CONNACHT ARE EIGHT games without a win but eager to nip a losing streak in the bud before it teeters at the brink of double figures.
In 2011/12, the western province went 16 matches without a win before pulling out an epic performance. Former Connacht hooker Adrian Flavin told TheScore.ie: “As strange as it may sound, the one thing that kept us together was ourteam spirit.
“We were a tight unit and kept at it. We ended up beating Harlequins at home in the Heineken Cup.”
Even the most optimistic of Connacht fans would baulk at predicting an end to the losing streak away to Toulouse on Sunday. The four-time Heineken Cup champions have named a squad littered with Test match talent and are riding high in Pool 3 after a 17-16 win over Saracens at Wembley in October.
Connacht No.8 George Naoupu has acknowledged the enormity of the task facing his team but feels a big result is coming. The New Zealander, who partners Jake Heenan and John Muldoon in the Connachr back row tomorrow, scored a try in his side’s last win — the impressive 33-6 Heineken Cup result over Zebre.
Naoupu said, “The challenge of facing Toulouse is a very exciting one. I was disappointed we couldn’t finish off the Saracens game [in Galway] and get the win but we recovered well to beat Zebre. We are not going to worry about what Toulouse are going to do. We have to focus on ourselves while being aware of their threats and how we can nullify them.
The return game at home [next week] will be a huge occasion but Sunday is a huge change to prove ourselves as a team. We will be looking to win. It doesn’t matter whether it is by one point or 10.”
Naoupu’s direct opposite at Stade Ernest Wallon tomorrow will be the French international Louis Picamoles. The 27-year-old has five tries in 38 Test matches and was his country’s best player in this year’s Six Nations.
Naoupu said, “There are some really great No.8′s in world rugby at the moment — Toby Faletau, Kieran Read and Jamie Heaslip. Picamoles is right up there. He is such a dominant presence and he always provides go forward ball for his team.
“He is given the freedom to get hold of the ball and provide carries, especially with [openside] Thierry Dusautoir freeing him up by being such a nuisance at the breakdown.”
The Kiwi has backed his fellow countrymen, Heenan and Craig Clarke, to make their mark on the back-to-back fixtures. “The work Jake does on the ground, his supporting lines in attack and tackles in defence; he is so good already and will only get better,” added Naoupu.
