Pressure on Connacht to deliver eighth consecutive victory over the Dragons

NEWPORT Gwent Dragons has been a ‘banker’ fixture for Connacht Rugby in recent seasons, with the Westerners toppling the east Welsh outfit seven times in their past seven meetings.

And making it eight wins from eight this Friday at Rodney Parade (7.15pm) is imperative if Connacht are to reignite their league campaign and make a push towards the business end of the PRO 12 table.

It is early days yet but defeat to the Dragons is unconscionable for the reigning PRO 12 champions. Recent triumphs over Edinburgh and Ulster, coupled with two wins in Europe over Toulouse and Zebre, replenished the belief that Connacht was back on track after an inauspicious start to the 2016/2017 campaign.

But last weekend’s heavy defeat away to Leinster has reminded everyone that Pat Lam’s men, since returning to action in September, are not operating at anywhere near last season’s best.

Losing at the RDS wasn’t such a bad result in itself – Leinster’s home record at this venue against Connacht is flawless.

The problem was the manner in which Connacht lost their way after taking a 6-0 lead, and the way they were strangled by the hosts. They were outmuscled and outfought and outthought by Leo Cullen’s lions.

Connacht did show some flashes of brilliance, that was a trademark of last year, and but for some poor decision making, they could have been closer than the 13-24 result at the finish.

But as Judge Judy would say: ‘Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda’. Overall the display was below par, and performance levels dipped when Craig Ronaldson was forced off with concussion after just 20 minutes.

The centre, who is now the preferred kicker from the tee, was going through the ‘return to play’ protocols and Connacht will be hoping he will be fit enough to be named in the starting XV, which will be announced at noon Thursday.

For years, Connacht supporters bemoaned the lack of representation on the senior international team. But the flip side of having top class players in the Ireland set-up, is that this weekend three front-line leaders – Kieran Marmion, Ultan Dillane and Finlay Bealham – are in Chicago as Joe Schmidt’s squad face the All Blacks Stateside this weekend.

Marmion’s absence gives Monivea out-half Caolin Blade a chance to shine; and although Tiernan O’Halloran can feel hard done by not to have been on the plane to US, Connacht will be glad to have someone of his experience as they head to Wales.

Considering that Ronan Loughney (hamstring) is still unavailable for another two weeks, Bealham is away and Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney and Conan O’Donnell remain out, Connacht are light on first-choice front-rowers.

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