The Run In

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Two excellent semifinals. One saw the recovery of leinster from mediocre form most of the season and Ulster quite frankly not measuring up on the big occasion yet again. Somehow our forwards didn't expect the onsluaght and our tight 5 were pretty much overwhelmed.

The 2nd semifinal saw Connacht off their best beat a Glasgow team that was unlucky with injuries but unable to cope with the mixed game that Connacht bring. Bludgeon of Aki combined with rapier of Healy and Tiernan. I don't generally like the idea of project players (that's putting it very mildly) but I'm not sure there's a man who's been prouder to pull on the green shirt of Connacht or given more of himself every time he plays than Aki. If nationality is about buying into culture then he's as Irish as anyone else already.

Can't wait for the final. It's going to be massive. If I didn't have other responsibilities I'd be going to sheer on the Westies.

Aki is something special, and more than just a bludgeon - see his delicate little chip through for Adeolokun's try Adeolokun must be the fastest man in Irish rugby with both balzing acceleration and top end gas (and he's Irish qualified, having lived there since age 10). Healey and O'Halloran are not far behind, and as a unit are a tremendously pacy back three. I'd like to see all three of them on the Ireland training squad.

It's getting to the stage that the lack of Connacht players in Ireland squads is a scandal. Yes we're pretty well provisioned for backs and John Muldoon has missed his moment but a long look at many of them should be taken.

[Donny osmond]

Well, I'll be at Murrayfield on Sat cheering on Connawt/Connawcht/fwc it ... any team chants/songs I should be aware of?

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[Eugene Wrayburn]

Well, I'll be at Murrayfield on Sat cheering on Connawt/Connawcht/fwc it ... any team chants/songs I should be aware of?

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Fields of Athenry. Weird obviously given that it's a Munster song but not weird when you know Athenry is actually in Connacht.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Connacht brilliant in the final so far.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Is it just me who detects a distinct Ulster accent in those singing Fields of Athenry.

[Dacre]

Leinster can't win this game missing tackles like they are - 18 missed in first 32 mins

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Leinster can't win this game missing tackles like they are - 18 missed in first 32 mins

The missed tackles are forced from lining wide, gross speed and footwork. Anyone watching this will do the same to Ireland and easily expose the likes of Dave and rob Kearney if they are mystifyingly selected again.

[ARM]

Here at Murrayfield.

Connacht not going to die wondering. Brilliant.

Crowd definitely pro-Connacht but there's a fair few Ulstermen/Weegies that have the Westies back today. Lovely evening too.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Here at Murrayfield.

Connacht not going to die wondering. Brilliant.

Crowd definitely pro-Connacht but there's a fair few Ulstermen/Weegies that have the Westies back today. Lovely evening too.

Looks pretty full. Looks great fun.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

And Connacht win! Best team all season, despite what the table says. best in the final by a distance. Joe Schmidt is going to have to seriously think about the balance of his squad. O'Halloran and Healy must surely at least make a training squad. They were fantastic. So too Adeolukan.

[ARM]

Cracking stuff. Well done Connacht.

[Peat]

Well done Connacht.

[Tre]

And Connacht win! Best team all season, despite what the table says. best in the final by a distance. Joe Schmidt is going to have to seriously think about the balance of his squad. O'Halloran and Healy must surely at least make a training squad. They were fantastic. So too Adeolukan.

is it right that they have won the same amount of games outside the international windows as the 8th-placed ospreys?

[Eugene Wrayburn]

And Connacht win! Best team all season, despite what the table says. best in the final by a distance. Joe Schmidt is going to have to seriously think about the balance of his squad. O'Halloran and Healy must surely at least make a training squad. They were fantastic. So too Adeolukan.

is it right that they have won the same amount of games outside the international windows as the 8th-placed ospreys?

I've no idea. They did however beat the previous champions two weeks in succession and then beat Leinster in the final so I give precisely no fucks.

[Donny osmond]

Great day at Murrayfield, seats in the sun, beer flowing, good rugby from Connaught, Leinster didn't really show up/weren't allowed to "show up" and got, frankly, embarrased. Stadium about half full but cracking good atmosphere I didn't see any neutral cheering for Leinster. Connaught win without a single "super star" (no disrespect meant) in their team surely points the way forward for all other teams.

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[Eugene Wrayburn]

Great day at Murrayfield, seats in the sun, beer flowing, good rugby from Connacht, Leinster didn't really show up/weren't allowed to "show up" and got, frankly, embarrased. Stadium about half full but cracking good atmosphere I didn't see any neutral cheering for Leinster. Connacht win without a single "super star" (no disrespect meant) in their team surely points the way forward for all other teams.

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I don't think so. Connacht have some great players who could become superstars - if Healy and TOH don't get caps pretty soon they'll be off to France and make their names there. They also clearly have a clever coaching panel willing to back their defence and their passing in equal measure. As long as stars are prepared to buy into the culture of a side they should improve it.

[Donny osmond]

Great day at Murrayfield, seats in the sun, beer flowing, good rugby from Connacht, Leinster didn't really show up/weren't allowed to "show up" and got, frankly, embarrased. Stadium about half full but cracking good atmosphere I didn't see any neutral cheering for Leinster. Connacht win without a single "super star" (no disrespect meant) in their team surely points the way forward for all other teams.

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I don't think so. Connacht have some great players who could become superstars - if Healy and TOH don't get caps pretty soon they'll be off to France and make their names there. They also clearly have a clever coaching panel willing to back their defence and their passing in equal measure. As long as stars are prepared to buy into the culture of a side they should improve it.

I agree, but having superstars in a team often seems to detract from the team mentality. Absent a big name player, everyone has to shoulder their share of responsibility, something Connaught do very very well. Doesn't always happen with other teams who do have big names in the ranks, and may be tricky for Connaught to continue now that they are swimming in the deep end.

Interesting to hear Connaught captain interviewed after the game state that a few of the guys were moving on after this season, means we'll watch them next season with interest, but if they can continue this team mentality they appear to have, they should be back at the top.

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[Eugene Wrayburn]

Great day at Murrayfield, seats in the sun, beer flowing, good rugby from Connacht, Leinster didn't really show up/weren't allowed to "show up" and got, frankly, embarrased. Stadium about half full but cracking good atmosphere I didn't see any neutral cheering for Leinster. Connacht win without a single "super star" (no disrespect meant) in their team surely points the way forward for all other teams.

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I don't think so. Connacht have some great players who could become superstars - if Healy and TOH don't get caps pretty soon they'll be off to France and make their names there. They also clearly have a clever coaching panel willing to back their defence and their passing in equal measure. As long as stars are prepared to buy into the culture of a side they should improve it.

I agree, but having superstars in a team often seems to detract from the team mentality. Absent a big name player, everyone has to shoulder their share of responsibility, something Connaught do very very well. Doesn't always happen with other teams who do have big names in the ranks, and may be tricky for Connaught to continue now that they are swimming in the deep end.

Interesting to hear Connaught captain interviewed after the game state that a few of the guys were moving on after this season, means we'll watch them next season with interest, but if they can continue this team mentality they appear to have, they should be back at the top.

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Henshaw is the big loss. I still don't really understand why he's leaving. I think the fly half may be moving on as well but he's only been there since February due to an injury crisis. Unfortunately they won't miss Ah You (coming to Ulster).

Through their periods of dominance both Leinster and Munster managed to stay close-knit despite having some stars. I think Connacht will be grand.

[mcshinnertheligind]

Muldowny will be missed too.
Congrats to the Westies. Well deserved win.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Muldowny will be missed too.
Congrats to the Westies. Well deserved win.

Where's he off to?

[SerjeantWildgoose]

Aly Muldowney off to Bernie's Grenoble. AJ off to Sale to pair up with Strings.