Harlequins v Connacht and maybe a new record in sight?

First topic message reminder :

Thought i'd create a thread for the first HC match of the season. Will get the team sheets up when they come out and hopefully get some chat and banter going about the match and the up coming tournament.

If there's any Connacht fans out there would be great to hear a bit about your team as I know very little about them.

As a point to note as well, if Harlequins do win this game then they'll set a new English club record for the longest winning streak at the start of a season.

Quins Team:
15 FB Mike Brown
14 W Seb Stegmann
13 C George Lowe
12 C Jordan Turner-Hall
11 W Sam Smith
10 FH Nick Evans
9 SH Karl Dickson
1 P Joe Marler
2 H Chris Brooker
3 P James Johnston
4 L Ollie Kohn
5 L George Robson
6 F Maurie Fa'asavalu
7 F Chris Robshaw
8 N8 Nick Easter

Connacht:
15 FB Gavin Duffy
14 W Brian Tuohy
13 C Eoin Griffin
12 C David McSharry
11 W Tiernan O'Halloran
10 FH Miah Nikora
9 SH Paul O'Donohoe
1 P Brett Wilkinson
2 H Adrian Flavin
3 P Rodney Ah You
4 L Michael Swift
5 L Mike McCarthy
6 F John Muldoon
7 F Ray Ofisa Treviranus
8 N8 George Naoupu

Go on my son....

What a pass!

Fair play to them, Connacht have dominated the 2nd half so far and they get their just rewards.

19-17.

58 mins gone.

Griffin with an extra few pounds looks a serious player. As long as they kick on. mcSharry doing very well for only his 2nd start. O'Halloran looks good too. Gets involved plenty

I would also add i think brett wilkinson has been epic tonight

Come on!!!!

WTF are Quins up to? They've not played at all in this second half.

Bet that felt good against the old team

Cumbrian wrote:WTF are Quins up to? They've not played at all in this second half.

Because the team playing them is playing better than them...hope they dont resort to dodgy tactics or anything

Cumbrian wrote:WTF are Quins up to? They've not played at all in this second half.

Lying on the wrong side. Frequently.

Fair play.

greybeard wrote:

Cumbrian wrote:WTF are Quins up to? They've not played at all in this second half.

Lying on the wrong side. Frequently.

Not according to a previous poster...it was all connacht who were being dashed unsporting...you wouldnt think the quins would do something so dastardly.

Lucky escape, Quins. Connachts young guns are lively.

DOD wrote:

greybeard wrote:

Cumbrian wrote:WTF are Quins up to? They've not played at all in this second half.

Lying on the wrong side. Frequently.

Not according to a previous poster...it was all connacht who were being dashed unsporting...you wouldnt think the quins would do something so dastardly.

Get a life.

That winger should be dropped for that. Excellent stuff from big Mike McCarthy but that was the wingers ball all day long

Are Quins top of the premiership....seriously?

It's unusual too, he's a really good finisher generally.

Not seen much of them before tonight, but I've been really impressed with the spirit connacht have shown, they really played for each other.

I hope Quins havent paid off the ref...I presume they wouldnt try tactics like that....its would be as weird as pretending someone was bleeding to get a sub on...

Nearly, nearly a great score from Quins, Marler's been great in the loose tonight.

Dod - why are you still harping on about that?


This sounds like it's been a really great performance by Connacht so far. So absolutely chuffed for them, they always play with so much heart, I'd love for them to get a result here.

Not with that ref...

Whats happening folks? How long is on the clock?

Come on Connacht!

It would be completely unjust if Nick Evans denies Connacht the BP here, they've played their hearts out.

I cant believe Nick Easter actually played for England...

Tell me about it.

I'll admit I was wrong, though Quins would run away with it, fair play to the lads in Purple, they've gained a new admirer!

Good scare for Quins, hopefully they'll learn from it!

Smart stuff ftom Connacht - came out with all the dirty cynical tricks in the first half, then cleaned up (a bit) in the second half when the TMO will have told the ref what he missed.

It's going to be a test of the Citing officer to see what he comes up with.

It's a shame for me that such a sublime player as Eric Ewood is capable of such cynical coaching.

As eighty mins ticked over Quins were all off their feet at a ruck on halfway, but nothing given. An lbp would have been deserved.

Dubbelyew L Overate wrote:Smart stuff ftom Connacht - came out with all the dirty cynical tricks in the first half, then cleaned up (a bit) in the second half when the TMO will have told the ref what he missed.

It's going to be a test of the Citing officer to see what he comes up with.

It's a shame for me that such a sublime player as Eric Ewood is capable of such cynical coaching.

well I suppose the excuses have to start somewhere.

The Aviva Premiership must be a joke if Quins sit at the top unbeaten,the Pro 12 is truly the best league outside the Super15.

viewtothegym wrote:The Aviva Premiership must be a joke if Quins sit at the top unbeaten,the Pro 12 is truly the best league outside the Super15.

I wondered when you'd chip in, been a slow day? Not happy to just enjoy a Blues win?

greybeard wrote:As eighty mins ticked over Quins were all off their feet at a ruck on halfway, but nothing given. An lbp would have been deserved.

Agreed.

DOD wrote:Are Quins top of the premiership....seriously?

Haha I see your point. Bring back the old days of the Celtic League versus Premiership debates!

Gutted Connacht didn't get at least a LBP. Seems Quins and their fans underestimated them whilst the Welsh, Irish and Scottish contingent on this board were telling you how much of an improved team they are.

Yep happy for the Blues although im not a supporter and even Dan Parks played well

As for "chirping up" well it has to be said the Aviva looks weaker year by year as proven tonight

I like Quins. Been to the stoop for Munster and Connacht matches and always had a great time. I think they were unlucky with blood gate, because they got caught and many teams elsewhere breathed a sigh of relief that they didn't get caught first.

Tonight they were better, and they deserved the win, but connacht fans can be proud. Other teams won't get that close. Duffy was a quin and he'll have been made up to have scored.

Carr and Hagan miss out on the HEC this week, they have some catching up to do.

viewtothegym wrote:Yep happy for the Blues although im not a supporter and even Dan Parks played well

As for "chirping up" well it has to be said the Aviva looks weaker year by year as proven tonight

Sorry, I must imagined the fact that there was a team from the Aviva in the final last year and that Quins won the Amlin Cup. No you're right, one game prove the Aviva is turd.

I like Quins. Been to the stoop for Munster and Connacht matches and always had a great time. I think they were unlucky with blood gate, because they got caught and many teams elsewhere breathed a sigh of relief that they didn't get caught first.

That has to be the most prepostorous statement ever...maybe you can give an example of teams that have attempted to fake a blood injury...

Also I would expect Duffy to be gutted he lost...

viewtothegym wrote:The Aviva Premiership must be a joke if Quins sit at the top unbeaten,the Pro 12 is truly the best league outside the Super15.

+1

DOD wrote:I like Quins. Been to the stoop for Munster and Connacht matches and always had a great time. I think they were unlucky with blood gate, because they got caught and many teams elsewhere breathed a sigh of relief that they didn't get caught first.

That has to be the most prepostorous statement ever...maybe you can give an example of teams that have attempted to fake a blood injury...

Also I would expect Duffy to be gutted he lost...

I didn't read the other post before I read yours, since you didn't put anything quotes you look a bit mental... Seems quite apt actually.

DOD wrote:I like Quins. Been to the stoop for Munster and Connacht matches and always had a great time. I think they were unlucky with blood gate, because they got caught and many teams elsewhere breathed a sigh of relief that they didn't get caught first.

That has to be the most prepostorous statement ever...maybe you can give an example of teams that have attempted to fake a blood injury...

Also I would expect Duffy to be gutted he lost...

There were plenty of reports when it happened that Quins weren't alone. It's a shame their fans, who I have always been welcomed and well treated by, had to suffer as a result.

DOD, teams have faked injuries to players for years on a purely tactical basis, anyone with half a rugby brain knows that.

Obviously you're excused.

Connacht cant be too disappointed with that result, a losing bonus point at the home of the Aviva Premierships top club. Considering Connacht are ninth in the Rabo and have only won three games this season they did well.

They have improved season by season and must be kicking themselves they couldn't do better tonight.

Lets hope they continue good form. Great for Irish rugby.

greybeard wrote:

DOD wrote:I like Quins. Been to the stoop for Munster and Connacht matches and always had a great time. I think they were unlucky with blood gate, because they got caught and many teams elsewhere breathed a sigh of relief that they didn't get caught first.

That has to be the most prepostorous statement ever...maybe you can give an example of teams that have attempted to fake a blood injury...

Also I would expect Duffy to be gutted he lost...

There were plenty of reports when it happened that Quins weren't alone. It's a shame their fans, who I have always been welcomed and well treated by, had to suffer as a result.

Well as you say yourself this thread could get hijacked by pointless commentary on something not related...however...which clubs and when? I think you are being naive at worst and possibly biased at best. Quins cheated in a way that is beyond the whole history of rugby. No one is having a go at the fans but Quins should have been banned from HC competition...

PJ - maybe teams you support...

maestegmafia wrote:Connacht cant be too disappointed with that result, a losing bonus point at the home of the Aviva Premierships top club. Considering Connacht are ninth in the Rabo and have only won three games this season they did well.

They have improved season by season and must be kicking themselves they couldn't do better tonight.

Lets hope they continue good form. Great for Irish rugby.

But they didn't get the LBP.

NOC's missed penalty was costly in the end.

greybeard wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Connacht cant be too disappointed with that result, a losing bonus point at the home of the Aviva Premierships top club. Considering Connacht are ninth in the Rabo and have only won three games this season they did well.

They have improved season by season and must be kicking themselves they couldn't do better tonight.

Lets hope they continue good form. Great for Irish rugby.

But they didn't get the LBP.

NOC's missed penalty was costly in the end.

Is that none Oirish (c)ualified players?

Ah, he's a funny boy!

Only messing with you marra,

maestegmafia wrote:Connacht cant be too disappointed with that result, a losing bonus point at the home of the Aviva Premierships top club. Considering Connacht are ninth in the Rabo and have only won three games this season they did well.

They didn't get the LBP. Sadly. But it is a good sign for Ireland rugby to see such an under-resourced team punch above their weight. They will get their backing from the IRFU eventually.

DOD, ALL teams have done it and they ALL still do it, if a player gets subbed at half-time it's always a "tactical" substitution.

Ever wondered why?

PJHolybloke wrote:DOD, ALL teams have done it and they ALL still do it, if a player gets subbed at half-time it's always a "tactical" substitution.
Ever wondered why?

Mate, his chipolata gets bigger with every person he draws an argument from, I wouldn't bother.