Intensity is building in Connacht with upcoming interprovincial fixtures set to play a huge part in their ability to remain in the URC’s top eight.
In a tight table, Connacht, in sixth place, are one of three teams currently sitting on 44 points. And with away fixtures against both Munster and Leinster sandwiched by a visit of the DHL Stormers to Dexcom Stadium, Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins says there is now a “different feel” among the squad.
“I wouldn’t say its tension. I think there is an intensity and an excitement though. It is there in every interpro week, but especially this coming so near the end of the season,” said Wilkins.
“It is an exciting week, something we are all embracing. It doesn’t quite feel like a cup final, but there is a different edge to it.”
Wilkins is preparing his side to “do a lot of defending, tackle well, kick-chase well, and be really clear with decision making” for Saturday evening’s trip to Limerick to play Munster.
“Going away to Thomond Park, you can’t just go with the mindset of staying in the fight, you have to be the aggressor as much as they are. And be proactive, trying to win the ball back quickly, so you are not spending the whole time just allowing them to dictate the style of the game,” he said.
“There is an interesting battle between our defence and their possession game, and as ever the physicality, the set piece will have a massive sway on the occasion. How our battle goes up front often decides these interpros, and it can become very personal for the players in terms of Irish ambitions.
“The teams know each other well, but that battle at the front end will be exciting.”
With three rounds remaining, nine points separate Connacht from Munster in third. Recent wins have provided Wilkins’s side with much-needed fresh impetus, giving them confidence heading to Thomond Park.
“We have momentum from those two games – the Zebre and Dragons fixtures – which set us up to go to Thomond Park. The majority of our group has experienced beating Munster, and it breeds belief. But at the same time, it is always a heck of a challenge going there. There’s a great rivalry, and hopefully we will do it justice on the weekend,” Wilkins says.
Wilkins is confident if Connacht can win two of the last three fixtures, it should be enough to make the top eight.
“As ever we will do out best to win this week and assess again, but every time I have a target in mind, it changes by the following Monday morning. I think two wins would be great in terms of putting us in the mix.”
However, Connacht will be without outhalf JJ Hanrahan for their remaining URC fixtures. The 31-year-old suffered an ACL injury in the win over Dragons, and following a scan, he will now undergo surgery later this month before beginning a rehabilitation plan. The good news for Connacht is that Jack Carty is fit to resume action after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Ireland star Mack Hansen also remains sidelined, and Wilkins admits they want to make sure the dynamic back is ready to return after his long absence.
“Expectations are flexible at the moment. Hansen is a week-by-week basis. The sooner the better, but we will not take any risks for his sake, as well as Ireland, we just want to get him right.”
Cian Prendergast will be unavailable this week due to a thumb injury, and Wilkins says the “best case scenario” for the backrow player is availability for the Stormers. “There was no fracture, the joint was dislocated – it’s now about getting mobility.”
Prop Denis Buckley is also ruled out for a number of weeks with a shoulder injury, but Byron Ralston returns from an ankle knock.
Jack Aungier (neck) and Sean Jansen (groin) are not yet ruled out for the Munster clash, but a decision will be made on both players after assessments later in the week.
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