RUGBY AMLIN CHALLENGE CUP Cannacht v Bayonne: CONNACHT HAVE the opportunity to exorcise last weekend's pratfall against I Cavalieri Estra in Italy but it represents a pretty tough assignment.
Bayonne may lie eighth in the French Championship but they are just a bonus point victory away from the top spot and have won five of their nine matches, two away from home including a scalping of Toulon at the Stade Felix Mayol.
Eric Elwood has changed almost half of the Connacht team for the arrival of the French side. Gavin Duffy returns at fullback, Keith Matthews in the centre and Frank Murphy to scrumhalf. Up front Seán Cronin and Jamie Hagan bolster the frontrow while Mike McCarthy and Ray Ofisa come into the back five of the pack.
The home side went unbeaten last season through the pool phase of the Amlin Challenge Cup and in what is a very competitive pool last week’s defeat in Italy was a significant setback, especially when viewed against the Irish province’s excellent opening to the Magners League.
Bayonne edged past Harlequins 16-12 at home in horrendous conditions, outscoring the English visitors by two tries to nil. The French side too have opted for swingeing change but boast some excellent players in fullback Pepito Elhorga, former All Black Troy Flavell and Remy Martin to name but three.
Elhorga conceded that Connacht’s defeat in Italy came as a shock. “We were quite surprised to see that Connacht lost to the newcomers Cavalieri; maybe they went through a bad phase. Personally speaking I have never played against the Irish province but they are always there, like the stalwarts of this tournament.
“They did really well last season, qualifying for the semi-finals before losing to Toulon in an extremely tight game. And with five Irish internationals in their squad they don’t lack talent and they are very physical by tradition. However, we will prepare with the intention to win at Connacht and keep our momentum going because if we want to get a quarter-final we have got to get results from everywhere.
“We will try to come away from Ireland if not with a win then at least with a bonus point but most of all we want to have a big game. Up front I think we are rather good in gaining territory, so if we can get on the front foot in that area that’ll help our backs make the difference. I think Connacht have the same assets: they are very solid up front and fast in the three-quarters.”
A victory for Connacht tonight would compare favourably with many from previous campaigns. Elwood will look for a positive reaction to last week but it will require a huge performance to right their campaign hopes.
Venue: Sportsground Kick-off: Tonight, 7pm
CONNACHT: G Duffy; D Fanning, N Ta'auso, K Mathews, F Carr; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, J Hagan; M Swift, M McCarthy; J O'Connor, R Ofisa, J Muldoon (capt). Replacements: A Flavin, B Fa'amausili, R Loughney, B Upton, A Browne, C Willis, M Nikora, T Nathan.
BAYONNE: P Elhorga; Y Huget, T Lacroix, S Gerber, J Peyras Loustalet; S Fauque, J Audy; P Lafond, A Heguy, T Lea'aetoa; C Treloar, T Flavell; J Puricelli (capt), R Martin, M Baget. Replacements: D Roumieu, F Da Ros, D Avril, R Linde, A Boutaty, C Garcia, G Ziegler, J Pietersen.
Referee: Carlo Damasco(Italy)
Verdict: Connacht.
