i think if we can win most of are home matches we could be there or there abouts for the rabo playoff, that would be a huge achievement but this is the year to do it. we have the most settled squads in the league(no world cup call up and no world cup handovers) and if we keep marking up the points, then 4th spot is something to aim for. Edinburgh did it a few years ago on the back of home form so there is no reason why we cant.

same as. always cheer for an irish team against a foreign opposition. It is up to us to raise our game to compete.

It's probably a 3 year plan. Obviously this year we still have a small squad and we still could do with quality in a few positions. Alot of the lads have 2 year contracts so if we can add to the squad next year and the following year again with some good acquisitions maybe then we'll be better equipped to put in a big season in the Rabo and challenge the staus quo.

As of now, our aim has to be around the 7th/8th mark. It's a tough league and we're not going to shoot up 4 or 5 positions with the squad at our disposal. Leinster and Munster will be in top 4, Ulster probably will and if not they'll go close. We have to gradually build from season, improve our away form, make the sportsground a fortress and build year on year with some good signings

I agree with Sea_Point we must take all the points on offer during the games we play before the end of the World Cup, the lack of tries or bonus points will tell in the long run, one try in four games from the back three is a fairly poor ratio, but hopefully the guys can redress the balance in the next couple of games.

We are not really 2nd, if Ulster or the Ospreys get any points today we will be 4th, 3rd at best.  Our best hope for Heineken Cup next season is one of the other provinces winning either European competition.  If we do finish mid table that'll be a massive improvement over previous years.  The larger crowds and increased profile can only be positives too.

There is no point fooling ourselves, the other three have far too much quality and depth for us to finish ahead of them over the course of a season. Ulster were catchable a few seasons back but have improved and their southern hemisphere additions helps make an already good team into strong Rabo contenders. The other provinces finished 1,2,3 last season and all three of them will be pushing for top 4 again. Our ambitions are as ummm stated mid table territory and looking at the bottom half of the table every point will be crucial in whether we finish anywhere from 6th or 7th to 11th or 12th.

Come on all the Irish teams I say until such a time as we are in a position to challenge for an automatic hc spot. Hopefully there'll be a more equitable system brought in before long.

It's all about momentum building confidence, we've managed to get and have to keep the ball rolling now for the next three or four games.

We need to improve our try scoring ratio, to be 2nd in the table after four games is great but we have a points for/against of +3 only which doesn't reflect our efforrts.

Bit more consistency from our kickers and ruthlesness by our back three will make us a proposition no one will enjoy regardless of who they have back available post RWC.....

There is no point fooling ourselves, the other three have far too much quality and depth for us to finish ahead of them over the course of a season. Ulster were catchable a few seasons back but have improved and their southern hemisphere additions helps make an already good team into strong Rabo contenders. The other provinces finished 1,2,3 last season and all three of them will be pushing for top 4 again. Our ambitions are as ummm stated mid table territory and looking at the bottom half of the table every point will be crucial in whether we finish anywhere from 6th or 7th to 11th or 12th.

Come on all the Irish teams I say until such a time as we are in a position to challenge for an automatic hc spot. Hopefully there'll be a more equitable system brought in before long.

Over the course of the season Leinster will be back up at the top, thought. It's good to see points being taken off the Scarlets, they'll be a mid-table rival (hopefully) by the end.

Am currently watching Scarlets v Leinster..  On one level as a Connacht fan I am very thankfull to Leinster for their getting us in to the Heineken cup this year. However as we are currently ahead of both Leinster and Ulster and with  Munster ahead of us in the table in the Rabo 12, I find myself wondering should I still support the other Irish provinces in the Rabo Pro 12 matches. Surely I should be supporting every other team that is playing against the other 3 Irish Provinces?

Or maybe I should hold my support for the other provinces for the Heineken Cup?