Connacht would have hoped to carry some form of momentum into their away fixture to Saracens this coming weekend. The opposite is in fact the case, and Mark McCall's charges will look to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to the Bulls in style against a demoralised Connacht outfit.
Connacht's upcoming opposition need little introduction. The three-time Champions Cup winners are currently fourth in the Premiership Rugby table in England, however they are only two points off leaders Sale Sharks in what is a tightly contested domestic competition.
Although faltering in current seasons due to breach of salary cap rules, Saracens are slowly resurfacing as one of the competition's genuine contenders. Boasting a perennially impressive roster, led by Owen Farrell and bolstered by Maro Itoje, Elliot Daly and Argentina's Juan Martin Gonzalez, they will prove a stern test for the men from the West.
There will be an element of hopefulness for Pete Wilkin's team after Saracens fell to defeat away to the currently all-conquering Vodacom Bulls. The game played in Pretoria was a disappointing start for the London side, with the score at full-time reading 27-16. Billy Vunipola was red-carded following two Saracens' sin bins, after a reckless clear out on Bulls' number 8, Cameron Hanekom. Vunipola will most likely miss the Connacht game, and a possible further two matches. Connacht's prospective opposition were second best in this fixture, trailing by 27-6 at one stage, falling prey to the power game and oppressive altitude of the Highveld.
Saracens will therefore look to put Connacht to the sword to get their Champions Cup campaign back on track. After a dismal home display, Connacht will need to put out a strong team to combat Saracens impressive pack and wily backline.
The loss of Mack Hansen will make the chances of coming away with a win all the more challenging, and leaders such as Bundee Aki, Caolin Blade and Cian Prendergast will need to be on top of their game to have any chance of grasping a surprise win. To further that point, Connacht's set-piece needs to make drastic improvements, and fast, if they are to gain entry into the opposition's 22 and build score board pressure in London.
The game kicks off on Saturday, December 16 at 1pm, and can be viewed on TNT Sports.
Connacht were second best in every facet of their opening Champions Cup fixture last Friday night, as Bordeaux's speed and class stunned the Sporstsground into submission. The ghost of a disappointing Interpro result the previous week still lingered in and around the Clan Terrace on a night which should have bustled with renewed hope, yet all vestiges of a positive result were scuppered by a dominant travelling French side.
Connacht started well, applying pressure on Bordeaux right from the kick-off. They failed to capitalise however, and Bordeaux landed a sucker-punch in the eighth minute with a try scored by full-back Buros, after a lovely switch on the right wing facing into the Bohermore side. Unfortunately for the home team, this would be a sign of things to come. Things would get worse as well, due to a Mack Hansen injury which forced him off.
They did hit back with a try of their own however, after some good maul work allowed for Shamus Hurley-Langton to power over. Connacht were well in the contest at that stage, even after some ominous play from Bordeaux in which they threatened to score on numerous occasions. Connacht opted to kick to the corner on the night instead of taking their points off the tee. This may be a strategy they will look to remedy as set-piece inaccuracies were to the fore yet again.
The half finished finished 12-5, with Damian Penaud continuing his fine try-scoring record after a missed tackle from Caolin Blade.
The floodgates did in fact open in the second half. Maxime Lucu was tremendous throughout, his constant energy and tenacity was a thorn in Connacht's side. Along with Jalibert, the half-back combination was a potent catalyst for a talented backline, scarily missing the likes of Moefana and Bialle-Biarrey. Lucu's speed around the ruck fashioned Bordeaux's first try of the half, with Uberti going over. Their second came from good handling which allowed for Buros to score his second.
Connacht's scrum folded for Bordeaux's fifth try of the game, a score which typified the disparity in power between the two packs. The home side's seemingly only foray into the opposition 22 was marred by bad handling and inaccuracy.
In the 78th minute, Bordeaux killed off the game, after a moment of magic from big Ben Tameifuna, throwing a deft offload before the move finished in a second try of the game for winger Uborti.
