Sobering night for Connacht in slumping to heavy defeat

Edinburgh 41

Connacht 14

THE brilliance of Richard Cockerill’s Edinburgh collided with an uncertain and stuttering Connacht on Friday night in Murrayfield and the result was alarming, if also understandable. A strong first half lay the groundwork and a powerful finish completed a bonus point win for the hosts in wet and windy conditions as they moved further ahead of the field at the top of the conference. Meanwhile, the men from the west head to South Africa this week with their play-off hopes in jeopardy.

Connacht brought some momentum into the contest from the bonus point win over Cardiff the previous week, but they brought plenty of problems with them as well, highlighted by their continuing difficulties at the breakdown. Injuries and Ireland call ups left them down three key men in the second row and a serious ankle injury in the first minute cost them the services of Finlay Bealham, who could now miss the rest of the season.

All the while, Edinburgh looked the more settled, well motivated and confident side on the field despite the fact that they were missing a lot more players than their opponents, up to 12 key front liners involved with Scotland or carrying knocks. In the past, that would have left them scrambling but over the last 18 months, former Leicester Head Coach Cockerill has been spending plenty of money to build some squad depth.

Big money signings in recent seasons have played a key part in ensuring that the team can continue progressing even when Scotland are in action. South African Mark Willmese has come in at hooker, Fijian Vilame Mata has taken the league by storm at eight, and the half back partnership of Nic Groom from South Africa and former New Zealand under 20 Simon Hickey is as good as you’ll find the league and still second choice.

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

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