Connacht is running out of games to seal a top eight play-off spot, thus this weekend’s fixture against Zebre becomes all the more crucial in achieving their seasonal ambitions.
Andy Friend’s side is well capable of securing the necessary points against a side that is sitting bottom of the URC table with just seven points. Those are all from bonus points as they have yet to win a game in the 13 played to date, and that makes the Italian side a tricky opponent on Saturday (3.05pm ) in Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.
Connacht have been given plenty of warnings over the years that they cannot take this team for granted. Despite Zebre’s lowly position on the table, their fire is not easy to dampen, as demonstrated by many close-fought battles. Last season’s home match finished 22-20 and few will forget a 5-6 victory in Parma three seasons earlier.
However, Andy Friend knows what to expect, and nothing but a win will be acceptable on his last trip to Zebre as the Connacht boss.
Without a win and with seven bonus points, Zebre will pose a threat, and Friend says the fixture is being treated as another final.
“We put ourselves in a position where these remaining six games - five URC and one Challenge Cup - are all must wins if we want to keep going forward - this is a vital game for us.”
“They haven’t won a game, but they have pushed good teams close. We know they will be targeting us, so this is an opportunity for us to cotintinue to rack up points, but we will have to be good.”
Ireland squad members Cian Prendergast and Caolin Blade are availale to travel this week, but Bealham is one of several players who will miss Connacht’s trip to Italy. Paul Boyle was due to return, but irritated a previous shoulder injury in training, and joins Dave Heffernan (thigh ) and Shane Delahunt (hip ) on the injured list, while Bill Ralston is ruled out till May having undergone surgery on his ankle. Sean Masterson (Achilles ) and Gavin Thornbury (knee ) remain on the long-term list.
However back in action are Cian Prendergast and Caolin Blade from their stinit in the Ireland camp, while David Hawkshaw and Oisin Dowling have recovered from ankle and knee injuries respectively.
Finlay Bealham
Unavailable are the internationals - including Mack Hansen, Bundee Aki and Finlay Bealham, who Friend believes will continue to shine in an Ireland jersey.
The Connacht tighthead has spent most of his Ireland appearances coming off the bench, but Friend believes there is more to come from the 31-years-old.
“I have been impressed with the consistent growth of the man, certainly since I have known him. He’s come out of his shell, and is now being recognised on the rugby field. It’s a real compliment to him and the way he goes about his game, and continues to build himself on and off the field,” he says.
Friend describes his development as “the opening up of a flower” and is now showing the world what he can do.
“He has had a lot of challenges thrown at him, he’s a man who accepts those challenges, and tries to learn and grow from them.”
Heavy criticism was aimed at Bealham when he played at loosehead against Georgia, but Friend says any team would struggle against a Georgian pack.
“I certainly remember the game, against a very strong scrummaging side, and he went out there for his country and played on the loosehead side.
“When you have a bloke who hasn’t played a lot of minutes on the loosehead, whether choosing to or accepting it, to take on that challenge, I thought it was very brave of him.
“I thought it was unfair some of the criticism he got, but that which doesn’t break us makes us stronger and what you see now is that Finlay has grown from all the difficult experiences he’s had over the course of his whole career. I’ve known him for the last four and a half years, and I have a lot of conversations. He’s an open book and I have a lot of time for him.”
