Connacht are preparing to meet familiar URC foes Cardiff in their next European Challenge Cup fixture in Wales on Friday night with high hopes of taking another step towards claiming a trophy.
Having delivered a nine-try winning performance against Lyon, and having already qualified for the knock-out stages, Connacht will want to bag another European win to improve their seeding for the knock-out rounds.
And Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins is adamant the Challenge Cup remains a priority this season, despite having fallen down the pecking order in the URC.
That opportunity to win silverware is a huge incentive - and one which would also pave the way for Champions Cup rugby next season - but Wilkins is also hoping it will keep Connacht on the front foot in the URC.
“If we can replicate some of these Challenge Cup performances, then I'm still optimistic around the URC, but we've got work to do,” he says.
Connacht’s dominant display and their 52-24 win against Lyon was not just important, but also a “relief” for Wilkins, having slipped down the URC table to 13th place.
“It was one that I think gave a lot more energy and belief back to our supporters, but also back to the players as well. So it was a really important game for lots of reasons.
"Now, having delivered a strong performance, Connacht need to back it up", he says.
“I’m pleased we were able to put on the performance we did. But it's important this week that we're able to deliver a similar level of application and energy without those narratives behind the scenes. And I think in some ways, this week will be an even greater test of us.”
Having fallen into 13th place in the URC table, while also losing Mack Hansen who was banned for three matches after his referee rant following Connacht’s loss to Leinster, and the impending departure of coach Mark Sexton, it has been a challenging time for Wilkins in trying to fight on two fronts.
“For us the Challenge Cup has always been on that list of priorities for this season, but there are a lot of teams that will be looking at it that way. We’ve put ourselves in a strong position, but this Cardiff game is really important in terms of what the seedings look like for us."
However, Wilkins admits Connacht are a “couple of wins behind schedule” in the URC, but is hoping that will change with a win in Glasgow.
“We’ve been really honest about that. And when Glasgow away comes around, that's a mighty challenge, but it's also one where, if we put on a good performance and get a win there, we're most likely back in the top eight.
“So, without rolling out the cliches, I think the URC will be very much a week-to-week assignment, and that's partly because it's the only way we can look at the challenges that lie ahead with us. It's about the present day. If we can do that, and if we can replicate some of these Challenge Cup performances, then I'm still optimistic around the URC, but we've got work to do.”
First is improving their seeding in the European competition with a victory in Cardiff.
“The playing group has spoken about it at the start of this week, and in terms of framing our mindset around the challenge of going to Cardiff, we know what a challenge that is. They're always incredibly tight games. But for us, a win there would hopefully put us in either a first or second seeding position going into the knock-out rounds.
“And if we keep winning, it can be hugely significant with the home draw. So it's not a game we're taking lightly.”
Available for selection is JJ Hanrahan, who suffered an ACL injury in April last year, and Wilkins acknowledged “the journey he has been on”.
“It's a lonely journey, as you'll all be aware, in terms of these long term injuries. The way he's grafted away, he's been unbelievably professional.
“He's broken up rehab into bite sized chunks and gone about his business really well. So for him to get to this point, it's just fantastic, and a credit to him in terms of where he's at. He's been training fully with the team for the last couple of weeks, and outside of that training, we've been topping up his running load and his contact load as if to replicate the fact that he's been playing games on weekends. So he's fit and he's ready to go.”
