CONNACHT’S HOPES OF finishing their Challenge Cup pool with a perfect winning record have been given a lift as experienced out-half JJ Hanrahan is set for his first action since April when they head to the Arms Park in Cardiff on Friday.
Head coach Pete Wilkins said Hanrahan is available for his first game since suffering an ACL against former club the Dragons back in April and the 32-year old Kerryman is poised to freshen things up for Connacht.
They have already secured top position in the pool but need another couple of points to be absolutely guaranteed home advantage in all three knockout games to the final, if they progress that far for the first time in history.
“He’s fit and ready to go, how we use him this weekend we’ll have to wait and see. It’s brilliant to have him back in the mix,” said Wilkins, whose side has already banked bonus point wins over Zebre, Perpignan and Lyon in this season’s second tier European competition.
“First and foremost I have to acknowledge the journey he’s been on, the last game of rugby over in Dragons in April. It is a lonely journey with these long-term injuries. The way he has grafted away has been unbelievably professional.
“He’s broken up that rehab into bite-size chunks and gone about his business really well. For him to get to this point is fantastic and credit to him.
“In terms of where he’s at, he’s been training fully with the team for the last couple of weeks, and outside of that training we have been topping up his running load and contact load, as if to replicate the fact he’s been playing games on weekends.”
Mack Hansen will serve the second of his three-game suspension on Friday but Wilkins confirmed that other Irish internationals Bundee Aki and Finlay Bealham are available as they were rested in the opening two rounds pre-Christmas.
However, experienced loosehead Denis Buckley is out with a dead leg, while a calf strain has ruled out lock Oisin Dowing.
Well done to JJ and the rehab team in Connacht..
Also it was great to see a player getting involved in local rugby as the backs coach for Corinthians.
I hope this doesn’t negatively affect Corinthians. Their backs have been amongst the best across the AIL, and JJ certainly has had a hand in it. Averaging 37 points per game, only Old Belvedere producing better.
On a Connacht note, I think Carty has had a great season when called on, but has barely been involved as Wilkins doesn’t seem to be involving him moving forward, Ioane has blown hot and cold with particularly poor place kicking. JJ is a great place kicker and will definitely be an addition. Great to see him warming up last week.
Last game against Lyon I saw something that Connacht Rugby have been very coy to show in how many years I do not know! We fronted up yes we were physical yes and we used smarts yes BUT we just kept the pressure on, did not let up, at no point it looked like we thought we have enough points and that is what I would like to see every game! JJ will bring that to us he has that mindset as do a host of other players who are imo becoming a really strong bench to use with 30/35 mins to go. More of it please go to Cardiff and do not press stop until the final whistle.
It would be interesting to see would we take any of those potential knockouts up to Castlebar if we get there. Given the ease with which we sold out the Munster game, it might be something that’s considered. Really need to go strong against Cardiff to try and secure a top 2 seeding.