavy artillery trucking down his channel from minute one at every opportunity. Ronaldson is 10KG heavier (may actually be carrying a litte too much timber if anything), if he's fit I would hope to see him start in Alllainz Park. Park shas to be gambled on for the squad in that sort of game because of his experience...