URC HALF-WAY REPORT, the good, the bad and the ugly - Connacht

Cathal Forde and Aussie-born, English-raised, Ireland eligible full-back Piers O'Conor post impressive attacking stats

By: irishmirror.ie

Jan 04 2025
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URC HALF-WAY REPORT, the good,

The Westerners have played nine games but in collecting just eighteen points sit thirteenth in the table.

This comes as their open, running style catches the eye and with out-half/centre Cathal Forde and Aussie-born, English-raised, Ireland eligible full-back Piers O'Conor eating up ground game after game.

But this is balanced by the fact that playing well hasn't always garnered them what they deserved as, er, Mack Hansen pointed out quite noisily following their recent eight-point, 20-12, defeat to Leinster.

The hope has to be that that one bonus-point left behind at the Aviva doesn't prove costly at the close of the league-proper campaign.

Connacht's lineout is also worth particular mention, hooker Dave Heffernan proving he is the most accurate Irish thrower.

Moreover on the other side of lineout ball, Niall Murray's six steals is notable and is augmented by three steals apiece from his younger brother Darragh Murray, Joe Joyce and Josh Murphy.

There is clearly an urgent need for URC league points and there are three clear tests of character in their next three domestic fixtures, firstly away at Glasgow (second in table) and then at home to high-flying surprise 2024 packets Cardiff (third in the table).

That's followed by a home game Benetton which is essentially an 'eight-pointer' as it is a fair bet the Italian side will be just over or just short of Champions Cup qualification.

Connacht have always been hit-and-miss Champions Cup qualifiers and, indeed there were two 11th placed finishes in the last three seasons. It will be an uphill battle to make it from 13th at the half-way stage.

POINTS SCORED: 196 - 6th

TRIES SCORED: 29 - 5th

OFFLOADS: 101 - 2nd

METRES GAINED: 3,638 - 1st

DEFENDERS BEATEN: 236 - 1st

CLEAN BREAKS: 81 - 2nd

OTHER/PLAYER

LEADING POINTS SCORER - Cathal Forde 46pts - 4th

LEADING TRY SCORER - Cathal Forde, Ben Murphy 4 each - 5th

SUCCESSFUL CARRIES - Piers O'Conor 48 - 5th

CLEAN BREAKS - Piers O'Conor 13 - 2nd

DEFENDERS BEATEN - Bundee Aki 23 - 7th