Injury-hit Connacht face dead rubber in Amlin Cup

Dara Bradley

A DEAD rubber in terms of qualification to the quarter-finals of the Amlin Challenge Cup but this Saturday’s pool 1 match away to French big-spenders, Bayonne, is vital if Connacht is to turn their fortunes around in the remainder of the 2011 season.

The curtain fell on Connacht’s European chances in December – in truth the chances were doomed after the first pool match defeat to Prato in Italy two months previous – but the province’s coaching staff and squad will be anxious to get the season back on track this weekend.

Losing, albeit narrowly and in the main with encouraging performances, has become a bit of a habit now for this Connacht outfit who will be desperate to stop the rot, which now stretches to nine consecutive competitive defeats.

This is about pride and, more importantly, about lifting the gloom that has enveloped the province in the wake of those gut-wrenching near misses against Munster and Dragons.

A heavy defeat at the hands of the French could have repercussions in terms of attendance at the Sportsground the following Saturday – a win would certainly encourage more fans to show-up at College Road for the next home game, another qualification dead-rubber, against Prato on January 22.

Although Connacht won the home leg 16-13 in October, the odds are stacked in favour of Bayonne this weekend, given the strength in depth of the French aristocrats and its playing budget of €15.9 million for the 2010/2011 season that would be the envy of even some Heineken Cup sides.

Connacht’s three matches packed into just 11 days over the Christmas holidays, has taken its toll on the players. Gavin Duffy (knee) is unavailable for selection but could return next week and long-term absentees John Muldoon, Ezra Taylor and Conor O’Loughlin remain on the injury list.

Ian Keatley (calf) will undergo a fitness test today to see if he can start in France. Props Rodney Ah You (calf) and Dylan Rogers (groin) are expected to be fit enough to travel while Troy Nathan (hamstring) and Seán Cronin, who took a knock to his head, are also expected to be available.

Darragh Fanning had his appendix taken out and is not due back until next week and Ray Ofisa, sidelined since breaking his cheekbone and eye-socket in October, is expected to make his first appearance in the green jersey Saturday week at the Sportsground.

Head coach Eric Elwood has delayed naming his squad until Thursday afternoon and the starting xv won’t be released until Friday. On-the-field results of late have been disappointing for Connacht fans, but there was some promising developments off-field with the news that the province has signed contracts with four players.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.