Connacht coach Lam in frank mood ahead of big top of the table clash against Leinster

THIS Easter Rising centenary weekend, Connacht plan to continue their season’s remarkable rugby uprising when the Pro 12 resumes with a tasty top-of-the-table clash at the Sportsground.

Leinster, a formidable force armed with a host of stars returning from Six Nations’ international duty, have been despatched to Galway to quell the Western rebellion on Easter Saturday (5.15pm).

The aristocratic visitors, one place and one point behind the table-topping upstart hosts, plot to restore order and regain top-spot in the first of three inter-provincials for Connacht over the next four weeks.

Connacht’s five Ireland players – Robbie Henshaw, Ultan Dillane, Nathan Whyte, Kieran Marmion and Findlay Bealham – are available to return to the fray for their province for this key battle.

A number of other players on the verge of making an international breakthrough – including Tiernan O’Halloran, Quinn Roux and Matt Healy – will be itching to put their hands up for selection on Ireland’s summer tour of South Africa.

But Connacht Coach Pat Lam has emphasised the importance of the collective over the individual. And he warned that if players were tempted to use the limelight of this high profile game to focus on upstaging their opposite number in Leinster and further their own ambitions, it would backfire.

“If you go out there trying to impress Joe Schmidt (Ireland head coach), it’s me against him, you won’t make it – simple as that. That’s an experience I’ve always known,” he said.

Lam was also quite frank about the returning Six Nations quintet – he agreed it was massive for the province to be fielding a record five players for Ireland but he certainly didn’t roll out the red carpet for their return.

“The reason they got there is they played very well for Connacht and they’re good men. It’s all part of their development. You don’t become an international player and suddenly you’re the next best thing, you’ve made it. It’s just part of your development in your career.

“Look at (All-Black legend) Richie McCaw, in his last years and the development he took even in his last season. John Muldoon, 13 years and he’s continually growing his game. They still have other caps they have to earn. They’ve been part of the Six Nations but now they’ve got to come back and compete and try and make the Connacht squad, play well for Connacht and play well as a team, to try and get back in that (Ireland) team.”

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