Connacht face three crunch fixtures to decide the make-up of this year’s United Rugby Championship quarter-finals.
In a tight table, 11 of the 16 teams still have huge incentives, and also some big challenges, none more so than Connacht who face current URC champions Munster in Thomond Park on Saturday night (5.15pm ).
Following this is a home fixture against South African side DHL Stormers, the 2020/21 champions who are currently just a point above Connacht in fifth place. Then for the final round it is Leinster, eight-time former champions, at the RDS.
Connacht, currently in sixth place, is one of three teams on 44 points. Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins says there is now a “different feel” amongst the squad as the competition hots up.
“I wouldn’t say it’s tension. I think there is an intensity and an excitement though. It is there in every interpro week, but especially so coming so near the end of the season.
“It is an exciting week, something we are all embracing. It doesn’t quite feel like a cup final, but there is a different edge to it.”
That edge dictates that Connacht must ‘stand up and fight’, knowing they will need to “do a lot of defending, tackle well, kick-chase well, and be really clear with decision making”.
“Going away to Thomond Park, you can’t just go with the mindset of staying in the fight, you have to be the aggressor as much as they are,’ says Wilkins. “And be proactive, trying to win the ball back quickly, so you are not spending the whole time just allowing them to dictate the style of the game,” he says.
There is reason to be optimistic: the last occasion Munster delivered any sort of hammering was in Covid times with a 49-12 win in the Aviva Stadium. Since then there has been little between the sides. Even so, Connacht’s only away victory since their 18-12 win in the 2015/16 season, was a 24-20 result in a Rainbow Cup fixture. However, there has been only a score between them.
With Munster still eyeing the title, and Connacht a top eight finish, both sides have huge incentive, ensuring a fierce fight.
“There is an interesting battle between our defence and their possession game,” says Wilkins, “And as ever the physicality [of] the set piece will have a massive sway on the occasion. Battles up front often decide these inter-pros, and it can become very personal for the players in terms of Irish ambitions.
“The teams know each other well, but that battle at the front end will be exciting.”
Recent wins have provided Wilkins’ side with much-needed fresh impetus, boosting confidence ahead of the Thomond Park fixture.
Wilkins is confident if Connacht can win two of the last three fixtures, it should be enough to make the top eight.
“As ever we will do out best to win this week and assess again, but every time I have a target in mind, it changes by the following Monday morning. I think two wins would be great in terms of putting us in the mix.”
However Connacht will be without remaining URC fixtures with the loss of JJ Hanrahan who has started 12 of 18 fixtures this season, with 88 per cent kicking accuracy.
