It is sink or swim for Connacht in South Africa. Facing tough matches against DHL Stormers on Saturday and Emirates Lions the following weekend, Connacht’s season could well rest on these two fixtures.
Connacht, with 33 points, are adrift of the Stormers by just two points and three places behind in 13th on the URC table. With just four points separating sixth place and 13th, there remains massive incentive, and a victory in South Africa would be huge in closing the gap, depending on results elsewhere.
Connacht have not been helped by a growing list of injuries though, particularly key players who are missing this trip south - notably Mack Hansen and Caolin Blade (ankle ), Bunde Aki (heel ), Josh Ioane and Shamus Hurley-Langton (wrist ), Denis Buckley (quad ) and Finn Treacy (head ).
It is an immense blow to Connacht ahead of these two crucial games, but Connacht coach Cullie Tucker remains optimistic his squad can do the business in what is traditionally a tough environment.
“For us it is about embracing it. It's a different environment, different challenge. I think we're well prepared to do what we need to,” he says.
“I think it's the nature of the URC this year, all the teams are quality. What are we expecting from the Stormers? Brilliant individual players, their offloading game is very, very impressive, very strong set pieces, very strong scrum and they are a very cohesive and attack-minded team. But at the same time, the contact zone, both sides of the wall, would be key to the game,” Tucker says.
“We’re in the land of physicality now, so we have to power up and be ready. They've been strong around both sides of a ruck, so we have to be really accurate, really physical there.”
The absence of several key players will give an opportunity to outhalf Sean Naughton, the 20-year-old Academy player, and the experienced Jack Carty who has seen little action this season. It is a tough ask for both players, but Tucker says both have the ability to fit into the Connacht system and “play the kind of rugby we've been playing”.
“It's a great opportunity for the two of them. We've backed them hugely. It's exciting for Sean to be here, and Jack hasn't played in a while, but we know the quality and experience he brings. He's an international rugby player, so we're delighted to have the two 10s here, and we're looking forward to what they can bring to our attack.”
The power and pace of the South Africans will test Connacht on both sides of the ball, but Tucker accepts defence will be critical.
“They are a pretty dangerous outfit in general. We have to be so connected defensively, we have to make sure that our one-on one-tackling is exceptional, and I think our scramble defence will have to be very, very good as well. Because, against a team like this, while you want to be connected and you want to stay together all the time, it will stress you. They will make breaks. It's how we react to those.”
Facing the South Africans is always tough assignment, but this visit will be particularly difficult without some of Connacht’s leading players.
“Yes, they will be a loss, but we've got very good quality behind them as well. They are younger guys who I think are going to be more and more in the limelight as the years go by, and they're chomping at the bit to play.
“We'll be tested in contact. There's absolutely no doubt about that. But, I back them, and I feel we’ll be ready for it. And hopefully there's some names on this tour who will project themselves.”
