Bradley buoyant ahead of crucial Bourgoin battle
Their recent Magners League form against Leinster and Edinburgh, an unbeaten run in the Amlin Challenge Cup qualifiers, the return from injury of several key players and the Sportsground venue ensure Connacht are better placed this season than in their previous six quarter-final encounters in the competition.
“We are going into the match in a positive frame of mind — the strongest we have been in the period I have been here,” says Bradley.
“We are unbeaten in Europe this season, we are the top qualifiers, but this is the business end of the season and we have a great opportunity to do it in front of our own fans.”
Although Ray Ofisa and Liam Bibo remain on the injured list, Connacht welcome back captain John Muldoon and number eight George Naoupu to boost Johnny O’Connor in the back row. Although Robbie Morris is also fit, he will start from the bench with Jamie Hagan joining Brett Wilkinson and Sean Cronin in the front row.
Connacht’s most capped player, Michael Swift, makes his 57th European appearance alongside Mike McCarthy, who gets the nod over Bernie Upton in the second row.
Ian Keatley and Frank Murphy link up again at halfback, as do Ta’auso and Matthews in the centre. Fionn Carr, currently the cup’s highest try scorer with seven, will be looking to extend his record, while on the other wing Bradley has opted for Troy Nathan over Brian Tuohy. The experienced Gavin Duffy, who won a Challenge Cup medal with Harlequins, will complete the three-quarters line.
Connacht’s unbeaten run in Europe and consequential top seeding has provided the province with the best opportunity to qualify for Heineken Cup rugby via Europe since the tournament began in 1996. A win on Saturday will ensure a home semi-final, representing a huge incentive for the squad.
“It’s an exciting time and that’s why this match is a big, big match for us.” says Bradley. “We are going into it with a lot of confidence, and the key element is creating an atmosphere in which we can conduct our business. If we play well and are focused on our task, then we will win the match and march into the semi-final.”
Bradley believes the harder competitive edge Connacht has demonstrated this season is a result of a greater stability in his squad.
“You need to be able to hold onto players — Connacht have been able to do that — last year to this year and now to next year and it’s very important. We were putting out sides with an average age of 23, now its 27, and guys are buying into the positive culture of Connacht Rugby.”
However, Bourgoin’s pedigree is undisputed. Challenge Cup winners in the inaugural tournament, they disposed of favourites London Irish in the Madejski Stadium at this stage last year before losing to Northampton in the final.
“Obviously there are warning bells for us. They are well aware that if they get past us, they have a home semi-final and probably a final in France. However we have as good a feel on them as we need to challenge them.” Bradley is expecting a “strong scrummaging side, traditional French physicality, and dynamism in attack”.
They arrive in Galway on the back of two defeats in the French championship that has left them in danger of relegation, but their forwards coach Xavier Péméja believes a victory today will give his side the boost to survive.
Bourgoin have made eight changes from the team that beat Leeds away, with five internationals in the starting line-up. Their international halfback pairing of Benjamin Boyet and Samoan John Senio are critical to Bourgoin’s attack. Boyet has scored 305 points for Bourgoin in 49 appearances over 11 seasons in both the Heineken and Amlin cups.
They also boast Namibian centre Willen Van Zyl and the experienced prop Oliver Milloud who, with 43 European appearances, was a member of the Bourgoin squad that won the inaugural tournament in the 1996/97 season. Critically, and unlike several French sides, Bourgoin have no fears of travelling, setting up an intriguing clash in Galway today.
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