Connacht Rugby, after a huge weekend, now prepare for a significant away fixture to Italy in a bid to climb the URC table.
Once, a win in Parma was a given, but Connacht’s senior assistant coach Rob Seib is aware Zebre will be ready and waiting for the Irish visitors in a bid to lift themselves from the bottom of the table.
Zebre's current tally is 12 points from 10 fixtures and just two wins; Connacht have 16 points with a similar number of wins to date. And although Stuart Lancaster's side boasts a superior points difference, Connacht can take nothing for granted over the Italians, who will be targeting this fixture for a much-needed boost at this time of the season.
Both sides come into the contest needing points on the back of losses - the Italians pushed hard against Glasgow Warriors last time out, but ultimately lost 21-26, while Connacht fell to Leinster 23-34, and Seib expects changes to be made as a result of that demanding contest.
“The danger for us is we had a physically and emotionally draining game on the weekend, and the boys were spent,” Seib says.
“We have to make sure we freshen the players up, and they're in the right headspace also, because if our mindset is slightly off point, we're going to get a right shock you know. So we need to make sure we're emotionally and physically ready to play.”
One player unavailable is Connacht’s up-and-coming prop Billy Bohan, who has been drafted into the Ireland squad with Leinster’s Jack Boyle ruled out.
Bohan earns Ireland call up
It is a huge boost for Connacht and Bohan, whose progress has been followed by Ireland coach Andy Farrell.
“100 per cent special for him,” says Ireland coach Farrell. “It says a lot that Connacht were playing one of the biggest games of their history against Leinster with the stadium opening, and he’s first choice.
“We have followed his progress through the U20s and Connacht,” Farrell says, while also knowing he comes from “good stock” - his grandfather is the late Ireland player and coach Mick Doyle.
As a “student of the game still”, Farrell admits his arrival on the national stage may be a “little bit early”, but believes it could stand to Ireland down the line.
Dexcom Stadium opening
However, for Connacht, the opening of Dexcom and an exhausting fixture against Leinster has taken a toll, Seib says.
“Certainly the boys were gutted, absolutely gutted.”
And while Seib commends both sides for delivering a “brilliant game - a lot of physicality, lots of good play”, the reality was “just a few small moments”.
“I thought we managed the game really quite well, but there were some isolated incidents that allowed Leinster to slip back into it. So we need to be making sure we don't have those slips and have consistency throughout the eighty minutes.”
Although Connacht need to boost their current poor return of just two wins, Seib says there is “certainly no panic”.
“The boys register the fact that we've got a really important game to get momentum moving in our direction, particularly as we head into a little bit of a break. So we want to finish this block on a high.
“Obviously, when you look at the table, we want to be making sure we're collecting maximum points when we can.
“The reality is we know we need to be picking up wins, but there's certainly no panic.
Will Connors signs
Connacht, with no updated injury list, have been boosted this week with the signing of Leinster’s Will Connors, who has worked previously with Stuart Lancaster.
“I’ve seen Will’s ability first-hand and I know he’ll be another big asset to Connacht next season,” Lancaster says.
“His tackling ability and defensive work-rate is well-known, but he has real attacking strengths too, which I’m looking forward to developing.
“With a positive personality, he will bring great energy to the group and has real potential as a leader.”
The 29-year-old, who has made 62 appearances for Leinster, has signed a two-year deal with Connacht.
