THE RAISED EXPECTATIONS around Connacht were never more obvious than in the reaction to their Challenge Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of Grenoble last weekend.
The analysis in many quarters was that Connacht had blown it, given up their 19-3 lead far too easily and showed severe naivety in their use of the ball inside their own 22.
Munster are looking for revenge for Thomond Park in December. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Shane O’Leary’s cross-field kick directly into touch was the symbol of their shortcomings. Certainly every bit of that analysis was justified, but these were also signs that Connacht remain on a journey.
There was goodwill towards Connacht for the continued fluency and daring of their attack, but their remarkable season has built a new expectation level. Pat Lam’s men now win more than they lose and as Munster arrive in Galway, the expectation is that they will return to winning ways.
Two defeats in a row is not much of a streak, but Lam will be determined that his players ensure it doesn’t become so at such a crucial point of the season. The westerners have been through too much to throw everything away by petering out, even if their primary goal of Champions Cup is to be achieved.
Munster’s main aim is along similar lines, although they approach the task with a slightly more desperate edge. A win away from home would be an incredible confidence booster for Anthony Foley’s side, particularly with their next Pro12 fixture seeing them welcome direct Champions Cup qualification rivals Edinburgh to Cork.
The losing bonus point Alan Solomons’ men picked up at the RDS last night shifted them above Munster in the table thanks to a superior points difference.
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The retention of Johnny Holland at out-half for Munster and the promotion of Jack O’Donoghue and Darren Sweetnam are positive moves by Foley for this evening’s clash.
Corkman Sweetnam has shown class and an ability to keep the ball alive in his outings this season, while O’Donoghue’s dynamism and intelligence is clear. Holland is learning his trade on the job but looks far more confident than replacement Ian Keatley at 10.
Jack Carty is back on the Connacht bench. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Connacht welcome playmaking lock Aly Muldowney and powerful back row Eoin McKeon back into their back row to add some much-needed energy after a series of physically-demanding games against Leinster, Ulster and Grenoble.
It’s a shame that Danie Poolman’s injury means a shuffle of the backline is required for Connacht, with Matt Healy therefore deprived of the opportunity to pick up where he left off at fullback in Grenoble.
Robbie Henshaw slips back to 15, but will be asked to take responsibility in a backline that will again be steered by the inexperienced O’Leary.
With the forecast for Galway – never to be fully believed – set fair, Lam will once again push his players to retain possession and take calculated risks in attack. Munster, meanwhile, must be utterly clinical with their use of possession. Missed overlaps like the late example against Leinster two weekends ago would crush them again.
The scrum battle promises to be fierce, with Finlay Bealham continuing to improve alongside Tom McCartney and Denis Buckley, the loosehead certainly having a point to prove after his omission from Ireland’s latest training squad.
A taxing recent run of games which each lasted as contests right into the final minute might take a toll on Connacht this evening, but Lam will hope they have a win secured by the time he empties his bench.
Connacht:
15. Robbie Henshaw
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Bundee Aki
12. Peter Robb
11. Matt Healy
10. Shane O’Leary
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Ultan Dillane
5. Aly Muldowney
6. Sean O’Brien
7. Eoin McKeon
8. John Muldoon (captain)
Replacements:
16. Jason Harris-Wright
17. Ronan Loughney
18. JP Cooney
19. Andrew Browne
20. James Connolly
21. John Cooney
22. Jack Carty
23. Fionn Carr
Munster:
15. Simon Zebo
14. Darren Sweetnam
13. Francis Saili
12. Rory Scannell
11. Keith Earls
10. Johnny Holland
9. Conor Murray
1. James Cronin
2. Mike Sherry
3. Stephen Archer
4. Donnacha Ryan
5. Billy Holland
6. CJ Stander (captain)
7. Tommy O’Donnell
8. Jack O’Donoghue
Replacements:
16. Niall Scannell
17. Dave Kilcoyne
18. John Ryan
19. Robin Copeland
20. Jordan Coghlan
21. Tomás O’Leary
22. Ian Keatley
23. Andrew Conway
Connacht out to rediscover winning touch as Munster visit Galway
Connacht v Munster, 7.15pm
The Sportsground [TG4/Sky Sports]
THE RAISED EXPECTATIONS around Connacht were never more obvious than in the reaction to their Challenge Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of Grenoble last weekend.
The analysis in many quarters was that Connacht had blown it, given up their 19-3 lead far too easily and showed severe naivety in their use of the ball inside their own 22.
Shane O’Leary’s cross-field kick directly into touch was the symbol of their shortcomings. Certainly every bit of that analysis was justified, but these were also signs that Connacht remain on a journey.
There was goodwill towards Connacht for the continued fluency and daring of their attack, but their remarkable season has built a new expectation level. Pat Lam’s men now win more than they lose and as Munster arrive in Galway, the expectation is that they will return to winning ways.
Two defeats in a row is not much of a streak, but Lam will be determined that his players ensure it doesn’t become so at such a crucial point of the season. The westerners have been through too much to throw everything away by petering out, even if their primary goal of Champions Cup is to be achieved.
Munster’s main aim is along similar lines, although they approach the task with a slightly more desperate edge. A win away from home would be an incredible confidence booster for Anthony Foley’s side, particularly with their next Pro12 fixture seeing them welcome direct Champions Cup qualification rivals Edinburgh to Cork.
The losing bonus point Alan Solomons’ men picked up at the RDS last night shifted them above Munster in the table thanks to a superior points difference.
The retention of Johnny Holland at out-half for Munster and the promotion of Jack O’Donoghue and Darren Sweetnam are positive moves by Foley for this evening’s clash.
Corkman Sweetnam has shown class and an ability to keep the ball alive in his outings this season, while O’Donoghue’s dynamism and intelligence is clear. Holland is learning his trade on the job but looks far more confident than replacement Ian Keatley at 10.
Connacht welcome playmaking lock Aly Muldowney and powerful back row Eoin McKeon back into their back row to add some much-needed energy after a series of physically-demanding games against Leinster, Ulster and Grenoble.
It’s a shame that Danie Poolman’s injury means a shuffle of the backline is required for Connacht, with Matt Healy therefore deprived of the opportunity to pick up where he left off at fullback in Grenoble.
Robbie Henshaw slips back to 15, but will be asked to take responsibility in a backline that will again be steered by the inexperienced O’Leary.
With the forecast for Galway – never to be fully believed – set fair, Lam will once again push his players to retain possession and take calculated risks in attack. Munster, meanwhile, must be utterly clinical with their use of possession. Missed overlaps like the late example against Leinster two weekends ago would crush them again.
The scrum battle promises to be fierce, with Finlay Bealham continuing to improve alongside Tom McCartney and Denis Buckley, the loosehead certainly having a point to prove after his omission from Ireland’s latest training squad.
A taxing recent run of games which each lasted as contests right into the final minute might take a toll on Connacht this evening, but Lam will hope they have a win secured by the time he empties his bench.
Connacht:
15. Robbie Henshaw
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Bundee Aki
12. Peter Robb
11. Matt Healy
10. Shane O’Leary
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Denis Buckley
2. Tom McCartney
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Ultan Dillane
5. Aly Muldowney
6. Sean O’Brien
7. Eoin McKeon
8. John Muldoon (captain)
Replacements:
16. Jason Harris-Wright
17. Ronan Loughney
18. JP Cooney
19. Andrew Browne
20. James Connolly
21. John Cooney
22. Jack Carty
23. Fionn Carr
Munster:
15. Simon Zebo
14. Darren Sweetnam
13. Francis Saili
12. Rory Scannell
11. Keith Earls
10. Johnny Holland
9. Conor Murray
1. James Cronin
2. Mike Sherry
3. Stephen Archer
4. Donnacha Ryan
5. Billy Holland
6. CJ Stander (captain)
7. Tommy O’Donnell
8. Jack O’Donoghue
Replacements:
16. Niall Scannell
17. Dave Kilcoyne
18. John Ryan
19. Robin Copeland
20. Jordan Coghlan
21. Tomás O’Leary
22. Ian Keatley
23. Andrew Conway
Referee: Ben Whitehouse [WRU].
‘We’re back to being underdogs and that’s where we like being’ – Earls
Henshaw moves to fullback as Lam shuffles Connacht deck for Munster visit
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