Connacht’s injury concerns mount ahead of Italian trip

If Pat Lam wasn’t fully aware of the scarcity of players at his disposal before taking over as Connacht head coach, this week he’s getting a crash course in the rough and tumble of daily life at the helm of the poor relation of Irish rugby.

Low-budgets, a skimpy squad devoid of strength in depth, and a growing injury list: It was ever thus. Connacht’s perennial injury woe – it really does occur every year – seems to have arrived a little earlier this season.

Just to heap more pressure on the new coach. And it’s not that Lam needs any more pressure.  Lam needs time to bed-in but his competitive win record of 25% is lamentable so early in the season and unless Connacht carves out a few victories – and pronto – his first season in charge at College Road will be written off fairly quickly.

The not so promising fact is Connacht is facing into a bruising contest away to Benetton Treviso at Stadio Monigo (7.30pm Irish time) on Friday. They’re an improving physical Italian side that has already beaten Munster this season and who will be eyeing another Irish scalp this weekend.

The most recent meeting between Connacht and Treviso, last season, played in April of this year, ended in a draw, 23 points apiece. Connacht snatched a share of the spoils with a late try from scrum-half Paul O’Donoghue that was converted after the 80 minutes were up by Dan Parks. Treviso had the lion’s share of possession but Connacht’s Trojan defence kept them in the game. The match is televised live on TG4.