Last week was a tough reminder that in the URC, a lack of performance can lead to devastating results. Connacht taken apart at home and Benetton slipping to their 3rd defeat in a row.
Connacht last week were not nearly at the level required, there was a lack of punch in attack. The pack were unable to break the gain-line ball in hand and because of that had to use more players at the breakdown. You could tell Connacht ran out of players to supply the quick clean ball required to play the type of attack we have been seeing this year.
Combine that with poor decisions from half back, shown mostly in the inability to capitalise on a player advantage again, made for a really hard watch for fans in green.
In the hope that Connacht can bounce back they make 7 changes to the team that lost last week in an attempt to keep the hunt for the top 8 on track, and hopefully a 3rd away win of the season.
One worry will be no out and out 10 on the bench. But with Forde and Hawkshaw starting there’s two there that can step in and do more than a job.
Connacht 1-23
Jordan Duggan
Dave Heffernan
Jack Aungier
Niall Murray
Joe Joyce
Cian Prendergast
Shamus Hurley-Langton
Paul Boyle
Michael McDonald
Jack Carty (CAPT),
Andrew Smith
Cathal Forde
David Hawkshaw
Diarmuid Kilgallen
Tiernan O’Halloran
Replacements:
Eoin de Buitléar
Denis Buckley
Sam Illo
Darragh Murray
Jarrad Butler
Colm Reilly
Shane Jennings
Shayne Bolton
Shamus Hurley-Langton said:
“It’s one we are all looking forward to and itching to play in.
It’s pretty much like a Test match. They are a Test match quality side with some good experienced international players, so it’s a good opportunity for us to test ourselves against the best.”
Ahead of the match Pete Wilkins says
Tomorrow is a hugely significant game for both ourselves and Benetton. There is very little between the teams from 4th to 11th in the URC table, and one result can see any team make a big rise up the standings.
Benetton are a team with international quality throughout their squad, and we have always found our encounters over in Treviso to be an enormous physical and mental test. Having been disappointed with both our performance and result last weekend, it is now about delivering the appropriate response. So it is a challenge that we are hugely excited about and will travel to Italy highly motivated and determined to deliver a big performance.
Benetton have brought back some key internationals into their starting 15. Who will bring a bounce to their performance after some exceptional performances for italy.
Bennetton 1-23
Thomas Gallo
Giacomo Nicotera
Giosuè Zilocchi
Niccolò Cannone
Eli Snyman (CAPT)
Alessandro Izekor
Michele Lamaro
Toa Halafihi
Alessandro Garbisi
Jacob Umaga
Onisi Ratave
Ignacio Brex
Tommaso Menoncello
Ignacio Mendy
Rhyno Smith
Replacements:
Bautista Bernasconi
Mirco Spagnolo
Tiziano Pasquali
Federico Ruzza
Lorenzo Cannone
Andy Uren
Tomas Albornoz
Malakai Fekitoa
Benetton Head Coach Marco Bortolami said:
“We are happy to have found practically the entire group, apart from Lucchesi and Ferrari who remained rested. There is a great desire for redemption after last week’s lacklustre performance. We have had a good week of training and the aim is to field a very competitive XV, with the return of some internationals who played well during the Six Nations. And with an equally strong bench that can allow us to finish all 80 minutes with the highest possible standards. We are very excited and determined for an important match”
With another 8/10 pointer game ahead, Connacht’s URC challenge can go one of two ways. On saturday they will need to perform near their best, play in the right areas of the pitch to put a dent in the Treviso attack, reduce the amount of missed tackles, and start getting over the try line when the opportunity arises
THE 2ND ROW 