Scarlets set for Dexcom visit
Connacht are back in action tonight when they host Scarlets in a game which was postponed back in October when the Llanelli side were unable to travel because of Storm Amy (7.45pm).
Connacht would have been expected to pick up all five points in that fixture given the disarray Scarlets and Welsh rugby were in and that meant there has been a somewhat skewed position on the URC table ever since for Stuart Lancaster’s side.
They are currently 10thin the table, five points off the Bulls who occupy eighth, the final knockout spot. Scarlets have improved somewhat, but it would be a major shock if they were to head back to Llanelli with the win.
Connacht are looking for a third league win in a row and the manner in which they struck late to get the try bonus point in the red in the 31-15 win away to Zebre, and then the comeback win over leaders Glasgow Warriors last time out has been a massive confidence-booster ahead of this clash.
The clock was in the red again when Seán Jansen got the match-winner and Connacht scrum and contact coach, Colm Tucker, said the strong finishes in both of their last games is testimony to what they are doing in training.
“I think it's actually the fact that every day they come into the building to get better, to work hard, to do the right thing for Connacht. It's very evident from us as coaches, and we're the same. And then to actually get the reward at the end of it, it's justified for them and they deserve it.
“There's a lot that goes into it every week. They kept fighting until the end and they played their best rugby in the last 12 minutes against Glasgow, which is testament to them and how we're training as well. I think it's just great to see them getting what they deserve in terms of the efforts they put in every week.
“The challenge for us now is to consistently back it up. It is a huge game for us this season. It'll cement our place or put us right up back into that ninth position and really looking into the top eight.
“It's a huge game from that. It's going to be a very, very challenging and tough game. It's a huge game for our season, for sure,” said Tucker.
Scarlets have only won three games all seasons and have more in the Welsh squad than Connacht will be missing on international duty this weekend, but Tucker says they will take nothing for granted against them.
And he believes that the atmosphere being created in the redeveloped Dexcom Stadium can play a key part in driving them forward, not least as they spent more than a year playing on a building site.
“I've been here during the build phase of it, and we definitely missed that side of it, in terms of getting energy for the team on the pitch and everything. We spoke a lot about making our own energy, but that can be quite difficult as well. Look at the Leinster game, 12,000 sell-out.
“It felt like there were 80,000 people there. It was easily the best environment I've ever coached in, the best game from an atmosphere point of view I've ever coached in. The noise when Jan [Sean Jansen] scored his try, was unreal.
“The energy we get from the supporters is huge, and there's an obligation on us now to make this place a fortress again, because I don't think we've done that justice in the last couple of years,” he added.