Connacht head to Wales this weekend for their first away fixture of this season's URC to face Cardiff on Saturday (7.45pm ).
With their home fixture against Scarlets postponed due to weather, Stuart Lancaster's squad has been boosted with the availability of their international players, who are ready for a return to action.
Cardiff, as always, are hard to beat at home, and will be pushing to break their recent record against Connacht. But Lancaster's side, without a fixture last weekend are "chomping at the bit," he says.
Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham and Mack Hansen are "flying", while the squad is also boosted with the return of Finn Treacy, Byron Ralston, and Josh Ioane. In addition, Lancaster says youngsters such as Hugh Gavin, Matthew Devine and backrow player Sean O'Brien are also in the mix.
Lancaster has reason to be optimistic, but cautious, against Wales' current strongest team. Connacht's recent records suggest that if the visitors play to their best, they will be well able to nail another win in this first visit to Wales this season. However, Cardiff, feeding off their home support, will want to reverse the results of their last five meetings - Connacht have claimed victories in both European and domestic contests.
Importantly, Connacht's injury list has waned, during which Lancaster has given valuable time to some of the younger players to gain experience.
"I think the benefits of the pre-season with the young lads as well, stepping up and growing, has meant training has become very competitive, and rightly so, because everyone wants to play." It gives Lancaster confidence facing a team that is a "tricky" opponent, he says.
However, Cardiff, although currently in 14th spot on the URC table, will make the most of the home crowd, and there is little between the two sides in terms of their ability to score tries and points. Connacht have good reason to be wary.
Cardiff will be 'hard to beat' - Lancaster
"They are strong on identity, being in Cardiff, the history of the club and the challenges they face in Welsh Rugby at the moment - it makes them hard to beat," Lancaster says.
With a well-organised defence, strong backrow that "has only got stronger with Taine Basham arriving", in addition to an "attractive attacking style ", the home side boasts multiple threats, in attack, defence, and the ruck, he says.
"They have plenty of flair, it is in the DNA of Welsh teams to play like that, and Matt Sherratt (former head coach ) would have coached that."
"They have had a change in coach, but it does not seem to have diminished their motivation. My personal experience playing against them - home and away - it is never easy."
Lancaster says Connacht must defend well, manage the contact area, and try to find ways to break down a defensive system which is well organised.
"There are not any obvious flaws in it, but if we play with the intent we played against Benetton, I think we will get opportunities. But you have to earn the right, particularly away from home. Weather will be a factor and how we manage the game in terms of our kicking versus our running, and our set piece has to function."
Lancaster is aware that last weekend's match postponement has affected Connacht's momentum and selection.
"It is a Welsh team, but a completely different team we are playing against now. Cardiff are very different from Scarlets and we have to erase what we had in our minds and rebuild the players' mindsets into what is now a difficult away game."
Lancaster will be looking for a strong start, while needing his players to front up in the contact area - both in attack and defence.
Cardiff are never easy, and will be determined to turn the tide in their recent results against Connacht. They will also want to bounce back following their defeat to Munster. That fixture finished 23-20 to the Irish side.
Their is no doubting the Welsh outfit's ability in attack, at the breakdown, and in the scrum - Connacht will need to follow Munster's lead, turn territory into points, and defend heroically.
