European Challenge Cup
Perpignan v Connacht, Stade Aimé Giral, Sunday, 1pm, Premier Sports
Pete Wilkins’s Connacht are gearing up to face a typically big French outfit in Perpignan in round two of the European Challenge Cup on Sunday.
The Irish province travel to the south of France knowing a win away would put them in a strong position to qualify from pool one, with games still to come against Lyon (home) and Cardiff (away).
Connacht were impressive in the opening round, winning 43-12 over fellow URC opponents Zebre in Dexcom Stadium. However, French clubs are not as accommodating on home soil, and Perpignan, having drawn 20-20 with the Cheetahs in Amsterdam, are still very much in the hunt.
Much will depend how USAP approach this European fixture as they struggle in the French Championship, with just four wins from 11 games.
However, they will be backed by the traditional vociferous home crowd in what is typically a hostile French environment, and head coach Pete Wilkins knows the impact it can make.
“This will be a great challenge for the group and one we’re looking forward to,” he says. “Perpignan have a long and proud history with a passionate fan base behind them, so it’s a different test to what we’ve had so far this season.
“We’ve made a good start to the competition, but these away games are very important in terms of our final standing in the pool, so I’m sure the group will relish the opportunity of picking up another win, albeit against a strong team.”
Connacht travel with a much-changed squad from their opening-day fixture. Andrew Smith will make his first appearance of the season on the left wing, with centre Byron Ralston and scrumhalf Matthew Devine also named on the starting XV.
There are six changes to his pack, including the return of experienced campaigners Denis Buckley and Joe Joyce, who have recovered from respective rib and foot injuries.
In a new front row, Buckley is joined by Eoin de Buitlear and Sam Illo, while Joyce will partner Darragh Murray in the second row. Sean O’Brien and Cian Prendergast, who captains the side, join regular starter Shamus Hurley-Langton in the backrow. Wilkins, mindful of Perpignan’s physicality, has named six forwards on the bench, including hooker Adam McBurney, who is in line to make his first appearance in Connacht colours since joining in the summer. David Hawkshaw and scrumhalf Ben Murphy are the two replacement backs.
Perpignan’s match day squad is something of a mixed bag – from hugely experienced campaigners such as 35-year-old former Fiji player Apisai Naqalevu, and 36-year-old captain Seilala Lam, cousin of former Connacht coach Pat Lam, to talented youngsters such as U20 Six Nations players Riestan Chinnaro and Noe Della Schiava, with a number also on the bench.
It could suggest the home side’s priority is the French Championship, while Connacht, as always, are taking this competition seriously and cannot take anything for granted.
ASK: A Crossdale, J Joseph, R Buliruarua, A Naqalevu, M Granell, A Aucagne, J Hall, L Boyer-Gallardo, S Lam (c), N Roelofse, A Ortombina, A Warion, N Della Schiava, M Hicks, A Dvali . Replacements: V Montgaillard, J Barcenilla D'Onghia, K Brookes, B Chinarro, S Faaso'o, G Aprasidze, T Thomas Allan, F Duguivalu.
CONNACHT RUGBY: S Cordero, C Mullins, B Ralston, C Forde, A Smith, J Carty, M Devine, D Buckley, E de Buitlear, S Illo, D Murray, J Joyce, C Prendergast (c), S Hurley-Langton, S O’Brien. Replacements: A McBurney, J Duggan, J Aungier, O Dowling, P Boyle, B Murphy, D Hawkshaw, C Oliver.
Referee: Sara Cox (England).
