Challenge Cup 2018/19

Sat Oct 13th 3pm Bordeaux (H)
Sat Oct 20th 3pm Sale (A)
Sat Dec 08th 3pm Perpignan (H)
Fri Dec 14th 8pm Perpignan (A)
Sat Jan 12th 3pm Sale (H)
Bordeaux (A) - round 6 game probably Sat 19th of Jan but TBC for some reason

Makes sense for the last round to be TBC. The TV companies will want to certain games played at times that suit them. They just wont know what those certain games are until after the 4th round realistically

As for the fixtures, considering going to the Sale away game.
The times for the home matches are frustrating. All Saturday afternoons (or early evening)
Whatever the reason, Friday Night matches seem to have been killed off

ConnachtCows wrote: Makes sense for the last round to be TBC. The TV companies will want to certain games played at times that suit them. They just wont know what those certain games are until after the 4th round realistically
Scratch that. I see the Champions Cup fixture dates and times are confirmed. Surprised this game is TBC

As for the fixtures, considering going to the Sale away game.
The times for the home matches are frustrating. All Saturday afternoons (or early evening)
Whatever the reason, Friday Night matches seem to have been killed off

Happy with those kick off times for the home games. As a Dublin based Connacht supporter, that means a day trip up and down without staying the night.

Some of the Round 6 kick off times have already been announced. Our away game against Bordeaux hasn't been announced.

So it's done , we'll be in GALWAY for the 8th of december ...

may be we'll need further assistance for finding hotel or B/B in GALWAY ...

I'll come back !

If I remember correctly from previous years these are just the weekend of the games. Times are confirmed later on
I think it was 3 to 4 weeks last year

Connnnnacht wrote: Sat Oct 13th 3pm Bordeaux (H)
Sat Oct 20th 3pm Sale (A)
Sat Dec 08th 3pm Perpignan (H)
Fri Dec 14th 8pm Perpignan (A)
Sat Jan 12th 3pm Sale (H)
Bordeaux (A) - round 6 game probably Sat 19th of Jan but TBC for some reason

No they’ve set kick off for pretty much every game

10 front-rowers, we only have 6 props.
It will be either the 4 hookers in it or an Eagles prop

pinky wrote: All of the Eagles will presumably be in it. No logical reason to omit anyone. I might even ask them to put me in as a second row.

...and I had you down for a lanky openside.

[Edit: I have no idea why Horvitz isn't in the EPCR squad but we can't register Reece while he's still attached to Waikato: "All such players must, on registration, be fully and properly registered with their club and Union and available to play for the club from that date."]

So, Europe Rounds 1 and 2

Policy : not throw it away but rotation on key players

Unavailable : Thornbury, Heff, McCoy
Rested for Ireland : Aki, Roux, Marmion

Rested because they will play nearly 100% of our Pro14 games : Buckley, TOH, Farrell, Bealham, Healy, Butler, Dillane, Carty

Should absoluted play because they're senior players who could feel hard done by and deserve gametime : Leader, Carey, Scholes, Maksymiw, Gallagher, O'Donnell, Delahunt, Connolly, Robb, SHs

Others : players who have played a bit but still can, and will prove we really care about winning in Europe : Copeland, McCartney, Griffin, Kelleher, Cannon, Fainga'a

Which mean a well-balenced team made of :

1) O'Donnell
2) Delahunt
3) Carey
4) Maksymiw
5) Cannon
6) Gallagher
7) Fainga'a
8 ) Copeland
9) C.McKeon (kicker)
10) Horwitz (if fit, if not Ronaldson)
11) Scholes
12) Robb
13) Griffin
14) Kelleher
15) Leader

16) McCartney
17) McCabe
18) Bealham (if we want to close out the game we shouldn't take risks for sub TH IMO)
19) Claffey
20) Connolly (inject McKeon/Masterson if back fit vs Sale)
21) Mitchell or Kerrins
22) Ronaldson (if Horwitz can't play, then Godwin as 22 -10/12-)
23) De Buitlear

Thoughts?

Looks good for Horwitz!

www.sportsfile.com/id/1584266/