I was joined by Ciarán Duffy @posttopostsport.bsky.social looking back over Connacht v Leinster, with topics including…
🏉 Comeback Kings
🏉 The gameplan
🏉 Opening night
🏉 Leinster negatives
🏉 Connacht’s form
Check it out here > harpinonrugby.blog/2026/01/26/4...
#CONvLEI #BKTURC
Also, Sam Illo, what an actual monster of a player he's become
#CONvLEI
That was another hard watch from a Leinster perspective but somehow we get a BPW on the road in a ferocious interpro Fair play to Connacht they really took us to the wire I wish them all the very best under Stuart’s leadership #CONvLEI
That was a good game though my blood pressure was up most of the first half. I’m worried about that Boyle injury though…
#CONvLEI
10 wins in a row now. Hasn't always been pretty but we keep getting the wins. That result puts us up into 2nd (at least until Glasgow and Cardiff play later) and leaves us only a point back from Stormers in 1st, albeit they (and Ulster) have a game in hand.
#CONvLEI
Definitely happy with that, obv poor tackling for the Connacht try but otherwise we defended well that half and took the chances when they came. Well reffed by Cross I thought as tensions were high. Kelleher improved our scrum, both our scrumhalfs did well. Plenty of positives for Con #CONvLEI
Thank fuck..got out of dodge a bit there.. #ConvLei
Really entertaining game. The new stand sounds CLASS.
Big 5 points. Boyle injury a huge concern now.
Jerry Cahir and Alex Usanov next weekend 👀 #CONvLEI
Eoghan Cross is an excellent referee and should get Test games soon #CONvLEI
It's like a switch has been flicked here. After an hour of nothing really clicking all of a sudden it's all working for us and nothing going right for Connacht.
#CONvLEI
I love Frawley and it still breaks my heart he is leaving… I know I know he’s doing what was best for him but I’m still not okay
#CONvLEI
And out of nowhere we're back a score ahead. Having been the better side for most of this game Connacht are in danger of letting another one slip. Awful defence for Tector's try, Lancaster will be furious. I'm not complaining though.
#CONvLEI
Fair play Connacht, looking really up for this. We look off the pace again.
#CONvLEI
Just 6 or 7 forward passes so far in the second half from Connacht... Presume they've been given the go ahead... #CONvLEI
Absolutely loving the noise out of that new stand at the Dexcom, anyway! #CONvLEI
Very little shown in attack. The Snyman offload that Connors dropped and the Harry kick straight to Gilbert two particular lowlights. Need something from the bench here I think
#CONvLEI
Attack has been pretty blunt tonight. Scrum has settled a bit after a bad first twenty or so minutes but we've given Connacht easy entrances to our 22 after botched restarts. Boyle injury a major major worry ahead of the 6N.
#CONvLEI
Scoreline about right, many concerns for Leinster, another prop injured, scrum issues anyway, plus blunt attack not using back three, but we are taking points and staying in it. Connacht defending for the occasion, should be fascinating 2nd half. #CONvLEI
TMO's just not calling high tackles today huh.
#CONvLEI
And yet again no interest in player safety... Head on head being ignored. #CONvLEI
So Leinster need to fall over the Connacht players lying on the wrong side (out of the way of the ruck)... There's been a lot of them but Leinster making the mistake of walking around them so far this game... #CONvLEI
Players can get injured at any time, but what was the need in playing Jack Boyle today, zero need - impacts Ireland and massively fucks our season big time. We have to sign someone asap #CONvLEI
The Clan Stand full is an awesome sight!! A long time coming but worth the wait! 💚 #ConvLei
Christ the new stand is impressive, glad they kept a terrace at the very front of it. Delighted for Connacht and over the moon to see where the game is out West compared to the dark days of the IRFU wanting to shutter the Province.
However, COYBIB! 💙💙
#CONvLEI
Genuinely delighted for Connacht to see that new stand open. Shows how far the game has come out west. As Gavin Duffy says, genuinely quite moving to think that Connacht are here now when twenty years ago they looked about to be shuttered.
Still hope we ruin their night mind.
#CONvLEI
Keego helps us look forward to Saturday evening’s interpro in Galway > harpinonrugby.blog/2026/01/23/4...
#CONvLEI #BKTURC
Matthew Devine can feel very hard done by. Arguably the form 9 for Connacht.
The average age of our frontrow must be about 12 years old.
Happy to see Forde & West retained in the centre. Connacht Abú!!
#CONvLEI #Rugby
