Connacht’s highway to Problem Cup last begins this Saturday

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Its actually gratifying writing these articles on Connacht weekly and it may be nearly therapeutic in some ways however there are some weeks the place I sit right here and marvel, do I secretly benefit from the distress? I jest in fact however some weeks are harder than others however fortunately, this week shouldn’t be a type of weeks. I’ve a bonus level win and an upcoming European recreation to speak about. This implies a contented Stephen.

Bonus level win over Benetton

Connacht did precisely what we requested of them as supporters final weekend. They delivered a bonus level win and added 5 factors to their league tally. They achieved this by beating Benetton by 38 factors to 19. After I criticized the Connacht assault final week, I used to be delighted to see them rating 5 tries in opposition to the Italian staff and it reaffirmed my beliefs of the place Connacht stand in opposition to sure groups. I see this Connacht staff as a correct contender for a prime eight spot. If they’re to be that, they should be dispatching Benetton at house, and so they did.

By my reckoning they’re 4 factors off the max complete they might have hoped to have at this stage of the season.

There have been some huge performances all through the Connacht staff however one I need to spotlight is Paul Boyle. Rugby strikes so shortly that its very simple to neglect the place a participant was a yr in the past.

As a consequence of accidents and a dip in kind Paul Boyle didn’t have the season he needed final yr.

He misplaced his place as an everyday starter for the staff and struggled on the pitch when he did play. Contemplating in July of final yr, Paul received his first Irish cap in opposition to USA within the final recreation of the summer time sequence, he would have been hoping that final season would have been an enormous kick on for him the place he could be successful much more caps in Irish inexperienced. A reminder additionally that Paul Boyle continues to be solely 25 years outdated, not even near his bodily prime. It’s nice for each him and Connacht that he appears to be again in nice kind and I for one am delighted for him.

NEW POD!

Myself and the boys recap all of the motion from spherical 9 of the #URC.

– Connacht with a bonus level win
– Ulster and the elephant within the room
– Munster with an enormous efficiency on the highway
– Warren Gatland information
– Irish 7shttps://t.co/PJdwW2jRNb

— Grasp Of None Podcast (@MasterOfNonePod) December 6, 2022

Street to Problem Cup Ultimate begins on Saturday

This weekend kicks off the group levels of the problem cup and Connacht welcome the Newcastle Falcons to the Sportsgrounds. Will probably be massively attention-grabbing to see the staff that’s chosen for this recreation. The rationale I ask is that’s Connacht even have two big InterPro video games on the finish of the yr in opposition to Ulster and Leinster.

Will Andy Buddy and Pete Wilkins determined to relaxation a few of their stars for this weekend with one eye on these two video games?

I can see why they might but additionally, I believe Connacht can go far on this competitors and it might be an actual likelihood to win some silverware. A win this Saturday in opposition to Newcastle would go a protracted option to beginning that course of.

Newcastle at present sit 9^th within the English Premiership and have three wins from 9 video games. They’re on no account a prime staff in England, however additionally they have 5 bonus factors, so they’re aggressive in plenty of these video games. They received’t be a simple out however Connacht at house ought to have sufficient to recover from the road. Will Connacht threat that nonetheless by implementing an enormous rotation? It’s a really robust determination since you are actually enjoying each week till the 28^th of January which is extremely robust for a squad like Connacht’s. Will probably be a nice balancing act for Andy Buddy and his employees to work out.

However the largest deciding issue for the sport in opposition to Newcastle would be the staff they ship over, it appears extremely unlikely they’ll ship over a full power staff and with Brive additionally in relegation hassle. We may have drawn a great group.

WE REALLY NEED TO BE PUTTING IN BIG SCORES HOME AND AWAY TO GUARANTEE A HOME RUN TO THE MAY FINAL IN DUBLIN.

Wayne Pivac to Connacht

The very last thing I need to point out is the Wayne Pivac information that broke yesterday. The rationale I convey it up is I’ve seen just a few folks on social media point out him for a possible transfer to Connacht. Earlier than the Wales debacle, Pivac had a massively profitable stint with Scarlets. If you’re a Connacht fan, would you need him coming to the membership? I personally would welcome it however solely as a Director of Rugby position. A straight alternative for Andy Buddy.

I like Pete Wilkins and imagine he can proceed to push the membership ahead and I don’t imagine Andy Farrell would have introduced him to New Zealand if he didn’t see some potential both.

Solely time will inform however it’s an attention-grabbing concept for Connacht to mull over.