Craggy Rugby Podcast

Connacht returned after the early season URC break at the same pace as they entered it, playing some astonishingly good rugby and all the more astonishing considering the woeful weather conditions.Alan Deegan hosts this slightly shorter, weather affected,  match day podcasts where we hear from William Davies, Dave Finn and Linley MacKenzie as they give their thoughts from before, during and after the match and we also hear from a very satisfied Andy Friend and the man who celebrated his 150th appearance Dave Heffernan. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wow, what a win and what an atmosphere at the home of Irish rugby for the cinderella province as they produced a wonderful performance to totally eclipse the previously unbeaten Ulster side.Almost the whole Craggy Crew were there to run the rule over an admittedly flawed but ultimately satisfying performance and result for Connacht.We hear from Andy Friend, double try scoring hero Mack Hansen as well as a pretty dejected Dan McFarland in the post match press conference. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was an epic URC game in Thomond Park with Munster managing to sneak past Connacht with a late, late try after the visitors had forced themselves in front with a few minutes to go.Connacht's consistent inconsistency continues with another massive performance in Thomond Park, that's 3 one score games in a row between the sides.The ball didn't bounce Connacht's way, the 50-50 decisions appeared to go against them, as Andy Friend so eloquently discusses in the post match press conference.As well as Andy Friend and Tiernan O' Halloran, we hear the thoughts of Irish Time rugby  correspondent Gerry Thornley on how Connacht are still get the raw end of the stick on tight decisions in Interpro matches. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The only consistent thing about Connacht is their inconsistency. They had enough territory and possession in the first half to have put the game beyond the Dragons, but were given a lesson in game management in the the second half as the visitors deservedly won their first match in the Sportsground since 2004.We hear the post match thoughts of Andy Friend and Paul Boyle as Rob Murphy hosts the podcast with guests Dave Finn, Linley MacKenzie and Alan Deegan, while we get the in-match thoughts from William Davies. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht got their season up and running with a brilliant beating of the Bulls in the first URC match of the season in the Sportsground.Rob Murphy hosts a very upbeat podcast with guests Linley MacKenzie, Dave Finn, Alan Deegan and a late appearance of William Davies while we also hear the post-match thoughts of Andy Friend and Mack Hansen.We also pay tribute to Leanardo Mussini who was the PRO for Zebre Rugby and very good friend of the podcast who was always generous with his time whenever we were in Parma, a true gentleman of the game and a huge loss to his loved ones, may he rest in peace. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not only do we have the Connacht coaching ticket's view, thanks to Mossy Lawlor, on their team selection for their first ever match against the Vodacom Bulls, William Davies also got Jake White's thoughts on his team selection and the challenges they are expecting for their first visit to the West of Ireland. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's podcast sees the return of our South African correspondent, Morgan Piek, to get the view of how the URC is being viewed in that rugby mad country as well as his thoughts on how the Bulls will react to the comprehensive defeat to Leinster.We hear some of the Connacht press conference highlights with Tom Daly and Pete Wilkins as well as the thoughts of former Munster player, now Bulls flanker, Arno Botha.Galway Bay FM rugby correspondent William Davies joins host Alan Deegan to reviews some of the stats from the Cardiff match, quickly pass over the defeat of the Irish Women to Scotland in the WRWC qualifier and then preview what looks like is going to be a tough outing for Connacht against the Bulls in the first URC match in the Sportsground this season. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A hugely disappointing start to the season with a big defeat away to Cardiff is captured by William Davies and Rob Murphy who travelled to a Connacht away match for the first time in 20 months.We hear from a philosophical Jarrad Butler and a very frustrated and clearly annoyed Andy Friend in the first non-zoom post match interviews in yonks. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

William Davies chatted to Pete Wilkins about the first team selection of the season as Connacht travel to Cardiff for Round 1 of the new United Rugby Championship.  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first match of the season is almost upon us, but the big news is not the trip to Cardiff, it's the fact that Connacht are moving their home interpro match against Ulster in October to the Aviva Stadium on the day after the proposed lifting of all COVID restrictions.We hear the thoughts of club captain Jarrad Butler and head coach Andy Friend in press conference as podcast host Alan Deegan is joined by William Davies and Niall Shiel to talk about that exciting development as well as how difficult a start it will be in Cardiff and how Beibhinn Parson's could be a better rugby player than Brian O'Driscoll Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The new season is almost upon and an almost full Craggy Crew share their hopes, aspirations and fears for the challenge the new United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup hold in store for Connacht Rugby. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

IWilliam Davies and Alan Deegan discuss the somewhat lob-sided looking URC fixture list from a Connacht perspective as the approaching new season for the Men's team gathers momentum in Part 1 of the podcast.In Part 2 there is full coverage of the Women's first Interpro of the season with Connacht legend Ali Miller giving her insightful thoughts on the narrow defeat at home to Leinster as well as her thoughts on where the Women's game needs to go to become more successful in Ireland. William spoke to Connacht coach Ross Mannion after the match too. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht are back training, the Lions have just won the first Test against South Africa, the Champions Cup draw has Connacht taking on the might of Leicester Tigers, who will visit the Sportsground for the first time ever, as well as a first ever match against Stade Francais Paris, what a couple of fantastic trips, COVID notwithstanding, to look forward to for the fans.The western province have 2 more Irish capped players in Caolin Blade and Paul Boyle and were brilliantly represented at the U20 level for Ireland by Shane Jennings, Cathal Forde, Oisin McCormack, Donncha Byrne and Eoin de Buitlear.The Connacht Women get 2 home Interpros this season and there is a well structured AIL season for both men and women to look forward to as well.There is also a discussion on Mental Health Wellness and how it is being supported by Jack Carty with the Tackle Your Feelings campaign and you can hear his interview with William Davies on our Patreon page.So plenty of green tinged chat for William Davies, Rob Murphy and Ala

In a Craggy Rugby exclusive, Andy Friend spoke at length about his hopes and expectations for Connacht Rugby in the new United Rugby Championship.He spoke to Rob Murphy and Linley MacKenzie on a video conference call as he approached the end of his quarantine period in a Brisbane hotel on a much needed trip home to Australia.The genial Aussie spoke about the challenge of taking Connacht to the next level, leading a new coaching team and providing Connacht with a more defined playing identity as he breaks new ground in his coaching career with this being the first time he has stayed at a club longer than 3 seasons. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The PRO14 has morphed once again and now we have the United Rugby Championship, the URC.William Davies and Niall Shiel join Alan Deegan to discuss this seismic shift in international club rugby and how big a challenge it is going to be for Connacht.We also talk about the excellent representation at both U20 and Senior Men International level that Connacht players will be making in the upcoming 6N and Summer Internationals respectively. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well that was a sometimes weird and sometimes wonderful season. Was it a good season or not for Connacht, how much did Connacht miss their fans, who was the most impressive player, it's all in the podcast in the company of Danny Deegan and Dave Finn with Alan Deegan hosting. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A craicing end of season performance brought the desired result that Andy Friend had demanded after the poor performance and result that leaves Connacht bouncing into the off-season on a bit of a high.The Craggy Crew take you through the match and discuss the big win and we hear from Andy Friend and Alex Wootton in the press conference. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

William Davies chatted to Connacht forwards coach Jimmy Duffy about the team selection for Connacht's final game of the season. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connacht invariable finish the season on a loss, winning only 4 of their 19 final regular season games since the start of the PRO14, will it be any different against an Ospreys side with a lot to play for?We hear from Bundee Aki for the first time since becoming a Lion, as well as an obviously angry Andy Friend who seems determined that Connacht finish with a bang. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bundee Aki spoke at a Connacht press conference for the first time since being selected for the British and Irish Lions today, we hear all the questions from the live section of the press conference in this mini pod. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.