It was not the high note Connacht had sought to finish their first series of BKT URC fixtures, but the season is far from over, and new coach Stuart Lancaster has reason to be cautiously optimistic.
Their 17-15 loss to Munster was the third of four fixtures played and, having won only their opening game against Benetton at home in Dexcom, it leaves Connacht currently in 12th position from 16, with four teams, including Connacht, having played one less fixture.
“Very disappointed to not get over the line,” said Lancaster after the defeat in Thomond Park, and although Connacht had suffered a host of injuries, he says a bonus point was “no consolation”.
Having won their opening game, Connacht, with that same youthful team, had prepared for the visit of Scarlets, who had lost to Munster by 21-34. Unfortunately, Storm Amy put paid to that, and any hopeful momentum.
However, it is early season and the stats suggest there is better to come. Of the 16 teams in the BKT URC, Connacht posted the fourth best tackle success rate with 83 per cent, behind Cardiff with 86 per cent, and Munster and Glasgow with 85 per cent. In attack, their number of defenders beaten was eighth of all teams.
Crucially, however, Connacht have picked up bonus points in their two narrow losses away - a hard-earned point in Cardiff 14-8; similarly, a 17-15 effort away to Munster - in addition to two extra points in their heartbreaking 27-28 to the Bulls at home, and one from their opening-day victory.
From that perspective Connacht, while disappointed where they currently reside on the URC table, and their most recent loss to Munster, can take heart to have gained valuable points, while also using a significant number of youngsters.
Strong foundations to build on
“My job coming here was to start to learn about the players and learn about the group,” says Lancaster. “I feel I've learned a lot going away to Thomond Park.
“You learn a lot about the character and spirit - there's no issues there. We've got a tremendous group of players who want to work hard for each to be more accurate under pressure.
“I’m confident because we've got some good players, and we will use the break well now to work hard to improve and attack the next block, which is 10 games straight.”
Missing the Ireland players and several with injury, Lancaster has given local youngsters, including five Academy players, opportunities.
“We’ve players with Ireland, a couple of good players injured, and some very good young players coming through. So, the experience for Sean Neachtain or Harry West is invaluable.”
Lancaster, the former Leinster, England and Racing 92 coach, boasts a prolific coaching experience, but says working and training hard remains key.
“I’ve learned as a coach you can only control the controllables. There are always games I come away and think, ‘what if this and what if that?’ But I've got to discipline myself as a coach to say, ‘what can I do better to help these guys get over the line?’ Because they deserve it you know? But deserving and doing it are two different things.
“We take a break now, but the key is to keep our training standards higher and higher than we've already done. That will help us build for the Sharks game, and then we are off to Europe.
“We've got some big interpros to come, the stand will open, which will be huge for Connacht Rugby, and the second half of the season is going to be huge for us as well.”
At the end of the day, Connacht’s goal, he says, is to finish in the BKT URC top eight.
“With four down and 14 to go, there's still a long, long way to go.”
