RUCKS AND MAULS

What a performance by Connacht in dismantling Ulster 36-11 at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening. Conor Oliver was a very worthy man of the match winner; he seemed to be everywhere! But Jack Carty must also have impressed the watching Andy Farrell and, if Carty’s place-kicking percentage matches the rest of his game, then Farrell must reconsider his opinion on Jack. No less than seven Buccaneers players started for Connacht including Niall Murray who scored his first try for the province while Shane Delahunt was sprung from the bench.

Things did not go as well for the younger Carty when New Zealand demolished USA on a 104-14 scoreline. Nevertheless, Luke can be proud of his achievements since departing Connacht. It is an unbelievable step up for him since his last Buccaneers matches against Sligo and Ballina not that long ago! Luke converted both USA tries becoming the second Athlonian to score against All Blacks!

On a different level, watch out for Jordan Conroy and his mother Jennie on RTE2 on Wednesday night in the TV show “Celebrity Pulling with my Parents”. His mother wants to tackle his “dismal dating game and set him up with a nice farmers’s daughter” but, I gather, “a bit of road frontage” may be Jordan’s priority! Sounds like an entertaining hour’s television.