Friday’s final URC fling against Leinster is billed as the last chance saloon for Connacht, and no bigger challenge than Leo Cullen’s side bruised by their Investec Champions Cup loss.
Connacht will need other results to go their way in order to make the top eight, but head coach Pete Wilkins says his side must run out onto the RDS Arena (7.35pm ) with “all guns blazing”.
Counting the cost of their 12-16 defeat to the DHL Stormers at Dexcom Stadium last time out, Connacht sit in 10th position, four points shy of Emirates Lions, and Benetton and Edinburgh, who meet each other. Thus Wilkins’ acknowledges that even a win may not be enough.
“It’s like a cup final for us. We put ourselves in this position. We don’t have anyone else to blame, and hope a couple of things go our way in the other fixtures,” he says.
And on the back of Leinster’s heartbreaking loss at home to Toulouse in the European Rugby Champions Cup final, Wilkins says Connacht cannot afford to give their hosts any incentive.
“It is something we have discussed as coaches and with our players in terms of us calibrating the right mindset for ourselves.
“There is a danger that in the past we have tried to read too much into what the opposition’s motivation might be or state of mind, and quite often something can happen in the first five minutes of the game that can totally change that anyway. So we have to be careful how we use it, but it would be really silly not to reference that they are coming off a tough result.
“Leinster are particularly strong for coming home, and we saw that to our own expense at the earlier game at Dexcom. So a
fast start is important. It’s a challenge we relish, and in the first 15 minutes we will know where we are at.”
Back Shane Jennings and prop Denis Buckley both come into the selection reckoning, but it is too soon for Mack Hansen, who, recovering from a shoulder injury, is not ready for contact, while scrumhalf Matthew Devine remains sidelined with a rib injury.
Connacht are expecting to face an aggressive defence at the RDS and a Leinster side determined to “put things right” whichever team is selected.
“If they use guys who played in the Champions Cup final, there will be a huge amount of determination and desire for them to put things right and show the best possible version of themselves. If they give others a go, they will have massive points to prove in terms of saying we wanted to be part of that Champions Cup and could have been the guys to make a difference.
“So there is never an easy game against Leinster, and all the externals will only add to the motivation for whoever they put out.”
Leinster, having dropped into third place - three points behind Munster and one behind Vodacom Bulls - will want to finish their regular season with a win to keep them in contention for the play-offs, and as a result there will be little given to Connacht in this outing. Leo Cullen’s men will be determined to make up for that Champions Cup final loss to Toulouse - their fourth final defeat, and third in a row.
It all adds up to a Leinster side desperate for some seasonal silverware, and Connacht cannot expect any favours from the home side.
Leinster will be in no mood to give Connacht anything from this final fixture; For Connacht: “A win, preferably with a bonus point, will be tremendously important.”
Heffernan’s 200th game
Dave Heffernan, Shane Mallon and Santiago Cordero will each make milestone appearances, with the Connacht hooker making his 200th appearance.
The popular Ballina man made his debut for his home province 12 years ago, and is only the eighth Connacht player to reach that milestone.
Academy back-three player Shane Mallon makes his debut on the left wing, while Santiago Cordero makes his first Connacht start at full-back.
The front row of Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham is unchanged, while Niall Murray comes into the second row to partner Joe Joyce. In the back row Cian Prendergast and Sean Jansen are retained, with Conor Oliver named at openside flanker.
Caolin Blade and captain Jack Carty start, with Cathal Forde and David Hawkshaw joining forces in midfield. Shane Jennings completes the side on the right wing.
Leinster: Jimmy O’Brien, Tommy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Ciarán Frawley, Rob Russell, Sam Prendergast, Cormac Foley, Ed Byrne, Rónan Kelleher, Thomas Clarkson, Ross Molony, Brian Deeny, Rhys Ruddock, Scott Penny (C ), Jack Conan.
Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Michael Milne, Michael Ala’alatoa, Ryan Baird, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Harry Byrne, Charlie Ngatai.
Connacht: Santiago Cordero, Shane Jennings, David Hawkshaw, Cathal Forde, Shane Mallon, Jack Carty (C ), Caolin Blade, Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Joe Joyce, Niall Murray, Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver, Sean Jansen.
Replacements: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Denis Buckley, Jack Aungier, Darragh Murray, Seán O’Brien, Colm Reilly, Byron Ralston, Tom Daly.
