Connacht's focus now switches to improving URC form

Cian Prendergast of Connacht celebrates after the EPCR Challenge Cup Pool 1 match between Cardiff Rugby and Connacht at Cardiff Arms Park in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by Chris Fairweather/Sportsfile

Cian Prendergast of Connacht celebrates after the EPCR Challenge Cup Pool 1 match between Cardiff Rugby and Connacht at Cardiff Arms Park in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by Chris Fairweather/Sportsfile

Connacht, fresh from their exploits in Europe, now need to take that momentum into the URC when they return to action against Glasgow in Scotstoun Stadium tomorrow (Friday 7.35pm ).

Sitting in a lowly 13th position on the URC table with three wins from nine, Connacht need to produce a late assault of the table, and head coach Pete Wilkins needs his players to transfer that European form into the bread-and-butter competition.

Glasgow, however, will have other ideas. They are sitting pretty in second spot - though they are 10 points off Leinster, who appear unbeatable and have yet to lose a game. And the Scottish outfit are also in second spot in their European Cup pool, but will be looking for a response having unexpectedly lost to Harlequins by 24-7 on Saturday.

However, Pete Wilkins, despite missing several key players involved with Ireland, believes now is the ideal time for his Connacht squad to capitalise on their European form.

“It's pretty good for us momentum wise. It gives us a chance to see if we can transfer that into the URC. The last time around we said a similar thing after the first and second pool games, and we failed to do it, but it gives us another crack at it.”

Both teams are missing players due to international duty - Connacht have seven players involved; Scotland have 16. Thus it will be a challenge, particularly without Bundee Aki, who, having produced an enormous performance for the club against Cardiff last weekend, is tied up with the Ireland camp ahead of the impending Six Nations.

“It’s a good challenge for the rest of the group,” says Wilkins. “Bundee has been such an important voice for us this season, but in particular over these last few weeks.

“There'll be a space there to fill, and we had a good chat about that with the players. There will be guys who need to step up, but they also need to step up in their own way, in terms of playing personnel.

“I’m pretty confident with the guys we've got to slide in when the time comes, but certainly the voice, the leadership is obviously key, so there are other guys who will get the opportunity, not just to play, but also to assert their personalities on the team and influence others, which is exciting.”

Glasgow has not been a happy hunting ground for Connacht in recent seasons, and going into the home of the current champions, Pete Wilkins’ side needs to continue their European form. However, he is hoping that having won a pre-season fixture at the venue will help.

“Although it doesn't count for much in pre-season, I think it's important mentally for the guys - firstly, to have played over there this season, and played over there this season without our internationals - but also just experiencing a win there.

“I don't think it's going to get you over the line on Friday night, but we did say at the time, we would be returning to this venue at a really important stage of our season. And there's even more importance, having slipped up with Ulster and the Bulls game at home.”

Returning to the squad is Oisin Dowling, who is available having re-covered from a calf injury, while Denis Buckley, who suffered a dead leg in Wales, remains under review.

Not available are Darragh Murray, Sean O’Brien, Hugh Gavin, Andrew Smith, John Porch, Shane Bolton, and those with the national squad training camp - Aki, Finlay Bealham, Cian Prendergast, Ben Murphy, Caolin Blade, Cathal Forde and Mack Hansen. Similarly Glasgow are also missing some 16 players who are currently with the Scotland squad.

Now two-thirds into the season, it is a fixture Wilkins says is “hugely significant”.

“We're sitting in 13th, which isn't good enough for where we want to be and where our supporters want us to be. But at the same time, a win can propel you up the table pretty quickly, as things happened last year, so it'll be really interesting, but there’s a huge amount to play for.

“Friday is such a big game for us that all eyes are focused very much on that.”

 

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