Pat Lam warns automatic cup qualification a must for Connacht

Connacht coach Pat Lam says automatic qualification for the Champions Cup is the minimum his side must achieve this season. The PRO12 holders are a lowly eighth as they travel to take on Ospreys in Liberty Stadium this afternoon.

The top six teams in the PRO12 automatically qualify for Champions Cup rugby next season, while seventh and eighth enter play-offs with English and French opposition, with just one spot up for grabs. Unbeaten at the Liberty all season, Ospreys are on form in Swansea, while Connacht have 21 players injured or unavailable. Ospreys are second and hammered Connacht 32-11 at the Sportsground in Round 2. Connacht also lost at home last weekend against Munster and Lam has made three changes with big No 8 Naulia Dawai set for his first start.

“The reason we want top six, is we want to be in the Champions Cup every year, that’s the minimum goal,” said Lam. “The PRO12 has gotten stronger and stronger, and anyone can beat anyone on their day. There is a lot of rugby still to play and we will see where we are. To me, there is no point in getting frustrated (about the amount of players we have available), it is all in the mindset.”