Connacht vs Scarlets - build-up, teams and live match-day thread - TEAMS ANNOUNCED

[Smirnoffpriest]

First topic message reminder :

Connacht Rugby v Scarlets Saturday 15th September 2012, KO 15:00
The Sportsground, Galway
Scarlets 11 wins v Connacht 7 wins

Thought I'd get this thread started a bit earlier to gear up some enthusiasm, I'll add team news when it's announced but would expect something similar to last weeks, at least in the backs and think it could look something like the below - Rees and Timani in to give more grunt and experience, Josh in for the same, but also I'd like him in as he should give away less pens than Edwards and except for his handling showed up quite well against Leinster (I felt he got pinged very unfairly a few times).

Here are the teams - I was very wrong with the Scarlets team I have to say.

Connacht: 15 Gavin Duffy (c), 14 Tiernan O'Halloran, 13 Eoin Griffin, 12 Dave McSharry, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Miah Nikora, 9 Kieran Marmion, 8 Eoin McKeon, 7 Willie Faloon, 6 Andrew Browne, 5 Mike McCarthy, 4 Michael Swift, 3 Nathan White, 2 Ethienne Reynecke, 1 Brett Wilkinson.
Replacements: 16 Adrian Flavin, 17 Dennis Buckley, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 David Gannon, 20 Johnny O'Connor, 21 Dave Moore, 22 Matthew Jarvis, 23 Robbie Henshaw.


Scarlets: 15 Jordan Williams, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies (c), 12 Scott Williams, 11 Nick Reynolds 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Kieran Murphy. 7 Johnathan Edwards, 6 Josh Turnbull, 5 Richard Kelly, 4 Sione Timani, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Phil John.
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Peter Edwards, 18 Deacon Manu, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Rob McCusker, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Aled Thomas, 23 Gareth Maule.


Date: Saturday, September 15
Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Venue: The Sportsground, Galway
Referee: Neil Paterson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Johnny Lacey (Ireland), John Carvill (Ireland)
Television match official: Dermot Moloney (Ireland)
Assessor: Michael Carroll (Ireland)

[Smirnoffpriest]

True - though I did think at the start of the season that Manu would be needed to cover LH if needed - you did indeed call it well! As we've only got Rhodri (who'll miss a lot of the season with Wales), Phil John and Rob Evans, which isn't much at all, while at TH we have Adriaanse, Manu, Edwards and Lee which is much better.

I still think it's a risk resting that many players for a tough visit to the Sportsground

[ScarletSpiderman]

I think if this Adriaanse is any good then it may end up Rhodri + Adriaanse, with Manu and Lee/Evans depending on who is better at the time. Lovely depth for an awkward position for us in the past though.

[Smirnoffpriest]

I think if this Adriaanse is any good then it may end up Rhodri + Adriaanse, with Manu and Lee/Evans depending on who is better at the time. Lovely depth for an awkward position for us in the past though.

Yup it will be if Adriaanse is good (I pray he will be), and could end up giving us a good platform against most sides. I'm still gutted we missed out on Cilliers as with him, Own and Jones we would have had an exciting front row and Cilliers (TH/LH), Manu (TH,LH), Jones (TH, LH) and John (TH, LH) would have given us lots of options.

But as it is, we'll have decent options if Adriaanse isn't as good as Manu, and if he's better than we'll have good options

[Knowsit17]

Looks like Easterby agrees with me, Lee and Murphy both in. Hope both can have a stormer

Not sure the bench is as strong as it should be. Nice to see Ball getting a chance but no Knoyle? Two tightheads and no Rhodri Jones? No Fenby or Sanjay? All names who could potentially rescue Scarlets from a spot of bother if it came to that.

[Kingshu]

Connacht team for Zebre was
G Duffy (capt); T O'Halloran, E Griffin, M Fifita, F Vainikolo; M Nikora, K Marmion; D Buckley, E Reynecke, R Loughney; M Swift, M McCarthy; J Muldoon, J O'Connor, G Naoupu.

Connacht: 15 Gavin Duffy (c), 14 Tiernan O'Halloran, 13 Eoin Griffin, 12 Dave McSharry, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Miah Nikora, 9 Kieran Marmion, 8 Eoin McKeon, 7 Willie Faloon, 6 Andrew Browne, 5 Mike McCarthy, 4 Michael Swift, 3 Nathan White, 2 Ethienne Reynecke, 1 Brett Wilkinson.
Replacements: 16 Adrian Flavin, 17 Dennis Buckley, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 David Gannon, 20 Johnny O'Connor, 21 Dave Moore, 22 Matthew Jarvis, 23 Robbie Henshaw.


There are a few intresting changes
McSharry for Fifita, Griffin/McSharry is the first choice center partnership for Connacht, will be good to see these two together again.

Eoin McKeon for big George, Don't know anything about him guessing George has picked up an injury

7 Willie Faloon and 6 Andrew Browne for Muldoon and J O'Connor, Muldoon, J O'Connor would prob be the first choice, but Faloon is good and could take the 7 spot, intresting to see how he does on first start for Connacht (played for Ulster before and was rated quite highly when in form)

both Props have changed, and I think its the stronger two start against Scarlets.

So from Zebre to Scarlets, Connacht are putting out a stronger team in the front row, maybe slighty weaker in back row (could be just as good), and better at center,

It shows the squad strenghtening going on in Connacht as they could not have changed this much and had 2 competative teams out before, normally if they changed 6 players they would have a seriously weak team out in one game.

So Connacht are aiming for a win with this team I'd say. Will be another tough night in Galway for both teams.

[Seagultaf]

Lets see how the Scarlets do without Earle, he has added a lot of steel to their forward effort in the last two games. They need to keep up the momentum as it looks like their other overseas signings won't be available untill the HC starts.

[Artful_Dodger]

Still no sign of Danie Poolman for Connacht - where is he?

[maestegmafia]

So far looks a good game for Scarlets three tries up already.

North and Williams has two

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/live_scores/8346422.stm

[thebluesmancometh]

no link?

[maestegmafia]

just updates online.. cant find coverage

[munkian]

Scarlets FB has just scored his third of the game , on fire

[Ifandorbut]

I watched the match, first half and I thought it was a different team. Second half they came out 'all guns blazing' scored three tries in tweleve minutes.

Final score Connacht 11 : 24 Scarlets

IAOB

[munkian]

sorry , it was JD2 , bonus point away win to the Turks, impressive stuff , Connacht are a Bugget, just ask the Quins

[maestegmafia]

great start to the season for the boys in red

[Ospreydragon]

latest update on Scarlets fm a few secs ago -- still 11 - 17. 5 mins to go.

[Ospreydragon]

Scarlets fm a bit slow -- graet bonus pt win for Scarlets:

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/8346422.stm?refresh

[maestegmafia]

Brilliant result for scarlets

[Ifandorbut]

I am not one for posting much,(one finger typing ) by the time I have thought about it and posted the thread has usually moved on two pages.

I though even though the Scarlets were going through the phases in the first half, Samson Lee done well for his first start and was not shown up in any way.

IAOB

[munkian]

Connacht are a bugger even .! Ha

[Seagultaf]

How did Priestland play? Wales badly need him back to his best!

[Ifandorbut]

How did Priestland play? Wales badly need him back to his best!

Tactically pretty well. kicking wise.........

Edited to add: kicking out of hand was good...........Goal kicking..............................


IAOB

[Knowsit17]

Another WBP keeps Scarlets top of the table. Three from three, great start to the season.

Anyone see the game? How did the scrum fare? Seems Jordan Williams grabbed his chance with both hands.

[maestegmafia]

for future reference guys Tg4 were showing it. you cant watch their stream outside of Ireland, but someone might stream the game via one of those sites we all know about in the future...

And from the nice people at Rabbo Pro 12 a match report:



Scarlets' North crushes Connacht reistance

Jordan Williams grabbed two tries but it was George North who did all the damage as Scarlets came from behind to seal a 24-11 victory over Connacht and move back to the top of the RaboDirect PRO12.

The 20-year-old Wales star was at his destructive best in the second half as the Scarlets, trailing 8-0 at half-time, ignored a blustering headwind to roar back and seal an impressive victory.
Behind by six points in the closing stages, Connacht refused to settle for a losing bonus point and, roared on by the home crowd, pushed for the converted try they needed, but their hopes were dashed when Jonathan Davies intercepted in the final minute and streaked clear.

After a scrappy start by both sides at a windswept Sportsground, it was Connacht who drew first blood - out-half Miah Nikora slotting home his first penalty of the afternoon on ten minutes, seven minutes after Rhys Priestland missed his first effort for the Scarlets.

That boosted the home side who embarked on a fine running move that swept from left to right and Connacht captain Gavin Duffy looked well-placed to grab the first try of the match, but wing Tiernan O'Halloran did him no favours with a wayward pass.

The Scarlets, league leaders going into round two of this season's RaboDirect PRO12, responded in feisty fashion and Nick Reynolds was making headway down the left after a burst from North which caused panic in the Connacht defence but the winger could not force his way through.

On the half hour mark, Scarlets flanker Josh Turnbull made a powerful burst through the middle but Connacht's Andrew Browne made a try-saving tackle to maintain the hosts' slender lead.

And as half-time approached, Connacht found themselves with possession in the opponent's half and they made it pay despite needing two attempts to score the try.

Some fine hands from Connacht's big forwards appeared to have put Eoin Griffin in on the left-hand side but the Scarlets held the centre just short but from the resulting scrum the ball was spread back over to the right, allowing Griffin to dot down in the corner.

Nikora's conversion attempt dropped short however, leaving Connacht to take an 8-0 lead into the half-time interval.
After the break the Scarlets came out firing and it was unsurprising that North was at the fore.

The Wales international powerhouse made all the running before finding 18-year-old full-back Williams who crossed the whitewash for his first RaboDirect PRO12 try before Priestland converted to trim Connacht's lead to just one.

On 47 minutes, Priestland missed a good chance to give Scarlets the lead but he also struggled with the wind and he pushed his effort wide despite having plenty of distance.

But the wave of Scarlets pressure was to tell just two minutes later - North steamrollering his way down the right wing to grab his fourth try of the RaboDirect PRO12 season. Priestland was wayward with the conversion again however.

Connacht were shell-shocked and the Scarlets threatened streak clear when the slippery Williams jinked his way over for his second try of the match on 52 minutes but the wind was playing havoc for Priestland.

He failed to add the extras and after weathering the storm, Kiwi Nikora finally scored Connacht's first points of the half on 62 minutes to take them to within a score of Scarlets, 17-11 down.

It looked a case of how many Scarlets would rack up but some stoic Connacht defence, and a few knock-ons when the visitors were well placed, they failed to add to their total.

And in the closing stages, the hosts threatened to steal an unlikely victory - a forward pass denying flying winger Fetu'u Vainikolo the chance to open his legs - but Scarlets had the final say as Davies eased over and Willams converted.

[Smirnoffpriest]

thanks for that Maes - good round up.

Great result for the Scarlets, don't know the last time we scored 4 tries against Connacht away, and they have improved huge amounts these last few seasons, so makes it even more impressive.

Am very pleased for Jordan Williams (how many more great FBs will we uncover!), and sounds like Lee has a good game, so my humble apologies to Morg, Scarlet Spiderman and Knowsit for doubting you!

[Smirnoffpriest]

Seen the highlights of the tries, some monstorous runs from North, and great jig from Jordan for one of his try

[Knowsit17]

All is forgiven Smirnoff, you're entitled to your opinion and I could have easily been wrong about Lee. Still not sure whether I was or not, haven't seen the highlights yet.

Speaking of which, where did you catch them?

[2ndtimeround]

Not seen any highlights but live streaming on vipboxsports was decent.

[tatterd]

WOW who's this Jordan Williams guy??? What a step - see ya!! Left the defender on his arse!

[Morgannwg]

I knew Lee could do it. I don't think Danny Wilson is daft, he knows what these guys are capable of. Rob Evans and Dan Thomas will probably be making head way in the next few months too. Fairplay to the Scarlets, they're winning games, playing good rugby and sticking to the idea of 'Regionalism'. They're the glimmer of hope for Welsh Rugby when we need it!

[Smirnoffpriest]

Knowsit - I saw the tries on S4C before the Blues/Dragons game (Clwb Rygbi I think it's called), but it wasn't much except for the tries and some of the pens.

I've been excited by Jordan for a while waiting for him to get a chance - I really hope I see him at a home game next time.

Morg - I'm looking forward to Dan Thomas really making a claim for the 7 shirt this season, so we don't have to rely on Edwards (though we do have Shingler).

[Morgannwg]

Yeah, I think more of a fetcher type (like Thomas) will add some back-row balance. Jedwards and Turnbull aren't too good in that department. Is Jordan still U20 eligible? The Wales U20 team could do with some good players now a number of them are too old. And does Adriaanse arrive in time to play a game before the Heineken Cup?

[Smirnoffpriest]

I'm not sure about if Adriaanse arrives before the HEC, I think he arrives in October but whether at the start or not I don't know. Vallejos arrives after the the rugby championship.

[ScarletSpiderman]

I only caught the second half, but was told we had laid downt he foundations for the win in the first with tiring Connacht out. To be honest from what I saw it only ever looked like it was going one way (a bit like the leinster match at PYS).

[Smirnoffpriest]

Yeah from the highlights I saw we seemed to be quite close to scoring in the 1st and early 2nd half before we did. We're playing well, except for Priestland's kicking, but that should hopefully come in the next few games - Connacht is never an easy place to kick.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Priest - all bar the attempts at goal, preistland was good. I think Jordan missed a shot at goal too, and there was a bit of a typical Connacht wind there too, which caused some howleres (from bothsides) from hand.

[Smirnoffpriest]

I didn't see much of the Connacht game - does anyone know anywhere you can watch it now? (I think the copyright on live games expires after a few days, so people are allowed to stream games)

But this season Priestlands tactical kicking has been pretty good, and some of his goal kicks have only just missed - it's just his goal kicking that needs to be improved though.

[jeff stones dad]

Apparently Neil Jenkins has been giving him some one to one!

[Smirnoffpriest]

I'm sure he'll improve his kicking but the rest of his game is pretty good - be interesting to see how he does against the Ospreys. It's crazy to think how much strength in depth we've developed in the backs from scratch in just 3-4 years

[Sponsored content]