Munster 24

Connacht 17

By JOHN FALLON

THE horrendous fixture list handed to Connacht this season will start to ease somewhat heading into the second-half of the campaign but with just three wins from eight games in the URC, Saturday’s clash with Benetton has become a ‘must-win’ game if they are to start climbing from the lower reaches of the table.

A top class display from the pack wasn’t enough to ensure a league double over Munster this season in difficult conditions at Thomond Park on Saturday night.

But at least Connacht came away with a bonus point and a win against Benetton on Saturday would send them into their European Challenge Cup clashes with Newcastle Falcons and Brive with a spring in their step.

Director of rugby Andy Friend knows they have a lot of ground to make up in his final season in charge.

“We’ve won three games out of eight now, which is not what we were expecting and not what we wanted so we’ve got a bit of work to do,” said Friend,

“We picked a side that could definitely go toe to toe and I thought physically we did. It was just some of our decisions and some of our execution, I thought we let ourselves down. At the same time, we opened up doors and Munster were good enough to take it.

“They’re building their season now so after that South African win that’s another win for them, and you can see them growing in confidence. They’re a good side if you let them be.”

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App

Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.

Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.

Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite  HERE.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.