A new Connacht Rugby season kicks off on Saturday with Peter Wilkins’ outfit up against last season’s URC semi-finalists Munster in Thomond Park (5.30pm ).
It is a tough opening-round challenge for Connacht who bid once again to finish in the top eight and qualify for European Champions Cup rugby.
Pete Wilkins, now in his second season as head coach, has added to his squad depth with some quality additions that include New Zealander Josh Ioane and Piers O’Connor from Bristol Bears.
The 29-years-old Ioane, formerly with the Chiefs and Highlanders, who also played for the M?ori All Blacks, is expected to be a key player in helping fulfil Connacht’s ambitions this season. O’Connor joins after six years with Pat Lam’s Bristol Bears, and will add key experience to Connacht’s midfield options, while former Ulster hooker Adam McBurney returns to Ireland from Edinburgh.
Other newcomers include talented U20 centre Hugh Gavin, son of former Connacht and Galwegians’ player Barry, 22-years-old prop Temi Lasisi and scrumhalf Ben Murphy from Leinster, and former Bristol academy and Ireland Sevens player Chay Mullins.
Wilkins readiness to put his faith in the younger players is exemplified by naming Cian Prendergast was captain this season.
And in their bid for a top eight finish, Wilkins believes the 24-years-old embodies what the club stands for this season and in the future, delivering a “work ethic, mindset, and understanding of the game”.
“He’s the benchmark within our group in terms of the diligence with which he prepares - not just his body physically to play, but his work off field - in terms of his rugby knowledge, understanding of our game, and understanding the development of his craft as a player.
“He leads by example in that respect, but also very early on, he showed a willingness to challenge in a really positive way, whether that's challenging his teammates about what they're delivering or what their potential really is, or indeed challenging us as coaches.”
Wilkins says the “honesty and a courage” about the way Prendergast goes about his work is infectious.
“He’s certainly not the only one in the group with those attributes, but in terms of being a standard bearer for us this season, I think it's perfect in that regard.”
Wilkins will also look to experienced forwards Joe Joyce and Dave Heffernan as the vice-captains.
“It’s not just leadership experiences, [it’s their] rugby experiences, life experience. I think to have them combined with Cian makes a really neat trio.
“We've got five other players as part of our player leadership group, so I think we're we're developing quite a strong framework that maybe wasn't there before.
“The other thing we'll get is just different views on the game, different views on the culture that Joe and Dave will bring in, and I think that will complement him nicely.”
Connacht will head to Thomond Park to face Munster with a clean bill health - with only JJ Hanrahan on the long-term injury list.
Connacht, having finished in 11th position last season, with a 50 per cent win ratio, once again aim to for a top eight finish.
“That's really important to us,” says Wilkins, in his second season in charge and his eighth with the province.
“Obviously, we're ambitious. We want to be playing knock-out rugby in the URC. We want to be competing in the Champions Cup and having those sort of biggest occasions here at Dexcom, and to give ourselves opportunity to make a market in that competition.
“It is the same for us every season at the same time, though that only happens if we deliver a level of consistency that was almost certainly absent last year, whether that's across 80 minutes, whether that's week-to-week, we've got to earn the right to be in that top eight.
“We know from last season, one win or a few bonus points here and there can make a massive difference. So we've got that that longer term goal for the season, but it's what we're doing week-to-week that's going to earn us the right.”
Prendergast, the former Newbridge College student and older brother of Leinster outhalf Sam, takes over the captaincy from 32-years-old Jack Carty, who begins a 12th season with his home province.
“We have to pay enormous tribute to Jack Carty for how he's led the team over the last two seasons,” says Wilkins.
“He did not just lead the club. He absolutely represented us with pride and has gone above and beyond, almost too selfless at times.
“So to have someone [like Cian] coming in at this stage of his career and being ready to take on this responsibility, as well as freeing up Jack, it gives Cian an even better platform to impact the group. I see it as an actual evolution for him and also for the squad.”
Connacht’s first URC home game will take place at Dexcom Stadium on Saturday September 28 against Hollywoodbets Sharks.
