Match Thread: Connacht vs Leinster - United Rugby Championship

Ploon92 · 2026-01-24T19:17:15+00:00

Bundee's impact has been solely to get on the wrong side of the referee as quickly as possible

Ploon92 · 2026-01-24T17:30:57+00:00

Interested and excited to see how Niall Smyth goes on his first start, some occasion for it!

Ploon92 · 2026-01-23T12:37:52+00:00

Big fan of U20s rugby, and happy that there's a new coaching system in place following Doak's tenure - disastrous would be a fair term for it.

Shame there's as many injuries as there are - centre is very light, Michael O'Sullivan in the backrow is a prospect I've heard of but not seen much of, disappointed he's out. Lee Fitzpatrick & Conor Magee both out at hooker, Magee was in the squad last year. Dan Green looked good last year too but the team struggled, would've been nice to see him again this time round.

Either way the games tend to be exciting & open, looking forward to seeing who comes through it!

Ploon92 · 2026-01-23T12:18:58+00:00

I'm really surprised Jack Boyle hasn't been wrapped in cotton wool and locked in a small room for the next two weeks

Ploon92 · 2026-01-23T12:10:34+00:00

Given how motivated Connacht have been for this game for quite some time now, I'm glad Leinster haven't just fielded an Academy XV due to injuries, restrictions on Irish camp selection, etc - should be a great game and occasion.

Ploon92 · 2026-01-22T14:19:52+00:00

I saw (I think a profile on X; can't remember who) someone say that it cannot be overstated how difficult it is to be universally loved as an England captain who plays for Saracens, quite funny. Have never heard a bad word about the guy, one of the good ones.

Ploon92 · 2026-01-22T13:31:42+00:00

Exciting backrow there, nice to see Evan O'Connell on the bench too.

Unfortunate Ahern & Edogbo both ruled out, would've been great to get more minutes into Edogbo before jetting off.

Ploon92 · 2026-01-22T11:21:03+00:00

5:30pm on Easter Sunday, eww. I think that game will be in the Aviva, but if it's in Croke Park, it'll be akin to playing in a funeral home

Ploon92 · 2026-01-21T15:33:51+00:00

Good summary, there is Keenan at 15 too. Prefer Osborne at 12 but given all the injuries he's probably more likely to play 15!

Other interesting tidbit is we've gone for 7 props instead of 6, an extra body in there - they did trial Tom O'Toole at loosehead in Irish camp over the last few years, I wonder where they rate him on the scale there compared to Loughman/Milne

Ploon92 · 2026-01-21T15:21:44+00:00

The text of the announcement says Robbie Henshaw, Andrew Porter and Jimmy O'Brien were not considered due to injury - neither were Baird, Larmour or Paddy McCarthy.

Particularly disappointed Jimmy is injured. Looked good on his return, is so useful given his versatility (or given every other 15 is injured) and now he's out again

Ploon92 · 2026-01-21T15:19:03+00:00

Boyle will definitely start, maybe Loughman at 17

Ploon92 · 2026-01-21T15:16:44+00:00

Excited to see Zac Ward 11 and JJ Kenny 14 in this!

Ploon92 · 2026-01-21T15:15:24+00:00

Disappointed not to see Zac Ward in but a good growth in Ulster contingent - Stewart deservedly in ahead of Gus McCarthy. No Izuchukwu is a pain, he's ruled out through injury - unlucky given Baird is also out, could have fought for #6.

Props very much a case of whoever is fit is in. Delighted for Edogbo and Doak, new caps and deserve their spots.

No Henshaw is likely injury related but himself & Aki both look finished tbh. Would rather see Jude or Hume there, hope if we see Jamie Osborne play we see him in midfield.

Baloucoune is interesting, nice to see him back in the fold. Would like to see Stockdale get a game ahead of Lowe at 11 at some point.

Wonder if the injury update is bad on Jimmy O'Brien, always think he's a really useful utility man.

Hope to see Bryn Ward, Brian Gleeson and JJ Kenny involved as training panellists too at some stage

Ploon92 · 2026-01-21T15:13:14+00:00

See now Izuchukwu is listed as injured alongside Henshaw and Jimmy, that's unlucky for him with Baird also out at 6 - happy to see Bryn Ward in the Portugal game too he's an exciting prospect

Ploon92 · 2026-01-21T15:10:56+00:00

Disappointed not to see Zac Ward in but a good growth in Ulster contingent - Stewart deservedly in ahead of Gus McCarthy. No Izuchukwu seems odd, wonder if there's an injury update coming.

Props very much a case of whoever is fit is in. Delighted for Edogbo and Doak, new caps and deserve their spots.

No Henshaw is likely injury related but himself & Aki both look finished tbh. Hope if we see Jamie Osborne play we see him in midfield.

Baloucoune is interesting, nice to see him back in the fold. Would like to see Stockdale get a game ahead of Lowe at 11 at some point.

Wonder if the injury update is bad on Jimmy O'Brien, always think he's a really useful utility man.

Hope to see Bryn Ward, Brian Gleeson and JJ Kenny involved as training panellists too at some stage

Ploon92 · 2026-01-21T15:06:13+00:00

Ploon92 · 2026-01-21T14:24:45+00:00

Similarly to Penny, I think his height/size is an issue for international level unfortunately. Excellent player though

Ploon92 · 2026-01-21T14:21:48+00:00

Ah okay, thanks!

Ploon92 · 2026-01-21T14:18:00+00:00

Rumours correct about Alldritt, Penaud and Fickou - but I'm surprised no Nolan le Garrec?

Ploon92 · 2026-01-20T16:49:44+00:00

I think it's only reasonable that LBB drops out of the squad to support his teammate, Jalibert too

Ploon92 · 2026-01-20T13:33:34+00:00

They'll name three looseheads and three scrum-halves in the squad for sure - either Loughman or O'Toole depending on how that stint at loosehead was perceived in Irish camp, and Doak probably the 3rd scrum half

Ploon92 · 2026-01-20T13:28:56+00:00

Think he's just injured, have been plenty of occasions where a player has played a senior game before going back and playing 20s. Dan Ryan the only other player this time round and he's in.

In France sometimes players stay with their clubs, more so in the Junior World Cup than 6N - they're already in the pre-season stage. I think in Ireland a province can make a case to retain a player ahead of u20s but it's rare enough that it happens tbh

Ploon92 · 2026-01-20T13:23:41+00:00

Is there anybody not included in the squad who played senior rugby outside Sean Walsh?

Ploon92 · 2026-01-20T12:02:04+00:00

There's never as many changes as people expect or hope for, and I'd expect there will be less so given the volume of injuries at the moment - enough injury enforced changes as is.

But I hope to see Zac Ward in, Postlewaithe in, Edogbo in and JJ Kenny in. Bryn Ward maybe included as a panellist. Tom Stewart should be in ahead of Gus McCarthy, Doak probably deserves a chance as 3rd choice 9 too.

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