Connacht face big challenge on – and off – the pitch

Connacht Rugby faces two mammoth tests this Saturday evening at The Sportsground, on and off the field.

The first, the obvious one, is the on-field challenge of how to beat Ulster, Connacht’s inter-provincial bogey-team, who travel to Galway desperate for a win having slipped up in the two opening rounds of the season. Kick-off is at 6.45pm on Saturday; more of that anon.

The other task, off-field, is trying to implement an increase in ticket prices for fans who walk-up and pay-in at the gates on the day. And, perhaps more difficult again, trying to justify charging children, for the first time ever at the province; a decision that some people feel smacks of greed, but one that is justified, according to the branch.

Children and teenagers aged four to 17 will now pay €5; last season and in the past children, the future players and fans of the province, accompanied by adults, were free.

The increased charges – effectively a 10% surcharge for anyone who hasn’t purchased tickets for the game at Connacht’s offices in advance – were brought in for the season opener against Zebre but the Ulster game, which is obviously a bigger draw, is the first time many people will encounter the hiked prices.

So, tickets purchased from the Connacht Rugby office (up until the morning of game-day) are charged at the ‘regular’ price of €30 for enclosed stand, €25 for adult terrace and €20 for concessions and €5 for children.

People who purchase online, or from the two sponsoring stores, and people who roll up on the night are effectively penalised with a 10% surcharge, meaning they pay €33, €27.50 and €22. Children are not subject to the ‘extras’.

Alex Saul, head of Commercial & Marketing at Connacht, said introducing a charge for children and a surcharge for walk-ups on the night is “clearly, never going to be popular”.

He agreed that for people with three or four children, the charge will add pressure on families, but he said the price is competitive compared with other sports and entertainment activities for children in Galway and Connacht, including music events or going to the cinema.

A far greater worry is injuries – plus ca change, isn’t it always for a squad of Connacht’s size and depth – and the news that Miah Nikora, the second choice out-half, is to be sidelined for up to five months is a huge blow. Nikora requires shoulder surgery, meaning new signing, 23-years-old Craig Ronaldson from Dublin will have to step up to the plate, perhaps sooner than head coach Pat Lam might have liked.

Eoin McKeon (ankle) remains on the injury list but Denis Buckley and Tadhg Leader are on the mend and returned to full training this week.

Another bonus for Lam is his superstar summer signing, Craig Clarke, looks set to make his debut for the province, possibly from the bench, after recovering from injury.