Bath end Connachts Euro hopes

Challenge Cup Defeat
By LDTT
January 13 2007

A drastic improvement in the Connacht backline saw the western side score three wonderful tries, and more importantly look to threaten the opposition every time the ball went wide. However, Bath ground out a victory in the end.

Defensive errors meant that they were well beaten in the end by a Bath side who felt lucky to have scored so much. And while realistically, the importance of this game disappeared in Montpellier in December. With so many injuries accumulated within the squad, Michael Bradley had a perfect opportunity to rotate his team.

Mark McHugh has struggling to impose himself at outhalf this season. Given ample opportunity, he just hasn't performed in the position. Last night, he ran at inside centre and gave one of the best performances of the season.

The Warwick, O'Loughlin partnership flourished with ground being made through the phases with quick ball stretching the Bath defence. McPhillips and Robinson slotted on the wings and worked well terrorising the Bath defence.

The forwards were excellent in the loose, but the set pieces struggled on the night. A number of freekicks and penalties were conceeded at the lineouts and scrums respectively. However while the Bath pack looked heavier than the Connacht pack, the men in green really put it up to the visitors.

This weeks podcast includes a group discussion and analysis of the game.

CONNACHT -
D Riordan (P Durcan 77); T Robinson (D Yapp 54), J Hearty, M McHugh, C McPhillips; P Warwick, C O'Loughlin; B Wilkinson, A Flavin (J Fogarty 68), S Knoop (B Sturgess 68), M Swift, A Farley, B O'Connor (D McGowan 47), M Lacey, C Rigney (R Ofisa 47).