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Les Irlandais du Connacht reçoivent dimanche à 16h15 les Exeter Chiefs pour la rencontre au somment dans cette poule 2 d'European Rugby Challenge Cup. - 16/01/2015 11:36
Connacht have reached the last eight of the European Rugby Challenge Cup seen times before, but an eight trip into the knock-out stages is going to take two big wins in the final round of games in Pool 2.
If they can recapture their earlier form this season at the Sportsground then Exeter Chiefs could be in real trouble. Up until last weekend’s home defeat to Edinburgh they had remained unbeaten in eight games.
The Chiefs were also beaten in their dress-rehearsal and will arrive in Galway knowing that if they can do the double over the Irish province they will be as good as through to the last eight.
Connacht received a hammer blow this week when their 24-year-old blockbusting centre Bundee Aki suffered an ankle injury. Following an MRI examination it was decided he will undergo surgery and is likely to be sidelined for eight to 10 weeks.
The second round clash in Exeter ended in a 33-13 bonus point victory for the Chiefs that allowed them to steal a two point march on their Irish rivals at the top of the Pool. Revenge for that five-try hammering would give Connacht the chance to go to La Rochelle with a chance of topping the Pool.
Lock Ally Muldowney should be able to give Connacht an insight into the Chiefs side having played at Exeter before moving to Galway and he will be hoping to make it five top flight defeats in a row for the Premiership outfit.
Exeter head coach Rob Baxter is well aware of the threat the Irish province pose to his team as they look to secure a last eight place in this season’s tournament. However, having mixed it with some of European Rugby’s elite in recent season, it’s a challenge the Chiefs leader says he and his team cannot wait to get stuck into.
“We know it’s going to be tough over there, but that’s what rugby is all about at this level,” said Baxter. “We have been away to some tough places in Europe before, the likes of Leinster, Toulon and Clermont, so we just have to get over there, enjoy it, and attack the game as best we can,” said Baxter.
“After the last few weeks we’ve had in the Premiership, it’s a great challenge for us and one that will focus the minds nicely. We’ve trained well this week and I’ve been very impressed with the attitude of the players because it can sometimes be very easy to show your disappointment in the wrong way.”
Match Facts
- Connacht have won 10 of their last 12 home games in this competition, however their last home loss came against English visitors.
- This will be Exeter’s first trip to Ireland in the Challenge Cup; the Chiefs have lost two of their last three away games in the tournament.
- Exeter are one of three teams yet to concede a try in the first 20 minutes of a Challenge Cup game this season.
- Exeter’s Ben White made the joint-most tackles in Round 4 of the Challenge Cup, making 18 successful hits.
Exeter Chiefs booked their Challenge Cup quarter-final place with a 33-24 win over main Pool 2 challengers Connacht Rugby at The Sportsground. - 18/01/2015 17:20
Exeter Chiefs booked their Challenge Cup quarter-final place with a 33-24 win over main Pool 2 challengers Connacht Rugby at The Sportsground.
Connacht banked a try bonus point but with the Chiefs winning both contests between the clubs the Aviva Premiership side are assured of a knock-out place.
The Chiefs had lost their last four matches in all competitions but got back to winning ways when it mattered and can plan for another prestigious quarter-final to follow their clash with Stade Francais Paris last season.
Connacht had the home fans on their feet with just five minutes gone as they won a scrum and good hands down the line ended with left wing Matt Healy crossing wide out.
But the Exeter response was emphatic and came in the form of their scrum power as French referee Mathieu Raynal had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try that Henry Slade converted.
Ian Whitten came to the Chiefs’ rescue when he halted dangerous opposite number Healy but there was no stopping a Connacht maul with back rower Willie Faloon collecting their second try.
The Exeter scrum was posing all sorts of problems for the home pack and powerful running from Matt Jess, Damian Welch and Tom Waldrom made significant inroads.
And when Connacht were penalised for not releasing Henry Slade punished them to level matters heading towards the break.
But some classic back play by Connacht was duly rewarded with Danie Poolman going over and Jack Carty adding the conversion to open up a seven-point advantage.
Slade cut that by three soon after the restart with a well struck penalty and there was more joy for the Chiefs just two minutes later as skipper Dean Mumm intercepted and raced 40 metres for a try converted by Slade to edge Exeter back in front.
That was 10 points in barely three minutes to rock Pat Lam’s men and another three from the boot of Slade courtesy of their scrimmaging provided a growing Chiefs cushion.
Welch blew a great chance of extending that even further but back rower Don Armand went over from close range after Chiefs pressure and Slade added the conversion.
Robbie Henshaw did his best to spark a Connacht response that had seen the Chiefs rattled up 20 unanswered points – and that became 23 with another Slade penalty.
However, enterprising play from Connacht brings its reward as a quick tap at their line and they work the ball right up the field for Healy to claim his second try, Carty converting, but the four points were claimed by the Chiefs.
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