Connacht face a quick-turnaround after a disappointing loss to Cardiff to host a first meeting of the season with South African opponents Vodacom Bulls at Dexcom Stadium on Friday (7.45pm ).
Bulls have posted two successive wins, both at home - a 53-40 victory against the Ospreys and a 39-31 win over Leinster. However, their first fixture on this tour to Ireland saw them trip up against Ulster 28-7.
That Ulster victory will certainly give hope to Connacht, but Stuart Lancaster’s side will need to up their physicality in all areas of play to deal with a side traditionally dominant at the set piece.
Good news is that outhalf Josh Ioane and centre Byron Ralston have recovered from respective injuries, while internationals Bundi Aki, Mack Hansen and Finlay Bealham are also available.
Their presence is a real boost as Connacht prepare for what contact coach Cullie Tucker says will be a "massively physical challenge" at Dexcom Stadium. And Connacht will certainly need to fix their line-out with a below par success rate of 57 per cent.
In addition, the South Africans currently boast winning the most penalties of any team in the BKT URC from their scrum, not to mention their "international quality across the board", Tucker says.
However, Tucker believes lessons have been learned after last season’s loss to the Bulls in South Africa by 56-27.
"We’re highly aware of where we need to be physically. And I think we're more battle-hardened. We've had some really tough battles over the years, here and in the High Veldt, so we know the power that's coming."
As a result, Connacht’s ability to play to their strengths and make it pay in scores will depend on their ability to retain possession, improved physicality in the contact area, while also "kicking intelligently" to put Connacht in the fight.
"I think once we're in the fight, we'll be in a good place. I back our players to turn it around, and I back ourselves for a good performance on Friday."
Importantly, Connacht will need help from their supporters to make home advantage count.
"The crowd here against Benetton was exceptional. They really got behind the team, which was fantastic," and with the Dexcom crowd revelling in the new atmosphere, he says it’s up to the team to provide that energy.
With "fantastic supporters", Connacht need to take advantage of playing at home, he says.
"We need to be winning our home games in the URC 100 per cent, and even though we lost last weekend, we came away with a point."
However, while Tucker accepts Connacht’s defence has faced criticism in the past, he insists many areas of their game are "still growing, progressing and developing".
"Different elements of our game at different times have let us down unfortunately, but our defence stood up for the majority of the game - that's been something people have been highly critical of us for the past while."
However, he says, extra coaching has been conducted to help the players with some "easy fixes around the ruck and attack", but Connacht will also need to stand up to the Bulls’ scrum to prevent penalties being conceded.
Connacht are preparing for an aggressive outfit that boasts quality props and a host of internationals in their line-up. Defence will be crucial, but the home side also will need to ensure they do not concede easy possession, while also firing their own shots.
