Bigger the giant, harder the fall is fiery Pat Lam’s motto
Three years ago, in Pat Lam’s first season in charge, Connacht produced one of the most stunning results ever in the Heineken Cup when they defeated Toulouse 16-14 at Stade Ernest Wallon.
It was an early indication of what they might achieve under Lam, but it was a freakish result.
They lost four games in the build-up to that match and were beaten in five of their next seven games following that stunning victory in France, including a 37-9 loss to Toulouse the following week.
It wasn’t until last season’s magical run to the PRO12 title that Connacht exploded under Lam’s direction and while there was a wobbly start to the defence of that crown, bonus point wins over Edinburgh and Ulster see them go into this evening’s clash against Toulouse with genuine expectations of victory.
All last season, Connacht paid scant regard to history. They had never won in the Liberty Stadium, never triumphed in the professional era in Thomond Park, had never won eight in a row, had never done the double over an Irish province, had never beaten Glasgow.
And, of course, had never won anything in their 131-year history. All of those things were corrected last season.
They wouldn’t want to pay too much heed to tradition going into this evening’s clash either.
Connacht have only played 18 games in Europe’s top competition, and four of their seven wins came against Zebre.
Harlequins and Biarritz were the other two sides conquered, along with Toulouse. Decent scalps, no doubt about it.
Toulouse are rebuilding under the guidance of Fabien Pelous, Uga Mola and William Servat. They have played 150 games in this competition and won 102 of them. They have lifted the trophy four times, were runners-up in two other finals.
They have the biggest budget in France this season, a whopping €31.5 million. To put that in context, last season the IRFU spent €37,600,703 on professional game costs.
And yet, for all their wealth and with 26 internationals in their squad, Toulouse have not set the world alight in the Top 14 this season, winning four and losing four so far, and currently sit sixth in the table.
They lost all three pool matches away last season to Saracens, Ulster and Oyonnax.
But Lam knows they can pack a punch and he is keen not to get caught in an arm wrestle with them. They can beat up most teams but are vulnerable when stretched wide or attacked at pace. Of all days, he needs a dry evening at the Sportsground, but that is not forecast.
His injuries problems continue to mount but the manner in which players stepped in against Edinburgh and Ulster means they have a spring in their step.
He has targeted a quarter-final spot for the first time and while Lam is careful not to say it, the presence of Zebre in the pool means there is a good chance of two teams going through from this group.
“Everyone’s excited. People are saying we’ve got our mojo back. We’re getting better, we’re getting stronger. But now it’s a another step up to this level: “Without a doubt there’s a difference in size with Toulouse, but we’re used to that.
"I always like to go out before a game and think I’m still playing, I’ll look over and think ‘jeez, they’re big’. But I used to get excited by that because I said they’ll go down hard, they’ll hurt more.
“It comes back to our technique, how we tackle, how we put the pressure on, get them down on the ground, we do a lot of work on that. Tuesday is our tackle and contact day. Everyone goes down if you tackle well.”
Scottish and Lions lock Richie Gray said there is no chance of them under-estimating Connacht, not just because of the shock win in Toulouse three years ago, but the manner in which they won the PRO12.
“I have played in the Sportsground with Glasgow before and know just how tough a place it is to go to. I haven’t had much luck there and we know how tough it will be this time.
“I wasn’t surprised by Connacht winning the Pro12. They play a great brand of rugby, have some great players and a lot of self-belief. We know what we are in for.
“I was playing for Castres when Connacht won in Toulouse a few years ago but that result was mentioned the moment the draw was made,” said Gray.
Lam has given Ultan Dillane a well-earned rest for this game, with the Irish international relegated to bench duties in favour of the returning Quinn Roux, in the only change to the side that beat Ulster last weekend.
That means there is no room for Kieran Marmion in the starting side. Instead, he will take his place among the replacements after recovering from a lower leg injury.
Eight of the Connacht 15 will be making their first start in the Champions Cup – including Roux who has only ever appeared off the bench for Leinster in the competition.
But crucially, against the powerful French side, all of the Connacht back-row of Eoin McKeon, Jake Heenan and John Muldoon have top-flight European experience to fall back on, while Cian Kelleher and tighthead Conor Carey are the only starters not to have played a big role in last season’s run to the PRO12.
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