Connacht left down and out as Leicester coast home

Connacht 32

THE scoreline isn’t easy on the eye and this report must follow suit. Connacht have more problems brewing than they would like to admit. A flawed and ultimately disappointing season reached a low point at the famous Welford Road on Saturday as they exited Europe without much to show for their efforts. Out fought, out muscled and outclassed by a Leicester side that were missing almost their entire first team squad.

Connacht scored four tries in this Challenge Cup last 16 encounter and had their moments in an exciting second half but when the final whistle arrived, the 16 point deficit felt about right. A more powerful, clinical and streetwise Leicester had toyed with the visitors for much of the 80 minutes and when the questions were asked, the Englishmen had the answers in their forward pack. Lineouts, mauls and good old fashioned hard hits got the job done as the westerners wilted and fell apart.

All of this season’s failings were exposed, the defence is arguably as bad as it’s ever been in the professional era, their ability to stop the lineout, catch and drive from the opposition has completely deserted them, missed tackles crop up at key junctures, positioning in the back three was again caught out and the ball carrying of the forwards in close contact with defence continues to be ineffective.

The usual stuff worked well, Connacht were sharp on attacks from deep in their own half, making big gains there. They also made some impressive inroads at the breakdown where Leicester’s pillar defence was badly exposed for two tries as Connacht basically picked the ball up in the ruck and went right through the middle. The second half fightback showed the endeavour, honesty and pride that’s needed but that’s about it.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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