CONNACHT GO BACK in to the second tier of European competition today with La Rochelle the visitors to the Sportsground (kick-off 17.00).
After three years of Heineken Cup involvement, there is bound to be a sense of diminished glamour when fans turn to look at the Challenge Cup fixture list.
For those on tenterhooks waiting on the debut of Mils Muliaina there is week-on-week disappointment too. The marquee signing in Galway is only now nearing a return to full fitness after an elbow injury he carried with him from New Zealand, but that doesn’t mean he has not already been making an impact.
“There was a great buzz about the place when we heard we’d be bringing in such a great signing as Mils,” says Connacht’s number 10-turned-centre Craig Ronaldson.
“He’s slotted in pretty seamlessly now to be honest. He got involved straight away when he got over here with meetings and the leadership group. He’s never short of a word here or there.”
In Ireland, that last sentence can be often be taken as criticism. But with Ronaldson a relatively senior player in a back-line boasting an average age of under 23, every nugget of information from a 100-cap All Black is hugely appreciated.
“He just has that great game understanding,” adds the 24-year-old, “everyone can pick up a little bit of him.
“Everyone really listens to him and takes on what he has to say because obviously his track record is very good. He’s been great so far, especially with the backs, he’s been having quiet words here and there – little hints on how we can improve.”
With only one defeat in their opening six Pro12 fixtures, Connacht are certainly a team riding an upward curve. Last week’s win away to Treviso put Ronaldson in the spotlight as he kicked the three vital scores to seal the game. It was also a result that proved this Connacht side have a mettle about them, a winning habit that means they won’t settle to leave well enough alone.
“Being the kicker I get the headlines, but it was a massive effort from the pack, they put in some huge performances. Right across the board we worked really hard and it was nice to be able to close out that game in the end.
“In the past it might have been a game that we might have let slip.”
Focus
Indeed, there was a disappointing stumble only seven days previously, when John Muldoon looked to be guiding his team to a convincing win over Cardiff Blues only for a 14-point lead to vanish into thin air as the Welsh side earned a draw.
It was partly that dramatic finish that caused us to speculate that head coach Pat Lam would welcome the Challenge Cup as a means to rest some of his young team and make the Pro12 their sole focus.
“Far from it,” says Ronaldson.
“We’ve looked upon this competition as a chance to build momentum and to have another crack at Europe.”
Lam’s team selection has reflected that and with Jason Harris-Wright making a welcome return from injury, the five changes to the pack can scarcely be labelled a weakened team.
“It’s European competition and we’re back home so we want to put on a good performance for our home support.”
That support will hopefully be bolstered by the absence of the fixture from the TV schedules – the big-money carve-up of rights not allowing for any more than token Challenge Cup coverage – and also the promise of victory over French opposition.
La Rochelle sit 11th in the Top 14, and will run out at the Sportsground with just two of the players who started last weekend’s win at home to Lyon – Kiwi Hamish Gard switches from 12 to 10 and Kini Murimurivalu moves from fullback to outside centre.
“We know what’s coming down the line,” adds Ronaldson after citing the opposition’s backs as dangerous ball-carriers, ”it’s a matter of stepping up to it now and, hopefully, we’ll play our game.”
Never mind the glamour. These days the Sportsground is about substance first, then style.
Connacht Rugby: Darragh Leader; Danie Poolman, Robbie Henshaw, Craig Ronaldson, Matt Healy; Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion; Ronan Loughney, Jason Harris Wright, Nathan White, Quinn Roux, Ally Muldowney, John Muldoon (capt), Willie Faloon, Eoin McKeon
Replacements: David Heffernan, Denis Buckley, Rodney Ah You, Andrew Browne, George Naoupu, Ian Porter, Dave McSharry, Niyi Adeolokun.
La Rochelle: Arthur Cestaro; Lancelot Luteau, Kini Murimurivalu, Albert VuliVuli, Damien Cler; Hamish Gard, Jules Lebail; Mike Corbel, Benjamin Geledan, Vincent Pelo, Romana Graham, Jacobus Grobler, Nicolas Djebaili (capt), Benoit Guyot, Loann Goujon.
Replacements: Rassie Jansen van Vuuren, Jordan Seneca, Benoit Bourrust, Zeno Kieft, Leo Cedaro, Julien Berger, Charles Lagarde, Charles Bouldoire.
Referee: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)
