Connacht watched the weekend’s European action with interest but they also had some of their own, writes John O’Sullivan…
In what’s quickly becoming a tradition between the clubs, Russian side Enisei travelled, for the second time in as many years, to the Sportsground to play the Connacht Eagles-and, just like last season, the Krasnoyarsk side left Galway with a comfortable win under their belts, this time by 39-24.
The friendly was useful for both sides in contrasting ways; Eagles coach Nigel Carolan used the game as an opportunity to test players in new positions, whereas defending Russian champions Enisei continued their pre season schedule. Indeed, former Sligo and Navan centre Mata Fifita was deployed in the unfamiliar role of blind side flanker. Registering a try, the powerful Tongan revelled in the role, and may just have given new coach Pat Lam some food for thought.
Just returning from injury, winger Tiernan O’Halloran reverted to his school boy and favourite position of full back. Coming from a strong GAA background, he has many of the attributes of a fullback; pace, competency under a high ball and a solid kicking game. Indeed, his father Aidan, who is currently President of the Connacht Branch, has an All Ireland Senior Football medal with Offaly, whilst Tiernan himself represented Galway at minor level. Despite his aptitude in the role, it is hard to see O’Halloran establishing himself in the role for Connacht, due mainly to the established number fifteen duo of Robbie Henshaw and Gavin Duffy.
Although Russia is still an obscure rugby nation, the oval balled game is growing there and the visitors boasted a team packed with internationals from Russia and other far flung rugby nations such as Latvia and Kazakhstan. Russia’s hosting of the 2010 IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy-the second tier of the U20 World Cup-and the upcoming Rugby World Cup Sevens have brought and will, hopefully, bring significant media coverage and public intrigue to the game. New Osprey’s signing and Moldovan international Dima Arhip played in this fixture last season and should be used as a barometer of the standards in the Enisei side. Arhip made his Heineken Cup debut earlier this season, and is highly rated within the Ospreys set up.
Interestingly, former Ballynahinch fly half Ryan Bambry played and scored for the ‘Heavy Machine’ and is due to become a naturalised Russian citizen with a view to representing his adopted nation internationally.
Also in the Connacht team were the recently renewed contract duo of Matt Healy and Aaron Conneely, as well as first team weathered prop Rodney Ah You. Ah You will be hoping that his performance, where he scored a try, will be sufficient to impress his fellow Kiwi Pat Lam. Another man who may have impressed the coach elect was the aforementioned Matt Healy. A try scoring sensation at AIL level with Lansdowne, Healy could very well be a viable first team option for Connacht next season, and his contract extension confirms this.
With an annual budget of approximately €3.5m, Enisei are considered the second biggest club in Russia, second to VVA Podmoskovye Monino, therefore, it is no shame for the Eagles to lose to the men in blue and white, although they will still be naturally disappointed.
Away from on field matters, Connacht’s restructuring and rebuilding for next season has been geared up significantly in the previous few weeks. Firstly, the wait is over, Pat Lam is now officially Connacht coach, and will work in tandem with Eric Elwood until the end of the season, before taking the reign’s solo. Secondly, there was news of both players in and out. As mentioned above, Aaron Conneely and Matt Healy renewed their respective deals by a further year, and, following Johnny O’Connor, stalwart Hooker Adrian Flavin announced his retirement.
Similarly to Mike McCarthy, Flavin was born in London to Irish parentage, and represented Ireland at under 19, under 21 and A levels. Flavin also had the honour of being part of the Ireland U19 that were crowned World Champions in 1998.In total, since signing for Connacht from London Irish-where he spent nine seasons-Flavin has made 138 appearances and muddied the goal area on twelve occasions.
Flavin will be sorely missed around the Sportsground and will leave with the respect and fanfare of everyone associated with the Western province. Reading between the lines, though, Connacht’s signing of Sligo born hooker Sean Henry from Munster as well as the form of the incumbent hooker Jason Harris-Wright made Flavin’s departure nearly inevitable.
In the past season or so, Connacht have raided the AIL for Mata Fifita, Brian Murphy, JP Cooney and Matt Healy, and that trend is set to continue unabated with the confirmation of prodigious Lansdowne outhalf Craig Ronaldson’s singing on a one year deal. The top scorer in this season All Ireland League and an Irish Clubs international, Ronaldson will provide competition for fly half duo Dan Parks and Miah Nikora. It is fantastic compliment for the much maligned All Ireland League, that Connacht continue to plunder the AIL in search of unpolished gems.
Connacht’s hopes of qualifying for next seasons Heineken Cup, the third participation in the competition in the provinces history, were boosted this weekend by Irish victories in both the Amlin and Heineken Cup quarter finals, but not in the way expected. Should Leinster win the Amlin Cup-which they should at a canter- or Munster win the Heineken Cup then Connacht will be rewarded with Heineken Cup next term. Before last weekend, though, many, myself included, thought that Connacht’s hope lay with Ulster and Leinster.
With the Gloucester miracle match still vividly fresh in our memories, it is foolish to write off Munster and their performance in the 18-12 victory was Munster at their visceral best. One would be forgiven for thinking that the year was 2000 as the Thomond Park based side rolled back the years with a performance reminiscence of the Munster sides of Wood, Foley, Clohessy and Galwey of yesteryear. The much fancied Harlequins were denied quick ball at source by the fantastically committed Munster. After shipping fifty one points away to Glasgow before the Quins’ game, a Munster backlash was inevitable, but no one-not even the most ardent Munster fan-could have seen this performance coming. James Downey’s hit on Mike Brown, which no doubt rearranged some of the England capped full backs organs, epitomized Munster’s performance. Warren Gatland could do worse than watching footage of the totemic performances of Paul O’Connell and Peter O’Mahony when selecting his Lions touring party.
Most suggested that Ireland’s Heineken Cup hopes lay with Ulster rather than Ulster, but the Ravenhill men’s hopes were scuppered by the Iron clad defence of Saracen’s as well as the metronomic boot of Owen Farrell. The Sky Sport’s commentary duo did much throughout the game to champion Saracen’s lineout-the most accurate in this season’s competition, and that’s exactly where the game’s opening try came from. The inform Will Frazier, easily the best English openside this weekend, take note Stuart Lancaster and Chris Robshaw, was credited with the try after consultation from the Television Match Official. However, in retrospect, and with the aid of the television replays, it appeared that the lineout that Saracens scored from should have indeed been an Ulster lineout. In the way the English pack of 2003 were set up to best utilise Johnny Wilkinson, the Saracens pack are similar with the fantastic Owen Farrell and comparisons between the two are both apt and inevitable. In the wreckage of defeat, there are positives for Ulster, however, including the return from injury of international class winger Tommy Bowe and the performance of young Ian Henderson. The 21 year old Craigavon born man registered a late try for Ulster and one occasion made massive yards charging through the heart of the Saracen’s defence like a Pamplonian bull. The loss of Stephen Ferris is a massive blow to Ulster, but the emergence and form of Henderson has slightly offset that.
So, Connacht’s Heineken Cup dreams are still alive, but having watched Clermont obliterate Montpellier, I fully expect us to one again thank Leinster next season, rather than Munster. But, like, I said, never write out Munster; either way, I’ll be delighted if Leinster win the Amlin Cup or Munster win the Heineken Cup or both win the respective competitions, and so will the rest of the Connacht Clan.
Click here for the full set of photos from Connacht Eagles v Ensei-STM
I’m John O’Sullivan, 20. Part time student, full time sports nut. Love rugby and am currently the PRO of Connemara RFC. I also do some radio work for my local station. One day, I would love to be a Sports Journalist/Broadcaster.
