Connacht crashed out of Europe in disappointing fashion on Sunday, succumbing to Benetton for the second time in three weeks on a score-line of 39 - 24.
The loss is a continuation of their erratic form this season. The westerners have failed to accumulate any consistent momentum - each positive spell being punctuated by a disparate defeat.
Returning to the URC, Connacht's drive for a post-season playoff spot is imminent. The run-in begins with a home game against Zebre this weekend, before a trip to Rodney Parade to face the Dragons the week after. They then face Munster away, Stormers at home, and Leinster away in what is an incredibly difficult final trio of fixtures.
On paper, Connacht's first two games should yield bonus-point victories. Zebre are currently last in the league with one win, while the Dragons are second last with just three wins.
From then on, the fixtures become drastically more demanding. Connacht will need to learn on the fly and progress with each game to make the quarter final stages. This is easier said than done at the latter end of the season - tired bodies and a lack of depth in certain positions will prove particularly challenging.
However, progress is a pre-requisite for this team, as their performance level in certain games has been nowhere near good enough. One thing is for sure as the struggle for playoff places continues, each prospective opponent will offer fresh and unique challenges for Connacht going forward. The need for consistency is now paramount.
There are certain improvements that Connacht can make, beginning with the game against Zebre. Small augmentations at this juncture in the season could make the difference between a Champions Cup spot for next season, a quarter-final berth and a shot at the title - or nothing at all.
Firstly, Connacht must remove rudimentary errors from their play. Twice during the Benetton game Connacht were found wanting in this department. The incidents involved a hesitation by Dave Heffernan to pounce on a ricocheting ball, and a Caolin Blade tap-back pass which retrospectively should have been caught. Both mistakes were punished in the form of tries by Benetton, a harsh lesson for two hugely consistent players.
However, these are not the first examples of basic errors costing the westerners dearly. This is down to a looseness which has permeated their play all year, owing to Connacht's next necessary improvement, their set-piece.
Last season their defensive lineout was one of the best in the URC, and this season is no different as they sit in 2nd place for steals.
More importantly however, the forward pack have lost 31 lineouts so far, third overall in the league, just three behind Ulster with 34. Furthermore, their conversion rate is just 81 per cent, 14th in the league compared to 89 per cent for Edinburgh who are first overall.
As well as that, Connacht are 14th in the league for scrum win percentage at 88 per cent. They have also given up the third most scrum offences at 25.
This means they give up guilt-edged attacking opportunities consistently in games. Against the top teams in the division, set-piece accuracy is crucial to lay down an attacking platform. Because of this, Connacht are 11th overall for tries scored with 33.
Additionally, cohesion and intent in attack will be vital to Connacht's progression. As a team, they are not the most physically dominant in the competition. Thus, Wilkins' side will have to vary their attack and show conviction in their carries and lines of running to topple bigger outfits.
Connacht will look to implement these improvements when they face Zebre this Saturday. The prize on offer at the end of this regular season is a substantial one.
Kick-off at Dexcom Stadium is at 7.35pm on Saturday, April 20. The game will be shown live on TG4.
