Edinburgh vs Connacht Pro14 21st Feb

Edinburgh vs Connacht Rugby
Friday 21st Feb
KO: 1935
Venue BT Murrayfield

Live on Prem sport and Eir Sport (plus a few other places it seems)

Last time out at BTMF, Edinburgh won 17-10.

Edinburgh flying high in conference B sitting top, whilst Connacht currently occupy 4th, however only 8pts off top spot themselves.

Edinburgh were lucky to get a few internationals back for the Scarlets game, however with this game taking place the evening before Scotland play Italy in Rome, there is far less of a chance of getting the same numbers back.

Assuming the team will look something along the lines of:

1. Shoeman
2. Wilemse
3. Nel/Berghan/McCallum*
4. Carmichael
5. Hodgson/South
6. Barclay
7. Crosbie
8. Mata
9. Pyrgos (unless he's retained by Scotland, in which case Groom)
10. Jaco
11. Duhan
12. Scott/Taylor
13. Bennett
14. Sau
15. Hoyland

*I assume one of Nel or Berghan might not be needed, but they may still travel with Scotland, but could maybe do both assuming they won't start against Italy and just be backup. McCallum is also now listed as a LH on the Edinburgh site, but I suspect that might just be a historic thing. However i have no idea who else we could play if Nel & Berghan don't get released for this game. With Ceccarelli away with Italy as well.

Could be a tough game as I don't know how impacted Connacht will be by internationals being away.

This game certainly explains why we brought in lock cover for the rest of the season, particularly given McKenzie's injury.

I could see us losing both Nel and Berghan - one benching and one traveling as emergency reserve. It's not like Scotland have any other options really!

Depending on Scotland selection we could see Haining back with us too.

It's still a pretty experienced team, TH and lock aside, with two players off our best backline so hopefully we can get the win. You're right though that Connacht should be pretty strong.

With a tough double header to SA to come straight after the 6N we really could do with the win!

Aye my hope is that Nel/Berghan is only travelling as emergency reserve, so in theory could play/bench for us on Fri, then jump on a flight right after the game, and hope not to be involved on Sat. But that’s a bit of a long shot.

I assume McCallum will start, and based upon our depth, will have to play the full 80 and hope not to get injured.

EWT Spoons wrote:Aye my hope is that Nel/Berghan is only travelling as emergency reserve, so in theory could play/bench for us on Fri, then jump on a flight right after the game, and hope not to be involved on Sat.  But that’s a bit of a long shot.

I assume McCallum will start, and based upon our depth, will have to play the full 80 and hope not to get injured.

A very long shot!

It's about time McCallum got some gamtime.  Cicarrelli hasn't been selected so far but may be their travelling reserve.

Jack Stanley probably the backup? He's been around the squad a while now but yet to play. He's a huge lump who has been turning out in the Super 6 - no idea how effectively.

McCallum who I don't think has played this season and Stanley who hasn't played at all.

Fear our might Connacht!!

Can we just call uncontested now?

Edinburgh will lovely get toolis back too if GG and skinner are called on for Scotland.

We're assuming GG will be called up with Toolis has been picked instead of him both games!

Weather in Edinburgh today is f**king horrific, and only due to get worse.

Weather in Edinburgh is horric most days of the year!

But I'm getting bloomin fed up with these stroms. Climate change isnt a thing according to Trump! Aye right says me!

tigertattie wrote:Weather in Edinburgh is horric most days of the year!

But I'm getting bloomin fed up with these stroms. Climate change isnt a thing according to Trump! Aye right says me!

Guess it depends on your definition of horrific, as for most of the year I generally find it ok. The last couple of weeks have been biblical in their conditions though.

Aye it's due to last the rest of the week as well. Pain in the arse

Seems to have calmed down a lot.   Might actually be a decent night for the game.

Ooft almost robbed there, great run by Matt Scott (12) but judged to have lost control. Penalty try given instead

Second try, one for the fat lads. Really good accuracy, 13 phases and finished off with a pick and go by Berghan. Sort of like the opposite of watching Scotland play, really

Big moment that, Connacht just spent 5 minutes on the Edinburgh 5m line but get the try right on half time. 20-7

20-14 now, Connacht the better side in the second half so far

Oh dear.

Another one for the fatties, ball at the base of the post by the Shoe 27-14

Duhan just about manages to ground it with a couple of Connacht players all over him for the BP
34-14

Charlie Shiel with 12 minutes to run riot now

Sau with a yellow card for a dodgy tackle, 9 minutes to play

It’s all getting a bit tasty now, been a couple of flare ups in the last few minutes

A yellow card each, Haining for Edinburgh

Penalty try Edinburgh from a scrum, our scrum has gone well today and that’s a good first experience for Dan Winning in the front row!

41-14 full time, very solid win built of a strong forwards performance. Crosby very good performance, the Shoe MoM and I though South showed a lot of promise. Connacht could so easily have fallen away completely when 20 points down but did well to come back but ultimately got caught having to chase things too much and Edinburgh just tightened up and bullied them out the game

Very handy win. Thought the forwards were terrific, and the bench came on the good effect as well. Really clinical.

What were we all worried about when the craggy islanders started fighting back???

Ah well lads, it's looking good for a Luvvies v Rugby Club play off at the Library.
On current form?

Huge win! It's wins like this that show the progress being made under Cockers - being able to get a BP during the 6N.

Big worry to see Matt Scott go off with another HIA.

A real shame about Scott, as he's on storming form. Hope he's ok. On the plus side I think Taylor is terrific and we have Dean as well. Proper options.