Are London Irish still better than Connacht?

by Kingshu Wed Apr 25, 2012 1:57 pm

First topic message reminder :

From the start of professionalism London Irish were a bigger name and better team than the provinces, however,the provinces caught up and got better than LI. However over the last few years LIhave declined and Connacht have improved. So do you think that Connacht have caught up on the Exiles yet?

by beshocked Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:19 pm

Profitius it's not really a fair comparison because Exeter have been a lot more successful than Connacht this season.

Exeter did well in the Amlin and have really exceeded expectations in the AP.

Sticking to the London Irish vs Connacht argument is probably fairer because the form has been similar.

by Golden Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:22 pm

Ozzy3213 wrote:As a London Irish fan this is a very interesting question. The answer I guess could depend on how you define 'better'.

It is fair to say that with the pool of players available to us we have underperformed this season, and I would imagine that a match between us and Connacht would be a close affair on current form.

I have the impression with Connacht that Eric Elwood is building solidly and trying to improve them on and off the field, and is succeeding with small steps being taken all the time. At London Irish this season there has been no improvement and there have been off field issues and question marks raised about Toby Botth's stewardship of the club. Since the return of Brian Smith there is a different atmosphere around the place and I believe that he has already made some astute signings who could do very well for us next season. I am not overly concerned about any of this seasons leavers, as none are palyers who have set the world alight this season and as others have stated we have good youngsters coming through who will benefit from this years experiences.

Off field, I think the London Irish 'brand' is still bigger than Connacht although through a lack of Irish players in recent years means that it may have lost some of it's draw with the exiled community in and around London. I know that this is something that Brian Smith is also looking to address.

I don't think there is any real answer as to who is 'better' of Connacht and London Irish to be honest, but both look to be trying to make improvements to 'better' themselves. Hopefully both will be on an upward curve next season and will have better seasons than they have this.

Thats great news gives us a team to cheer for in the Jeff. Any idea on what the plan is or what players hes targeting?

by **rodders** Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:22 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:
You're comparing apples and oranges there Sam. You can't compare a league game to a one-off, must win HEC game.

Do you seriously believe Exeter are better than Clermont?

It's a pointless comparison.

Nope just an idication of the quality Exeter can manage. Small name but big team performances. It was in reply to the assumption that Exeter would not accomplish the same level of performance in the Rabo as they would in the AP.

All that is is an assumption, and a pretty pointless one imo.

If Exeter can beat the Tigers home and away you could make the assumption that they have the quality to do well in the Rabo, likewise you could assume that Connaght would take quite a few scalps at home if they were in the AP.

We'll never know though.

by **profitius** Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:23 pm

beshocked wrote:Profitius it's not really a fair comparison because Exeter have been a lot more successful than Connacht this season.

Exeter did well in the Amlin and have really exceeded expectations in the AP.

Sticking to the London Irish vs Connacht argument is probably fairer because the form has been similar.

I didn't compare them abaility wise. Thats the point some people are missing.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:24 pm

rodders wrote:
formerly known as Sam wrote:
You're comparing apples and oranges there Sam. You can't compare a league game to a one-off, must win HEC game.

Do you seriously believe Exeter are better than Clermont?

It's a pointless comparison.

Nope just an idication of the quality Exeter can manage. Small name but big team performances. It was in reply to the assumption that Exeter would not accomplish the same level of performance in the Rabo as they would in the AP.

All that is is an assumption, and a pretty pointless one imo.

If Exeter can beat the Tigers home and away you could make the assumption that they have the quality to do well in the Rabo, likewise you could assume that Connaght would take quite a few scalps at home if they were in the AP.

We'll never know though.

Well, not next season anyway, cos when Leinster and Ulster crash out of the Heino semis, Ireland will have just 3 Heino places next year

Run

by **rodders** Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:24 pm

You are bad man asbo.

by Brendan Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:27 pm

To get back on topic LI are definately better and with their style of play would thrive in the Rabo and to be honest would outside the top three but the rest are much of a muchness.

Connacht are improving and would give LI a good run but overall I think that they would be lower as the squad is smaller talent wise.

Also how many Irish will be at LI when bob leaves I think that was the point was LI still the fourth best team. I think LI are as english as any other club in England

by Golden Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:28 pm

I think the point that trying to be made was that Exeter are similar to Connacht in that they are/were a small lower table team and have done really well in growing into a very competitive team which is exactly what Connacht are trying to do. I dont think he meant that Connacht are at the same standard as Exeter.

by **Ozzy3213** Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:29 pm

Golden

I know that he has been actively looking at Irish qualified players. O'Leary has been signed for next season and I believe that there are other Irish players being spoken to. Other than that I do not know what else is in the pipeline or indeed what else could be done in order to raise the 'Irishness' of the club again.

by Golden Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:32 pm

Ozzy3213 wrote:Golden

I know that he has been actively looking at Irish qualified players. O'Leary has been signed for next season and I believe that there are other Irish players being spoken to. Other than that I do not know what else is in the pipeline or indeed what else could be done in order to raise the 'Irishness' of the club again.

Cheers, forgot about O'Leary. Well the academies are producing more players than ever so its inevitable that more players will be seeking opportunities abroad. Would love for their to be a team with 3 or 4 Irish players in their 22.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:32 pm

Golden wrote:I think the point that trying to be made was that Exeter are similar to Connacht in that they are/were a small lower table team and have done really well in growing into a very competitive team which is exactly what Connacht are trying to do. I dont think he meant that Connacht are at the same standard as Exeter.

Oh aye, fair enough, Golden, both small clubs that are growing nicely.

by **profitius** Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:44 pm

Golden wrote:I think the point that trying to be made was that Exeter are similar to Connacht in that they are/were a small lower table team and have done really well in growing into a very competitive team which is exactly what Connacht are trying to do. I dont think he meant that Connacht are at the same standard as Exeter.

+1

Re the lack of Irish players: theres more Irish players around than ever so there should be plenty they could pick up.

by DaveM Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:21 pm

profitius wrote:Didn't Edinburgh beat LI twice in this seasons HEC? Of course Edinburgh put all their eggs in one basket this year and are second last in the Rabo league. Last if you leave out the weak Aironi team.

Gone are the days when teams didn't have to take the Rabo seriously. Nowadays its more competitive than given credit for and thats why Edinburgh are second last.

I don't follow this. Surely the fact Edingburgh have done so well in the HC but have had a shocker in the Rabo (with no consequences) shows that you don't necessarily have to take the Rabo seriously?

LI have had a very poor season, but have some excellent youngsters, a fresh coaching set-up and as I understand it plan to spend up to the full salary cap next season with an increased amount of money going on the playing staff.

In Tony Watson, Jonathan Joseph and Marland Yarde they have three of the most promising backs in English rugby. The backrow options look good. With Geraghty at 10, Shingler at 12 and Homer doing the kicking they should be excellent to watch. If they can find a TH who makes Corbisero look as good for LI as he does for England then they should be much improved.

by Pot Hale Wed Apr 25, 2012 10:17 pm

London Irish have to battle it out week in week out in the Premiership whilst Connacht can rest all their international players during the World Cup and Six Nations and save them for the Heineken Cup which they don't even have to qualify for.

Besides they're a province not a club, and have most of the Ireland Wolfhounds team between themselves and Ulster with a couple of Leinster/Munster players.

London Irish, on the other hand, hardly have even one Irish playing for them.

Hic!

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