Connacht face ‘must win’ tie against Scots
TIME is running out on Connacht’s season and Saturday’s home RaboDirect Pro12 clash with Edinburgh at the Sportsground (5pm) is a game they scarcely can afford to lose if they want to come close to emulating last season’s return of seven wins in the competition. They currently have two with nine games remaining.
Playing three successive rounds of action during the Six Nation’s campaign season merely serves to devalue the entire competition and is a major problem for professional rugby in this part of the world. Connacht lost in Glasgow last Sunday 8-6 in brutal conditions and very few people noticed.
The defeat in Scotland was a stark reminder of Connacht’s struggles this season. They lost to a second string Glasgow side and were probably fortunate to secure a losing bonus point. The kicking woes continued with only two kicks from six converted and the general sense of frustration hasn’t gone away either.
This week, the Italian Rugby Federation and Treviso rugby both confirmed that they are considering returning to an eight team Italian competition next year and withdrawing from the Pro 12 and their thinking is understandable. The profile of the competition continues to drop, crowds dwindle during the Six Nations and the season structure is hard to fathom.
Despite all this, the Connacht supporters have been superb this season, turning out consistently in big numbers despite their side’s struggles and another good crowd should be out in force after a five week run without any action at the Sportsground.
Injury concerns continue to mount with Matt Healy picking up a knock last week, Aly Muldowney is likely to get a rare start in the second row while the pack might see some more changes as well. The pressure will be on to get a result and that could make for a cagey affair.
AIL League
All four Connacht sides have plenty to play for between now and the end of the All Ireland League season in April. Corinthians and Buccaneers are chasing a promotion play off place in Division 1b, Galwegians are top of the table in Division 2a and Sligo have serious relegation concerns in Division 2b.
On Saturday, Corinthians host Blackrock College at Cloonacuaneen, the visitors have won only two from ten so far this season and face real relegation fears whereas Corinthians have won nine out of ten. Despite that, they are still 13 points behind the runaway league leaders Terenure College.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.