Bundee Aki is expected to be back in action for Connacht on Saturday evening for another exacting interprovincial encounter against Munster at Thomond Park.
It is a timely return for the Lions 'player who has been getting up to speed with Connacht's new playing mantra since returning from South Africa. And with centre Tom Farrell sidelined with a shoulder injury and awaiting surgical consultation, Aki, as always, will be expected to play a leading role in trying to ensure Connacht can repeat their May victory over Johann van Graan's men in this first interprovincial of the new season.
Connacht senior coach Pete Wilkins says Aki has returned from his Lions' tour "level headed and with both feet on the ground". "He's worked incredibly hard to get his body right after what was a really bruising campaign. And he has worked incredibly hard to learn what we are trying to do and understand what the new coaches want from him, but he's still the same Bundee, effervescent and providing energy, but there's a steely look in his eye that he doesn't want that [Lions' tour] to be the peak of his career and that is brilliant for us."
Connacht will need all Aki's energy and skill to see off a Munster side that will be emotionally geared up for this game, which marks the fifth anniversary of the talismanic Anthony Foley's passing. And even without RG Snyman who re-ruptured his cruciate ligament, Munster will certainly be favourites to add to their unbeaten record this season and continue to top the URC table.
Andy Friend's side also has injury woes - scrumhalf Kieran Marmion, who was ruled out with an ankle injury last week, continues to be monitored, but Oisin Dowling is unavailable having suffered a facial injury at the weekend. In addition, wing Alex Wootton, flanker Eoghan Masterson and prop Sam Illo are unavailable.
Connacht is under added pressure heading to Thomond Park with one win and two losses, but Wilkins says there is confidence after last season's win.
"We have been successful there before and won more than once. I think a lot of our players who were in our team meeting were part of those wins and now what it takes to win there."
It will take a lot more than what they produced against the Dragons last week, and what was particularly worrying was that Connacht could not find that necessary consistency in performance.
It ensures making home runs count becomes more crucial for Connacht, but puts added pressure on getting vital away wins.
Few would have seen last weekend's result coming, or the nature of being beaten by a physically superior Dragons team who finished 35-22 winners at the Galway Sportsground.
And on the back of a 34-7 win over the Bulls the previous week, Connacht coach Andy Friend admitted he was scratching his head. In all their games with this Welsh outfit, Connacht leaked the most points on Saturday evening.
Lack of consistency and a failure to bring their "A game" is damaging Connacht's hopes of qualifying for Champions Cup rugby again as Friend praised their oppnents for being more "workmanlike and clinical, with a greater sense of game control".
While it may not be comprehensive, to lose to the Dragons at home, fail to get a championship point, and having leaked the most points in their long history with the Dragons, was a set-back after their promising start to the Sportsground season.
Connacht had taken a 12-8 lead at the break, Jack Carty kicking four of five penalties as they dominated possession and territory, but Dragons' pack, including former Connacht lock Joe Maksymiw, was tenacious and highly efficient at the breakdown, effective in their tackling, and their backs demonstrated their attacking prowess. When fullback Jordan Williams delivered a perfect chip and collect, a willing Jonah Holmes finished for the first of the Welsh side's four tries.
Connacht did carve opportunities, but they were successfully snuffed out by a dogged Dragons' defence. Mack Hansen fashioned a an opportunity, but scrumhalf Caolin Blade was held up over the line, and there was one late surge before a forward pass called time on the opening half.
Dean Ryan's Dragons were more efficient with their 46 per cent possession, crucially taking control of the second half in which they scored 27 points, while Connacht struggled to get a consistent foothold, made too many errors, particularly in turning over ball, and could only manage 10 points.
Connacht v Dragons : T O'Halloran, B O'Donnell, T Farrell, T Daly, M Hansen, J Carty, C Blade, M Burke, D Heffernan, F Bealham, O Dowling, U Dillane, C Prendergast, J Butler ©, P Boyle,Replacements, L Fefita for Dowling (16m ), J Duggan for Burke and C Oliver for Prendergast (both 44 ), S Delahunt for Heffernan and S Arnold for Daly (both 54m ), J Aungier for Bealham and C Fitzgerald for Farrell (60m ).
