Connacht look to build on Harlequins win

Gavin Duffy and Eric Elwood celebrate Heineken Cup win over Harlequins image:thescore.ie

CLUB rugby is back this weekend from a two week break since the final pool games of the Heineken Cup.  After the stunning high of that victory over Harlequins it’s back to the reality of the Rabodirect Pro 12 for Connacht as they travel to Wales to face the Cardiff Blues on Friday night.

Connacht will be hoping to build on the confidence gained by the Harlequins victory and generate momentum for the rest of the season as they target their best ever finish in the league.

“The fact that we got that win under our belts and the relief that it was a monkey off our backs is good. The lads came back in refreshed and very much looking forward to Cardiff. It’s important that we build on that great victory that we had against Harlequins, explained coach Eric Elwood.

Any Connacht fans expecting an easier game because Cardiff’s stars  are on Six Nations duty with Wales were disavowed of that notion by Elwood. “They played Quins in the LV at the weekend and they won 45 – 40 in ‘Quins. I know they are missing personnel from international duty but they still had 12 internationals playing at the weekend. It’s going to be a huge challenge and they are at home,” he said.

Eric Elwood irishtimes.com

The home fixture in the Sportsgrounds back in October was part of that 14 game losing sequence and one Elwood feels definitely got away. “We know we should have beaten them here. It was 17 – 3 at half time and two quick tries changed the course of the game. It will be difficult but it will be whatever team can bounce back the best after the break.”

Elwood does see these games during the Six Nations as an opportunity for Connacht to collect wins. “We recognize that there are opportunities when the Six Nations is on but we are still playing a Cardiff team that has 12 internationals. We are under no illusions that we are not playing a Mickey Mouse outfit. It’s the same with Edinburgh and Glasgow at home but we do see them as opportunities.”

Gavin Duffy image:advertiser.ie

“Europe is a nice distraction but we have always wanted to do well in the Rabo and our mantra is to do better than we did last year. So we have nine games left to do that and it starts after this break against Cardiff,” Elwood added.

Captain Gavin Duffy agreed with his coach about the targets they have set for the rest of the season. “There is that carrot of chasing the best season that Connacht has ever had which would be the ultimate outcome if we kick on now and as players that’s what we are focusing on.”

Although they are no longer involved in the Heineken Cup, Duffy and his team believe that there is a lot they can still achieve this season, beginning against Cardiff on Friday.

“The Heineken Cup is over for us. It is going to go on without us but we still have a lot of rugby to play and we can still achieve something that would be a good success for our squad. As long as we can say we are better than last year, I think that’s a successful season for Connacht,” he added.