CONNACHT COACH PAT Lam said he is proud of the way his men rescued their Challenge Cup campaign and secured a quarter-final clash in April away to Grenoble.
Their opponents in the last eight were confirmed on Saturday night when Grenoble edged out Edinburgh 34-23 at Stade des Alpes and Lam will bring his side there in April for a clash with Bernard Jackman’s men.
Lam said they would now turn their attention to the Pro12 but he was pleased with the way they responded to last week’s error-strewn clash in Brive, which jeopardised their qualification hopes.
“I really wanted a response and we did it on the basis of understanding how to win. It’s great to get the win, getting our basics right and playing as a team.
We played some good rugby and put them under a lot of pressure and to get the four tries in the first half was good.”
Robbie Henshaw was among the try scorers on his return from injury with Matt Healy getting a brace along with efforts from Tiernan O’Halloran, Denis Buckley, Danie Poolman, Tom McCartney and Caolin Blade.
Lam praised the impact made by the replacements as he emptied the bench.
The first part of our season was very successful because the bench came on and made a difference but in the last few games we haven’t made the same impact,” he added.
The focus will now turn to the Pro12 but they will have a ninth Challenge Cup quarter-final to look forward to on the second weekend in April.
“We can now park this and when it comes back there will be better conditions, harder ground but for now we can leave this competition and concentrate on the Pro12,” added the Connacht coach.
Can’t help but wonder what if Ferris was still playing that would be a frightening back row.
True. Ferris would be an upgrade on Stander
Two bulldozers! Only one more sleep lads
Can’t wait to see them 3 get stuck in and cause complete mayhem
CJ and SOB are gona tear the frogs a new arsehole
When u think o mahony and Henderson has to come back into this squad,and Wat they both bring to De table,and with the quality ireland have right across all back positions now,and De quality coming through,irish rugby is definitely, at international level,in a great place..
Shame that knob jockey pape won’t be playing. We won’t get to see Seanie give him a cuddle!
Thought ruddock was on bench not TOD?
There was some confusion yesterday but it is the TOD.
It shows the quality we have in the back row when Ruddock can’t get in the 23.
Or when POM isn’t missed. (Tactically, personally we still miss him)
Disagree with that, I am biased against Munster and despite that I think he is arguably Ireland’s best forward – he is always immense when he plays for Ireland – I don’t think Stander, Henry or O’Donnell can match him
I’m a huge POM fan and really think he adds something extra. But if we lose we won’t be saying “of only Peter had been playing”. His replacement doesn’t fall THAT far short.
Just consider for a moment Henderson playing at 6 along with Stander at 8 and O’Brien at 7.
That would be the dream combination
Just need to find pace on the Inge and power in the second row and then we have a team to be feared
I’d have Henderson at second row. Completely fills the position but the advantage of another back row in the loose.
You’d sort of be missing Heaslip at 8 there, lad
Can’t wait for an ireland win..