PRO12 Play Off 2: Connacht v Glasgow Warriors, 21 May

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Connacht Rugby v Glasgow Warriors
Saturday 21 May 2016
KO: 18:30
The Sportsground, Galway

Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR, 53rd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Nigel Owens (WRU) Stefano Penne (FIR)
Citing Commissioner: Gwyn Bowden (WRU)
TMO: Carlo Damasco (FIR)

Live on Sky Sports/TG4/BBC ALBA and BBC Sport Scotland

A. Head to Head

28 Played 28
8 Wins 17
17 Losses 8
3 Draws 3
508 Points 635

B. Form

7 May 2016
Connacht Rugby 14 - 7 Glasgow Warriors

11 September 2015
Glasgow Warriors 33 - 32 Connacht Rugby

25 April 2015
Connacht Rugby 13 - 31 Glasgow Warriors

26 September 2014
Glasgow Warriors 39 - 21 Connacht Rugby

C. Teams

Connacht Rugby 

T O'Halloran; N Adeolokun, R Henshaw, B Aki, M Healy; AJ MacGinty, K Marmion; R Loughney, T McCartney, F Bealham; U Dillane, A Muldowney; E McKeon, J Heenan, J Muldoon (capt).

Replacements: D Heffernan, JP Cooney, R Ah You, A Browne, S O'Brien, John Cooney, S O'Leary, P Robb

Glasgow Warriors

S Hogg; T Seymour, M Bennett, P Horne, S Lamont; F Russell, H Pyrgos; G Reid, F Brown, Z Fagerson; L Nakarawa, J Gray (capt); R Wilson, S Favaro, J Strauss.

Replacements: P MacArthur, R Grant, D Rae, T Swinson, A Ashe, G Hart, D Weir, T Naiyaravoro

George Carlin wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

Riskysports wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Breaking news: @GlasgowWarriors' Sila Puafisi banned until June 12 and will miss @PRO12rugby run-in after red card

Just actually watched it

Does seem he was looking at the ball  his hands even event down to aim to pick it up


The Irish player also bends down at the same time

Seen a lot worse than than not punished at all

It was probably that Sexton was waving his hands around the place and dived on the ground afterwards that sealed Puafisi's fate.    Shame.

I blame Donald Trump for the whole thing, actually.

I thought current trend in the UK was to blame the EU for any injustices?

And specifically in Scotland anything bad is the fault of the Toooooaaaries/Westminster/Cameron...

I still blame the SNP for everything. Some idiot put sugar in my tea this morning, and I'm convinced John Swinney had something to do with it. 

Trump is a moron, and getting annoyed with him for saying moronic things is akin to getting annoyed with your dog for having four legs. It's the people that vote for him that need to seriously rethink their lives.

Officials are up:

At The Sportsground, 6.30pm Live on Sky Sports/TG4/BBC ALBA and BBC Sport Scotland

Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR, 53rd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Nigel Owens (WRU) Stefano Penne (FIR)
Citing Commissioner: Gwyn Bowden (WRU)
TMO: Carlo Damasco (FIR)

Read more at http://www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/19771.php#LekeUobfu14ZR2D4.99

Mixed views on Mitrea - he isn't consistent. Has some really good games and then a shocker.

I would ordinarily suggest that Owens' style would suit Glasgow better, but Connacht are no slouches in playing a fast paced game.

Mitrea? Is he not the useless ref? Wrong kind of match to be getting Owens to train up a poor ref. This could go to the wire and the ref may be vital

I think Glasgow should be more interested in the weather rather than the officials. I mean, it could have been a lot lot worse had it been someone like Clancy but Mitrea is ok.

Forecast (at the moment) says 20% rain, 11mph wind and a temperature of 14 degrees. Pi$$ing down all day though so will be a wee bit slippy.

So, everyone being fit (excluding those who are definitely crocked) I would say these are all starters

1. Shrek
2. Brown
3. Ragnar The Pretty
4 Jonny
5. Flagball Mais Oui. But I would be tempted to put him at 6
6.
7.
8.
9.Henners
10. Dancer
11. Seymour
12. Horne
13.
14.
15. Hogg

It looks like it will be cold, wet and windy again on Saturday. The Craggy Islanders will use their "rush up screaming and hit them hard, no really hard" defence again. This would suggest that we will look to drive it up the middle and pull defenders in before going wide. This highlights what is probably the only weakness in Rob Harley's game; he doesn't make many yards with ball in hand.
So, plan A
Bluto-Wilson- Favaro
Lots of tackling and psychotic nastiness there. Lots of ball carrying.

plan B
Bluto-Ashe-Fusaro
lots of tackling, carrying and a "proper7"

Plan 9 From Outer Space
Naka at 6- Ashe- Bluto at 7
Big with lots of ball carrying ability, but not a lot of jackalling if the ball spends a lot of time on the ground. This would also allow Peterson to bring added menace to the close encounters.

The other gap is on the wing. I feel Schlong will be in the 23 as he can cover 13/15 . If the ball isn't going wide then do we use a winger bashing it up off first phase? In that case both Schlong and Big T have more to offer than Lee Jones. Albeit Jones is better defensively than either of those Destroyer Class wingers.

You know Favaro 6-Ashe-Bluto 7 doesn't sound too bad either.

There's rumours that Price will start ahead of Pyrgos.

You could argue that Price has earned the start. Certainly the question mark over Henners would be his match-fitness. Toonie has done his best to create a club where there is no "First Team" but rather a squad where everyone is competing for a place in the match 23. Ali price has done everything he can to be the starting 9: I'd certainly put him, just, ahead of Hart. If Henners isn't 100% then we'll cope. We'll have to

I would say Pyrgos should be almost the first name on the team sheet. Price has done well this season, but Henners is clearly no.1. I thought we missed his control last time out.

Price has been good this season and Hart has shown some form of late. If Pyrgos is not ready, save him for the final (should we win)

I want a bigger 2nd row of Gray and Oscar to help counteract Connacht in the scrum but Naka is too good to leave out.

How about Naka playing backrow with Strauss and Favaro. No need for Harley if we expect a lot of possession and want another carrying option. Fusaro and Ashe on the bench. Naka can slide into 2nd in the last 20 when Connacht are tired

Big T on one wing. Crap defensively but on a heavy pitch he opens up channels of attack merely through presence if Russell or Horne use him early on in a strike.

EST wrote:I would say Pyrgos should be almost the first name on the team sheet.  Price has done well this season, but Henners is clearly no.1.  I thought we missed his control last time out.

Not sure if this was just cliche but I can't agree with that. Key players for Glasgow next season are Fraser Brown, Jonny Gray, Bob Harley, Josh Strauss, Finn Russell, Alex Dunbar, Mark Bennett, Tommy Seymour and Stuart Hogg. That's the core of the squad.

I do agree that Pyrgos is the best scrum half in the squad, and should bench for Scotland behind Laidlaw. He's comfortably overtaken the Edinburgh contingent, who as a group were pretty dire last season.

EST wrote:I would say Pyrgos should be almost the first name on the team sheet.  Price has done well this season, but Henners is clearly no.1.  I thought we missed his control last time out.

Having watched the previous game now, with all due respect I cannot believe that anyone would rather have Pyrgos over Price. Russell was too hurried and Price did not help him - in fact, I would say that his inexperience showed through quite badly. If we ever need a cool head at 9, it's going to be this weekend.

Hazel Sapling wrote:

I want a bigger 2nd row of Gray and Oscar to help counteract Connacht in the scrum but Naka is too good to leave out.

How about Naka playing backrow with Strauss and Favaro. No need for Harley if we expect a lot of possession and want another carrying option. Fusaro and Ashe on the bench. Naka can slide into 2nd in the last 20 when Connacht are tired

Big T on one wing. Crap defensively but on a heavy pitch he opens up channels of attack merely through presence if Russell or Horne use him early on in a strike.

Hazel, I'm not sure if I should consult the good Mr Carlin and enquire about copyright infringement. But may I refer you to my post re. Plans A to Plan 9 From Outer Space. If I wanted all my had hard won wisdom to be ignored I'd have become a teacher. Oh wait a minute....

funnyExiledScot wrote:

EST wrote:I would say Pyrgos should be almost the first name on the team sheet.  Price has done well this season, but Henners is clearly no.1.  I thought we missed his control last time out.

Not sure if this was just cliche but I can't agree with that. Key players for Glasgow next season are Fraser Brown, Jonny Gray, Bob Harley, Josh Strauss, Finn Russell, Alex Dunbar, Mark Bennett, Tommy Seymour and Stuart Hogg. That's the core of the squad.

I do agree that Pyrgos is the best scrum half in the squad, and should bench for Scotland behind Laidlaw. He's comfortably overtaken the Edinburgh contingent, who as a group were pretty dire last season.

You wouldn't have Pyrgos as part of the core player group? I think he is of just as much importance to the team as any of the players you mention. My comment about being the first name on the team sheet was in the context of the earlier discussion, about Price potentially starting ahead of him against Connacht. If fit, Pyrgos is clearly the best 9 in the squad, and would be one of the first names I would pencil in.

George Carlin wrote:

EST wrote:I would say Pyrgos should be almost the first name on the team sheet.  Price has done well this season, but Henners is clearly no.1.  I thought we missed his control last time out.

Having watched the previous game now, with all due respect I cannot believe that anyone would rather have Pyrgos over Price. Russell was too hurried and Price did not help him - in fact, I would say that his inexperience showed through quite badly. If we ever need a cool head at 9, it's going to be this weekend.

George..I think we are saying the same thing. Pyrgos starts if fit?

jimbopip wrote:

Hazel Sapling wrote:

I want a bigger 2nd row of Gray and Oscar to help counteract Connacht in the scrum but Naka is too good to leave out.

How about Naka playing backrow with Strauss and Favaro. No need for Harley if we expect a lot of possession and want another carrying option. Fusaro and Ashe on the bench. Naka can slide into 2nd in the last 20 when Connacht are tired

Big T on one wing. Crap defensively but on a heavy pitch he opens up channels of attack merely through presence if Russell or Horne use him early on in a strike.

Hazel, I'm not sure if I should consult the good Mr Carlin and enquire about copyright infringement. But may I refer you to my post re. Plans A to Plan 9 From Outer Space. If I wanted all my had hard won wisdom to be ignored I'd have become a teacher. Oh wait a minute....

The Naka bit is infringement but I changed my 7 to an actual 7........Wilson is the alternative for 7 if you want a monstrous back row with some turnover ability.

The wing should not be a debate. Lamont is a better defender than Big T but if you play Lamont you might as well play Hughes (who is a similar size but better defender). If you want an offensive weapon Big T is scarier than almost any other wing in the Pro 12.

There was a moment I thought about doing history at uni before realising that meant becoming a teacher. After coaching children tennis, I am in favour of corporal punishment

EST wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

EST wrote:I would say Pyrgos should be almost the first name on the team sheet.  Price has done well this season, but Henners is clearly no.1.  I thought we missed his control last time out.

Not sure if this was just cliche but I can't agree with that. Key players for Glasgow next season are Fraser Brown, Jonny Gray, Bob Harley, Josh Strauss, Finn Russell, Alex Dunbar, Mark Bennett, Tommy Seymour and Stuart Hogg. That's the core of the squad.

I do agree that Pyrgos is the best scrum half in the squad, and should bench for Scotland behind Laidlaw. He's comfortably overtaken the Edinburgh contingent, who as a group were pretty dire last season.

You wouldn't have Pyrgos as part of the core player group?  I think he is of just as much importance to the team as any of the players you mention.  My comment about being the first name on the team sheet was in the context of the earlier discussion, about Price potentially starting ahead of him against Connacht.  If fit, Pyrgos is clearly the best 9 in the squad, and would be one of the first names I would pencil in.

I wouldn't. He's the best 9, but in terms of putting together a teamsheet I would rank all the players I listed previously as ahead of him in the pecking order. How can you honestly say Pyrgos is the "first name on the teamsheet" when you have Jonny Gray, Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg?? Pretty sure that Toonie could live with Price starting against Connacht far more easily than he could losing Hogg for Bryce or Murchie, or Jonny Gray for Tiny Tim Swinson.

EST wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

EST wrote:I would say Pyrgos should be almost the first name on the team sheet.  Price has done well this season, but Henners is clearly no.1.  I thought we missed his control last time out.

Having watched the previous game now, with all due respect I cannot believe that anyone would rather have Pyrgos over Price. Russell was too hurried and Price did not help him - in fact, I would say that his inexperience showed through quite badly. If we ever need a cool head at 9, it's going to be this weekend.

George..I think we are saying the same thing.  Pyrgos starts if fit?

Oh my god yes. Even if he isn't. If they can start Dan Carter at 60% fit, then even if Henners can only use his left arm, I would still think about it.

Hazel Sapling wrote:

jimbopip wrote:

Hazel Sapling wrote:

I want a bigger 2nd row of Gray and Oscar to help counteract Connacht in the scrum but Naka is too good to leave out.

How about Naka playing backrow with Strauss and Favaro. No need for Harley if we expect a lot of possession and want another carrying option. Fusaro and Ashe on the bench. Naka can slide into 2nd in the last 20 when Connacht are tired

Big T on one wing. Crap defensively but on a heavy pitch he opens up channels of attack merely through presence if Russell or Horne use him early on in a strike.

Hazel, I'm not sure if I should consult the good Mr Carlin and enquire about copyright infringement. But may I refer you to my post re. Plans A to Plan 9 From Outer Space. If I wanted all my had hard won wisdom to be ignored I'd have become a teacher. Oh wait a minute....

The Naka bit is infringement but I changed my 7 to an actual 7........Wilson is the alternative for 7 if you want a monstrous back row with some turnover ability.

The wing should not be a debate. Lamont is a better defender than Big T but if you play Lamont you might as well play Hughes (who is a similar size but better defender). If you want an offensive weapon Big T is scarier than almost any other wing in the Pro 12.

There was a moment I thought about doing history at uni before realising that meant becoming a teacher. After coaching children tennis, I am in favour of corporal punishment

"C'mere sonny boy. I'm going to show you how effective a good backhand can be." page 1 of my teaching manual.

jimbopip wrote:

Hazel Sapling wrote:

jimbopip wrote:

Hazel Sapling wrote:

I want a bigger 2nd row of Gray and Oscar to help counteract Connacht in the scrum but Naka is too good to leave out.

How about Naka playing backrow with Strauss and Favaro. No need for Harley if we expect a lot of possession and want another carrying option. Fusaro and Ashe on the bench. Naka can slide into 2nd in the last 20 when Connacht are tired

Big T on one wing. Crap defensively but on a heavy pitch he opens up channels of attack merely through presence if Russell or Horne use him early on in a strike.

Hazel, I'm not sure if I should consult the good Mr Carlin and enquire about copyright infringement. But may I refer you to my post re. Plans A to Plan 9 From Outer Space. If I wanted all my had hard won wisdom to be ignored I'd have become a teacher. Oh wait a minute....

The Naka bit is infringement but I changed my 7 to an actual 7........Wilson is the alternative for 7 if you want a monstrous back row with some turnover ability.

The wing should not be a debate. Lamont is a better defender than Big T but if you play Lamont you might as well play Hughes (who is a similar size but better defender). If you want an offensive weapon Big T is scarier than almost any other wing in the Pro 12.

There was a moment I thought about doing history at uni before realising that meant becoming a teacher. After coaching children tennis, I am in favour of corporal punishment

"C'mere sonny boy. I'm going to show you how effective a good backhand can be." page 1 of my teaching manual.

Ah, that old nuggety issue of "physical education".

George Carlin wrote:


Ah, that old nuggety issue of "physical education".

Are we talking "older women" here? Because if so, "nugget" is not really a desirable quality.

jimbopip wrote:

George Carlin wrote:


Ah, that old nuggety issue of "physical education".

Are we talking "older women" here? Because if so, "nugget" is not really a desirable quality.

Very rowdy joint here. Get a bit of manners and behave more like your betters over on the Leinster v Ulster thread.... the crickets are leaving that place out of boredom

I might stir things up a bit by putting up a thread with the title:

"Are any Welsh fans going to watch the Pro12 semis?"

Hmmmm....should I?

We could try,

"Can the Luvvies recommend any good places to celebrate winning the league in their fair city?"

On MItrea -- he has developed well as a ref and I think his style will suit Glasgow - he has no tolerence for messing around at the breakdown. He did make a big blunder a couple of weeks ago with the no arm high tackle that should have been a card. However I am perfectly happy to see him ref this game.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

EST wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

EST wrote:I would say Pyrgos should be almost the first name on the team sheet.  Price has done well this season, but Henners is clearly no.1.  I thought we missed his control last time out.

Not sure if this was just cliche but I can't agree with that. Key players for Glasgow next season are Fraser Brown, Jonny Gray, Bob Harley, Josh Strauss, Finn Russell, Alex Dunbar, Mark Bennett, Tommy Seymour and Stuart Hogg. That's the core of the squad.

I do agree that Pyrgos is the best scrum half in the squad, and should bench for Scotland behind Laidlaw. He's comfortably overtaken the Edinburgh contingent, who as a group were pretty dire last season.

You wouldn't have Pyrgos as part of the core player group?  I think he is of just as much importance to the team as any of the players you mention.  My comment about being the first name on the team sheet was in the context of the earlier discussion, about Price potentially starting ahead of him against Connacht.  If fit, Pyrgos is clearly the best 9 in the squad, and would be one of the first names I would pencil in.

I wouldn't. He's the best 9, but in terms of putting together a teamsheet I would rank all the players I listed previously as ahead of him in the pecking order. How can you honestly say Pyrgos is the "first name on the teamsheet" when you have Jonny Gray, Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg?? Pretty sure that Toonie could live with Price starting against Connacht far more easily than he could losing Hogg for Bryce or Murchie, or Jonny Gray for Tiny Tim Swinson.

Well, first of all, the text you quoted was prefixed by 'should be almost'. A subtle, but important difference. In terms of the way Glasgow play, with lots of decisions and play being directed through the scrum-half, Pyrgos (or whoever players there) is key in dictating their tempo. I think against Connacht, Price struggled to react to their rush defence, in a way a more experienced player might not have done. I am not suggesting that Henners is a better player than Hogg or Gray, but I would certainly put his importance to Glasgow on a similar level, alongside the likes of Dunbar and Russell.

EST wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

EST wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

EST wrote:I would say Pyrgos should be almost the first name on the team sheet.  Price has done well this season, but Henners is clearly no.1.  I thought we missed his control last time out.

Not sure if this was just cliche but I can't agree with that. Key players for Glasgow next season are Fraser Brown, Jonny Gray, Bob Harley, Josh Strauss, Finn Russell, Alex Dunbar, Mark Bennett, Tommy Seymour and Stuart Hogg. That's the core of the squad.

I do agree that Pyrgos is the best scrum half in the squad, and should bench for Scotland behind Laidlaw. He's comfortably overtaken the Edinburgh contingent, who as a group were pretty dire last season.

You wouldn't have Pyrgos as part of the core player group?  I think he is of just as much importance to the team as any of the players you mention.  My comment about being the first name on the team sheet was in the context of the earlier discussion, about Price potentially starting ahead of him against Connacht.  If fit, Pyrgos is clearly the best 9 in the squad, and would be one of the first names I would pencil in.

I wouldn't. He's the best 9, but in terms of putting together a teamsheet I would rank all the players I listed previously as ahead of him in the pecking order. How can you honestly say Pyrgos is the "first name on the teamsheet" when you have Jonny Gray, Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg?? Pretty sure that Toonie could live with Price starting against Connacht far more easily than he could losing Hogg for Bryce or Murchie, or Jonny Gray for Tiny Tim Swinson.

Well, first of all, the text you quoted was prefixed by 'should be almost'.  A subtle, but important difference.  In terms of the way Glasgow play, with lots of decisions and play being directed through the scrum-half, Pyrgos (or whoever players there) is key in dictating their tempo.  I think against Connacht, Price struggled to react to their rush defence, in a way a more experienced player might not have done.  I am not suggesting that Henners is a better player than Hogg or Gray, but I would certainly put his importance to Glasgow on a similar level, alongside the likes of Dunbar and Russell.

I agree. HP will manage the game far better this week if he's given the nod.

The loss last week will have been a good thing for Glasgow. They'll have learned a lot more from that match than the pumpings they gave Treviso/Scarlets.

I hope Russell has been working on his kicking - you'll struggle to win knockout games with a kicker who currently couldn't hit a barn door

Russell needs to get to 80%+ within the 10m line. His kicking out of hand needs work as well. Until he does, he will remain the weakest starting 10 in the home nations (Farrell (yes I know Ford played there but he is not England's best 10), Sexton and Biggar)

Hazel Sapling wrote:Russell needs to get to 80%+ within the 10m line. His kicking out of hand needs work as well. Until he does, he will remain the weakest starting 10 in the home nations (Farrell (yes I know Ford played there but he is not England's best 10), Sexton and Biggar)

I agree. Russell has all the tricks in the book, especially on a dry track. He is as naturally gifted as any of the current home nations starting 10's. Where he needs to get better is his goal kicking and his game management. Last time out against Connacht was a case in point, a howling gale at his back in the second half, and I can't remember him pinning the ball into the corner once.

Russell is a lot like Townsend in that regard. He does the flashy stuff brilliantly, only to let you down by missing a straightforward penalty kick to touch.

Did anyone mention that Dennis Buckley wont be playing for Connacht? That is a huge boost for Glasgow as he has been one of the best scrummaging LH in the league but is also very prominent at the breakdown. How Ireland keep ignoring him baffles me.

Morning gents.
The team should be up at lunchtime, but let's start the ball rolling; here's my prediction,

1. Shrek
2.Fraser
3. Ragnar All three are good carriers and Fraser especially will be needed around the fringes and breakdowns
4. Jonny
5. Oscar It will be physical and we need an extra bit of grunt and ballast
6.Flagball? Mais oui.
7.The Legend That Is Il Pazzo
8. Bluto.
9. Henners. Though I won't be surprised or dismayed to see young Price
10. Dancer Toonie more than anyone will have faith in unpredicatable moments of genuine talent
11. Schlong
12 Furra Linee
13 who will fly this week
14Seymour
15 Hogg

16 Jerry
17 WeePee
18 D'Arcy Rae
19 Wilson
20 Ashe
21 Hart
22 Johnson
23 Big T

I treall think that Duncy might bench this week. If the weather is going to be as we think it is a reliable boot and someone who can kick us down to the right end of the park may be just what we need in the last 20.

Glasgow Team up

Hogg
Seymour
Bennett
Horne
Lamont
Russell
Pyrgos

Reid
Brown
Fagerson
Naka
Gray
Wilson
Favaro
Strauss

MacArthur, Grant, Rae, Swinson, Ashe, Hart, Weir, Big T

Strong team - I would have had Harley over Wilson but pretty much as 1st choice as a Glasgow team could be!

Backs as expected. Additional carrier in Wilson to start.

Surprised to see Grant on the bench. Allan must still be out. Yanny is still a better choice...

Connacht team

15 Tiernan O’Halloran
14 Niyi Adeolokun
13 Robbie Henshaw
12 Bundee Aki
11 Matt Healy
10 AJ MacGinty
9 Kieran Marmion

1 Ronan Loughney
2 Tom McCartney
3 Finlay Bealham
4 Ultan Dillane
5 Aly Muldowney
6 Eoin McKeon
7 Jake Heenan
8 John Muldoon (captain)

Replacements:

16 Dave Heffernan
17 JP Cooney
18 Rodney Ah You
19 Andrew Browne
20 Sean O’Brien
21 John Cooney
22 Shane O’Leary
23 Peter Robb

I think what Toonie has learnt from last time is that we need a bit more heavy ball carrying going forrward especially in the last 20 mins when they clearly were tiring last time out. The weather is not going to be good and this could well become a war of attrition again. Having Ashe coming off the bench to replace any of the backrow if they start to tire is a good tactic. Leone could also move back if Swinson comes on as well. Even without Sila, this looks like a big beefier pack, which i hope will win us the game.

I bet it will be close though!

Hazel Sapling wrote:Backs as expected. Additional carrier in Wilson to start.

Surprised to see Grant on the bench. Allan must still be out. Yanny is still a better choice...

I'd have thought this is very much last chance saloon for Grant, he's had 2 seasons to up his game which has never been the same as it was back in 2013 when he made the Lions tour. I'd be interested to see how he gets on if he comes on, which being a front row forward, I assume he will.

jimbopip wrote:So, everyone being fit (excluding those who are definitely crocked) I would say these are all starters

1. Shrek
2. Brown
3. Ragnar The Pretty
4 Jonny
5. Flagball Mais Oui. But I would be tempted to put him at 6
6.
7.
8.
9.Henners
10. Dancer
11. Seymour
12. Horne
13.
14.
15. Hogg

It looks like it will be cold, wet and windy again on Saturday. The Craggy Islanders will use their "rush up screaming and hit them hard, no really hard" defence again. This would suggest that we will look to drive it up the middle and pull defenders in before going wide. This highlights what is probably the only weakness in Rob Harley's game; he doesn't make many yards with ball in hand.
So,  plan A
Bluto-Wilson- Favaro
Lots of tackling and psychotic nastiness there. Lots of ball carrying.

plan B
Bluto-Ashe-Fusaro
lots of tackling, carrying and a "proper7"

Plan 9 From Outer Space
Naka at 6- Ashe- Bluto at 7
Big  with lots of ball carrying ability, but not a lot of jackalling if the ball spends a lot of time on the ground. This would also allow Peterson to bring added menace to the close encounters.

The other gap is on the wing. I feel Schlong will be in the 23 as he can cover 13/15 . If the ball isn't going wide then do we use a winger bashing it up off first phase? In that case both Schlong and Big T have more to offer than Lee Jones. Albeit Jones is better defensively than either of those Destroyer Class wingers.

You know Favaro 6-Ashe-Bluto 7 doesn't sound too bad either.

So, the Tombola has given us Plan A; Lots of tackling and psychotic nastiness in the back row. Which means I have in effect tuned into Toonies thought processes and picked all fifteen.

We're bound to get stuffed now.

If I was a craggy islander I would be quietly confident. Teams are evenly matched. Connacht by 7 because of home advantage

cakeordeath wrote:If I was a craggy islander I would be quietly confident. Teams are evenly matched. Connacht by 7 because of home advantage

Not sure I would agree with that, on paper Glasgow are the stronger side, with international players with big game experience accross the park and on the bench. The only obvious area where Connacht are stronger would be in the centre and with Bennett and Horne we are hardly weak there, just a lot smaller!

Games are not won on paper though and home advantatge will count. I think this looks like a Glasgow side with a better chance of winning than last week though, but it won't be easy.

Interesting decision not to include Harley, he is usually favoured for the big games and does a huge amount of the grunt work. Wilson's greater ball carrying ability probably swung it for him. I am glad that Big T has been included on the bench, his physicality could be the difference in the later stages.

In terms of predictions, here is a dash of Scottish positivity. I thought Glasgow would win the last game, but Connacht will squeeze home tomorrow.

1) Despite Buckley not playing, Glasgow will be found wanting at scrum time, especially in the latter stages, and will be made to pay for Puafisi's moment of madness. Grant, Rae and McArthur are not a formidable scrummaging unit.

2) Russell, Horne and Bennett are a very skilful trio and are undoubtedly committed in defence, however, the physical disparity between them and the Aki/Henshaw combination will eventually tell. They know what will be coming, but stopping Aki at full flight 5m out proved impossible last time out, and I can't see it being any different this time.

3) Home advantage. It has proved to be so important in the previous semi-finals, and if the weather proves to be as horrible as is predicted, I think the extra 1-2% it gives the home team will be significant.

The above is not to say that Glasgow can't win, they definitely can, but they are going to need to seriously front up. Either way, should be a cracking game.

Was Harley not left out for the run in last season then brought back in for the final?

RDW_Scotland wrote:Was Harley not left out for the run in last season then brought back in for the final?

I think he was left out of the Ulster semi final. Was brought back for the final with Wilson at 7, who played very well that day.

Interestingly the weather forecast is now much better for the saturday with no rain but cool and breezy (a summers day in Galway!)

Has Toonie picked a wet weather team for a dry day now/

Either way, I would prefer a dry track and two teams who fancy playing a bit, could be a cracker!

Gee, there's plenty of ball-carriers in the pack and Horne will operate, as our antipodean cousins would say, as a second five-eight. I don't think it's a wet weather team. However, if they play to their potential they could be a wet dream team.