Connacht backs to the wall, as per: ‘If there’s been a conversation started in public or in media, so be it’

Pete Wilkins is preparing his side to face Lyon this weekend.

WEST'S AWAKE: Connacht’s head coach Pete Wilkins speaks to the media before the game. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie

Connacht are under the gun, again. They have two wins from their last five games, it has been confirmed attack coach Mark Sexton is leaving at the end of the season and Mack Hansen in the dock on Wednesday. Hard times all round.

Hansen will face a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday after his comments about the officiating in Connacht’s recent URC defeat to Leinster. For head coach Pete Wilkins, it was never about instigating a public discussion about how they are treated.

“I think one of the values of rugby has been respect for referees,” he said.

“In the professional era, it becomes more complicated. It is hard for me to say, obviously we have a hearing tomorrow. I want to make sure I don’t say anything that is going to swing it either way. If there has been a conversation started in public or in the media, so be it. I don’t think that was Mack’s intention. We’ll just see how tomorrow goes.” 

The province came out after that loss and fell flat against Ulster. This is how it goes. For years, Connacht can rightly look outwards and find several legitimate issues. They can’t let that hinder the need to look inwards too. Wilkins was left particularly frustrated at the fact that they didn’t come close to maximising their potential on the day.

With Lyon coming to Dexcom Stadium this Saturday for their Challenge Cup clash, the group know they need to show something.

“The review has been frank, the bye-week has been well-timed in the sense we have been able to not only discuss it and work through it, but also see what we are made of on the training field in response to it.

“The important thing is not to relent. We have been there before. We have been there before, I’ve been there before with other teams, it is all very well having an honest chat and taking ownership, but it is about then going forward and making sure you deliver the next time. So, there is a shared ownership between coaches and players, but the proof is always in the pudding in terms of what you do next. Not just the next game, the next period of games as well.”

Sexton’s departure at the end of the season means they are already looking for a replacement. The brother of Johnny has graduated up the ranks from a development role to the senior side in recent years. He has been strongly linked to Ulster.

“It is professional sport,” said Wilkins.

“Unfortunately, coaches do move on from time to time. Mark has had four years here. He started in the academy with that development officer rule, did a terrific job and did well enough that I was keen to bring him up.

“He has done a really good job since then, obviously taking on more responsibility this year around the backs and attack. I’ve been really pleased with him; I enjoy working with him. For me, we have a good relationship. It is a shame he wants to move on but that is people’s stage of life, that is professional sport, it is one of those things.” The move had been bubbling away for weeks out west. Now Connacht must do what they know, pick themselves up, dust themselves down and move on.

“In terms of replacements for Mark we are at the stage of compiling an initial list of people we might like to speak to or indeed might want to speak to us. You know what the rugby grapevine is like, news tends to get out quickly. It doesn’t take long until you have got agents or other coaches reaching out to say they might be interested in the role.”