Connacht ready and willing 'to go up a level' ahead of Leinster return

Westerners have long since moved beyond moral victories but first-leg defeat to Blues had many positives. Now they want to back it up

Ready to do it all over again: Mack Hansen and Connacht teammates at training in Galway on Tuesday. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Connacht, like Irish sides of all stripes and across all sports down the years, have long since weaned themselves off the gruel that is moral victory.

Last Friday may be an exception, though only if we accept that the 26-21 loss to Leinster in the first leg of their European round of 16 clash is a 'defeat' when the full-time whistle signalled nothing more definitive than the midway point.