By John Fallon

John Muldoon says Connacht still have everything to play for in their two remaining games in the Champions Cup and he’s hopeful they are poised for another great result in France when they head to Lyon tomorrow (1pm).

The Portumna native went through enough peaks and troughs during his record 327 appearances for his native Connacht to spot greenshoots, and he reckons their win over Munster on New Year’s Day has prepped them for Lyon.

This is his first season back at the Sportsground after five seasons coaching with Pat Lam at Bristol Bears, and the 22-9 win over Munster a fortnight ago in the URC in a game with a high casualty rate has got them back on track after a five-match losing run.

They have only a point to show from their opening two Champions Cup games, against Bordeaux-Bègles and Saracens, but a win over a Lyon side in freefall in the Top 14 would set up a final round showdown with Lam’s Bristol at the Sportsground this day week, Friday January 19.

Muldoon, now lineout and maul coach in Pete Wilkins’ management team, believes the manner of the win over Munster leaves them in good fettle heading to France.

“The win was important after a couple of tough weeks. Obviously, Munster have their challenges but the result was important. The manner in how we did it was big as well. Ultimately, on a day like we had with the weather, with the wind and rain, the forwards have to muscle up and I thought they did a good job and it set the scene for the second-half,” said Muldoon.

“The wind doesn’t win you the game, but I think we managed it very well in the second-half. The challenge in the Sportsground is managing into the wind.

Pictured: John Muldoon.