Conacht's Finlay Bealham expects bruising encounter against Newcastle in Challenge Cup

Connacht’s rising young prop Finlay Bealham, known for his physicality, is expecting another bruising challenge against Newcastle on Sunday in the second of the European Challenge Cup back-to-back fixtures.

“I come from a rugby league background, so I enjoy a bit of physicality. If I can bring that to the team and drive it through the systems we have, and try to be effective that way, it is something I love to do most weeks,” he says.

“Newcastle are tough, and like every English team are forward-orientated. They come hard at you from the front, through the scrum and the maul, so we have our work cut out. But we will prepare accordingly.”

The Australian-born Bealham, of Irish descent, is now reaping rewards since moving to Ireland five years ago.

Growing up in Canberra, Bealham played league from ages 11 to 17, while also playing rugby for his school St Edmunds, resulting in his selection on the Australian schools’ team. But with no rugby contract, he moved to Ulster where his grandmother lived, and within a season was playing on Mike Ruddock’s Ireland U20 squad, joining Connacht’s sub academy.

Having featured in every game this season, Bealham is growing in stature and confidence in this close-knit Connacht group whose horizons have been broadened in this season’s European competition.

Connacht taking on Newcaslte last week

“I really liked Russia. The trip was very good, even getting delayed by a couple of days - hanging out with the lads, a lot of banter. And to get the result in tough conditions, it was a test of character and we did quite well.”

In addition to physicality, his versatility in the front row has been a blessing for Connacht given the continued injuries - last week stepping in to loose-head.

“I played more tight-head at this level, but I played loose-head growing up, so it wasn’t too much of a change. In every position you need to know your role, and be able to execute if called upon. Last week, I was called upon to play loose-head, I knew the role quite well. I had to go over a couple of things, but if you just prepare well, then you get a performance at the weekend.”

Promoted to a senior contract last season, along with local players Darragh Leader and Conor Finn, Bealham is “happy enough” with his form.

“There is always room to get better, and every week I am looking to fix something small. I like staying busy but maybe my prep is better this year. I am into the habit of prepping my week and enjoying the challenges.

“I can never get complacent. I keep working on everything and there are things to do during the week outside the schedule to make yourself better. I always look to do that so I can produce a performance at the weekend.”

Rewarded with a place on Ireland’s Emerging squad with seven fellow Connacht players, Bealham is an exciting prospect - an example of the improvement a player can make from the academy to senior contract, says Lam.

“When I first saw Finlay tackle, I thought ‘holy heck’. You could see he came from a background and loved to hit people legally and within the structures. It is all very well hitting hard, but it’s about getting him to bring that physicality into our defence system, our scrum systems, so in Finlay you have someone who has it, a player who is able to mould. That is exciting.”