Connacht v Harlequins, Discussions, Banter and teams.

First topic message reminder :

The final match of pool 6 see's Irish newboys Connacht host English pace setters Harlequins at the Sportsground.

If Quins win this game then with a little luck they could get one of the runner up spots with a haul of 20 points. If they getting a winning bp then that's almost assured, although the men in quarters will have a little bit of hope riding on their fellow Englishmen of Gloucest that they can get one over heavy weights Toulouse and so potentially gift Quins the top spot in the pool.

Of course this is all assuming they get that win in Galway; Connacht have been tough opposition so far in this comp and don't let the lack of W's fool you, they've scared both the English clubs in their pool for long periods. Gloucester and Quins both had to come back from behind at home to them to manage wins in bitterly contested games Gloucester only managing to get ahead on the 74th minute. So even if the Irish team does lose on Fri I think they can be pleased with their showing in Europe this season.

Anyway on to my prediction, I can see this game being again very close and contested mostly through the physicality of the packs in what I assume will be mucky conditions. But with Harlequins extra experience in this comp and their place in the knock outs at stake I expect Robshaw and Evans to steer them to victory.

I'm going for Quins by 10 no try bp.

Connacht must be nearly out on their feet but after another attack, Quins are pinged for holding on in the tackle.

Connacht have had no territory in Quins half so far.

But they are now. Even if it's wasted as a knock on occurs. Advantage played and ball comes out to Evans who kicks and cruelly turns Connacht back 60m with a brilliant kick to the corner.

Quins attack again with cap'n Robshaw leading the charge. Connacht infringe with Muldoon caught offside. Quins must take the kick surely.

Yep. Same position as O'connor's missed kick. No mistake by Nick and they trail by 1 point.

Toulouse get another try with Manvatou and it's all square In Kingsholm 24-24.

Toulouse back on top of the pool.

great kick, in quins half now!

oh dear...

Connacht get another 30 seconds in the Quins half before Care kicks it downfield again to the halfway for a line out. Subs coming up and Quins have the better bench.

Connacht penalised for slow line out. Evans lards it downfield for the free kick. And o'Halloran mucks it up and gives the throw in to Quins on his 22

For Fsake how many resets/pens is he going to let Connacht get away with before carding them!!

lucky much?

That's a kick "the best outhalf in the world" should be getting. Mon Connacht!

unreal response

Connacht likely to get. Loopy now and a yellow card might appear for a man in green. Nige warning them.

Scrum to Quins midway in 22. Great drive and Connacht penalised.

Kick for posts?

You betcha. Nick takes the tee. And he knocks it over the try line. But wide of the posts. Oh dearie me!

Conor O'Shea not a happy camper.

Connacht are buoyed and come straight back. And win a penalty. In their half. O'Connor gets a good touch.

Gloucester get a penalty and take the lead with three points 27-24.

Quins mess the line out and win the ball and knock on. Scrum Connacht.

They win ball back and O'Donoghue gets tackled and loses it.

Amazingly in Kingsholm, Gloucester's Johnny May touches down to make it 34-24 and no bonus point for Toulouse.

Buttheystill lead the pool. Can Quins do it?

BELIEVE!

Lambert comes on for Marler.

8 minutes to go and they need one score to win the pool As It Stands.

Scrum to Connacht in the Quins half. Lots of resets. Nigel getting impatient with Connacht.

Quins win it and get a penalty. Nigel not happy with Connacht. Evans kicks to the 22. Time to set it up.

this is mental

Yet another warning
How many last warnings do they get nige before you have the balls to act

Gray throws in and they take and drive 10 metres.

But Connacht take them into the tussle and win a penalty. Crowd goes wild.

And it's finished in Kingsholm. Don't know why but Toulouse have lost by ten points.

All to do now for Quins.

up the jumper with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How much on the clock?

5 minutes to go.

Connacht look like they've lost the ball but Nige blows up and win another penalty. The crowd goes even more mental.

Toulouse on 18 points are still leading pool. 4.5 mins to go.

Connacht win their line out and another roar. Pick and goes. 3 minutes.

3mins

Flip it yet another home desicion by nige, ball goes forward both on the floor ping quins.

Now i normaly rate Nigel owens as one of the best in the world, but today he's been hopeless and so onesided it embarrassing

This is bloody unbelievable.

The Sportsground is rocking. Care runs and is tackled.

Quins keep it going. 10 metres inside Connacht half. 90 secs to go.

knock on!!!!!

Evans for the drop goal. They're on 9th phase and Quins keep going,

11 phases. 12 phases, Quins stupidly decide to run in the backs. 15 secs to go. And Quins knock it forward. Scrum Connacht.

This is the big one. Connacht need to hold up here.

penalty to Connacht, 10secs left

And the crowd roars out the fields of Athenry.

Time is now up. Scrum reset.

oh balls lost the scrum

I can't watch!

Ball squirts out. And Quins have it. Last play roars Nige.

Evans screaming to get them in range.

They move inwards. They're getting closer. 7 phases.

Connacht knock them back, ball is unplayable. Nige blows up and Connacht have won!

Fantastic result.

Love to see the tackle stats for this.
Well done Connacht!

Yes yes yes yes yes

Waheyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ulster through now aswell. Great stuff.

Hahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

COME ON! Massive result for Connacht, so happy for them! Also helps us Ulster boys out! Brilliant!

F***ing delighted for Connacht, unbelievable win for them.

Well won Connaught. Couldn't actually watch the game but clearly sounds like we didn't deserve it at all

Yaaasss!!! Go on you westies!!! Brilliant defence and sheer effort! That was a game of rugby!

Knackeredknees wrote:Flip it yet another home desicion by nige, ball goes forward both on the floor ping quins.

Now i normaly rate Nigel owens as one of the best in the world, but today he's been hopeless and so onesided it embarrassing

Bollix....

Connacht - 156/3 - Tackles made/missed!

And thank you Gloucester for at least keeping my hopes up

Wouldn't have said that Chequered. Connacht produced possibly the best defensive performance I have ever seen.

Knackeredknees wrote:Flip it yet another home desicion by nige, ball goes forward both on the floor ping quins.

Now i normaly rate Nigel owens as one of the best in the world, but today he's been hopeless and so onesided it embarrassing

Bollix....

Connacht have just qualified Ulster with that result.

Great performance by the Irish provinces this year.

Thanks Connacht from a huge Ulster fan....hat off te ya!

Well Played Connacht, deserved the win for the guts and heart showed in the tackle.
However i think at anyother venue or ref and it may have been a lot different, but for now i think they all deserve a large

Draigoch wrote:Connacht - 156/3 - Tackles made/missed!

That's how you win a game... Wow!

Draigoch wrote:Connacht - 156/3 - Tackles made/missed!

Wow! Unreal

Yeah the Sportsground has always been known for a place where refs get influenced.