Connacht v Glasgow Warriors Saturday 1st Sept

by **BigGee** Tue 28 Aug 2018, 9:16 am

Connacht v Glasgow Warriors
The Sports Ground
Galway

KO 15.00
Saturday 1st sept

Glasgow warriors return to the west coast of Ireland for their season opener for the third year in a row, having won the past two times very comfortably.

I am not exactly sure where Connacht are at just now, with a new coach, but will no doubt have something to prove, even without their formidable captain John Muldoon, who has finally retired and moved into coaching.

Glasgow have had two pre season games, when the dished out a hammering to Quins and then got one themselves at the hands of the Saints. A lot of the Scottish international players who were involved in the summer tour have still not made an appearance and we will no doubt see some of them start to feed back into the squad in this game and over the subsequent weeks.

This will be seen as a winnable game for Glasgow, but it is never easy in Galway, especially if the elements play there part.

The teams at the moment are just going to be guess work!

by **George Carlin** Wed 29 Aug 2018, 6:39 am

I am nervous about this. Connacht have already beaten Brive, Wasps and Bristol in the pre-season and all of their players have game time

by jimbopip Wed 29 Aug 2018, 10:40 am

I must admit to complete and utter ignorance of the state of the Craggy Islanders this season. Perhaps one or two of the parishioners might enlighten me?

The Once And Future Champions however, Erm

I'd like to see;

Kebble-Brown-Zander worryingly neither Allan nor Rae seem able to make the step up and claim a first team jersey consistently and they have both been at the club for a while now: last chance season?

Gray-Peterson in the absence of Naughty Boy and Swinson Peterson has a chance to earn his salt, but he never really seems to punch his weight. Similarly, Cummings needs to start showing us that he really is a future Scotland captain and not another big laddie with "potential"

Batman-Artur Ashe-Cully Fagerson jr to bench.

Horne jr Aldi Price to bench

Hastings Horne snr to bench

centres Johnson and Jones are both injured, Grigg hasn't played yet, Kelly-Dunbar anyone? probably Honre snr-Dunbar.

Mad Mata-Jackson-Rozza assuming Seymour and Hogg are still rested.

by **BigGee** Wed 29 Aug 2018, 11:27 am

Seymour played at Northampton on Friday, without setting the heather on fire it has to be said.

If he is going to pick a winger on form, then it should be Niko, who has been one of the few who has been ripping it up in pre season. Hughes has not been doing badly either and could start at FB if Hoggy is not ready to go.

by Hazel Sapling Wed 29 Aug 2018, 1:26 pm

It is weird to see Rae fail to step up. Didn't he play effectively for 80 against Connacht in the semi final in the Fagerson-Russell head clash game? He turns 24 in December, but Nicol may pass him by. Malcolm is another one though sponsorship keeps him in. Allan is fine as a 3rd LH behind Bhatti and Kebble.

May see a bench of Allan - Stewart - Rae (Nuka played for Tonga this summer). Probably would swap Cummings in to start instead of Peterson. Probably play Dunbar-Grigg in the centres and keep Horne on the bench. Seymour to bench as the 23.

Could pick an extra forward with the versatility of the backs (three guys capped at FH in the last 12 months?) though we are looking light at the centre spots.

by **BigGee** Wed 29 Aug 2018, 1:38 pm

Here is my stab at the team

Keeble
Turner
Fagerson
Gray
Cummings
Harley
Wilson
Gibbins
Horne G
Hastings
Niko
Dunbar
Grigg
DTH
Jacko

Bench:

Bhatti
Stewart
Nicol
Peterson
Smith
Frisby
Kelly
Hughes

I think he will leave a lot of the Scottish internationals out for a bit longer, maybe even until the South African trip. Zander may be the exception as we are crying out for a TH to start with the Nuke being injured.

Jacko will provide FH from FB unless Hughes, who played not to bad in the warm ups starts, in which case you would see him on the bench to cover both slots.

by jimbopip Wed 29 Aug 2018, 1:50 pm

A good stab at the 23 Gee.

However, Bryce adds more bulk'n'grunt to the front row....even if Turner offers more around the pack and a degree of accuracy at the line out. Brown is better than either in all three areas. The Craggy Islanders usually look to have a good old scrap in the tight before throwing it around unless it's one of those windswept Galway days in which throwing the ball is as risky as predicting Trump's next Tweet. So probably look to your biggest hooker. Similar logic for favouring Peterson over Cummings. Although for me Oscar Peterson is in the GG school of second rows: I keep thinking that someone his size will make a helluvan impact on the game soon.....and keep waiting for it to happen.

Doh

I forgot all about DTH on the wing. Doh

by **George Carlin** Thu 30 Aug 2018, 2:57 pm

I am nervous. Nervous, I tell you.

by funnyExiledScot Thu 30 Aug 2018, 9:29 pm

Don't worry. It's early in the season. This is when the flat track bullies from Weegieland excel. You'll score loads, Edinburgh will lose and Jimbo can trot out something predictable like "normal service is resumed".

Matawalu is going to be key for Glasgow. He changes everything when he gets going and is best placed to negate Glasgows powderpuff pack. He'll break the game up so that Wilson can run around a lot looking "mobile".

I think the soap dodgers will prevail and start strongly as usual.

by Pot Hale Thu 30 Aug 2018, 10:48 pm

Connacht have had an excellent start under new coach, former Aus 7s Head, Andy Friend. Australia is the new flavor of the month in Irish rugby - obviously Nucifora and Eddy finally outmanouevring Joe S.

Connacht have brought in Horwitz from Brumbies, Faa’inga the Youngest and few-caps Godwin from the land of Oz to join compatriot and new captain, Jarred Butler. Another interesting addition is a Fijian speedster, Sevu Reece on the wing. England has also been raided by the IQ squad for the provinces, and Connacht have got Mitchell, Cannon and the wonderfully Irish-named Maksymiw to join Marmion.

Friend has set out his stall saying they want a top 6 spot minimum, and having put their Pre-season opponents to the sword, including a try-fest romp against Wasp, and a squeaky win against Bristol over old boss, Pat Lam and ex-captain, Muldoon.

The Westerners seem to be up for it as they’ve dubbed September the Month of Champions Challenge as they face Glasgow, Scarlets and Leinster. They’ll likely be without Aki and Roux but no injury update yet on their squad - team announced Friday.

by **BigGee** Fri 31 Aug 2018, 7:55 am

It certainly does not sound as if it is going to be an easy game for Glasgow.

We are going to have to hit this season running

by EWT Spoons Fri 31 Aug 2018, 12:08 pm

Glasgow's team is up.

Glasgow wrote:Stuart Hogg and Peter Horne both start for Glasgow Warriors as they begin their 2018/19 Guinness PRO14 campaign in Galway.

It is the third consecutive year that the Warriors have kicked off their season at the Sportsground, winning both matches in 2016 and 2017.

Hogg and Horne start at full-back and inside centre respectively, both having represented Scotland on this year's Summer Tour, with Hogg captaining his country for the first time against the USA.

DTH van der Merwe and Tommy Seymour start on either wing and Nick Grigg joins Horne in midfield.

Adam Hastings and George Horne made their international debuts this summer and combine for their club once more this weekend.

Zander Fagerson returns to the front-row, starting alongside George Turner and Oli Kebble with Scott Cummings and Jonny Gray providing the weight behind them.

Rob Harley joins co-captains Callum Gibbins and Ryan Wilson in the back-row to complete the starting XV.

On the bench Australia International Nick Frisby is in line to make his competitive Warriors debut.

Niko Matawalu is also among the replacements having scored three tries in Glasgow's two pre-season fixtures.

Sam Johnson sustained a knee injury against Northampton Saints in the collision which led to him being replaced and he's expected to be out of action for six weeks, while Siua Halanukonuka injured his foot in pre-season training and is expected to be unavailable for eight weeks.

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Dave Rennie, said: "The boys have worked hard and we're excited to rip into it in Round 1.

"We have a tough game away to Connacht who have been in really good form in pre-season so it's a big challenge first up.

"We've got a few guys coming back in which gives us a lot more experience and we think that will be important."

Glasgow Warriors team to play Connacht in the Guinness PRO14 at the Sportsground, Saturday 1 September, kick off 3pm - live on Premier Sports 1.

1. Oli Kebble (9)
2. George Turner (19)
3. Zander Fagerson (69)
4. Scott Cummings (38)
5. Jonny Gray (86)
6. Rob Harley (184)
7. Callum Gibbins (15) (CC)
8. Ryan Wilson (140) (CC)

9. George Horne (20)
10. Adam Hastings (9)
11. DTH van der Merwe (101)
12. Peter Horne (138)
13. Nick Grigg (42)
14. Tommy Seymour (115)
15. Stuart Hogg (107)

Replacements

16. Fraser Brown (75)
17. Alex Allan (74)
18. D'Arcy Rae (39)
19. Adam Ashe (52)
20. Chris Fusaro (142)
21. Nick Frisby (0)
22. Alex Dunbar (111)
23. Niko Matawalu (92)

Players unavailable due to injury: Brian Alainu'uese (back), Matt Fagerson (thigh), Siua Halanukonuka (foot), Sam Johnson (head/knee), Huw Jones (wrist), Lee Jones (achillies), Kiran McDonald (hand), Ali Price (groin) and Tim Swinson (lower limb).

by **George Carlin** Fri 31 Aug 2018, 12:13 pm

Well, at least we're taking this seriously.

On the bench, only Fozzy is not a full test international.

Here's the Craggy Islanders:

(15-9) Tiernan O’Halloran, Cian Kelleher, Kyle Godwin, Tom Farrell, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, Caolin Blade, (1-8) Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, James Cannon, Paul Boyle, Jarrad Butler, Eoin McKeon.

Replacements (16-23): Shane Delahunt, Peter McCabe, Conor Carey, Quinn Roux, Cillian Gallagher, James Mitchell, Craig Ronaldson, Niyi Adeolokun.

by **George Carlin** Fri 31 Aug 2018, 12:15 pm

The weather for tomorrow is cloudy but hopefully it will stay dry.

Is that a forlorn hope in Galway?

by **BigGee** Fri 31 Aug 2018, 1:00 pm

I was just about spot on with my team selection, with the exception of the returning Hoggy and Seymour in for Niko and I have no complaints on that score.

It is probably about as strong a team as we can get out at the moment and it will probably need to be against a bunch of fired up Galwegians.

No second row on the bench, so Harley earmarked for a move in there later in the game. Something tells me that DR does not really rate Peterson, just not his sort of player unfortunately. Still with Keeble, Zander and JG back in harness it is a more solid feeling pack and if we can't hold our own against Connacht, we really are likely to be in trouble against bigger boys later on in the season.

Can't wait for the game.

by **George Carlin** Fri 31 Aug 2018, 5:52 pm

EWT Spoons wrote:Glasgow's team is up.

Glasgow wrote:Stuart Hogg and Peter Horne both start for Glasgow Warriors as they begin their 2018/19 Guinness PRO14 campaign in Galway.

It is the third consecutive year that the Warriors have kicked off their season at the Sportsground, winning both matches in 2016 and 2017.

Hogg and Horne start at full-back and inside centre respectively, both having represented Scotland on this year's Summer Tour, with Hogg captaining his country for the first time against the USA.

DTH van der Merwe and Tommy Seymour start on either wing and Nick Grigg joins Horne in midfield.

Adam Hastings and George Horne made their international debuts this summer and combine for their club once more this weekend.

Zander Fagerson returns to the front-row, starting alongside George Turner and Oli Kebble with Scott Cummings and Jonny Gray providing the weight behind them.

Rob Harley joins co-captains Callum Gibbins and Ryan Wilson in the back-row to complete the starting XV.

On the bench Australia International Nick Frisby is in line to make his competitive Warriors debut.

Niko Matawalu is also among the replacements having scored three tries in Glasgow's two pre-season fixtures.

Sam Johnson sustained a knee injury against Northampton Saints in the collision which led to him being replaced and he's expected to be out of action for six weeks, while Siua Halanukonuka injured his foot in pre-season training and is expected to be unavailable for eight weeks.

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Dave Rennie, said: "The boys have worked hard and we're excited to rip into it in Round 1.

"We have a tough game away to Connacht who have been in really good form in pre-season so it's a big challenge first up.

"We've got a few guys coming back in which gives us a lot more experience and we think that will be important."

Glasgow Warriors team to play Connacht in the Guinness PRO14 at the Sportsground, Saturday 1 September, kick off 3pm - live on Premier Sports 1.

1. Oli Kebble (9)
2. George Turner (19)
3. Zander Fagerson (69)
4. Scott Cummings (38)
5. Jonny Gray (86)
6. Rob Harley (184)
7. Callum Gibbins (15) (CC)
8. Ryan Wilson (140) (CC)

9. George Horne (20)
10. Adam Hastings (9)
11. DTH van der Merwe (101)
12. Peter Horne (138)
13. Nick Grigg (42)
14. Tommy Seymour (115)
15. Stuart Hogg (107)

Replacements

16. Fraser Brown (75)
17. Alex Allan (74)
18. D'Arcy Rae (39)
19. Adam Ashe (52)
20. Chris Fusaro (142)
21. Nick Frisby (0)
22. Alex Dunbar (111)
23. Niko Matawalu (92)

Players unavailable due to injury: Brian Alainu'uese (back), Matt Fagerson (thigh), Siua Halanukonuka (foot), Sam Johnson (head/knee), Huw Jones (wrist), Lee Jones (achillies), Kiran McDonald (hand), Ali Price (groin) and Tim Swinson (lower limb).

Someone should also tell Huw Jones that it can make you go blind.

by **RDW** Fri 31 Aug 2018, 5:56 pm

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/45372092

A lot more honesty and realism from Fraser Brown than the Kellock interview!

by Artful_Dodger Sat 01 Sep 2018, 3:03 pm

Try time Glasgow already.

by Eejit Sat 01 Sep 2018, 3:29 pm

Stuart Hogg looks like a lunatic with that haircut.

by Pot Hale Sat 01 Sep 2018, 3:38 pm

Galwegians 17-12 Glaswegians so far. Good game for the neutral. Nice tries from both teams albeit both defence coaches will be gnashing their teeth.

by VinceWLB Sat 01 Sep 2018, 3:39 pm

That's a powerful, abrasive looking Glasgow team. Definitely different than previous seasons.

They are trying to copy Edinburgh!

by Artful_Dodger Sat 01 Sep 2018, 3:42 pm

Two quick taps from Blade, both disastrous.

by **RDW** Sat 01 Sep 2018, 3:43 pm

Well Edinburgh seemed to forget who they were last night!

by Pot Hale Sat 01 Sep 2018, 3:43 pm

Carty nudges the Westerners back in front to make it 20-17 coming up to break.

by Artful_Dodger Sat 01 Sep 2018, 3:47 pm

Connacht 23-17 Glasgow at HT.

by VinceWLB Sat 01 Sep 2018, 3:48 pm

Not sure about that last penalty, there is no offside after a charge down is there?

by Pot Hale Sat 01 Sep 2018, 3:48 pm

Carty has his kicking boots on today as he kicks an offside penalty to make it 23-17 as the clock is in the red.

by **BigGee** Sat 01 Sep 2018, 3:54 pm

Well an entertaining half if somewhat frustrating first half if you are a Glasgow fan.

If we can tighten up our discipline, then I think we will win this, if not, it is going to be the same old story as last year.

Our scrum has looked decent though, Connacht are no mugs in the set piece.

by Eejit Sat 01 Sep 2018, 4:07 pm

Seem to be off the boil a little now. Think we'll be lucky to take anything from this at this rate. Hope I'm wrong.

by **BigGee** Sat 01 Sep 2018, 4:27 pm

Hastings in the bin for a high tackle. Hard to argue with it having seen the replay.

At least Carty finally misses a kick!

by **BigGee** Sat 01 Sep 2018, 4:28 pm

Niko trying to chase the game already. That never goes well!

by **RDW** Sat 01 Sep 2018, 4:30 pm

BigGee wrote:Niko trying to chase the game already. That never goes well!

Does he know any other way to play??

by **BigGee** Sat 01 Sep 2018, 4:48 pm

Well somehow Glasgow seem to be in the lead. Not done yet though!

by **RDW** Sat 01 Sep 2018, 4:53 pm

Just turned the game on - I think this is the first time I've ever watched a Connacht game in the sun!

by **RDW** Sat 01 Sep 2018, 4:55 pm

Silly from Grigg - the ref was shouting at him to release!

by **RDW** Sat 01 Sep 2018, 4:56 pm

What drama - great win Glasgow!

by **RDW** Sat 01 Sep 2018, 4:59 pm

Shame the TV coverage immediately cut to Ulster game buildup even though kick off is over 10 minutes away.

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Sat 01 Sep 2018, 5:00 pm

Glasgow managed those last 3 or 4 minutes so badly, starting with an awful kick by Hastings and compounded by some very thick play from Grigg - they're pretty lucky to come away with the win.

That said though thats a very good win, and plenty of areas for them to improve on. Well played both sides, entertaining match!

by Eejit Sat 01 Sep 2018, 5:01 pm

Yeehaw, Cowboy Dave & his band of desperados out on the range in the wild west(ies) conducting a smash and grab raid on the Connacht stagecoach despite being completely devoid of any structure, tactics, guile or self-belief most of the time.

Move em on head em up rawhide, this season is gonna be a shocker unless we wise up fast.

by **BigGee** Sat 01 Sep 2018, 5:04 pm

Well we dug that one out!

To be fair we played a lot better in the final quarter and looked to be galvinised by the YC to Hastings.

Far from perfect but you will always take a five pointer to start the season away. Connacht will win a lot of games this season if they play with that amount of heart and ambition!

Good performances from Glasgow's big players, JG, FB and ZF in particular. Oli Keeble played well also, though he does not look like an 80 minute player.

You would have to say actually that the so called powder puff Glasgow pack, actually did pretty well!

by **BigGee** Sat 01 Sep 2018, 5:06 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Silly from Grigg - the ref was shouting at him to release!

I was furious about that, would have been even more so if it had cost us the game!

by **RDW** Sat 01 Sep 2018, 5:07 pm

Premier Sports coverage has been ok so far but could they really not have had 5 minutes of post match reaction instead of immediately moving to the Ulster game?

by **BigGee** Sat 01 Sep 2018, 5:16 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Premier Sports coverage has been ok so far but could they really not have had 5 minutes of post match reaction instead of immediately moving to the Ulster game?

I guess that is the price of back to back games. They did not have anyone in Galway to do any interviews or analysis and needed to get on with the feature game.

In all honesty I have been pretty impressed with the coverage I have seen so far.

Going to watch how SHC gets on against Ulster now.

by **RDW** Sat 01 Sep 2018, 5:18 pm

Aye it certainly gives more incentive to watch other games now we're paying for it!

by Pot Hale Sat 01 Sep 2018, 5:21 pm

BigGee wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:Premier Sports coverage has been ok so far but could they really not have had 5 minutes of post match reaction instead of immediately moving to the Ulster game?

I guess that is the price of back to back games. They did not have anyone in Galway to do any interviews or analysis and needed to get on with the feature game.

In all honesty I have been pretty impressed with the coverage I have seen so far.

Going to watch how SHC gets on against Ulster now.

Yep - that was a feed from TG4 who have all the Connacht home games this season.

Congrats to Glasgow - deserved win.

by **RDW** Sat 01 Sep 2018, 8:10 pm

https://twitter.com/Murray_Kinsella/status/1035923089593315328?s=19

I did think this at the time - Hogg carried the ball back over the line at the end so should have been a scrum 5!

by Eejit Sat 01 Sep 2018, 9:40 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:https://twitter.com/Murray_Kinsella/status/1035923089593315328?s=19

I did think this at the time - Hogg carried the ball back over the line at the end so should have been a scrum 5!

At the risk of being callous...

Yahoo

by TJ Sat 01 Sep 2018, 10:09 pm

The ref has also apologised for wrongly giving the penalty agaisnt Grigg near the end that could have won the game for Connacht. It all evens out in the end

by Geen sport voor watjes Sun 02 Sep 2018, 12:31 am

TJ wrote:The ref has also apologised for wrongly giving the penalty agaisnt Grigg near the end that could have won the game for Connacht. It all evens out in the end

Can you provide something to back that up or are you just talking through your rear end

by TJ Sun 02 Sep 2018, 6:42 am

Nick Grigg was adjudged to have infringed at the breakdown, allowing Ronaldson the chance to snatch victory, but Rennie revealed Ian Davies had apologised to the Scotland centre for incorrectly penalising him.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/45382610

IO wa annoyed at the time - he tackled the player, made a clear release and then went after the ball which he got his hands on but was penalised for no release - 'cos he did it so quickly and he is only 3 ft high so the ref didn't see him wave his hands in the air

by Sponsored content