BEFORE THE NEW Year was rung in on Saturday night, Munster inflicted a seventh Pro12 defeat of the season on Connacht,, equaling their loss total on the way to the title last year.
Yet, despite being ravaged by injury, saying goodbye to coaches and sitting 15 points adrift of the play-off places, prop Finlay Bealham remains bullish about the champions’ prospects in 2017.
“I would be very confident,” said the Ireland international when asked if Connacht could still win back-to-back Pro12 trophies.
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“But again on my end, I don’t like looking too far ahead, it’s more week-by-week and making small improvements on my end and hopefully that can benefit my team.
I’m sure we definitely have the personnel that can definitely go all the way.”
The format of the tournament means that there will be plenty to play for right up until the end of the 22-game regular season. The western province will not admit defeat in their defence until they know it’s mathematically impossible to make the top four. Before setting their sights on a semi-final though, they must first bridge an 11-point gap to force their way into the top six to seal a return to Champions Cup rugby next season.
Encounters with Wasps last month have made the tournament a tough watch for Connacht fans and there is a toll in both injuries and form. Confidence and morale however, remain high as they patch themselves up for a visit to high-flying Ospreys this weekend.
“I don’t think the confidence is down at all. The lads here are all really confident because if you are watching here during the week at training some of the stuff the lads do is just remarkable. It’s just more about translating that to game day but we would be confident.
“It’s not ideal losing two inter-pros, but we have had good form in Europe.
“It’s crucial that we have a good performance next week and give us a bit of good momentum heading into the two big games against Zebre and Toulouse.”
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Bealham still confident Connacht can go 'all the way' and retain title
BEFORE THE NEW Year was rung in on Saturday night, Munster inflicted a seventh Pro12 defeat of the season on Connacht,, equaling their loss total on the way to the title last year.
Yet, despite being ravaged by injury, saying goodbye to coaches and sitting 15 points adrift of the play-off places, prop Finlay Bealham remains bullish about the champions’ prospects in 2017.
“I would be very confident,” said the Ireland international when asked if Connacht could still win back-to-back Pro12 trophies.
“But again on my end, I don’t like looking too far ahead, it’s more week-by-week and making small improvements on my end and hopefully that can benefit my team.
The format of the tournament means that there will be plenty to play for right up until the end of the 22-game regular season. The western province will not admit defeat in their defence until they know it’s mathematically impossible to make the top four. Before setting their sights on a semi-final though, they must first bridge an 11-point gap to force their way into the top six to seal a return to Champions Cup rugby next season.
Encounters with Wasps last month have made the tournament a tough watch for Connacht fans and there is a toll in both injuries and form. Confidence and morale however, remain high as they patch themselves up for a visit to high-flying Ospreys this weekend.
“I don’t think the confidence is down at all. The lads here are all really confident because if you are watching here during the week at training some of the stuff the lads do is just remarkable. It’s just more about translating that to game day but we would be confident.
“It’s not ideal losing two inter-pros, but we have had good form in Europe.
“It’s crucial that we have a good performance next week and give us a bit of good momentum heading into the two big games against Zebre and Toulouse.”
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