Pat Lam pleased as Connacht secure quarter-final place

Connacht 47 Enisei-STM 5

Job done, an eighth European Challenge Cup quarter-final secured, and a date in France in April is something coach Pat Lam is relishing after Connacht topped pool one with a eight-try rout of the Russians.

That it is a meeting with Bernard Jackman’s Grenoble, where former Connacht captain Andrew Farley is also at the helm, adds to the anticipation.

“I was determined to get in the quarter-finals because you are playing rugby in April and May and I look forward to what this group of guys can do when we get into some nice weather,” says Lam.

“It’s a one-off game and they have a big Irish contingent. We played them in pre season when they were well prepared, and we now go back there when we are better prepared.”

Having lost their chance of a home fixture, Connacht completed their pool campaign with a focused performance over Russian visitors Enisei-STM at the Galway Sportsground – Newcastle eventually pulling ahead of nearest rivals Brive.

It was nothing short of what was expected.

“It was backs to the wall and we only had ourselves to blame. We had to win, we had to get a bonus point, we did that. Now we are through, you have to be in it to win it.”

Dismal showing

Despite the inconsistencies in Connacht’s campaign, a quarter-final was the least expected from this group of players, particularly after last weekend’s dismal showing against Brive.

“It was very pleasing. One of the things we highlighted this week, was whatever it takes to win points. To get the job done in the first 40 minutes was great.”

Lam paid tribute to his captain John Muldoon who changed tactics to play with the wind.

“Fair play to Mul, he won the toss and opted to go with the win when we normally go into the wind first. He rallied the boys, and said, ‘look if we are going to take this win, it’s my call and we are going to have to raise the tempo, we are going have to speed the game up, and be accurate’. I think the boys responded well to him.”

It was also the perfect opportunity for Connacht's four Irish squad members to have game time, particularly Robbie Henshaw and man of the match Kieran Marmion returning from injury, who were both influential in Connacht's try feast.

Ultan Dillane once again produced another promising display in both lineouts and the loose.

Only score

Four tries were scored in a one-sided first half through fullback Tiernan O’Halloran,

Matt Healy

, prop

Denis Buckley

, and

Danie Poolman

to establish a 25-0 lead.

Henshaw bagged the fifth immediately after the break before the Russians capitalised on their first penalty, their pack forcing their way over with flanker Vitalii Orlov touching down.

It was their only score of the game, which saw Connacht complete the win with three more tries. Replacement hooker Tom McCartney crashed over in the 52nd minute, before O’Halloran sent Healy through for his second, while replacement scrumhalf Caolan Blade wrapped up the game with an eighth try at the death.

“We are in the quarter-finals which is the most important thing,” says Lam.

“When I reflect on this competition, there have been some rough challenges, some adversity, and times when we did make it hard on ourselves, but just to get through is a great relief, and it’s a great outcome for the squad – certainly when you consider that November, December and January is not our ideal time for playing rugby. It was our 15th game in a row so to go get through is just pleasing. The quarter-final is in April, so we can park it now and concentrate on the Pro 12.”

Winning form

With an important league fixture next weekend against top-of-the-table Scarlets, Lam says it’s important now to take that winning form into the Pro 12.

“We can take momentum into Scarlets – it’s a big game, the momentum, the confidence. It’s not necessarily a must-win, but it’s a win in the bigger scheme of things that would set us up nicely before we go into the break.

“If we beat Scarlets here, it would keep us in the top four, and we stay in control of that, so yeah, it’s a game we definitely want to win.”

CONNACHT: T O'Halloran; D Poolman, R Henshaw, B Aki, M Healy; A MacGinty, K Marmion; D Buckley, D Heffernan, N White; U Dillane, A Muldowney; J Muldoon, J Connolly, E Masterson. Replacements: J Carty for MacGinty, T McCartney for Heffernan, F Bealham for Buckley (all 51 mins), R Ah You for White (53 mins), C Blade for Marmion (57 mins), G Naoupu for Muldowney (59 mins), S O'Brien for Muldoon (61 mins), R Parata for O'Halloran (70 mins).

ENISEI-STM: R Gaisin; J Baranovs, D Kacharava, M Babaev, D Simplikevich; Y Kushnarev, A Shcherban; A Volkov, N Gasanov, I Zykov; U Saulite, V Krasylnyk; V Orlov, A Temnov, A Rudoi. Replacements: I Kurashov for Shcherban (42 mins), N Serkov for Krasylnyk (47 mins), E Pronenko for Temnov (65 mins). Yellow cards: J Baranovs (14 mins).

Referee: T Foley (England).