Muldoon positive despite low expectations for Connacht

Connacht are up and running for the new season already with two tough preseason battles away to Harlequins and Gloucester under the belt. Both ended in defeat, but there was more than enough positives for the Connacht camp to feel in good spirits ahead of Friday’s home opener against Rotherham at the Sportsground (6:30). The English First Division side could well provide Connacht with their toughest test yet, as while there previous opponents would have been in early season mode, Rotherham will be targeting this clash as a chance to prove their worth. Nevertheless, Connacht captain John Muldoon believes his side are ready.“We’ve had two pre-season games in the last couple of weeks and I think we used 29 players in total in those games, which is what pre-season is all about. getting guys on the pitch, getting the new guys bedded in.“Since the fixtures were released everything has been geared towards the Ospreys game, and that is what we have been focused on for the last couple of weeks and at this stage we can’t wait to get out on the pitch and get a crack at them.”The new Magners League format includes a top four play off at the end of the campaign and thanks to the ERC rulings, there will be no Heineken Cup play off for Connacht to target. Instead, Connacht must...