Nikora named at out half as Connacht gear up for visit of Scots

CONNACHT will be hoping there is no New Year’s hangover when they welcome Edinburgh to the Sportsground tonight (Friday, 7.35pm).

Pat Lam and Co will know that the Scots are the sort of team that could bring Connacht crashing back down to earth from the high of their momentous win over Munster last Thursday.

The visitors also recorded a New Year derby home win over Glasgow, and their set pieces and forward pack, in particular, impressed.

Two first-half tries from Tim Visser helped Edinburgh see off their fellow countrymen on a final score line of 20-8.

Edinburgh travel to Galway bristling with confidence, and they’ll have targeted this as a must-win as they set their sights on a top-six finish. Edinburgh are in eighth place in the league table, eight points adrift of Connacht who are in sixth, and this tie could have a big bearing on the destination of the six Champions Cup qualification places.

Speaking earlier this week, Edinburgh forwards’ coach Stevie Scott, signalled they would focus on scrums and line-outs, as well as accurate kicking from hand for territory, in order to beat Connacht.

Scott said: “The first thing I said to the forwards this morning was how delighted I was with the heart and desire that they showed to win that game on Friday, but then I reminded them that we’ve been here before and this time we need to make sure we learn about the things we need to do better and build on the things we did well.

“The first thing you need when you go to Galway is a strong set-piece and a good kicking game to give us territory. Both those things were good for us last weekend, but that doesn’t mean we can take our foot off the accelerator in terms of making sure we are ready to go again.”

Connacht beat Edinburgh in the reverse fixture earlier this season, something Scott said still rankles with his squad – had Edinburgh won that clash they’d have an unbeaten record at home so far this season.

The Westerners do have an unblemished home record, that 24-16 win over Munster bringing to eight the number of games won at College Road since September.

But, despite that powerful display against their provincial rivals, it was not without fault and Lam has warned his charges that improvement will be needed if they are to beat Edinburgh.

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