Connacht V Edinburgh

Scotland international Darryl Marfo will make his long-awaited return from injury as Edinburgh travel to face Connacht in tomorrow night’s crucial Guinness PRO14 encounter (Friday 23 March, kick-off 7.35pm) – live on BBC ALBA.

The inclusion of the loose-head is one of five changes made to the side that defeated Munster at BT Murrayfield last weekend as Edinburgh search for their sixth consecutive league victory.

Scotland star Blair Kinghorn returns to the starting XV following his scoring exploits in the NatWest 6 Nations. The fullback is joined in the back-three by Dougie Fife and Duhan van der Merwe – with the latter grabbing a brace in last weekend’s win.

An unchanged midfield sees Chris Dean and Mark Bennett continue their burgeoning partnership, whilst at half-back, South African stand-off Jaco van der Walt is joined by Nathan Fowles.

Hooker Neil Cochrane packs down in a revamped front row alongside Scotland internationalists Marfo and Simon Berghan, while Grant Gilchrist and Ben Toolis are named at lock.

The industrious trio of Magnus Bradbury, John Hardie and Bill Mata are all named in an unchanged back-row.

Elsewhere, Scotland international Cornell du Preez is named amongst the replacements and if involved the six-times Scotland capped number eight will make his 100th appearance for the club.

On his team selection, Head Coach Richard Cockerill, said: “We’re taking steps in the right direction. We’re working as hard as we can.

“Last week against Munster, I just wanted the boys to go out there and play as well as they could. The effort was just unbelievable, it’s where we want to be.

“We know how tough an opponent Connacht are – especially at home, where conditions aren’t always brilliant. But, we’re going there full of confidence that we can get a positive result.”

Edinburgh team to face Connacht in the Guinness PRO14 at The Sportsground on Friday 23 March (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on BBC ALBA.

15. Blair Kinghorn (59)

14. Dougie Fife (101)
13. Mark Bennett (6)
12. Chris Dean (61)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (12)

10. Jaco van der Walt (12)
9. Nathan Fowles (54)

1. Darryl Marfo (9)
2. Neil Cochrane (70)
3. Simon Berghan (43)
4. Ben Toolis (83)
5. Grant Gilchrist (114) CAPTAIN
6. Magnus Bradbury (47)
7. John Hardie (28)
8. Bill Mata (32)

Replacements: 16. Cameron Fenton (10); 17. Jordan Lay (6); 18. WP Nel (111); 19. Lewis Carmichael (27); 20. Cornell du Preez (99); 21 Sean Kennedy (58); 22. Duncan Weir (29); 23. Phil Burleigh (69)

That's a really strong Edinburgh team, with a powerful pack and danger in the backs (Fowles aside).

Connacht have been a bit hit or miss this season but tend to do well at home - it would be a huge result if we could beat them, especially with the Scarlets away to Munster this round.

Amaingly the forecast isn't for rain and hurricane force winds!

That’s a strong looking Edinburgh team, with some decent options off the bench.

Think this’ll be another tight game with only a score or two in it.

That said a try BP win would be nice.

Connacht: T O'Halloran; N Adeolokun, E Griffin, T Farrell, M Healy; J Carty, C Blade; D Buckley, T McCartney (capt), F Bealham, G Thornbury, Q Roux, E McKeon, J Butler, S O'Brien.

That is a tough looking Connacht side. Edinburgh should be able to go step for step with them in the forwards though.

I really do not like Fowles's game. SHC is a class above him. He needs to kick on and develop.

Connacht without Aki will be interesting in the backs. Can they perform well enough to hold the ball or will they play a more tactical game?

Game will be won in the centres I feel. Edinburgh should have the edge IF fowles can get the ball to the backs with some speed. If he does his standing at the back of the ruck waving his arms and shouting, or worse, his stand with his foot on the ball and stare at it routine then we'll be in for a torrid night.

Why this clown is selected is beyond me. I'm taking it Sam HC is on HIA protocols after last week but in that case just chuck Kennedy on from the off!

tigertattie wrote:Game will be won in the centres I feel. Edinburgh should have the edge IF fowles can get the ball to the backs with some speed.  If he does his standing at the back of the ruck waving his arms and shouting, or worse, his stand with his foot on the ball and stare at it routine then we'll be in for a torrid night.

Why this clown is selected is beyond me. I'm taking it Sam HC is on HIA protocols after last week but in that case just chuck Kennedy on from the off!

If you are looking for more reasons to dislike Fowles apparently (through my super secret sources) every time he passes the ball well (not often) he whispers under his breath "Nice pill Fowlesy". Yup. That's proper loathing you are feeling. The same loathing you get when you big up Glasgow in the off season and then they completely and utterly fail to have an impact in Europe. Again.

Will Hardie actually turn out for the Luvvies?
It appears he is heading to Worcestershire on a short term deal till the end of the season.
Sounds like he can't get out of Luvvietoon fast enough. Or Cockers can't wait to see the back of him.

jimbopip wrote:Will Hardie actually turn out for the Luvvies?
It appears he is heading to Worcestershire on a short term deal till the end of the season.
Sounds like he can't get out of Luvvietoon fast enough. Or Cockers can't wait to see the back of him.

On Columbian Army marching powder ?

Am flying to Ireland tomorrow.
Not got a ticket for the game, but should be a good one.

In fairness not seen much of Connacht this season, did see the Cheetahs game a few weeks ago and thought but unlucky to lose.

Liked the look of Kinghorn in the 6 nations.
Big fan of TOH, hopefully will be on the plane to Australia in the summer.

jimbopip wrote:Will Hardie actually turn out for the Luvvies?
It appears he is heading to Worcestershire on a short term deal till the end of the season.
Sounds like he can't get out of Luvvietoon fast enough. Or Cockers can't wait to see the back of him.

Eh? He's starting and has played the last few games! Or were you questioning whether he will actually play tonight?

Cockerill is no fool - if he's named on the teamsheet he will be playing.

jimbopip wrote:Will Hardie actually turn out for the Luvvies?
It appears he is heading to Worcestershire on a short term deal till the end of the season.
Sounds like he can't get out of Luvvietoon fast enough. Or Cockers can't wait to see the back of him.

I think you are mixing him up with Grayson Hart, who is going to Worcester from Ealing Jim.

Cockers hauled Duncy back from Worcester after one training session, so can't see him letting Hardie go early, Edinburgh still got a lot to play for this season, with Euro cup and Playoffs pending.

westisbest wrote: Big fan of TOH, hopefully will be on the plane to Australia in the summer.

He wont be
Back three players will probably be Kearney, Stockdale, Earls, Conway, Larmour with Gilroy as cover if anyone gets injured
The emergence of Conway and Larmour has killed any prospect of TOH playing international rugby stone dead

Well, the lesson of last weekend is that you have to play rugby against Edinburgh.  If you don't play rugby, you won't win.  So down with the Hamlet cigars for an hour or two you Connacht boys, head butt a few walls on your way to the game to get in the mood and play something called rugby to be in with a chance.

Munster tried to have a night off with their feet up and still win.  Strange bunch of fellas.

SecretFly wrote:Well, the lesson of last weekend is that you have to play rugby against Edinburgh.  If you don't play rugby, you won't win.  So down with the Hamlet cigars for an hour or two you Connacht boys, head butt a few walls on your way to the game to get in the mood and play something called rugby to be in with a chance.

Munster tried to have a night off with their feet up and still win.  Strange bunch of fellas.

A good point - Munster turned up thinking possession and a low risk gameplan, perhaps feeding off our mistakes, would get them the win. Not anymore!

They were awful though - I expect a lot more from Connacht.

Can Edinburgh turn over all 4 Irish teams in a row??

I'm plumping for a score of 18 to 27

Try after 12s!

Has there ever been a quicker try than that. I was not really concentrating for a moment amd missed it!

Beat Hoggy's previous record of 47 secs apparently.

He is going to have to go some to get that record back!

Connacht already looking a lot more busy in attack then Munster

Back to normal Galway weather as well.

RDW_Scotland wrote:That's a really strong Edinburgh team, with a powerful pack and danger in the backs (Fowles aside).

Connacht have been a bit hit or miss this season but tend to do well at home - it would be a huge result if we could beat them, especially with the Scarlets away to Munster this round.

Amaingly the forecast isn't for rain and hurricane force winds!

Shows what I know!

Can't ask for a better start really!

Fowles is bloody awful

Luckily so is Connacht's handling so far!

Just the 2 forward passes for that try!

Could be a high scoring game this

Fowles!!

VDM is some signing for Edinburgh!

Edinburgh with plenty possession but not doing much with it

The Connacht crowd are a moany bunch!

How was that rolling maul not ending up as a pen for Edinburgh ?

LordDowlais wrote:How was that rolling maul not ending up as a pen for Edinburgh ?

Indeed. To be fair it probably wasn't an Edinburgh penalty leading up to it - was just a clash of heads!

Unforced errors costing us just now.

nasty bump that was and the ref did not even ask for any HIA's.

The Edinburgh player was taken off - Connacht player was barely looked at

I seriously need to brush up on my viking.

This game is much better than the Dragons V Cheetahs game though.

Edinburgh ca feel very hard done by in this first half.

Glasgow 40_0 up at half time. A home semi beckons.

jimbopip wrote:Glasgow 40_0 up at half time. A home semi beckons.

Could be a cricket score (not an English cricket score, obviously)

This game was made for chunky Weir to come on and kick us to victory

i just saw that on the tele.

FFS

What can we do about our Italian friends in our league ?

There are far too many crap teams in the Pro14, and they are not all Italian, you would not see this type of scoreline at half time in the French or English league.

Ffs Fowles

When will the Edinburgh wingers learn that they're kicking to the corners after a few phases

RDW_Scotland wrote:Ffs Fowles

I keep saying it. SH is Edinburgh's Achilles heal. That is what they need to be in the market for, is the missing link.

BigGee wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Ffs Fowles

I keep saying it. SH is Edinburgh's Achilles heal. That is what they need to be in the market for, is the missing link.

He must be one of the worst 9s in the league

Come on Edinburgh - finally get possession in their half and mess up the lineout.

Mistakes killing us tonight n

And now kicked out on the full!

Chunky Weir is looking less chunky these days!

He still has no neck.

Duncy is on and immediately kicks a penalty