Connacht cut a sorry sight in heavy defeat to Leinster

Connacht 17

By JOHN FALLON AT THE AVIVA STADIUM

STUART Lancaster said it was painful watching his former Leinster side take Connacht apart at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, but he’s confident they can turn it around by developing the young talent.

The team’s Head Coach could do nothing as an understrength Leinster side made it ten wins in a row over the westerners when running in eight tries.

Leinster were on top in every department as Connacht again collapsed and did not score in the second half. Indeed, after recovering from a disastrous start and coming from 14-0 down to lead by two after 36 minutes, Connacht shipped 38 points without reply from there to the finish.

It made for tough viewing for Lancaster who spent seven successful years with Leo Cullen’s Leinster. "Not a lot of fun, to be honest. I've seen it happen but Leinster; when they're in the flow and you play at the Aviva or even at the RDS as well, they're a hard team to stop.

"When I went to sleep last night, I was hoping we'd play like we did for that 30 minute period in the first half for the 80 minutes, but we didn't and I'm fully committed to what I'm doing at Connacht.

"I know it's a different project, it's a completely different project. Connacht should be applauded for what they've done off the field in terms of building a new High Performance Centre, building a new stand at the Dexcom Stadium.

"When I'm coaching the young lads at Connacht they're not at the same level as the development of these Leinster lads like Charlie Tector, Hugh Cooney . . . they were training with the senior squad three years ago when I was there.

"So they've had three more years of experience whereas I'm four months in, five months in coaching Billy Bohan or Fiachna Barrett or Harry West or all these lads and I'll do everything I can to pass on what I've learned from my Leinster period.

"It was painful today, but I still love the place, I still love the people but I'll be even more determined to try and get it right for the home game for sure."

Connacht now have two Challenge Cup games before hosting Leinster at the opening of the new stand at Dexcom Stadium on January 24.

Leinster led 19-17 at the end of a good opening half which saw Leo Cullen’s men cross for two tries inside eight minutes only to be hauled back as Connacht found their groove.

The hosts showed little sign early on of resting half a dozen Irish internationals as they bossed matters against a Connacht team hoping for only their second win in seven league games.

Pictured: Connacht Dylan Tierney-Martin who scored one of two tries in Saturdays URC heavy defeat to Leinster at the Aviva Stadium.