The frustration continues for Connacht after last Thursday’s one-point loss away to the Dragons. It was yet another tight game which slipped away from the Westerners, who haven’t won in the Magners League since September.
Eric Elwood’s men will look to end the run of nine straight defeats in all competitions this coming Saturday when they travel to Bayonne in the Amlin Challenge Cup with a 7:45 kick off.
The Basque club are sitting ninth in a fiercely competitive Top 14 and come into the game off the back of a 25-22 home win over Castres last weekend with all eyes firmly on keeping in the hunt for qualification and setting up a winner takes all final day showdown with Harlequins.
Connacht are out of contention in their pool but their need for a morale-boosting win will be a driving motivation according to Elwood, whose side have lost 11 times this season, seven of which were by a margin of just one score.
“We are competitive and doing a lot a good things, we have to keep believing a persevere, we’ll send the strongest team we can in the hope of getting that elusive win. They are working hard for it and deserve to get the win they are looking for, if it is this week great, if it is next week so be it.”
The temptation to rest some key front liners ahead of a potentially bruising encounter in the Basque country must be great but Elwood is not going to be swayed from his bid to put an end to their current run of tight defeats. Those carrying knocks will be rested, it seems, but otherwise it will be a full strength side.
“The game itself has a little bit of history,” added Elwood, “we beat them over here, they were a little cross with that defeat and indicated they are determined for some payback. We’ll make some changes but we are not going over there with a weak team.
“We are not going to risk anyone who has a knock that could be jeopardised, we won’t be making changes just for the sake of it, if you want to be on the team you have to earn it but the changes are going to be linked to players.”
There is no doubting that, even with nothing at stake, a win in France to end their current run would be a welcome fillip. Thursday’s defeat in Newport was yet another example of their ability to front up consistently in the Magners League like never before, but it also highlighted their difficulty in remaining composed with the game on the line.
The Dragons led at half time by one but in a low-scoring and hugely physical second half Connacht had stood up to the challenge, the tackle count was immense and once again Connacht weren’t found wanting in terms of work rate and commitment.
Brett Wilkinson, Andrew Browne and Mike McCarthy led the way in the pack while in the backline, Fionn Carr seemed to be back to his best, his workrate was a huge asset. Eoin Griffin was the star of the backline as he was instrumental in Connacht’s first-half try and looked at ease in the 13 slot.
The Dragons had scored twice on the counter attack in the first half but in between Griffin had expertly set up Troy Nathan for Connacht’s try in response and the 14-13 half time scoreline was a fair reflection on proceedings.
By the hour mark, Connacht were in front thanks to Keatley’s long range kick but with the game in their grasp, they looked a little startled and let the home side regain the initiative through the boot of Jason Tovey. Late on in the contest Nikora had a poorly constructed drop goal attempt blocked down and the home side held on.
Connacht are still looking to the positives, they are eight points better off than at this point last season and six of their last ten Magners League games are at the Sportsground. Next up in that competition are the Scarlets on February 12.
That game will mark the beginning of a hectic run of games so the two week break before that might allow some weary legs to be rested and hopes are high that it will herald the return of some key long term injured players. Ray Ofisa is expected back in the next week, so too Gavin Duffy. All things considered there is plenty to be hopeful about despite the poor run in recent months.
Long wait continues
Saturday’s two All-Ireland League fixtures in Galway had to be postponed due to yet more frost in the region, with a full programme of Junior action on Sunday also being postponed. It means a backlog of fixtures for many clubs and a busy spring in store.
Galwegians played their last league game on December 27 away to Buccaneers, the Connacht Senior Cup final loss to Corinthians was their only game in December, so they will be relieved that last weekend’s fixture at home to UCC has been re-arranged for this coming Saturday at Crowley Park.
Corinthians were down to play UCD but that will have to be postponed until much later in this season, this coming Saturday they travel to Trinity College to take on Dublin University in a re-fix game from November.
It will be a tough encounter but ideal preparation for their All Ireland Cup semi final trip to Division 1b side Dungannon the following Saturday January 22. That promises to be a great occasion for the club and, while they go in as heavy underdogs, there is certainly every reason to be hopeful
