EUROPEAN CHALLANGE CUP: Connacht v Dax (Kick-off: Tonight, 6.30pm)MICHAEL BRADLEY stands firmly behind the decision to field a shadow XV in Reading last week despite knowing a full-strength London Irish – top of the pile in England and playing scintillating rugby – had the potential to hand out a severe beating.
The subsequent 75-5 result from the Madejski Stadium was the worst possible scenario but Bradley’s Challenge Cup plans were always focused on the arrival of Dax to Galway this evening.
True to his word, the 40-times capped former Irish scrumhalf only retained Fionn Carr, Andrew Farley and Andrew Browne, with the latter moving from a makeshift backrow to lock, as Connacht go chasing the victory that will ensure safe passage into the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup.
The only concern is the damage to morale from such a heavy defeat.
“Our intention was to get four points from our two remaining matches and with Dax at home at the Sportsground, with the crowd behind us, there was always a greater chance of victory,” explained Bradley.
“Everyone knew the tough ask of facing the top of the (English) Premiership, with their strongest side, so we looked at achieving a (bonus) point from tries or by staying within seven of them. We went for tries, we didn’t kick and there were nine occasions when we were in sight of their line in set-piece scenarios but didn’t convert them,” he added
This fixture means nothing to Dax. They have brought nine of the 22 that lost 29-9 at home to Toulouse two weeks ago. Considering they are just six points clear of relegation and have no chance of progression the usual French capitulation away from home is expected.
The question for Bradley is how important is this competition from a Connacht perspective as it is clearly apparent they do not possess the strength in depth to alternate their squad in two competitions. In fairness, Munster and Leinster have struggled when attempting something similar (down in Galway actually) during the current campaign. “There are two roads into Europe. You don’t play Magners League and Challenge Cup on the same weekends. We shall continue to switch our resources on a week-to-week basis where necessary.”
After downing Leinster in October the Connacht coach let it be known they are seeking to improve their ranks with fringe players in the other three provinces – who are waiting, in many cases, behind world-class imports.
For excellent examples see halfback pairing Frank Murphy and Ian Keatley, who Declan Kidney excluded from the Ireland A reckoning this week.
“There is an opportunity for quality players to pick up the phone and give us a call,” continued Bradley. “That is, if they don’t want to sit on the bench for their whole career.”
Connacht seem to be tapping into that old Munster motivation; the “everyone is against us” mentality. More fuel can be added to that fire by local hero John Muldoon failing to make the Irish Six Nations squad.
The man from the hurling enclave of Portumna signed a three-year contract extension this week that should prove crucial when other signatures are sought over the coming months.
They play a risky game out west but they have been left with few alternatives. After this fixture it all goes very quiet as the next Magners League game is not until February 22nd away to the Ospreys.
CONNACHT:G Duffy; F Carr, N Ta'auso, K Matthews, L Bibo; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, R Morris; A Browne, A Farley; M McCarthy, R Ofisa, J Muldoon (capt). Replacements:A Flavin, R Loughney, M Swift, C Rigney, K Campbell,A Dunne, T Nathan.
US DAX:D Bortolussi; L Diaz, F Argel, F Martin Aramburu, B Hiriart; M Petitjean, J Pezet; K Lealamanua (capt), J Jaen, N Decamps, A Mazel, J Cros, B Adrillon, J Pendanx, J Bornman. Replacements:J Castex, Y Pedrosa, J Brugnaut, V Deniau, N Morlaes, G Williams, N Nanuku.
Referee:Neil Paterson (Scotland).
