Connacht face huge battle

THE worry is that come late Friday evening the sub-editors in the sports departments of national newspapers will be scrambling to dust down a variation of the headline ‘Lams to the slaughter’ to use in the following day’s editions.

In Pat Lam’s inaugural Heineken Cup game as coach, the genuine fear is that Connacht could be smashed to smithereens tonight Friday night (8pm) at the Sportsground by heavyweights Saracens, who are flying high in the English Premiership.

Saracens are top of the league with a 100% win record so far this season having accounted for Harlequins, London Wasps, Bath, London Irish and Gloucester.

They’ve averaged three tries per game so far this season, are high on confidence, and are not only favourites to advance from pool three, which includes Toulouse and Zebre, but are genuine contenders to win the Heineken Cup outright.

Connacht, on the other hand, are in freefall since the win over Zebre in the first outing of the season, and have lost the next four on the trot, including last week’s disappointment against Benetton Treviso in Italy, as well as Cardiff, Ulster and Ospreys.

Last weekend’s 23-3 display from a Connacht perspective was notable mostly for errors, indecision and ill discipline, and a repeat performance of that nature here against the English raiders will undoubtedly result in the expected try-bonus win for the visitors.

Saracens, living up to their ‘genuine contenders’ tag, have sent over a strong squad, and named as strong a starting line-up as possible, that includes Lion Owen Farrell returning at out-half, Charlie Hodgson reverting to his favoured full-back and England internationals Chris Ashton and David Strettle on the wings. They’ve also made six changes to their starting pack, recalling the big guns after resting them last week.

Connacht has also named a strong side that shows six changes in all. Lock Michael Swift returns from injury and captains the side, taking back the captains’ armband from Craig Clarke. Aly Muldowney drops to the bench. John Muldoon is named in place of Andrew Browne while prop Brett Wilkinson slots in for the injured Ronan Loughney (concussion).

The back-line has a potent and balanced look to it. Robbie Henshaw returns from Ireland camp and slots in at 13, alongside Samoan international centre James or ‘seamus’ So’oialo, who is making his Connacht debut having finally secured a work permit.

Out-half Dan Parks renews his partnership with Kieran Marmion who gets the nod at scrum half ahead of Paul O’Donoghue. Tiernan O’Halloran also loses out and is named on the bench.

Connacht Academy and former Ireland U20s prop Peter Reilly is among the substitutes and could make his senior debut. Centre Eoin Griffin, pulled up in the warm up at Stadio Monigo last Friday, was replaced ten minutes before kick off by Brian Murphy. The 23-year-old Griffin is awaiting the results of a scan on a torn foot ligament but is likely to be side-lined for five weeks. Nathan White (calf) also didn’t recover in time, while the game has come too soon for Dave McSharry who is one the mend.

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