Connacht’s poor season continues against understrength Warriors

Glasgow 8

Connacht 6

Missed opportunities like this are nothing new for Connacht – in fact, history shows they rarely take advantage of the Six Nations window when their opponents in the Pro 12 are missing front line international players.

Glasgow had 11 first choice players on international duty but still managed to sneak a victory cold, wet and windy Scotstoun Stadium in the Scottish capital on Sunday afternoon. The Westerners had a 6-5 half time lead but relinquished that early in the second half and couldn’t add to their tally there after playing into a strong westerly breeze.

This was another example, then, of a missed opportunity but ultimately after they failed to take advantage of the elements in the opening half, they were perhaps fortunate to garner even a bonus point from the encounter.

An early injury to Matt Healy is yet another concern for Pat Lam’s men. He used his entire bench during the contest, bringing on the experience of Dan Parks, and Michael Swift in the final 20 minutes, while Dave Heffernan played for 20 minutes in the back row due to injuries and JP Cooney had a quarter of action at loosehead.

The squad depth is being tested for the westerners at the moment. They lined up with a young backline here, Jack Carty at ten, Craig Ronaldson back from injury and in the 12 shirt. Kieran Marmion and Robbie Henshaw were back from Ireland duty and had their starts as well.

Connacht didn’t have possession in the home 22 once during the second half as the wind and poor execution played a part. For that reason, Connacht can count themselves lucky to have picked up the all important losing bonus point here against a severely understrength but tremendously well-organised Glasgow outfit.

Next up is a clash with a struggling Edinburgh side at the Sportsground this Saturday at 5pm. Lam’s side are one point behind Zebre now and badly need to get the result this weekend.