Challenge Cup Second round, first leg: Amid heightened expectations, Connacht return to European Challenge Cup action today in Galway with a visit from French outfit Pau.
Following their compelling performance against Munster last weekend, Connacht coach Michael Bradley is hoping to post home points on the board before the return visit to France on January 17th.
"We would like to head into next week's away match with a 10 or 12 point advantage. That would be great, but we'll also take a one-point victory," Bradley said.
Having held Munster to a 3-0 scoreline in their Celtic League match, expectations of Connacht qualifying for the Challenge Cup semi-finals have increased.
However, Bradley accepts that the French outfit, winners of this competition four years ago, semi-finalists last year, and former Heineken European Cup semi-finalists, are a formidable challenge, and they come to Galway on the back of some fine results over their French Championship opponents.
"They are certainly a better side than our first-round opponents Beziers, more balanced, and the connection between backs and forwards is sweeter," says Bradley.
"They have the ability to run nice lines and play to good team patterns which is their strength."
While Connacht got the better of Beziers with a six-point aggregate win over the two legs, Pau scored home and away wins over Italian side Parma in the last round with a 26-point advantage.
A settled outfit that boasts French number eight Imanol Harinordoquy, French centre Damien Traille, former Australian lock Garrick Morgan, and a strong half-back partnership in former French internationals Philippe Carbonneau and David Aucagne, Bradley accepts Connacht will have to be at their best to post a home victory.
He has already been forced to make one late change with the loss of Mark McHugh who injured his leg in training. McHugh had been switched to inside centre, adding a new dimension to the Connacht attack where his kicking prowess might also have taken the pressure off young outhalf David Hewitt, who has been brought in to replace Eric Elwood.
As a result, Tim Allnutt returns to captain the team from his customary number 12 position, while Elwood remains on the bench as a possible replacement.
Although Bradley might have been expected to start with the same XV that played last Friday, he continues to make changes to his squad. Wayne Munn is named on the left wing after scoring two tries for Buccaneers last weekend against St Mary's, necessitating a switch to the right wing for Conor McPhillips.
In the forwards, Damien Browne and Paul Neville, who both received knocks last weekend against Munster, are rested with Mike McCarthy and Tom Carter taking over.
Bradley will be hoping his forwards impose themselves, led by Bernard Jackman, Dan McFarland and Adrian Clarke in the front row, Andrew Farley and McCarthy in the second row, and the big-hitting trio of Michael Swift, Tom Carter, and John O'Sullivan, who proved more than a handful for Munster last weekend.
Number eight O'Sullivan won't be overawed by this afternoon's formidable task. The 23-year-old Kerryman has never been fazed by boundaries, instead fostering a commendable work ethic, a desire to play rugby that has overcome whatever obstacles have barred his path.
One of five brothers, John has two brothers who still play senior rugby, Dermot (centre) and Alan (scrumhalf), all three boys now at Garryowen after several pit-stops along the way.
His rugby memories extend from playing against Australian Schools in Donnybrook to a narrow defeat to New Zealand at the Under-19 World Cup in Wales when an Ireland team that included Jeremy Staunton and Des Dillon was given a standing ovation.
He recalls bumping into coach Declan Kidney soon after the final whistle and suggesting, "we gave them a good rattle", Kidney's response made left a huge impression. "I remember him saying that with that attitude we were never going to beat them. It's the Roy Keane thing and Declan was right.
"I have been very fortunate in all those who have coached me, from Paddy Butler, Matt O'Shea and Paul Cunningham at Newbridge, to Paul Cunningham, Dan Larkin, Andy Earl and John Warr, Kidney and now Michael Bradley at Connacht.
"Brads is a brilliant tactician, incredibly thorough in his preparation and very supportive of, and fair to, his players."
When a deal to join French club Begles-Bordeaux fell through, O'Sullivan was grateful to team manager John Fallon, who worked to get him back into the Connacht set-up.
He hasn't let them down. The country is festooned with young back-row talent, Des Dillon, Roger Wilson, Neil McMillan, Neil Best, Denis Leamy, Stephen Keogh, Johnny O'Connor and Shane Jennings amongst others, but O'Sullivan is right up there with the best.
Today at the Sportsground, he'll probably confirm that assertion. All he's looking for is an opportunity to showcase his ability.
CONNACHT: M Mostyn; C McPhillips, D Yapp, M McHugh, W Munn; D Hewitt, M Walls; D McFarland, B Jackman, A Clarke, M McCarthy, A Farley, M Swift, T Carter, J O'Sullivan. Replacements: J Fogarty, W O'Kelly, M Lacey, M Carroll, C O'Loughlin, E Elwood, T Robinson.
PAU: J-B Peyra; R Jaouher, J-C Cistacq, R Cabannes, P Negre-Gauthier; D Aucagne, N Cabannes; D Laperne, M Tincu, Y Lacrouts, L Faure, F Galardi, L Souverbie, A Mockford, B Bordenave. Replacements: R Terrain, L Patrac, D Traille, R MacDonald, E Artiguste, J-M Souverbie.
Referee: R Maybank (England).
Connacht v Pau
Sportsground
Today, 2 p.m.
