Connacht visit Leinster this Sunday

In for the Hit...
By LDTT
March 1 2006

Connacht need to stand up and be counted in Donnybrook next Sunday and secure what could be a crucial victory against Leinster live on setanta Sports (5:15pm). Rarely are Connacht the form side goig into these encounters.

Having a rugby match at such a unattractive time on a Sunday evening beggars belief and makes one wonder how the Celtic League will ever grow it’s fan base with such unsociable kick off times. TV is important but if the fans lose interest so will the TV stations.

That said there is likely to be a good support up from the west for this one following on from Connacht’s impressive home form of late which has seen them win four on the bounce at the Sportsground.

The victory over Llanelli will mean little if Connacht don’t follow it with a similar performance in Dublin this weekend. It is an infinitely bigger hurdle considering the strength of this Leinster side even with out the member sof their squad in Ireland’s starting xv against Wales.

Leinster will still be able to call on a back row of Keith Gleeson, Jamie Heaslip and Eric Miller, Guy Easterby at scurm half and out half Felipe Contepomi. Throw in Kieran Lewis, Denis Hickie and Girvan Dempsey and you have a formidable opponent.

Connacht are a considerable 13 points off the Heineken Cup play off spot but still have a glimmer of hope. If they can win on Sunday and away to Borders two weeks on, then the gap will be considerably smaller with four of their last five games at home to four of the bottom six teams.

Connacht will wait on the fitness of Christian Short (hamstring) Matt Lacey (groin), Stephen Knoop (calf) and Conor McPhillips (groin) ahead of Sunday's Celtic League clash with Leinster at Donnybrook (5.15pm).

CONNACHT SQUAD (v Leinster):

Forwards: Ray Hogan, Dan McFarland, John Fogarty, Joe Merrigan, Adrian Clarke, Stephen Knoop, Andrew Farley, Christian Short, David Gannon, John Muldoon, Michael Swift, Matt Lacey, Brendan O'Connor, Colm Rigney.

Backs: Chris Keane, Tom Tierney, Paul Warwick, David Slemen, Keith Matthews, Andrew Mailei, John Hearty, Darren Yapp, Conor McPhillips, Ted Robinson, Matt Mostyn, Mark McHugh.