Connacht Rugby v Ospreys, 16 May

by **George Carlin** Wed 13 May 2015, 11:57 am

Connacht Rugby v Ospreys
Saturday 16 May 2015
KO: 15:00
The Sportsground, Galway

Live on S4C

Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR, 41st competition game)
Assistant Referees: Andy Brace, Nigel Correll (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Tim Lowry (IRFU )
TMO: Seamus Flannery (IRFU)

Teams

Connacht Rugby
Connacht Rugby v Ospreys, 16 May Peter_10

Connacht Rugby v Ospreys, 16 May Peter_10

15. Tiernan O'Halloran
14. Fionn Carr
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Bundee Aki
11. Matt Healy
10. Jack Carty
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Andrew Browne
5. Aly Muldowney
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. Eoghan Masterson
8. Eoin McKeon

16. Dave Heffernan
17. JP Cooney
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Michael Swift
20. George Naoupu
21. John Cooney
22. Miah Nikora
23. Shane O'Leary

Ospreys
Connacht Rugby v Ospreys, 16 May Richar10

Connacht Rugby v Ospreys, 16 May Richar10

15 Dan Evans
14 Hanno Dirksen
13 Ben John
12 Josh Matavesi
11 Eli Walker
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb

1 Nicky Smith
2 Scott Baldwin
3 Dmitri Arhip
4 Tyler Ardron
5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
6 James King
7 Justin Tipuric
8 Dan Baker

16 Sam Parry
17 Marc Thomas
18 Aaron Jarvis
19 Rory Thornton
20 Dan Lydiate
21 Tom Habberfield
22 Sam Davies
23 Jonathan Spratt

by **George Carlin** Thu 14 May 2015, 12:24 pm

Clearly given the rabid interest in this game, it was well worth creating a match thread.

by SecretFly Thu 14 May 2015, 12:50 pm

So how much will Ospreys win by then? Anyone?

Just to get the thread started then.

I'll say 30 - 17

by **George Carlin** Thu 14 May 2015, 12:57 pm

More importantly than that, how many of our younger posters do not know whom the two gentlemen are in the pictures above?

by SecretFly Thu 14 May 2015, 1:04 pm

It's men again....which maddens me --- but we'll ignore that bit for now mad

...if we can........

mad

stop it Fly....calm down!!!........ Whistle

ah there we go. I'm fine now.

The two in the pics are Ian McKellen playing a Connemaradian horse trader.
The other guy is a very young John Wayne, before he was married to Lassie.

by LordDowlais Thu 14 May 2015, 1:46 pm

I will go for Peter O'Toole and Richard Burton, although SF might be right. I hope I am wrong though, as I want people to think I am still with the hip crowd.

by **George Carlin** Thu 14 May 2015, 2:01 pm

Mr Dowlais is correct. I always use POT as the Connacht team rep as he's from Connemara, Galway.

Richard Burton was a peer of his, hence his inclusion too, although I suspect he originates from outside the Spreys catchment area.

This detail is because I Care.

by LordDowlais Thu 14 May 2015, 2:18 pm

Both brilliant actors George, I do not think I have seen a rubbish film in which they have acted, does it still make me old to say this, or could I still blend in with the hip young groovy crowd ?

by **George Carlin** Thu 14 May 2015, 2:33 pm

I am the same age as you now LD, so I am also unsure of how to pitch myself to the youngfellers out there.

Suffice to say that classic actors are classic actors and if young people don't agree then, well, they're idiots.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Thu 14 May 2015, 3:27 pm

Yer both kids. I remember thinking I was old when I was in my 30s too. 80 is old. 50 is middle aged. under 50 is young. Under 30 is..... Very young.

by Chunky Norwich Thu 14 May 2015, 3:27 pm

Come on Ospreys.

[cold shower]

by Jenifer McLadyboy Thu 14 May 2015, 3:30 pm

Chunky Norwich wrote:Come on Ospreys.

[cold shower]

Spoken like a true one eyed Turk.

Funny that Swansea and Dublin are both known as the Jacks.....

by **rodders** Thu 14 May 2015, 4:25 pm

George Carlin wrote:More importantly than that, how many of our younger posters do not know whom the two gentlemen are in the pictures above?

Ian Beale from Eastenders and don Johnson?

by wayne Thu 14 May 2015, 4:33 pm

George Carlin wrote:Mr Dowlais is correct. I always use POT as the Connacht team rep as he's from Connemara, Galway.

Richard Burton was a peer of his, hence his inclusion too, although I suspect he originates from outside the Spreys catchment area.

This detail is because I Care.

George, Burton is from a small village Pontrhydyfen (sp) a few miles outside of Port Talbot and well inside the borders of Ospreylia.

by **George Carlin** Thu 14 May 2015, 4:51 pm

wayne wrote:
George Carlin wrote:Mr Dowlais is correct. I always use POT as the Connacht team rep as he's from Connemara, Galway.

Richard Burton was a peer of his, hence his inclusion too, although I suspect he originates from outside the Spreys catchment area.

This detail is because I Care.
George, Burton is from a small village Pontrhydyfen (sp) a few miles outside of Port Talbot and well inside the borders of Ospreylia.

by wayne Thu 14 May 2015, 6:44 pm

George Carlin wrote:
wayne wrote:
George Carlin wrote:Mr Dowlais is correct. I always use POT as the Connacht team rep as he's from Connemara, Galway.

Richard Burton was a peer of his, hence his inclusion too, although I suspect he originates from outside the Spreys catchment area.

This detail is because I Care.
George, Burton is from a small village Pontrhydyfen (sp) a few miles outside of Port Talbot and well inside the borders of Ospreylia.

George I just wish that the rest of the moderators acted like you Very Happy

by wayne Thu 14 May 2015, 8:22 pm

I'm hoping for the following team being announced tomorrow, but do not expect it to be
Evans, Hassler, John, Matavesi, Walker, Biggar, Webb, Smith, Baldwin, Arhip, AWJ, Ardron, King, Tipuric, Baker, the way Hassler went off I don't expect him to be selected and with Grabham injured and having recently had an operation Dirksen probably will be on the wing. At least Breadvan will be happy, probably Jarvis will be selected at prop, even though he was better last weekend at scrum time, we really NEED a strong scrum from the off, I know I selected Ardron in the 2nd row I just wished we had selected on the bench Steenkamp a few weeks ago when he was fit. Ardron has been excellent for us in all facets of play, but he is basically a 6-8 not a 4, and finally wouldn't be surprised if Lydiate came back in, he took at least one lineout and carried better than he has in the past.

by Breadvan Fri 15 May 2015, 8:05 am

He's our most explosive back Wayne. I know he butchered a two tries v Zebre by ignoring overlaps but not in the squad for two important games? Harsh by Tandy to keep hm handcuffed to a rusty radiator in a leaky cellar for 3 weeks Laugh

Plus he can cover centre and wing off the bench.
We should be able to beat Connacht with that team imo, our record is quite good in Galway. Push for a bp if needs be...

by Chunky Norwich Fri 15 May 2015, 12:15 pm

Ospreys team

15 Dan Evans

14 Hanno Dirksen

13 Ben John

12 Josh Matavesi

11 Eli Walker

10 Dan Biggar

9 Rhys Webb

1 Nicky Smith

2 Scott Baldwin

3 Dmitri Arhip

4 Tyler Ardron

5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)

6 James King

7 Justin Tipuric

8 Dan Baker

REPLACEMENTS

16 Sam Parry

17 Marc Thomas

18 Aaron Jarvis

19 Rory Thornton

20 Dan Lydiate

21 Tom Habberfield

22 Sam Davies

23 Jonathan Spratt

by VinceWLB Fri 15 May 2015, 5:08 pm

Connacht:

15. Tiernan O'Halloran
14. Fionn Carr
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Bundee Aki
11. Matt Healy
10. Jack Carty
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Andrew Browne
5. Aly Muldowney
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. Eoghan Masterson
8. Eoin McKeon

Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan
17. JP Cooney
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Michael Swift
20. George Naoupu
21. John Cooney
22. Miah Nikora
23. Shane O'Leary

Last game for Connacht's stalwart Michael Swift, great servant he has been.

by wayne Fri 15 May 2015, 7:49 pm

Breadvan wrote:He's our most explosive back Wayne. I know he butchered a two tries v Zebre by ignoring overlaps but not in the squad for two important games? Harsh by Tandy to keep hm handcuffed to a rusty radiator in a leaky cellar for 3 weeks Plus he can cover centre and wing off the bench.
We should be able to beat Connacht with that team imo, our record is quite good in Galway. Push for a bp if needs be...

Breadvan I admire your continued support of Hanno, yet I don't agree he is our most explosive, Hassler in the last year breaks many more tackles than him and Grabham is close to him as well, I don't know if you know his history with us, when he first joined the Ospreys setup, he was put with Swansea to play in the centre, by all accounts he either would not or could not pass to an acceptable level, he was put on the wing when that skill is not so apparent, I think he believes the hype about himself, he would be a much better player if he became more of a team player, that skillset has seen the movement of a very exciting player in the last couple of years from us.
As for tomorrow I'm so pleased Dmitri has been selected ahead of Jarvis, we could still be under pressure but that makes for a far stronger scrum IMO.

by VinceWLB Fri 15 May 2015, 8:42 pm

Wayne, what's the deal with Steenkamp? he is not listed as injured, surely even an half fit 2nd row playing 2nd row would still be a better option than a backrower playing in the engine room?

I think Ospreys should have enough to win this but Connacht shouldn't be underestimated.

by wayne Fri 15 May 2015, 9:08 pm

VinceWLB wrote:Wayne, what's the deal with Steenkamp? he is not listed as injured, surely even an half fit 2nd row playing 2nd row would still be a better option than a backrower playing in the engine room?

I think Ospreys should have enough to win this but Connacht shouldn't be underestimated.

I agree with your second paragraph Vince, we have had to many close games against Connacht to underestimate them, as for your first, I don't know if I said this on here before, but I spoke to Steenkamp in one of our car parks after a game about a month to 6 weeks ago, and I asked him if he was fit and would we see him soon, he said yes to both questions, I put this on our own board and was shown up, as he was given as injured for our next couple of games, yet as you say he is now not down as injured, in our preview videos for the last few matches he can be seen running around and taking a pretty full part, the talk on our board is that we do not want to jeopardise next season and risk that, but yet again we played Hassler last week after being out with a long term injury and he is injured again, I would have had him on the bench a few weeks ago in case of emergencies, even though Ardron has been quite outstanding whenever and wherever he has played for us.

by VinceWLB Fri 15 May 2015, 9:38 pm

Thanks Wayne. This is a very strange situation, maybe the coaches don't feel like dropping Ardron who has indeed been excellent even if that means losing some grunt at scrum time.
It will be a good test for Arhip as Connacht have a very good scrum and Dennis Buckley just made the pro 12 team of the season. Get parity at scrum time and that's half of the battle won, imo.

by wayne Fri 15 May 2015, 10:02 pm

VinceWLB wrote:Thanks Wayne. This is a very strange situation, maybe the coaches don't feel like dropping Ardron who has indeed been excellent even if that means losing some grunt at scrum time.
It will be a good test for Arhip as Connacht have a very good scrum and Dennis Buckley just made the pro 12 team of the season. Get parity at scrum time and that's half of the battle won, imo.

Vince we also have Cavubati on the books until the end of the season and he is a lump, would definitely improve the ballast, Ardron is a good lineout option, very good in the loose and tackles efficiently, the only major attribute missing is bulk, I noticed that with Buckley and with Ah You on the other side they will be a potent force, that is why we would need Dmitri and yes it will be tight IMO for at least 60 minutes.

by Pot Hale Sat 16 May 2015, 3:33 am

Connacht by 5.

Just cos they should if they were worth their salt.

MIGOTS.

by Breadvan Sat 16 May 2015, 3:37 pm

All Ospreys so far. 30 mins in and the Os are up 24-0. Biggar, John & Webb with the tries.

by Breadvan Sat 16 May 2015, 4:46 pm

A great second half by Connacht, along with some daft errors by the Ospreys, the score ends 24-20 to the Os. A bp looked on the cards but if you cannot get into the oppostions 22 for an entire half then you don't deserve one. Away to Munster it is then...

by Marshes Sat 16 May 2015, 4:49 pm

Great response from Connacht, referee very much in Ospreys pocket in the last 10-15 minutes which was a bit disappointing, but Ospreys did enough in the first half, Rhys Webb great game management. Alun Wyn giving a slightly prickly post-game interview, Munster-Ospreys should be a cracker!

by No9 Sat 16 May 2015, 5:27 pm

Marshes wrote:Great response from Connacht, referee very much in Ospreys pocket in the last 10-15 minutes which was a bit disappointing, but Ospreys did enough in the first half, Rhys Webb great game management. Alun Wyn giving a slightly prickly post-game interview, Munster-Ospreys should be a cracker!

What...did you actually watch the game...

Anyway, agree with others, don't deserve a home semi after that rubbish second half performance. Can't see us getting to the finals now... steam

by The Saint Sat 16 May 2015, 6:03 pm

No9 wrote:
Marshes wrote:Great response from Connacht, referee very much in Ospreys pocket in the last 10-15 minutes which was a bit disappointing, but Ospreys did enough in the first half, Rhys Webb great game management. Alun Wyn giving a slightly prickly post-game interview, Munster-Ospreys should be a cracker!

What...did you actually watch the game...

Anyway, agree with others, don't deserve a home semi after that rubbish second half performance. Can't see us getting to the finals now...

If a welsh poster says that about an Irish team, this place erupts.

But yeah, Ospreys rubbish, bar that first half where they were clinically excellent as they have been in some of their games this season. And Dragons are not bottom placed region as Wayne said they would be Wink

.

by wayne Sat 16 May 2015, 7:10 pm

The Saint wrote:
No9 wrote:
Marshes wrote:Great response from Connacht, referee very much in Ospreys pocket in the last 10-15 minutes which was a bit disappointing, but Ospreys did enough in the first half, Rhys Webb great game management. Alun Wyn giving a slightly prickly post-game interview, Munster-Ospreys should be a cracker!

What...did you actually watch the game...

Anyway, agree with others, don't deserve a home semi after that rubbish second half performance. Can't see us getting to the finals now...

If a welsh poster says that about an Irish team, this place erupts.

But yeah, Ospreys rubbish, bar that first half where they were clinically excellent as they have been in some of their games this season. And Dragons are not bottom placed region as Wayne said they would be .

Saint just spent a half hour reading your OP and the rest of the FIRST PAGE, of the Ospreys would be the WORST WELSH region, it took me a half hour when normally it would take about 5 minutes because I couldn't stop laughing at some of the comments not just from you, but also some of the elite on this forum, I hope you'll have the good grace and Luckless Pedestrian also to eat humble pie as you said on page 1, Notch, Scarlet Spiderman and Stone also got it SO WRONG, Magician, Myself and Breadvan were oh so RIGHT.
The truly HONOURABLE thing for you to do is actually go on that TOPIC and update the OP, saying how some of those players are OUTSTANDING, and we are so much better than you and the others I quoted said, but I won't hold my breath.

by dragon4life Sat 16 May 2015, 7:29 pm

Player such as Arhip, N.Smith, Webb, Biggar, Matevasi, Dan Evans, Baldwin, A.W Jones, Baker, King and Hassler have all stepped up a gear and seem to thrive on having the under dogs tag at the start of season and grew with confidence creating a great team ethic making them want to play for each other

by dragon4life Sat 16 May 2015, 7:29 pm

Player such as Arhip, N.Smith, Webb, Biggar, Matevasi, Dan Evans, Baldwin, A.W Jones, Baker, King and Hassler have all stepped up a gear and seem to thrive on having the under dogs tag at the start of season and grew with confidence creating a great team ethic making them want to play for each other

by wayne Sat 16 May 2015, 7:32 pm

Just to add, I have to agree we did not deserve a home semi final with that second half performance, some excellent movement and running angles from a few players today in the first half, what happened second half? It was a pity Dan Evans had his worst game for us this season today, same as somebody else said further up can't see us winning next weekend, even though we won there earlier in the season, the point I made prematch in having Ardron at 4 I believe had a big impact not only because of his weight in the driving mauls, but as it is not his natural position he would not know where to position himself, they steamrollered us on a few occasions and we could quite easily have lost that match.

by glamorganalun Sat 16 May 2015, 7:45 pm

Great season for the Ospreys, they played very well the first half but I suspsect they thought they had the home tie in the bag and took their foot off the peddle but could not recover also not helped by D Evans poor game. I noticed a number of players were not impressed with all three officials.

by glamorganalun Sat 16 May 2015, 7:54 pm

wayne wrote:
The Saint wrote:
No9 wrote:
Marshes wrote:Great response from Connacht, referee very much in Ospreys pocket in the last 10-15 minutes which was a bit disappointing, but Ospreys did enough in the first half, Rhys Webb great game management. Alun Wyn giving a slightly prickly post-game interview, Munster-Ospreys should be a cracker!

What...did you actually watch the game...

Anyway, agree with others, don't deserve a home semi after that rubbish second half performance. Can't see us getting to the finals now...

If a welsh poster says that about an Irish team, this place erupts.

But yeah, Ospreys rubbish, bar that first half where they were clinically excellent as they have been in some of their games this season. And Dragons are not bottom placed region as Wayne said they would be .
Saint just spent a half hour reading your OP and the rest of the FIRST PAGE, of the Ospreys would be the WORST WELSH region, it took me a half hour when normally it would take about 5 minutes because I couldn't stop laughing at some of the comments not just from you, but also some of the elite on this forum, I hope you'll have the good grace and Luckless Pedestrian also to eat humble pie as you said on page 1, Notch, Scarlet Spiderman and Stone also got it SO WRONG, Magician, Myself and Breadvan were oh so RIGHT.
The truly HONOURABLE thing for you to do is actually go on that TOPIC and update the OP, saying how some of those players are OUTSTANDING, and we are so much better than you and the others I quoted said, but I won't hold my breath.

Wishfull thinking by supporters that don't have experience of success in 12 years, well done again Ospreys and Scarlets for qualifying for the HC. I have to admit I did not expect such a good season even if the Ospreys don't go any further, I expected the Blues to be the top Welsh team this season, what do I know.

by The Saint Sun 17 May 2015, 9:09 pm

wayne wrote:
The Saint wrote:
No9 wrote:
Marshes wrote:Great response from Connacht, referee very much in Ospreys pocket in the last 10-15 minutes which was a bit disappointing, but Ospreys did enough in the first half, Rhys Webb great game management. Alun Wyn giving a slightly prickly post-game interview, Munster-Ospreys should be a cracker!

What...did you actually watch the game...

Anyway, agree with others, don't deserve a home semi after that rubbish second half performance. Can't see us getting to the finals now...

If a welsh poster says that about an Irish team, this place erupts.

But yeah, Ospreys rubbish, bar that first half where they were clinically excellent as they have been in some of their games this season. And Dragons are not bottom placed region as Wayne said they would be .
Saint just spent a half hour reading your OP and the rest of the FIRST PAGE, of the Ospreys would be the WORST WELSH region, it took me a half hour when normally it would take about 5 minutes because I couldn't stop laughing at some of the comments not just from you, but also some of the elite on this forum, I hope you'll have the good grace and Luckless Pedestrian also to eat humble pie as you said on page 1, Notch, Scarlet Spiderman and Stone also got it SO WRONG, Magician, Myself and Breadvan were oh so RIGHT.
The truly HONOURABLE thing for you to do is actually go on that TOPIC and update the OP, saying how some of those players are OUTSTANDING, and we are so much better than you and the others I quoted said, but I won't hold my breath.

What am I meant to say exactly? I gave my opinion earlier in the season on how I thought things would pan out. I don't see what rules I broke there? I won't be editing 'outstanding' into the OP because it simply isn't true. You're in need of a reality check I think, so go and read the write-ups of the Northampton games.

by The Saint Sun 17 May 2015, 9:13 pm

glamorganalun wrote:

Wishfull thinking by supporters that don't have experience of success in 12 years, well done again Ospreys and Scarlets for qualifying for the HC. I have to admit I did not expect such a good season even if the Ospreys don't go any further, I expected the Blues to be the top Welsh team this season, what do I know.

Guess we've still got quite some way to go though before we reach the depths of Glamorgan Wanderers. No idea why you're so filled with hate for Dragons and their supporters. I can't imagine waking up so full of hate every day, it must be an awful life to live.

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