The same again

AN unforgettable victory like that recorded against Toulouse last weekend could have two effects.

There’s no doubt that beating the European Cup rugby equivalent of Real Madrid or Manchester United, on French soil, will be the highlight of the year for Connacht.

But will it ‘just’ be the stand-out win of a bad season, or could it be the stand-out win that propels Connacht on to have a stand-out season. Something special, or something special that becomes even more special. Will it re-ignite the season? Or is it a flash in the pan?

We don’t know but it could be the vital injection of the ‘je ne sais quoi’ that Connacht’s year to date has been missing.

It is incredible to think that this band of Connacht warriors, who toppled the giants of Toulouse, with a playing budget of over €30 million, are rooted to the foot of the RaboDirect PRO12.

That won’t change this week so there’s no point worrying about it but it’s worth noting, especially given that Toulouse travel to Sportsground, Saturday (6pm kick-off) lying second in the Top 14.

There has been nonsense written in certain quarters that Toulouse aren’t interested in the Heineken Cup – their away win at Saracens surely put that particular chestnut to bed. Forget the nonsense, too, that French teams don’t travel – that may be the case traditionally but Toulouse are still very much in the hunt in this competition, and despite the setback at home to Connacht last weekend, top pool three.

Toulouse’s Guy Noves isn’t exactly the sort of head coach that sends out a team to have their bellies tickled.  No, he’ll have a plan to dismantle Connacht and the French will arrive in Galway like scalded cats eager to make amends and restore pride to their battered egos.

If things click for the visitors early-on, it could be a blood-bath; more so if the likes of New Zealander Hose Gear cuts loose. But, then again, there’s no reason why Connacht can’t repeat – and even better – last weekend’s feat. Especially in front of 9,000 plus vocal supporters.

Remember, the first try Connacht conceded in Stade Toulousain was soft, the result of a missed tackle; Connacht fairly butchered a couple of overlaps that offered chances to score tries; and they had a perfectly legitimate try ruled out by the TMO.

Also, notwithstanding an incredible conversion of Kieran Marmion’s try by Dan Parks from out on the wing, the Connacht out-half missed a couple of kicks, too. Connacht certainly left points after them; and could have won by more.

At this week’s press conference, Pat Lam, pinpointed the defensive effort, particularly in the dying minutes against Toulouse, as heroic. He was right but can they repeat it six days later?

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