Connacht V Dragons 6/09/2014 5pm

Diom wrote: Relies too much on his assistants. Especially when discounting our tries. Out of interest s4p, who are the top two?

Leighton Hodges and Ian Davies are both welsh refs and usually come across as being very fair and judge both teams on the pitch. no favours given to the bigger team etc. dont let me down lads. also if anyone wants to see the lists of refs we had last season, its here:
connachtclan.com/forum/2-connacht-rugby-...venge?start=64#26366

Was Marmion eligible to come back or did Lam petition the IRFU for his early release from the player welfare program? I'm sure he wasn't to be back until the 2nd round. Perhaps he's "use in case of emergency only".

Something has to give here, either Connacht's decent record against the Dragons and in home openers or the Dragons' strong preseason form. Hoping it's a case of flatter to deceive on the part of the Dragons though by most accounts it doesn't sound like it. It's a good first test for Connacht. This season they have to be stronger at home and also beat the teams around them more often if they hope to move up the table. Even if the Dragons are improved this is the type of game Connacht have to win to show they're making progress..

KM and Henshaw were meant to be rested but seems like KM might be needed..

Dragons have made there squad stronger but if we dream of making 6th, 7th or 8th spot, we need to beat teams around us at home. If we lose on saturday we'll finish no higher than 9th and id bet on that!
If were to improve, we need to win all our home games apart from Munster, ulster. leinster, glasgow and ospreys. depending if we play them during an international we could sneak 7 home wins. then have a good chance away to edinburgh, treviso and zebre. 10 wins, sneaky win in wales, and 8 try/losing points, we could be looking at 52 points. 55points was enough for 6th spot last season.
as i said, if we have dreams of making Heineken cup next year, automatically or via play off, we need to win saturday. otherwise is 9th spot

The Newport Gwent Dragons squad are in the final stages of preparation this week, for their opening round of the Guinness PRO12 league against Connacht Rugby at the Sportsground

By Katie Vizard | 03/09/2014

The Newport Gwent Dragons squad are in the final stages of preparation this week, for their opening round of the Guinness PRO12 league against Connacht Rugby at the Sportsground (Saturday 6th Sept, KO 17:00).
Unavailable for Saturday’s opening clash for the Men of Gwent is Pat Leach who sustained a knee injury on Friday in a pre-season friendly against Northampton Saints. He is currently undergoing specialist assessments to determine the nature of his injury.
Also unavailable is fullback Hallam Amos who underwent shoulder surgery during pre-season. The 20-year-old should return to play in mid-September. Luc Jones and Ashley Smith are also due back in mid-September after the former underwent knee surgery and the latter foot surgery. They join Phil Price (Foot), Netani Talei (Foot), Ross Wardle (Knee) and Joe Davies (Shoulder) in the rehab group.
Newport Gwent Dragons Squad to take on Connacht
Forwards:
Boris Stankovich, Dan Way, David Young, Elliot Dee, Hugh Gustafson, T. Rhys Thomas, Owen Evans, Lloyd Fairbrother, Ian Gough, Cory Hill, Rynard Landman, Andrew Coombs, Nic Cudd, Lewis Evans, Andy Powell, Taulupe Faletau.
Backs:
Richie Rees, Jonathan Evans, Dorian Jones, Angus O’Brien, Jason Tovey, Jack Dixon, Tyler Morgan, Tom Prydie, Ashton Hewitt, Matthew Pewtner, Aled Brew, Geraint Rhys Jones, Lee Byrne.
Players not selected through injury:
Hallam Amos (Shoulder), Luc Jones (Knee), Phil Price (Foot), Ashley Smith (Foot), Ross Wardle (Knee), Pat Leach (Knee), Netani Talei (Foot), Joe Davies (Shoulder).

i wouldnt know the dragons that well so here is a quick bit of info about the players injured. they are only pro12 caps, but you get the point

Hallam Amos (Shoulder), 19 years, 27 caps
Luc Jones (Knee), just a kid, 20, no caps?
Phil Price (Foot), 25, 68 caps
Ashley Smith (Foot), 27 years, 95 caps
Ross Wardle (Knee), 23 years, 21 caps, 6 trys
Pat Leach (Knee), 53 Dragons caps
Netani Talei (Foot), 31 years, 28 fiji caps, 108 caps for worcester and edinburgh. 14 dragon caps
Joe Davies (Shoulder) just a kid, 18 years old

I find it a bit odd that there hasn't been a sighting of a Pro 12 'Guinness' branded (Rhino) match ball yet. All media shots of recent training days in the various regions show the teams training with last years 'Rabo Direct' ball. I imagine the spec will be exactly the same but visually it will probably be more of a black/white look and may take a little getting used to, just don't understand why the Pro 12 teams are not training with or have not yet been issued with the actual match ball. Anyone seen it yet?

Past Meetings (Some from recollection, some from Pro 12 site!)

Connacht have met Dragons on two previous occasions on the opening day of the season, the first of these was in September 2007.

21st September 2007 Magners League 2007/08 Round 1 Connacht 22-7 Dragons

Connacht kicked off their Magners League campaign with a 15 point victory over Dragons. The game kicked off at 6pm to accomodate supporters who wished to watch Ireland's World Cup match against hosts France later that evening.

Connacht gave debuts to a number of players including Ofisa Treviranus, Mel Deane (2nd spell), Tim Donnelly, Robbie Morris,Johnny O'Connor (2nd spell) starting and Mike McCarthy (2nd spell) appearing off the bench. With the World Cup in full flow Connacht were hoping to make a fast start to the season but it was the Dragons who scored first. Full back Martyn Thomas scored an early try which was converted by Gareth McCarthy. However, Connacht responded positively and some fine kicking from Tim Donnelly and a debut try for Robbie Morris saw Connacht lead 19-7 at the break. The 2nd half petered out with no further scores until Donnelly slotted over a drop goal with seconds remaining to ensure Dragons left Galway with no reward for their efforts.

The win was the 7th season in a row Connacht had won their opening league fixture but the win proved to be a rare high point in Connacht's Magners League season. Connacht also beat Dragons at Rodney Parade in April 2008 but the campaign finished with Connacht bottom of the 10 team league having secured just 5 wins and 1 draw from their 18 matches. Dragons finished two places higher with 34 points which enabled them to secure Heineken Cup qualification for the 2008/09 season.

The Dragons side on the evening wasn't full of household names but an interesting name on the Dragons replacement bench was 19 year old Dan Lydiate who made an appearance during this game.

The Connacht team which lined out that day was as follows:

Peter Durcan, Ofisa Treviranus, Mel Deane, Aidan Wynne, Darren Yapp, Tim Donnelly, Conor McPhillips
Brett Wilkinson, Adrian Flavin, Robbie Morris, Michael Swift, Andrew Farley, Ray Ofisa Treviranus, Johnny O'Connor, John Muldoon

Replacements: John Fogarty, Ronan Loughney, Dave Gannon, Mike McCarthy, Colm Rigney, Conor O'Loughlin, Danny Riordan

Further details in this link: www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/30.php?se...overview&fixid=42828

Very, very good news

WALES and Lions number eight Taulupe Faletau will start Newport Gwent Dragons’ Guinness Pro12 opener against Connacht on the bench.

The 23-year-old did not feature in any of the region’s three pre-season victories against Bristol, Lydney and Northampton.

Faletau has not played since Wales’ heartbreaking second Test defeat to South Africa in Nelspruit in June and will work his way towards full fitness with a cameo in Galway.

Andy Powell is set to make his debut for the region at number eight after a man-of-the-match performance against the Saints.

“Toby plays a lot of high-quality rugby and we have to look after him throughout the year so there’s no harm in having a couple of appearances off the bench,” said director of rugby Lyn Jones.

The Dragons will pair teenagers Jack Dixon and Tyler Morgan in midfield after Pat Leach (knee) joined Ashley Smith (foot) and Ross Wardle (knee) on the injury list.

“The one thing I’ve learnt over the years as coach is not to be afraid to give young guys a chance because you could be surprised by how well they can play,” said Jones.

“They are excellent players and they complement each other. These fellas have rosy futures and I am very confident that they can both deliver against Connacht away.”

Morgan and Dixon are backed up by 17-year-old centre Barney Nightingale and Jones has been impressed after giving the Newport High School student from Chepstow run outs in all three pre-season games.

“Young players have no fear, they just play what is in front of them,” he said. “You are looking for people with instinct, desire, game understanding and the Barney is ticking the boxes at the moment.


“He did exceptionally well against Bristol and Northampton after coming on. I could have moved Aled Brew in (from the wing) but I am not going to do that, I’m going to back this young fella.”

Dragons squad: L Byrne, G R Jones, A Brew, M Pewtner, A Hewitt, T Prydie, T Morgan, B Nightingale, J Dixon, J Tovey, A O’Brien, D Jones, J Evans, R Rees, B Stankovich, O Evans, E Dee, R Thomas, H Gustafson, D Way, D Young, L Fairbrother, I Gough, C Hill, R Landman, A Coombs, N Cudd, L Evans, A Powell, T Faletau.

www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/dragons/...m_source=twitterfeed

By Linley MacKenzie

"Unfortunately Lam will be without several key players... but Kieran Marmion will be named as a replacement.

As a result Lam may well give some youngsters their first start. Winger Niyi Adeolokun is in line for his debut, as is scrumhalf Ian Porter, while fullback and Ireland u-20 Shane Layden could also get the call up. Lam will be delighted to see wing Danie Poolman back to his best after injury struggles last season, while Dave McSharry is expected to start in the centre, where he could well partner Darragh Leader. Due to injuries and absences - where Tiernan O’Halloran is a big loss - Lam has been moving the back three players around in training to find the best combination, and he has options including Fionn Carr as a fullback or wing and Conor Finn in the centre.

The loss of experienced players Dan Parks and Gavin Duffy has opened opportunities for younger players, not least at outhalf where Jack Carty is expected to blossom this year. Lam must choose between the tried and tested Miah Nikora or Carty, who has been impressive in pre season.

Up front the forward pack is bigger, faster and stronger than in previous seasons after adding kilos during the close season. Denis Buckley, Ronan Loughney, Nathan White and Rodney Ah You vie for the front row positions, alongside hookers Sean Henry and Dave Heffernan. The second row choices are more abundant this year with veteran Michael Swift, young pretender Mick Kearney, Ali Muldowney, and both George Naoupu and Andrew Browne who can also pack down in the second or back rows, where John Muldoon will lead the squad. Willie Faloon, who spent so much of last season on the sidelines, deserves his return to action, while young Jake Heenan, so impressive last season, is expected to continue the push Faloon for the openside position. Eoin McKeon is expected to don the No 8 jersey."

www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/72076/g...-pro-12-league-opens

I'm inferring a XV of:

Layden (Carr)
Poolman
Leader
McShaz
Niyi
Carty (Nikora)
Porter
McKeon
Faloon
Muldoon
?
Kearney
Dave
Henry
Buckley

pretty much looks like the team I posted yestrerday

connachta wrote: Something like :

1) Buckley
2) Heffernan/Henry
3) Ah You/White
4) Kearney
5) Roux/Muldowney
6) Muldoon
7) Heenan
8 ) Naoupu/McKeon
9) Porter
10) Carty/Ronaldson/Nikora
11) Niyi/Carr
12) McSharry
13) Leader
14) Poolman
15) Layden

16) Heffernan/Henry
17) Bealham/Loughney
18) Ah You/White
19) Qualter/Swift
20) Faloon
21) Cooney/Blade (but now Marmion allowed to come on the bench)
22) Carty/Ronaldson/Nikora
23) Finn/Carr/Niyi

Pretty much spot on connachta.

I'm probably reading too much in to Linley's comment about Faloon deserving his return to action, she may well just mean him back in the squad. Although I do like the idea of bringing Heenan on from the bench to keep Faletau quiet.

My gut feeling is Nikora starts but again I was just going on Linley's observation Carty had impressed in preseason.

That just really leaves the second lock position, my preference would be for George with Swift to come off the bench but there are a lot of other possible permutations.

and what about Heff to start ahead of Henry?

connachta wrote: and what about Heff to start ahead of Henry?

Good point. I think it depends on Seanie's fitness who starts but all things equal Henry would normally be selected with Heff on the bench.

connachta wrote: and what about Heff to start ahead of Henry?

Heffernan's scrummaging and throwing weren't as good as Henry's last term, which is to be expected from someone who converted to hooker only 18 months ago. I wouldn't think there's much doubt that Henry will start.

It seems the biggest unknown for the starting XV is Kearney's lock partner.

Connachta, Galway Gas, and everyone who's been at the pre-season games: is Roux injured? Or useless?

salmson wrote:

connachta wrote: and what about Heff to start ahead of Henry?

Connachta, Galway Gas, and everyone who's been at the pre-season games: is Roux injured? Or useless?

Hard to judge as he didn't play. As far as I know, he was the only player who didn't play that wasn't down as injured

He did play both matches. Some at the Wasps game would say he's useless, I'd say he's not. On the Clermont 1st try, he was cleary outsped, BUT he made the effort to accelerate and produce the Ankle-tap. The guy had a 6 month injury, and despite this, he played the semi against Ulster.and there's a reason why Leinster chose him in South Africa. He's still young, need gametime and confidence, and he could be the next Swift (not fast but ferocious and IQ!)

So my answer is if Muldowney or Naoupu perferctly fit and available, let's monitor him to be 1st choice in a 1 or 2 month-time, step by step

Connacht team announced for Dragons game
05th September 2014

Head Coach Pat Lam has named his squad for the opening round of the GUINNESS PRO12 against Newport Gwent Dragons at the Sportsground tomorrow, Saturday, KO 5pm.

In making their competitive Connacht debuts in round 1, lock Quinn Roux, scrum half Ian Porter and wing Niyi Adeolokun all start.

Jack Carty has been handed the reins at outhalf for the opening fixture while Shane Layden, from Carrick-on-Shannon, has been named at full back. The 21-year-old Academy back made a substitute appearance against Leinster in October 2011 but has battled with injuries in recent years. The former minor Roscommon footballer has trained with the senior squad all summer to earn his place in tomorrow’s starting line-up.

Up front, John Muldoon will captain from the blindside in a back row with fellow Galway man Eoin McKeon and New Zealander Jake Heenan, who makes a welcome return following surgery back in February.

From the bench, 21-year-old Academy graduate Conor Finn from Ballinasloe is also in line to earn his first competitive cap.

Commenting on team selection and the opening game, Head Coach Pat Lam said:
“Selecting the first team to go out was a really tough process. Despite some of the injuries we have, the competitiveness shown by the squad has made it difficult for the coaches but at the end of the day, that’s what we want from the players. The team that is lining out tomorrow is based on the hard work that has been done over the last nine weeks.

“It’s a very young side throughout but having the experience of leaders John Muldoon and Nathan White on the field will be invaluable.

“We have some Connacht debutants with both Ian Porter and Quinn Roux slotting in after a good pre-season. It’s also very pleasing to see young Niyi Adeolokun earning his first ever professional cap. Since he’s come in, he’s ticked every single box. He’s impressed his team mates and coaches with his work ethic and the speed at which he’s adapted to the professional set-up. He deserves this start and it’s very exciting for both him and his family.

“After a long battle with injuries, Shane Layden is back fighting fit and starting at full back tomorrow. His determination and focus to get back to this position is a credit to him.

“Without scrumhalf John Cooney available to us just yet, the IRFU have been very flexible to us in allowing Ireland international Kieran Marmion to take a place on the bench in order to cover number 9.
“We have prepared well but we know Dragons will be no pushover. They have recruited well in the summer and are coming here on the back of a huge win last week against the Northampton Saints, the current Premiership champions who had their full squad out. That shows exactly where they are at and they’ll be tough opponents for a lot of teams this year including us tomorrow.

“But we are still confident of getting off to a winning start at the Sportsground. Having a good home record is vital to us so the key thing is to channel all our excitement, effort, fight and desire to win at home into the process of winning the game.”

Connacht line-up v Newport Gwent Dragons

15. Shane Layden
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Darragh Leader
12. Dave McSharry
11. Danie Poolman
10. Jack Carty
9. Ian Porter

1. Denis Buckley
2. Dave Heffernan
3. Nathan White
4. Mick Kearney
5. Quinn Roux
6. John Muldoon ©
7. Jake Heenan
8. Eoin McKeon



Replacements:
16. Sean Henry
17. Finlay Bealham
18. Rodney Ah You
19. George Naoupu
20. Willie Faloon
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Miah Nikora
23. Conor Finn

Unavailable / Injured: Jason Harris-Wright, Tom McCartney, Andrew Browne, Mata Fifita, Bundee Aki, Mils Muliaina, Tiernan O’Halloran, Shane O’Leary, Robbie Henshaw, Matt Healy, John Cooney

Tickets for Connacht v Dragons are selling fast with the Clan Stand already sold out. Remaining tickets are available on tickets.ie, in Centra & SuperValu stores province-wide and from the Connacht Rugby offices at the Sportsground.

Beaten by Swifty
Tried to delete the post, but nothing happened

Connacht team announced for Dragons game
05th September 2014

Head Coach Pat Lam has named his squad for the opening round of the GUINNESS PRO12 against Newport Gwent Dragons at the Sportsground tomorrow, Saturday, KO 5pm.

In making their competitive Connacht debuts in round 1, lock Quinn Roux, scrum half Ian Porter and wing Niyi Adeolokun all start.

Jack Carty has been handed the reins at outhalf for the opening fixture while Shane Layden, from Carrick-on-Shannon, has been named at full back. The 21-year-old Academy back made a substitute appearance against Leinster in October 2011 but has battled with injuries in recent years. The former minor Roscommon footballer has trained with the senior squad all summer to earn his place in tomorrow’s starting line-up.

Up front, John Muldoon will captain from the blindside in a back row with fellow Galway man Eoin McKeon and New Zealander Jake Heenan, who makes a welcome return following surgery back in February.

From the bench, 21-year-old Academy graduate Conor Finn from Ballinasloe is also in line to earn his first competitive cap.

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

“Selecting the first team to go out was a really tough process. Despite some of the injuries we have, the competitiveness shown by the squad has made it difficult for the coaches but at the end of the day, that’s what we want from the players. The team that is lining out tomorrow is based on the hard work that has been done over the last nine weeks.

“It’s a very young side throughout but having the experience of leaders John Muldoon and Nathan White on the field will be invaluable.

“We have some Connacht debutants with both Ian Porter and Quinn Roux slotting in after a good pre-season. It’s also very pleasing to see young Niyi Adeolokun earning his first ever professional cap. Since he’s come in, he’s ticked every single box. He’s impressed his team mates and coaches with his work ethic and the speed at which he’s adapted to the professional set-up. He deserves this start and it’s very exciting for both him and his family.

“After a long battle with injuries, Shane Layden is back fighting fit and starting at full back tomorrow. His determination and focus to get back to this position is a credit to him.

“Without scrumhalf John Cooney available to us just yet, the IRFU have been very flexible to us in allowing Ireland international Kieran Marmion to take a place on the bench in order to cover number 9.

“We have prepared well but we know Dragons will be no pushover. They have recruited well in the summer and are coming here on the back of a huge win last week against the Northampton Saints, the current Premiership champions who had their full squad out. That shows exactly where they are at and they’ll be tough opponents for a lot of teams this year including us tomorrow.

“But we are still confident of getting off to a winning start at the Sportsground. Having a good home record is vital to us so the key thing is to channel all our excitement, effort, fight and desire to win at home into the process of winning the game.”

Connacht line-up v Newport Gwent Dragons

15. Shane Layden

14. Niyi Adeolokun

13. Darragh Leader

12. Dave McSharry

11. Danie Poolman

10. Jack Carty

9. Ian Porter



1. Denis Buckley

2. Dave Heffernan

3. Nathan White

4. Mick Kearney

5. Quinn Roux

6. John Muldoon ©

7. Jake Heenan

8. Eoin McKeon



Replacements:

16. Sean Henry

17. Finlay Bealham

18. Rodney Ah You

19. George Naoupu

20. Willie Faloon

21. Kieran Marmion

22. Miah Nikora

23. Conor Finn

Unavailable / Injured: Jason Harris-Wright, Tom McCartney, Andrew Browne, Mata Fifita, Bundee Aki, Mils Muliaina, Tiernan O’Halloran, Shane O’Leary, Robbie Henshaw, Matt Healy, John Cooney

Tickets for Connacht v Dragons are selling fast with the Clan Stand already sold out. Remaining tickets are available on tickets.ie, in Centra & SuperValu stores province-wide and from the Connacht Rugby offices at the Sportsground.

Adult tickets start at €20 while it’s €5 for all Juniors (17 years and under).

Remember, for savings of over €100, get your 2014/15 Season Ticket.