I agree with Porterbelly above. All these guys should get a run - to give them an opportunity to impress and also to give some of the front liners a break after their exertions in the HEC. Has anyone seen a report on the Italian A game last week? What sort of opposition were the Italians. I heard that Mc Crea and McKeon did well. Also I heard that Moore got two tries. McCrea and Moore in particular should get some senior game time to see if they are as good as the rumpled say. Vainakolo also needs game time in the Rabo. Surely he has more to offer than Tuohy?

Anyway, enough of the doom and gloom. Our lads had a great result away in Italy, there are a number of home grown players coming through doing us proud, while new signings are upping the quality.

Without having seen a match report, we should be happy at least with the result and hopefully this gives both the branch and the IRFU the confidence that we should be supported on our entry into the B&I Cup next year.

Impossible to tell, but at the same time, after the performances of TOH and Tuohy it could just be a simple case of the guys ahead doing their jobs.

We have competition for places in the back three and centres like we never have before. That's great for us, not so great for those left out. Once Matthews comes back he'll be fighting with Henry, McSharry & Tonetti, while Tonetti could also push Griff if he plays at 13, and Fetu'u, TOH, Mark and Brian are all pushing each other, not to mention Loxton still to return.

Not only is it competition, for the most part it's young competition.

My only worry (how ironic is this...) is that while some young players will think about coming to Connacht for game time, they will not come for 'A' team game time. McCrea and Jarvis struggling to escape the A team is bad publicity in that sense.

Something is going on with McCrea anyway. I [strike]don't want to[/strike] can't speculate as I have no idea what it is, but this is a coaches call so hopefully those in full possession of the facts are making the right choices.

For the Ospreys game in 2 weeks and Treviso the following week, which are obviously must win, we can still do a small bit of rotation given the A lads doing well. McCrea and Vainikolo on the wings wouldn't necessarily weaken us, Tonetti can come in as can Henry, Anderson in the back row, Andrew Browne could be fit, Reyneke to start.Dave Moore needs a chance, be it even from the bench We have options which is good.

Still waiting on a report from this which is slightly dissapointing but good result anyway.

Good to hear that Heffernan did well again. Looks promising from what i've seen of him. Seems to be highly regarded. The more home grown players we can bring through the better. May see senior action sooner rather than later.

Heard that Heffernan is looking like the real deal and there is great faith in him going forward as a forward!! But we do need more backs and back row options.

I thought Tuohy made me eat some of my words the other night and fair play them. He was strong in the second half. However, I just have a feeling that McCrea has a bit more 'spite' in him which is always to be welcomed.

For the next Rabo game, I hope Eric gives him the start and lets Tuohy rest on the bench. Competition for back row places is always to be welcomed at Connacht.............

quote from connacht rugbt facebook

Some good news for Connacht today with the A team winning 29-11 against Rugby Reggio in Italy. Big games from Eoghan Grace and Dave Heffernan. Match report to follow

comment from dermot murphy

What about man of the match Mark McCrea??

which was liked by tadhag leader.

im not saying the branch left mark out on purpose but if fellow player's thought he was man off the match why didnt the reporter from italy say this back. after brian toughy's match vs quinns i would leave him in the number 14 shirt

Well considering we lost to Cavalieri last season with our senior side, its not one to be taken lightly. I think its a decent side considering this is our 2nd 23. That was one of my main concerns about participating in B&I Cup that we woulnd't be able to field 2 competitive squads. With a few new faces for next season I think the basis is there for a decent A side. The Munster home game was slightly dissapointing but the strength of the opposition has to be taken into account. By all accounts we competed strongly down there and should have won in what was a proper A game. All these games are good for player development.

Also I'd imagine they are going to Italy as all the B&I sides will be taken up with the cup games. Looking at the fixtures to come there seems to be a good range of opposition for our lads.

Very useful exercise despite the opposition, lots of young lads in the squad that need this experience...

This thought did cross my mind, but I also thought that the same exercise could have been accomplished closer to home to save some yoyos and perhaps against stiffer opposition. I'm probably being too harsh on Regio, they are at home and will no doubt account themselves quite well. Plus the Italians can use any influx of money they can get ATM.

Wasrednowgreen wrote: I just don't get the blind loyalty to Tuohy. He is mostly absent in most games I have seen him play him in, with only occasional moments / flashes of ability.

McCrea better be just coming back from injury and not off the 1st team squad for any other reason i.e personality clashes with management.That would be a shame and he has, in my opinion, more about him than Touhy.

As regards the 10 position, I don't see the difference between O'Connor and Nikora.I just don't get it. However, I do see the difference that Jarvis has brought to the offence when he has come on in Galway. If they're good enough, they're old enough..............................

Maybe our new signing from Sale will wipe everyone's eye?

I agree on the Tuohy subject, we have many nicknames for him on the stand side, he is called Sat Nav, Garmin, Tom Tom and at times "the Tackle co ordinator". The first three because he is always lost on the pitch and the last one as he always tries to get someone else to make his tackles for him, unless of course he is tacking from behind.

Strange that we have an A game in Italy.

I would have thought a match in London would make more sense. Eric and the others would get to see them play.

i got a tweet of mark last night, saying the other lads are playing well at the min, hopefully i get another run out soon. don't know what to make of that really the lads are not playing well at the min.

RogueXV wrote: Though I have my doubts an A game in Italy is much of a step up from AIL, it's good that the lads involved with the Connacht squad are getting the game time. For instance it's better for Jarvis to get time at 10 rather than be on the bench with the senior side to fill in somewhere in the back line. Maguire definitely could use a looking over and if the Italians are going to present a challenge it will be in the front row.

A few weeks ago I remember McCrea twitting that he was good to go when the word from the Connacht camp was he was doubtful through injury. I wonder if that caused some friction or maybe I have that wrong and Eric just prefers Tuohy to Mark and it's as simple as that.

It's about routines and systems for the lads, it's a big difference in prep for players between jumping in the car or on the bus and heading to Limerick/Belfast or Dublin and doing the coach/airport/flight/game/airport/flight/coach thing. And following the communality of the systems that the senior team follow on match day and in game play so that fringe players aren't spooked when they are eventually called to step up..

Very useful exercise despite the opposition, lots of young lads in the squad that need this experience...

You would be surprised if Elwood had his ear to the twittersphere for that to be the reason. It's a long season and you have to think he will get back in the team in the near future if only through the fact we have a tiny squad. I'd say its just a systems thing and nothing more sinister. Lets hope he puts his hand up in a massive way in Italy. The whole back line looks pretty good multiply that by the quality of opposition and you'd hope we could run in a lot of tries.

I just don't get the blind loyalty to Tuohy. He is mostly absent in most games I have seen him play him in, with only occasional moments / flashes of ability.

McCrea better be just coming back from injury and not off the 1st team squad for any other reason i.e personality clashes with management.That would be a shame and he has, in my opinion, more about him than Touhy.

As regards the 10 position, I don't see the difference between O'Connor and Nikora.I just don't get it. However, I do see the difference that Jarvis has brought to the offence when he has come on in Galway. If they're good enough, they're old enough..............................

Maybe our new signing from Sale will wipe everyone's eye?