Pat Lam: Long way to go but Connacht must be more clinical

Not a season-defining game, said Connacht’s Pat Lam of his side’s first defeat at home this season.

“No, there were just points on offer. Whether it’s top six or bottom six, it doesn’t mean anything till you get to May,” said Lam.

“We went into this asking how do we beat an Ulster team that is playing outstanding rugby and we almost did it.

“Disappointed, there were chances, but we didn’t take them. In heavy conditions with a wet ball, I thought we played some pretty good rugby and some good skills, but we just weren’t clinical enough in getting over the line, and taking our shots at goal.

“We have to live with that, and use it as motivation to build into the next game, where another four points are on the line.”

Lam’s Connacht has now lost their last two Pro12 fixtures, while also losing to Newcastle in the Challenge Cup, but Lam remains “extremely proud” of his players.

“They have worked hard, under adversity, and there have been so many times we have been challenged and the boys have stood up to it. Today was another example of that. But there’s a long way to go. We are playing some really good rugby, collectively there are no stars, just guys all working, and when you look at it, we have used 45 players so far, and considering the amount of young guys playing and Irish players, we are in a good space.

Counterpart Les Kiss was delighted with his big No 8 Nick Williams, who announced his departure to Cardiff next season, for “putting a big exclamation on it by scoring under the poles”.

“But the areas we know we aren’t perfect in, we have to work on. We can’t give a team that much ball in the first 15/20 minutes of the match because it tests you, all parts of the your game, your attitude, and throughout the boys were brilliant tonight.

“We certainly gave them a few opportunities, but overall we scrambled well our defense in that first 15 minutes was crucial for us.”