Connacht are on the hunt to bag maximum points against Montauban in their final European Challenge Cup pool fixture to ensure a best possible seeding for the knockout stages.
“We need to go get five points, make sure we’re in the mix. That’s absolutely the goal,” says Connacht scrum coach Cullie Tucker of Saturday’s fixture against the French side at Dexcom Stadium.
Despite their two-point loss to Montpellier in France, Tucker says Connacht need to learn how to capitalise on opportunities, while also halting their opponents’ momentum.
How did Leinster pull off their win against La Rochelle?
“Disappointed, but in the grander scheme of things, to go to the south of France, perform like that, with both props Billy Bohan and Fiachna Barrett, and numerous others who are very young – John Devine, Matthew Victory, Sean Walsh and Albert Lindner making first senior appearances – they’ll be better for that experience.
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“So there’s loads of positives, their confidence is building, they’re getting different pressures and experiences, which is huge for the club and for those guys in the future, but we had massive opportunities, as well, to stem momentum, which is probably the biggest learning for us.”
Connacht, still with the potential to secure a home quarter-final, “absolutely” need five points from this weekend’s round, Tucker adds.
“That is the goal. Obviously, Black Lion winning last week puts them in the mix now; Montpellier want a top seeding, and they’re going up to Ospreys, so our focus is very much on getting five points.”
Although Montauban are propping up the Top 14 table in last spot, Tucker knows the province can’t take anything for granted.
“Montauban might be struggling in the Top 14 for sure, but it’s an unforgiving league as well,” he says. Not to mention that Montauban boast players such as Vaea Fifita, one of the best forwards in the world, tighthead Valentin Simutoga, and winger Josua Vici – the top poacher in the Top 14 and in the top five for line breaks.
“There’s plenty of stuff for us to worry about. Their ability to get down the field through kicking and kick-chase as well. They’ve had some hard results for sure, but when you look at them, they’ve got X-factor all around the pitch that we need to be very, very aware of. I actually think they have one of the best back fives I’ve seen.”
However, Connacht need to mind their own house this week, Tucker says. “We need to go get five points, make sure we’re in the mix. That’s absolutely the goal.”
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The provinces’ youngsters provided real spark last weekend, with Tucker pointing out that young Irish players are now used to winning.
“Through all ages grades they have probably worn national jerseys and provincial jerseys, so they’re pretty fearless in that respect. This is a huge game for us. We want to be in the knockout stages of Europe.
“There’s still a chance to get a home quarter-final, but we’re relying on other teams, obviously. But we’ve got to make sure, as a club, we’re in the knockout stage of this competition.”
Good news for head coach Stuart Lancaster is that five players – Jack Aungier (elbow), Jack Carty (ribs), Matthew Devine (head), Dave Heffernan (calf), and Sean Naughton (ankle) – are available after returning from injury, while Caolin Blade (Achilles) and Colm Reilly (hamstring) are due to return to training later in the week.
Out of action for the Montauban game are outhalf Josh Ioane (head), while Finlay Bealham (knee) could be missing for two weeks following an injury sustained against Leinster. Hugh Gavin (shoulder) has undergone surgery and is expected to be unavailable for the coming months, while Shayne Bolton (quad) is also expected to be unavailable until April.
