Connacht face familiar URC foes in the European competition on Friday when Hollywoodbet Sharks arrive in Galway for the Challenge Cup’s round of 16 knock-out.
A quarter-final place is at stake, and although Connacht have a 5-1 winning record over the South African side, they will not be taking anything for granted when the two sides meet at Dexcom Stadium.
“A very exciting challenge for us which we're massively looking forward to,” says Connacht’s scrum and contact coach Cullie Tucker of the South African side’s visit for a first European meeting between the two.
“They are blessed with unbelievable attributes, power and pace, a strong scrum, and x-factor. ”
With five successive wins in the URC, Connacht are enjoying a rare run of form, which they need to continue in this European campaign.
“It’s knockout rugby in Europe, and the quality of Sharks’ personnel, how they play the game and what they bring, you know it certainly will be a very physical and tough game,” he says.
However, Connacht will be banking on home support to help get them over the line against a side that won this trophy in 2024.
“The crowd has played an unbelievable part this season. The stand is incredible, and the atmosphere has been top class.”
Good news is the availability of fullback Sam Gilbert and hooker Dylan Tierney-Martin, who have both returned to full training and are available for selection, while Cian Prendergast is expected to return.
Unavailable are Finn Treacy (hamstring ), Oisin McCormack (shoulder ), and Sean Jansen (calf ), in addition to Temi Lasisi, Oisin Dowling, Caolin Blade, Hugh Gavin, David Hawkshaw, Byron Ralston, Mack Hansen, and Harry West.
Connacht’s only defeat to the Sharks was in South Africa in 2022 when they lost 41-21, but Tucker says this European fixture is different.
“In terms of looking back on how we played the Sharks earlier on in the season, there's minimal you can take out of it. There's belief we beat them here, for sure, but they can take motivation from that.
“It’s a new game. You know, it's massively a new challenge for us, and that's the way we're treating it.
“They're bigger, more powerful, and I think the way they hit the front end of the scrum is huge. We’ve got to be aware of the scrum, which is very powerful. So that's been a big focus for us. We feel we've got a good plan, but we will have to execute it very well all the time.”
Connacht have enjoyed a long history in this competition, which has included a host of quarter-finals and three semi-finals.
However, having yet to make the final, Lancaster and Connacht now have sights set on Bilboa.
