Connacht host their first URC fixture of the season at a much-changed Dexcom Stadium when they host South African outfit Hollywoodbets Sharks on Saturday (7.35pm ).
Having gone toe-to-toe against Munster in Thomond Park before falling by 35-33, Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins is looking for another step-up in accuracy to ensure they post a victory on home soil.
The Sharks, however, will be no pushovers, and although they struggled last season in the URC, they claimed an historic Challenge Cup win in Europe - becoming the first team from South Africa to win an EPCR competition when the overcame English outfit Gloucester.
That 36-22 victory demonstrated their superior physicality, their powerful pack laying the foundation, and that is something Connacht must overcome on Saturday if they want to get this season’s home record off to a strong start.
While Wilkins was content with his squad’s ability to score five tries against Munster, he says Connacht’s physicality needs improvement.
“I was heartened by it and it gives us a really good platform to build on. At the same time there are rugby aspects that need to improve and need polishing, and it’s as shame those cost us a really good win, particularly in the context of who we were playing and where.
“To go away and score five tries and put in that intensity of performance, I’m pleased that has recognition. I’m pleased as well with the energy and physicality, but the consistency of intensity across the 80 minutes is something we have openly said needs to improve.”
The big test now is against the Sharks, he says.
“We have shown in the past we can deliver emotional performances against interprovincial opposition, and it’s the following week that has raised questions about our consistency and I am being open about it.
“It was a huge test away from home, but this is an even bigger test this week. It’s not just a very dangerous Sharks team that has played a dozen games in Currie Cup already - they are battle hardened - but it’s the week after an interpro, so this is the one that really excites me.”
Connacht could be without second row giant Joe Joyce. The experienced 6’5” lock missed Monday’s training as a result of a shoulder injury, but was due to an undergo an assessment late yesterday.
However, positive news is Santi Cordero, having “jarred a knee catching a high ball” in Thomond Park, is “good to go” having trained fully his week, according to Wilkins.
The news is not so good for Shayne Bolton, who will also miss the Emerging Ireland trip, and his place now will go to Connacht’s Chay Mullins. However likely to return to duty is international prop Finlay Bealham, who has been involved in training this week, but it is not expected Bundee Aki will return to play yet.
Wilkins is looking to balance this weekend’s team to have both consistency, while adding “physical and mental freshness”.
“There is also recognition that the squad did a god job, so anyone who comes in needs to deliver.
“We have to ensure we are mentally and physically at the races for them [Sharks], and that we back it up from Thomond Park.
“From a rugby point of view, the physical exchanges, our work, attack and defence in the contact area is going to have to be top draw, but also our connections, shapes, alignment - all of that needs to be really good, so there is accuracy that is needed too.”
With instinctive attacking players such as Santi Cordero, Mack Hansen, and Josh Ioane, who Wilkins says is “showing his adaptability”, Connacht will also focus on the getting the fundamentals right, while also giving his players freedom to be creative.
“[It’s] how we set up to attack, how our players connect to each other on the field with their positioning and alignment, how our players attack space and identify it, but it’s making sure you have the framework, and from there the players have license to break that framework - getting the x-factor, but making sure they are connected.”
Although the number of supporters has been restricted due to the Dexcom Stadium building, Wilkins does not believe it will affect his team.
“It will be different, but I am not concerned, and I say that with respect of the special atmosphere that was always generated by the Clan Terrace. We’ll have the same supporters in the building - they might be in a different spot - but they will be here with all the energy and and passion as usual.
“The key bit is our performance as a team. If we give them enough to get excited about, the atmosphere will take care of itself.”
