Classroom reviews helping Connacht to stay top of the pile in Guinness PRO12

By John Ivory

WITH just six games remaining for table-topping Connacht in the Guinness Pro12, Head Coach Pat Lam is relishing the challenge that lies ahead in the coming weeks.

His side recorded an eight-point win over the Ospreys last Saturday at the Sportsground and are enjoying being involved at the right end of the table as the season inches towards its climax.

“Every game, depending on where you are in the table has some significance. The weather starts getting better, the Six Nations have a couple more weeks to go and then it’s all guns blazing.

“It’s a great time of the year. I always look forward to it, it just so happens that we’re in a better place than we’ve ever been.’’

The ‘better place’ Lam alludes to is one point clear of Leinster at the summit of the table, however the eastern province have one game in hand.

Despite the somewhat surprising position they find themselves in – the Ospreys triumph was a record 11th win for Connacht in a season – Lam maintains their target is still attaining a place in top-tier European rugby.

“It’s top 6, but the actual goal is to qualify for Champions Cup. It turns into the top 5 if you haven’t got provinces from the right countries.

“You’ve got to have a Scots team, an Irish team, a Welsh team and an Italian team. There are so many unknowns and that probably is a good thing because that makes us focus on just what we have to do.

“We break it down again and our number one goal every week is to win and get the points. We just focus on winning.’’

Their preparation is something Lam prides himself on and his aim is to operate as close to international level as possible.

By achieving higher standards in training and preparation, he believes it makes performing on match-day that bit easier.

“What we are trying to do here is make sure that the preparation, the attention to detail, the hard work and the way we do things is as close to international rugby as possible.

“If we focus on every day, being on top of that and every one sharing that responsibility, then we have a better chance of replicating it (in matches).’’

A large part of the preparation Connacht now undertakes happens not on the rugby field, but in the confines of the classroom. Learning from mistakes is something that is vital and the intelligence shown by the squad is something that pleases Lam.

Recent weeks have seen the team shut out both the Scarlets and the Ospreys in their quest for a losing bonus point and it’s an obvious improvement from earlier in the campaign.

“The closing out of the game was crucial for us. What we do on the field – we keep it short and sharp. We video everything but the classroom sessions, that’s where the big learning starts. I place a big emphasis on that.

“We can get into training and implement it. The coaching group is doing a good job. Our main advantage is being able to learn fast.’’

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.