Connacht are adopting a winner-takes-all approach when they host their final Investec Champions Cup pool fixture at the Galway Sportsground this evening (8pm ).
Needing a bonus-point win, while also denying opponents Bristol Bears to qualify for a Challenge Cup place, head coach Pete Wilkins says his players now need to just “go for it”.
“The great thing for us going into this Bristol game is we know the type of result we need, whether it’s a bonus point win and deny Bristol anything, or getting the points difference. We have to go for it, and one thing we know about Connacht is that we are absolutely at our best when we do.”
There is considerable interest in this fixture which sees so many personalties having been involved with both clubs - not least the return of Bristol’s head coach Pat Lam to a sold-out Sportsground, where he remains a hero having delivered its only trophy. And, alongside him is one of the longest serving players in Connacht, former Ireland international scrumhalf Kieran Marmion, who is named on the bench, while AJ McGinty is named at outhalf. On the other side the main protagonists are John Muldoon, who learned his coaching in Bristol with his former coach, and lock Joe Joyce, who, having joined the Bristol academy in 2012 before making more than 150 appearances, decided to time was right to move to Connacht from where his family originated.
However, those former friendships will take a backseat in a game Wilkins describes as “unbelievably exciting”.
“It is exactly the type of the challenge this group thrives upon, and I am looking forward to it as much as anyone. It is about really backing ourselves and taking the brave options.
“Sometimes it is historically when we have been in a game and behind on the scoreboard, and the shackles have come off. Other times it has been when we were very much perceived as the underdogs and the shackles have been off from the get-go. And this is one of those games. The reward for us will come only if we have a massive performance and one that is full of energy and full of ambition,” he says.
Tiernan O’Halloran is one of eight changes from the side that travelled to Lyon. The fullback, with some 228 games for the province, returns from a foot injury, providing experience in the back field alongside retained wingers Shane Bolton and Andrew Smith. Bundee Aki forms a new centre pairing with David Hawkshaw, with JJ Hanrahan wearing the No 10 shirt, alongside the experienced scrumhalf Caolin Blade, who captains the side.
As expected the experienced duo of Denis Buckley and Finlay Bealham return to the front row, alongside hooker Tadgh McElroy, while Joe Joyce is joined by line-out speciliat Niall Murray in the second row. Shamus Hurley-Langton, Cian Prendergast and number 8 Jarrad Butler form the back row.
“For a lot of reasons this should be a great occasion. Friday night Champions Cup games at The Sportsground are always special, and there will be a few old faces making the visit as well. Both teams still have a lot to play for, so we can’t wait for it.”
Lam’s Bristol have the advantage, due to a 36-34 win over Lyon at home, giving them five championship points in pool one, and with it the chance to advance depending on results elsewhere. Connacht’s need for a victory is to provide hopes of completing their European campaign in the Challenge Cup.
Pat Lam returns to a different Sportsground, although the last occasion was during Covid when there were some 178 spectators allowed to watch the pre-season friendly.
Despite being rivals once again, Lam says he is always reminded of his time in the west of Ireland, particularly with a photo on his wall of Finlay Bealham, Kieran Marmion, Robbie Hensahw, Ultan Dillane and Nathan White.
“At that time Connacht had five players involved in a Six Nations game. I keep it alongside my Connacht jersey and medal, reminding me of the amount of players who were rewritten off, but as so long as they have the dream and are willing to do the work, they will make it.”
The match begins at 8pm and can be seen on TNT Sports, beIN SPORTS, SuperSport and FloRugby.
Connacht: T O’Halloran, A Smith, D Hawkshaw, B Aki, S Bolton, J Hanrahan, C Blade (C ), D Buckley, T McElroy, F Bealham, N Murray, J Joyce, C Prendergast, S Hurley-Langton, J Butler. Replacements, D Heffernan, P Dooley, J Aungier, O Dowling, C Oliver, M McDonald, J Carty, O McNulty.
Bristol Bears: M Malins, K Ravouvou, V Vakatawa, B Janse van Rensburg, G Ibitoye, AJ McGinty, H Randal, J Woolmore, G Oghre, K Sinckler, J Caulfield J Batley, S Luatua, F Harding (C ). Replacements, W Capon, S Grahanslaw, M Lahiff, J Owen, D Thomas, K Marmion, J Williams P O’Conor.
Referee: Pierre Brousset (FRA ).
