Connacht slump continues after failing to ignite against Ospreys

Date Published: {J}

Connacht 6Ospreys 17

Rob Murphy

SO now we know. Surpassing the seven wins achieved in this competition last season seems unlikely at this point of the campaign. If Connacht do add to their three wins from nine outings between now and May, they will need a fairly significant upsurge in form from the mediocre performances we've seen in recent Pro 12 outings.

Connacht have secured just two losing bonus points from their last seven games in all competitions, they haven't won since September 23rd and all three of their victories this season came during the World Cup period, when the opposition was severely weakened.

Saturday was about halting the slide, regrouping from the Toulouse outing and demonstrating that the squad were mentally focused on the long term season goals and able to put the emotions of the last few weeks to one side to deliver a result.

Connacht had chances at a windy Sportsground, plenty of chances, but they couldn't convert. Their lineout was flawless and even a creaky scrum – against a first choice Osprey's front row – didn't cost them any turnovers and held up reasonably well overall. Connacht certainly didn't lose this at set piece time.

This was lost at the breakdown where they side once again played second fiddle. No Michael Swift or Mike McCarthy here to add bulk and allow George Naoupu to start at eight, while the continued absence of Johnny O'Conor is keenly felt, especially considering Ray Ofisa is clearly off kilter.

For the game in a nutshell, we'll take you back to the 58th minute of the contest. Connacht had the extra man at this point as the hopelessly poor Andrew McMenemy had finally seen sense and sin binned the petulant Ian Gough , who could have had three yellow cards in the contest.

From a lineout in the 22, Connacht set up an attack, two phases later Frank Murphy popped inside to Tiernan O'Halloran who made a fine gain and was tackled, a simple clear out was needed. Ofisa was right on the spot but his attempt to do so bore all the hallmarks of a player who is lacking power at the moment and well short of his normal self. He just fell off the hit and Connacht were turned over.

The scoreline was 10-6 at that moment and the game was there to be won for Connacht but that attack signalled the end. The visitors saw out the ten minute spell comfortably and then from a Duncan Jones charge through a gaping whole in the lineoout, they set up the winning try for Sonny Parker.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.