Connacht play down remote finals hopes

Connacht are facing up to the grim reality of their season ending today, barring a highly unlikely sequence of results in Pool A of the European Shield. This is the consequence of their dismal 39-8 defeat away to Caerphilly last week, which coach Glenn Ross was still describing as perplexing almost a week later.

It wasn't so disastrous that Connacht lost to one of their main rivals last Saturday but to do so by 31 points certainly was. Having gone into that game with a points differential 32 points better than Caerphilly's, now it's 30 points worse.

Thus, Connacht must beat Racing Club in the Sportsground today by at least 31 points more than Caerphilly's margin of victory, should Caerphilly repeat, as expected, their Welsh league victory of 28-20 over Newport at Rodney Parade in September.

Connacht must also hope there isn't a French carve-up this evening when second-placed Periguex entertain unbeaten group pacesetters Narbonne, who have already earned a home quarterfinal.

Even the possibility of qualifying for the last eight as one of the two best third-placed sides has been removed, for these clubs are virtually certain to come from Pools B and C.

Still feeling a "bit shattered" by the events in Caerphilly, Ross says: "It was the first time we were expected to win a game going into it, and we didn't handle it too well, which was quite revealing.

"In the past we've not been expected to win games, and so the players were playing their arses off and hanging in there and getting a win. A different mental approach was required last week and we came up short.

If nothing else, today offers a chance of self-redemption. "We've trained very well and we're looking forward to the game. It gives us a chance to restore a bit of credibility, not only for the players and the management and for everyone involved with the team, but for those who have supported us as well."

Connacht's preparations haven't been helped by injuries to Barry Gavin (torn shoulder muscles), Junior Charlie (fractured cheekbone) and Ian Dillon (broken bone in his hand).

Ross has learnt that Racing, newly promoted from the French first division, are a young side with talented backs, but are possibly "a little suspect up front".