Sunday 25 October 2020
The former Ireland captain believes some criticism of the scrum-half has been unwarranted.
Kieran Marmion and Jack Carty will hope to be back in the international fold.
Connacht boss Andy Friend was pleased with how his side sorted out their discipline against Glasgow.
The first half of Kieran Marmion’s season was an emotional rollercoaster, but he looks like a player in his prime after the summer break.
The scrum-half returns to the Connacht team for the first time since November against Montpellier today.
Head coach Andy Friend says the scrum-half is in back in full training before their showdown with Montpellier.
The 27-year-old has played more than 160 times for Connacht since his debut in 2011.
The return of Ultan Dillane is a welcome boost for Andy Friend.
The Connacht 9 was reportedly a target of Saracens last week, but their salary cap sanction will force a re-think of all their recruitment.
The international scrum-half has forced Caolin Blade onto the bench for the first time this season.
The Ireland head coach has named an athletic squad for the tests ahead in Japan.
The Connacht man had stepped up to deliver on some of the most impressive Irish performances in recent years.
The Connacht scrum-half required surgery on his ankle after helping Ireland beat the All Blacks in November.
Meanwhile, the province feel Jack Carty is ready for a possible Ireland debut.
Dillane, Blade, Carty and Farrell all start for Connacht on Saturday evening.
Marmion has shaken off the ankle injury which has hampered him through the early portion of the season.
The Connacht scrum-half hopes to return in the coming weeks ahead of the Six Nations.
The Connacht nine had ankle surgery in November, but has stepped up his recovery in recent weeks.
Kieran Marmion got two big starts this month, while Luke McGrath and John Cooney have had exposure too.
The Connacht player still managed to star in the win over New Zealand.
Kieran Marmion knows his room-mate and Connacht team-mate Bundee Aki will relish the challenge of the All Blacks on Saturday.
Kieran Marmion hopes he gets the chance to start against the All Blacks next weekend.
The scrum-half has shaken off an ankle injury for the crucial Conference A clash.
Out-half Ronaldson is facing an extended period on the sideline as he undergoes knee surgery.
The 26-year-old Connacht scrum-half made his first appearance of the season against Zebre last weekend.
The scrum-half is frustrated at the inconsistencies in Connacht’s performances through the season, and says the players shoulder the burden for that.
The 25-year-old will remain in Galway until the 2019 World Cup.
The Connacht man has started just four times at international level, but has impressed Schmidt throughout this year.
Kieran Marmion is set to make his 100th Championship appearance for the province while captain John Muldoon is also named to start.
Connacht scrum-half Kieran Marmion on a new era out west.
South African franchises the Cheetahs and Southern Kings are expected to be added to the league for this season.
The Connacht scrum-half jokes that meeting JJ Watt was one the highlights of the last tour to the US as he was left out of both matchday squads.
Passing, sniping, kicking, defending and organising are all key parts of playing at nine.
The western province are looking to bounce back from defeat to Zebre against Edinburgh.
‘When Conor has had niggles, Kieran has done all the training. But that gives him confidence.’
Pat Lam can at least welcome back Ireland international Kieran Marmion this week.
The 25-year-old was composed on his second Test start for Joe Schmidt’s side.
The 25-year-old makes his first Six Nations start later.
The Connacht star is firmly in the role of impact player for Ireland.
He was rested in Connacht’s win, with Pat Lam doing ‘what’s best for Ireland, what’s best for Connacht and what’s best for Kieran Marmion.’
