A European semi-final is the prize for Connacht Rugby if they overcome Racing 92 in Saturday evening’s Challenge Cup knock-out tie at Dexcom Stadium (8pm).
Connacht, having claimed top seeding with three wins in the pool stages, now entertain the French thoroughbreds who finished fifth in their Investec Champions Cup pool.
It is another huge opportunity for Connacht, who, having often struggled in the bread and butter domestic URC competition, traditionally revel in European fare. However, having made the semi-finals on three occasions – the last time in a bruising 33-28 loss to Gloucester in 2015 – Connacht have yet to make a final.
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“A big opportunity,” says coach Cullie Tucker, “It’s knockout rugby, the prize and the opportunity is big, so we have to be big enough to go after it. There is going to be a really good atmosphere so it’s an opportunity for the fans to get involved.”
Connacht, he says, have done their homework, and “know what’s coming”.
“The names on the team sheet are pretty significant. You know their international quality, their ability to strike something out of nothing. They are a very good rugby side, very strong set-piece, and they have individuals who are particularly dangerous.”
Littered with experience, quality, and also some talented youngsters, they have the ability to run from deep while also denying opponents quality ball up front.
Sam James is an experienced fullback who played for England against the Barbarians in 2017. Add in Fijians Wame Naituvi, Vinaya Habosi and Sevens Olympian Josua Tuisova, alongside captain and New Zealander Max Spring, who toured Japan with France in 2022, and there is sufficient electric pace out wide.
Owen Farrell is named on the bench, but taking over the number 10 jersey is Dan Lancaster, son of former English coach Stuart.
French scrumhalf Nolan Le Garrec, Chilean international hooker Diego Escobar, prop Boris Palu, Wales’ Will Rowlands, Junior Kpoku, and the hard-running 24-year-old Jordan Joseph will make life difficult for Connacht up front.
As a result Tucker is looking to players to “kick well, mind the ball well, and be connected defensively” in a bid to deny the French side “getting a free rein”.
“We know them fairly well in terms of our analysis, we just haven’t played against them. But at the end of the day we have to fall back on what we’re very good at as well.
“We’ve been good at scoring tries. We were better defensively last week, so we have to back our systems and structures. And I feel confidence in our players. We’re very excited for the challenge.”
Tucker has named an experienced outfit in the pack, with talented youngsters Hugh Gavin, Finn Treacy and Ben Murphy named in the backs.
With home advantage in the bag against either Ospreys or Lyon if they get past a Racing 92 side struggling in the Top 14, this is a glorious opportunity for Connacht to take another step towards lifting a second trophy in their history. Much will depend on the French side’s priorities − the Challenge Cup versus the French Championship − but they have sufficient quality to suggest they could cause Connacht problems.
Connacht: Mack Hansen; Shane Jennings, Hugh Gavin, Bundee Aki, Finn Treacy; JJ Hanrahan, Ben Murphy; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Josh Murphy, Joe Joyce, Cian Prendergast (capt), Shamus Hurley-Langton, Sean Jansen. Replacements: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Peter Dooley, Jack Aungier, Oisín Dowling, Paul Boyle, Matthew Devine, Josh Ioane, Cathal Forde.
Racing 92: Sam James; Wame Naituvi, Vinaya Habosi, Josua Tuisova, Max Spring (capt); Dan Lancaster, Nolann le Garrec; Eddy Ben Arous, Diego Escobar, Demba Bamba, Boris Palu, Will Rowlands, Maxime Baudonne, Junior Kpoku, Jordan Joseph. Replacements: Robin Couly, Guram Gogichashvili, Lehopoame Leota, Romain Taofifenua, Shingi Manyarara, Donovan Taofifenua, Owen Farrell, Henry Chavancy.
Referee: Christophe Ridley (Eng).
