Connacht’s composure will be tested tomorrow night at the Galway Sportsground when they bid for a second successive bonus winning result against Italian side Rovigo.
Last weekend in Italy, in the first of these back-to-back European Challenge Cup matches, Connacht achieved the maximum five points with a workmanlike 30-25 win against a gutsy Italian side. However they had to work hard for a full 80 minutes to do so - scoring the fourth try in the 75th minute - and that fact should ensure Connacht take nothing for granted tomorrow night.
“In Rovigo we felt we achieved our objective and got a bonus point. As a result there will be an expectation that it will be achieved this week, but our attention to detail, which will be critical, needs to be at the required level,” says Connacht coach Michael Bradley.
“This is an important match because it can put us in a good position to qualify.”
Bradley said the players must take credit for their performance last week over 80 minutes, which was played on a heavy pitch following a week of rain. This week, he believes, the difference could be the pitch, and he is hoping that Connacht can “express themselves” as a result.
Unfortunately another key player has been added to the mounting injury list. Flanker Johnny O’Connor is out with a leg injury, which will necessitate yet more changes to a backrow that is still without captain John Muldoon and No 8 Colm Rigney. As a result Bradley has the option of calling up veteran Michael Swift or David Gannon from the bench, and he could well plump for the youngster on this occasion. Gannon is likely to take over the blindside with Mike McCarthy moving to No 8 and Ray Ofisa returning to his preferred position at openside. Ofisa played well at No 8 last week, particularly with the ball in hand, but defensively he would be preferred at openside in the absence of O’Connor.
There are still doubts over centre Keith Matthews (knee ) and prop Ronan Loughney, and if unavailable Mel Deane would come in at centre, while Brian McGovern would replace Loughney on the bench. The only other change is likely at hooker with Adrian Flavin coming in for Sean Cronin. Still unavailable is new recruit and former Otago Highlander centre Niva Ta’auso, but he is expected to now play against Munster in the traditional Christmas clash between the two provinces.
Rovigo showed last weekend that they are a useful side. Although limited in attack, they certainly were well organised defensively. But it was critical Connacht ground out a result, particularly on the back of their poor result against Ulster in the Magners League.
Four tries - two in each half - including a brace from scrumhalf Frank Murphy, ensured Connacht’s victory was “satisfying, but not spectacular”.
"We have now two away wins, and if we get a similar result this week it will put us in position for the last two matches. London Irish, as the favourites, will be difficult away, and they look like going through as pool winners, but we should be in a position to qualify."
A dominant scrum ensured Connacht were on the front foot for long periods, allied to some strong running from Keith Matthews, Troy Nathan, and Ray Ofisa. Johnny O'Connor enjoyed another fine outing in the tackle department, while the back three coped admirably with everything Rovigo tried to kick at them, linking well to regain possession and territory. It ensured Rovigo spent long periods in defence, before eventually coughing up the necessary tries.
"The level of concentration was what was required, apart from a couple of lapses. We took our kicks at goal when necessary, went into the front when we should have, and the game management by the halfbacks was very good."
Keatley once again had a fine outing with the boot, missing only one kick - the conversion for the first try in the second minute when hooker Sean Cronin outpaced Rovigo winger Juan Pablo Sanchez after Andrew Farley had charged down a clearance kick.
However it was Connacht's scrum which was the highlight of the game, and directly led to three of the four tries. The first before the break came when Ray Ofisa picked up from the scrum to outstmart the Rovigo backrow. Troy Nathan broke through on the right wing before linking with Ofisa who ran in from 30 metres out. With Keatley adding the extras and three penalties, Connacht were in the driving seat at 21 - 6.
A penalty from the scrum set up position for the third before Murphy burst over the line from anothe quickly-taken penalty five metres out.
Rovigo did gain a brief foothold and were rewarded with two tries, but Connacht's composure was eventually rewarded in the 75th minute, and it was Murphy who again took advantage when diving through from 10 metres out.
Now Connacht have a real opportunity to go into the new year with three wins from four games in Europe, and build some momentum before the crunch league ties with Munster and Leinster.
Connacht (possible ): F Carr, T Nathan, G Duffy (cpt ), K Matthews, D Riordan, I Keatley, F Murphy, B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Morris, A Browne, A Farley, D Gannon, R Ofisa, M McCarthy.
