Perfect time for Connacht to record first win in Scotstoun over defending champions

Connacht travel to Glasgow with a genuine confidence they can record their first ever win over the Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium.

Ordinarily this evening’s (7.35pm) away fixture against the better of the two Scottish clubs is one to be chalked down as a damage-limitation exercise, where a losing bonus point would be savoured like victory. But not now.

Glasgow may have won the league last season, and deservedly so, but they are shorn of 20 of their best players who are unavailable due to World Cup commitments.

An away win is eminently achievable. If not now, when?

Connacht blew the cobwebs away in recording their fifth first-day victory in six seasons last Friday and that 29-23 win over Dragons at College Road will certainly boost morale ahead of the trip to Scotland.

The Westerners are without internationals Robbie Henshaw and Nathan White and have a number of players with injuries to survive without including Ronan Loughney, Jake Heenan, Eoin McKeon, Api Pewhairangi, Niyi Adeolokun and Darragh Leader.

But, apart from Kieran Marmion, who drops to the bench having not been able to train all week due to picking up a minor hip injury against Dragons – John Cooney gets the nod at scrum-half – Pat Lam has named the same starting XV that did the business last weekend.

Captain John Muldoon will reach the incredible milestone of lining out for the 250th occasion for his province – a proud achievement for the Portumna native.

He’s joined in the back row by Eoghan Masterson and Nepia Fox-Matamua, who scored the first Connacht try of the season on his debut.

The New Zealander also pinched possession at the breakdown in a vital intervention late-on that led to Fionn Carr’s try, which sealed the win.

That third Connacht try was exquisite – fleet-footed centre Bundee Aki earned his wages with a sweet line break deep in his own half before running 40 yards and setting up Carr, who also showed lightening pace to make it over in the corner.

It was needed, too. Despite Connacht’s good start, in which they led 14-3 at the break, Dragons had dragged themselves back into contention with a James Thomas try. With minutes remaining, the visitors were just two points in arrears and in possession in drop-goal territory in Connacht’s half of the field.

Connacht, in fairness, deserved the win overall but that passage of play highlighted the fine margins of sport at this level.

Former Connacht forwards’ coach, Dan McFarland is now second in command at Glasgow and it was unsurprising that head coach Gregor Townsend highlighted the visitors’ scrums and line-outs as areas of strength. He emphasised how Glasgow are looking to bounce back from last week’s defeat to Scarlets in front of their own fans.

“Connacht are a very good side who have a strong set-piece and come into this game off the back of a win against the Dragons last weekend. Our two opening fixtures were always going to be tough and we know we’ll have to perform very well to win. Our supporters created a fantastic atmosphere last Saturday and we’re looking forward to playing in front of them once again,” said Townsend.

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