Whatever about Munster fielding the players they did, at least most of their bigger names were returing from injury.

But WTF were Leinster doing? Hagan started for the 'A' team, after starting every Pro12 match so far this season. He packed down with Ciaran Ruddock and Auva'a, both of whom have also been starting at least some matches and are hardly in need of game time. I suppose technically speaking with Ross back from NZ Hagan is the 'A' prop, or at least bench fodder for Leinster, but I really think unless a player needs a run out after an injury then the 'A' teams need to have pre-agreed squads and stick to them.

In fairness, 19-3 is very respectable given the experience in that Munster team. The front row were always going to be on a hiding to nothing, but they'll learn from that, what do Munster learn? Sweet fuck all. That's what we need these games to be about, giving the young lads a chance and giving the fringe lads a game as well. Ideal for Nikora to get minutes under his belt, and Moore and Grace working back from injury. Hope Grace can raise his game and make an impression on the 1st team. If I was Eric I'd have no hesitation in throwing in the likes of Heffernan, Conneely and McKeon. All cracking prospects and big lads

How'd Eoghan Grace play Borders, and Hefferenan and McKeon in the back row as well?

Heffernan put in a good effort, in attack and defence and looks promising. Didn't really see much of Grace, kicked the ball clear from one turnover in the first half, didn't really see much else of him. I think it was Grace that Aaron Conneelly replaced during the 2nd half. Nothing really to make a case for his inclusion against Cardiff but then it was difficult to impress. McKeown had a tough job but stayed going until the end. Always looking for work.

In fairness we competed well at the breakdown for a lot of the contest but it was our inability to put meaningful phases together, poor handling that killed us with the bit of ball we did have.

Its difficult to overstate the role the difference in quality/experience up front had on the first half in particular. However, read in the Connacht newsletter that "This is the first of a series of 'A' fixtures this season with games against Italian, English and Scottish opposition planned. These fixtures will lay the foundation for a possible inclusion in the British & Irish Cup next year."

These games should hopefully have a more level playing field.

How'd Eoghan Grace play Borders, and Hefferenan and McKeon in the back row as well?

Was at the game. Reasonable crowd, approx 180-200 I'd say. Munster did what they needed to do in the first half getting the platform up front, countless scrums, Connacht got the penalty on the first one but Munster completely destoyed us after that, penalty after penalty, countless resets, wasn't much of a spectacle, ultimately Denis Buckley paid the price in the bin with persistent Munster dominance and Munster got a deserved penalty try in his absence. Mick Kearney got a yellow before ht as well, that was in open play though, think it might have been high tackle or something? missed that. Munster kicked to touch and somewhat mercifully the ref blew for ht when a try looked inevitable.

Connacht improved after the break as the game opened out a bit, perhaps deserved a bit more for their efforts but lacked composure with the couple of chances they got. 3rd yellow near the end for Jamie Stephens (I think).

In fairness no matter how many times that game was played we'd be beaten as Munster had the class and experience up front with so many frontline internationals and 1st team players, Munster looked a well drilled side, took Connacht a while to get up to the pace, too many basic errors particularly in the 1st half but I'd prefer to lose giving fringe players and young players a run. Munster had their reasons for picking some of those big name players and best of luck to them.

Don't know what Munster will have learned only that they got a hit out for some of their frontliners. Varley and Fogartys darts were poor though.  didn't see much of the new fella Chambers but combined well with the outside backs on a couple of occasions. O'Leary did well, obviously on the front foot though.

Nikora I don't think was named on the subs originally but got a few minutes at the end. Maguire was helped off near the end, hopefully no more serious than a dead leg. Hard for players to stand out for us given Munsters dominance up front. Gannon and Kearney battled hard, Moore showed some spark, made one good break but delivered an awful pass to Cleary with a chance opening up.

If we keep playing these games we will benefit, we won't be facing teams with that many frontliners often.

Work still going on in the clan terrace. It should look good by the time Toulouse arrive in town.

anyone from the clan there. What is going wrong? Why so many peno's

Set piece was being bullied and without platform we struggled. It was classic Munster, didn't want to get drawn into a rugby match against a young mobile side so dragged it down into an arm wreslte knowing their greater experience would count massively agaainst a pretty green Connacht side.

Still a Full time score of Connacht A 3 Munster A 19 is not a thrashing.

I would love to see them have a crack at the same Munster side next week, I susepct that they learned a lot today...

3 - 19 bull, not great, but one solitary pen try was all munster could manage. Very even second half with a single pen to munster

Result lads???????????

anyone from the clan there. What is going wrong? Why so many peno's

For those like myself (stuck in an office somewhere) you can follow today's match online via:

Rob Murphy (GBFM Sports) on Knockon.ie - www.knockon.ie/?p=8057

or

Connacht Rugby via updates on their Facebook page - Connacht Rugby FaceBook

Botha, Varley, Horan and TOL.

Munster's waning warriors versus Connacht's up and coming young players. Nice indication of direction of development?

I don't think you can really compare. Three of those are in need of game time. Not sure about Varley, he's just been to NZ and back, seems a strange call putting him in.

Yipee, got the day off work. So will be there!

Botha, Varley, Horan and TOL.

Munster's waning warriors versus Connacht's up and coming young players. Nice indication of direction of development?

The have 2 more games, after this one, between now and Christmas so its a great chance for some of the lads to shine. Really looking forward to the match. Would definitely agree that Munster have slightly overdone it. The Munster team have more Irish Caps than the Connacht lads have Senior Cannacht Caps. Bit ridiculous...

I know teams are trying to keep costs down for these type of games i.e. played in daylight hours etc. but I really think this could have drawn a half decent crowd on Friday evening. If we are hoping to get fans for the British and Irish Cup games next season I think its important the majority of fans are given a chance to see a few A games this season.

Absolutely a 17.30 kick off would probably bring in a fairly decent crowd (probably enable a few Munster heads to come up as well on the back of a 1/2 day. Earlier KO means full day off) , keep gate free for season ticket holders and €10 otherwise, and only open Clan Bar to half time & Merchandise stall post game only. All done by 7pm, then 45mins tidy up for dogs crowd, with first dogs off at 20.12.....

McCrea at 13 is interesting, perhaps a sign he might be tried there v Cardiff with Griffin a doubt.

I've been hoping to see him there for a while, so it's great to see him being tried out. I wouldn't call him an 'A' player though, he's has started a fair few first XV games. But this is a good time to try him out. Good to see he's over whatever problem he had at the Leinster game, too.