Connacht look to avoid ‘dirty dozen’

Date Published: 30-Dec-2011

CONNACHT will be seeking to avoid a ‘dirty dozen’ defeats on the trot when they entertain Leinster at the Sportsground this New Year’s Day (5pm).

The RaboDirect PRO 12 league leaders and reigning European champions travel to Galway on Sunday brimful of confidence after their 42-13 home victory over a young and inexperienced Ulster outfit at the RDS on St Stephen’s Day.

And if the home side don’t get their act together this weekend, following their inept 24-9 thumping at the hands of Munster in Limerick on Monday, then there is a grave danger that the visitors could run up a cricket score.

Connacht have beaten Leinster just once in their previous six outings, at home in April 2010, and if they play remotely like they did in Thomond Park – calamitous mistakes led to two gift-wrapped tries for Munster – then the losing streak will continue with a whitewash of Christmas interprovincial derbies for the westerners.

It would be a shabby way to begin 2012.

In contrast to the hosts, Joe Schmidt’s men are aiming for their thirteenth – unlucky for some? – win in a row, as they sit pretty at the top of the table, six points ahead of their nearest rivals, Ospreys, while Connacht languish in tenth place, 24 points behind the pace-setters with just Newport Gwent Dragons and Aironi in their rear view mirror.

Speaking after the Munster game, Connacht Coach Eric Elwood cited the two soft tries that Connacht conceded as well as missed penalty opportunities from the boot of fly-half Niall O’Connor as being particularly disappointing in what was an all-round below par display by the visitors.

“It’s disappointing, we recognise we had an opportunity coming down here today, unfortunately the first half was very disappointing and that was reflected in what we said to each other at half time. You can’t give a team like Munster two soft tries like we did.

Looking forward to this Sunday, Elwood said injuries may take their toll but he has challenged the squad to ‘bounce back’ in front of their home fans.

Dave Gannon, who came off with a knee injury on St Stephen’s Day, sat out training on Wednesday and is a doubtful starter. Prop Rodney Ah You is also struggling with an ankle injury.

This game has come too soon for the recovery of Michael Swift who remains unavailable as does Ray Ofisa. Long-term absentees Dave Nolan and Andrew Browne are still on the sidelines.

“Again Sunday is another derby match, it’s another opportunity for us . . . if we can bounce back again, it’s important that we do. It’s a home game, it’s a derby game and we’ve just got to. We’ve a couple of injury worries so that may not help the cause but it’s an opportunity come Sunday.

For more see this week’s Tribune