EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP: CONNACHT FACE a straightforward remit on Friday night at the Sportsground: victory over Dax to qualify for the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup.
A bonus point – scoring four tries or more in winning – is not a prerequisite to guarantee their progress to the knock-out stages, although it may have a bearing on the team they would face.
The crushing disappointment of last weekend’s 75-5 thumping by London Irish at the Madejski Stadium won’t have a material legacy going into Friday night’s pivotal pool clash and any lingering embarrassment was blown away when the squad resumed training on Monday.
Connacht coach Michael Bradley decided to husband his resources for the London Irish and Dax matches, fielding a largely second-string side last weekend. Unfortunately Irish didn’t reciprocate and there was plenty of blood on the carpet as the Exiles romped home, scoring 11 tries in the process.
Connacht team manager Tim Allnutt said: “They were good and we were poor. Their first three tries were pretty soft and even though we came into the match, creating some good opportunities we only managed to take one through Danny Riordan. We were held up over the line on another occasion and probably had one or two more chances before they scored their fourth try.
“We had some new faces in, players who hadn’t played for a while. That’s not to make excuses because we didn’t get close to the level we needed to in terms of our play.”
One player who resumed after a horrendous time with injuries over the past few seasons was scrumhalf Conor O’Loughlin. The courage he has shown in getting back to play professional rugby is an example to others. Even though he saw a little game time in the friendly against Portugal last season his most recent competitive rugby has been in the colours of Buccaneers.
Last summer he required difficult surgery on a degenerative hip condition and there was a point when it looked like he might not be able to play the sport again: this for a player generally regarded as the fittest and strongest, pound for pound, in the squad. He’s getting back to where he needs to be to challenge for a place, a fillip for a player long on ability.
The immediate priority for Connacht, though, is the visit of Dax.
The five pool winners go through to the play-offs along with the three best runners-up. Connacht are second in the standings behind Overach Rugby Parma (16) and ahead of Petrarca Padova (13), Viadana (12) and Bristol (10) in relation to the teams lying second in the respective pools. Parma must travel to group leaders Brive, leaving Connacht with a chance to emerge as the best pool runners-up.
Dax beat Rovigo 22-20 at home last weekend but their track record in the tournament has seen them field one team for the home game and a largely different set of players for away matches.
The previous weekend in the French T14 championship they lost 30-3 at home to Toulouse, highlighting a recent downturn in fortunes in their domestic league that has seen them drop closer to the bottom tranche of the division, in marked contrast to their early-season form when they were comfortably mid-table.
Connacht are taking nothing for granted, preparing to face the strongest team Dax can muster. Four teams have already qualified for the semi-finals and one of those, Northampton, appear potential opponents for Connacht in the quarter-finals.
There is something of a history between the teams, one recalled with pleasure by the Irish province and dating back to the time when Wales coach Warren Gatland was in charge at Connacht. Northampton have cut a swathe through their rivals in the European Challenge Cup, as well as performing capably in their domestic championship; most recently in beating Leicester at Welford Road.
Connacht will be without flanker Johnny O’Connor and Tim Donnelly but Bradley will otherwise have a full complement from which to choose.
Rugby Fixtures
FRIDAY
European Cup: Pool Six: Cardiff Blues v Rugby Calvisano, Arms Park (8.0); Biarritz Olympique v Gloucester Rugby, Parc des Sports Aguilera (8.0, Irish time).
European Challenge Cup:Connacht v Dax, Sportsground (6.30).
SATURDAY
European Cup: Pool Four: Stade Français v Ulster Rugby, Stade Jean Bouin (1.35, Irish time); Harlequins v Llanelli Scarlets, The Stoop (1.35).
Pool One: Sale Sharks v ASM Clermont Auvergne, Edgeley Park (3.35); Montauban v Munster, Stade de Sapiac (3.35, Irish time). Pool Three: Ospreys v Leicester Tigers, Liberty Stadium (5.35); Benetton Treviso v Perpignan, Stadio Comunale di Monigo (5.35, Irish time).
European Challenge Cup:Rovigo v London Irish, Stadio Mario Battaglini (2.0 Irish time).
All-Ireland League: Division One(2.30): Ballymena v Dolphin; Eaton Park; Blackrock v Young Munster, Stradbrook; Dungannon v Cork Constitution, Stevenson Park; Galwegians v Shannon, Crowley Park; Old Belvedere v St Mary's, Anglesea Road; Terenure v Garryowen, Lakelands; UCD v Buccaneers, Belfield; UL Bohemian v Clontarf, Thomond Park.
Division Two:Bective Rangers v Wanderers, Donnybrook; Bruff v Old Crescent, Kilballyowen Park; Clonakilty v Lansdowne, Shannonvale; DLSP v Dublin University, Kilternan; Greystones v Belfast Harlequins, Dr Hickey Park; Highfield v Malone, Woodleigh Park; Thomond v Instonians, Fitzgerald Park; UCC v Ballynahinch, Mardyke.
Division Three(2.30): Ards v Sunday's Well, Hamilton Park; Carlow v Midleton, Oak Park; Corinthians v Suttonians, Corinthian Park; Naas v Banbridge, Forenaughts; Nenagh Ormond v Barnhall, New Ormond Park; QUB v Portadown, Dub Lane; Rainey v Old Wesley, Hatrick Park; Waterpark v Connemara, Ballinakill.
SUNDAY
European Cup: Pool Two: Leinster v Edinburgh, RDS (1.0); Castres Olympique v London Wasps, Stade Pierre Antoine (1.0, Irish time).
Pool Five: Bath Rugby v Toulouse, Recreation Ground (3.0); Glasgow Warriors v Newport Gwent Dragons, Firhill (3.0).
