Connacht’s much anticipated European semi-final has finally arrived. Tomorrow evening Connacht take on a red-hot Toulon in the Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final at the Galway Sportsground.
Three weeks since they nailed down their third European semi-final with a nail-biting 23 - 20 win over another French side Bourgoin, Connacht have been gearing up for what is billed as their most important challenge of the season.
It is once again David versus Goliath; joint top in the French league against the bottom Magners League outfit; an expensively assembled squad up against Ireland’s Cinderella province with one-seventh of the French side’s budget. But with the fixture already a sell-out, some 8,000 supporters will be baying for French blood come 7.45pm.
Connacht are well used to being underdogs, but they will need to be on top of their game against Toulon whose extravagant budget and star-studded line-up has been well documented.
“Toulon are very formidable opponents. They finished joint top in France, but I suppose there is no better preparation than having Leinster and Munster come here in the last couple of weeks,” says Connacht coach Michael Bradley.
It will be that performance against Leinster (who face the fourth French team in their Heineken Cup semi-final ) - not their 58-10 fall to the Scarlets last Sunday - that will act as Connacht’s benchmark. Likewise Connacht’s display against Bourgoin in the quarter-final.
Bradley, who will name his side at midday, is likely to keep faith with the side that lined out against the French side three weeks ago - many of whom were rested for the Scarlets’ encounter. Niva Ta’auso has recovered fully from a knee injury to take his place in the centre, but not so fortunate is Keith Matthews who has run short of time in his recovery. As a result Aidan Wynne is expected to join Ta’auso in the crucial midfield partnership with Gavin Duffy, Fionn Carr, and Troy Nathan completing the three-quarters line.
Frank Murphy has also been passed fit and is likely to join Ian Keatley, who can be expected to get the starting nod ahead of Miah Nikora. In recent games Bradley has opted to start with Keatley, utilising Nikora as a second-half replacement - a strategy that has worked well. Nikora’s introduction against Bourgoin gave Connacht extra direction behind the scrum and the talented New Zealander’s composure under pressure was an added bonus when he drop kicked the winning goal in the 78th minute.
Up front Robbie Morris’ calf injury is likely to keep him on the bench, and if not, Conor Higgins has been included in the squad. As a result Jamie Hagan will join Sean Cronin and Brett Wilkinson in the front row. Once again Bradley is likely to plump for the greater physicality of Michael Swift and Mike McCarthy in the second row, ahead of line-out specialist Bernie Upton, while John Muldoon will lead the backrow alongside Johnny O’Connor and George Naoupu.
Knowledgeable crowd
No one doubts that Connacht will be up against it. Toulon demolished the Scarlets in the quarter-finals by 38-12, outscored their Welsh opponents by five tries to nil.
“They have an extremely strong squad,” says Bradley. “They brought in 17 players last summer - all quality. Right through the side they have quality and that’s the reason they have done so well. The French 14 is a punishing league, extremely physical, and you need a huge squad to survive. Themselves and Perpignan have done that, Clermont are third and Toulouse fourth.”
Having studied Toulon closely, Bradley and his management team of Eric Elwood and Dan McFarland will ensure they have a game plan that can counteract Toulon’s physicality. Much will be demanded of them in defence and at the breakdown. The tight five have set a steady platform throughout the campaign, allowing the backs to work with good ball, while John Muldoon, Johnny O’Connor and George Naoupu have led at the breakdown, showing the value of their experience. Niva Ta’auso is dangerous in attack and sure on defence. Fionn Carr has finished several chances in good style this season, grabbing seven tries to be second top in the campaign and one ahead of Toulon’s Gabi Lovobalavu, while Gavin Duffy and Troy Nathan have been in outstanding form.
“This is a cup game,” says Bradley. “ Anything can happen in these one-off situations - the bounce of a ball, referee’s decision, and that’s just for starters. The Sportsground is a difficult place – it has very unusual surroundings for a professional side to come to. We have the crowd who are very knowledgeable and have backed the side exceptionally well. Wayne Barnes is refereeing the match - he speaks our language. These are all positives. So it is a good position for us to be in.
“We see it as a huge game - a great opportunity for us as a team to continue our good form in Europe. We are unbeaten in Europe to date so it could be an historic season for us if we get to the final.”
CONNACHT SQUAD: G Duffy, T Nathan/B Tuohy, N Ta’auso, A Wynne, F Carr, I Keatley/M Nikora. F Murphy, B Wilkinson, S Cronin, J Hagan, M Swift, M McCarthy/B Upton, J Muldoon (cpt ), J O’Connor, G Naoupu. Replacements, A Flavin, R Loughney, M McComish, C O’Loughlin, R Morris/C Higgins.
TOULON SQUAD: Forwards: Auelua, Bastères, Beal, Bruno, Chesney, Fernande Lobbe, Fitzgerald, Lea’atoa, Lozada, Ryan, Sourice, Suta, Taumoepeau, Van Niekerk. Backs: Barthélémy, Henjak (cap. ), Kefu, Lovobalavu, Marienval, May, Mignoni, Rooney, Sinzelle, Umaga, Wilkinson, Williams.
