Lancaster faces tough task to lift Connacht as he prepares to face Leinster for first time

TOUGH TASK: Connacht's Head Coach Stuart Lancaster has to lift his side for his first clash against Leinster. Picture: ©INPHO/James Crombie

Stuart Lancaster will head into the first of two clashes in little over three weeks against former side Leinster with morale low in his Connacht camp after another disappointing display after going down 29-24 at home to Ulster.

His side’s propensity to fade out of games — and get severely punished in the process — has been a factor in them losing five of their seven URC games to date.

The eight bonus points — more than any other team — they have picked up keeps them in contention for a knockout place but they have left themselves with little wriggle room with just two wins from seven in the league since Lancaster took charge. At this stage last year they had three wins from nine URC games.

They will head to the Aviva Stadium to play Leinster on Saturday evening and then three weeks later will host Leo Cullen’s men when the new stand will be opened at Dexcom Stadium to complete the €40m redevelopment of the programme.

There is no doubt the Connacht hierarchy expected to be in a much better position for that historic milestone after surprisingly securing the services of Lancaster during the summer following the mid-season departure of head coach Pete Wilkins.

They dominated the opening half hour against Ulster and should have led by more than 10-0. But the next 26 points came from Ulster, 12 of them before the break to take a lead they never looked like losing.

“It was disappointing to go in 12-10 having had so much possession,” said Lancaster. “Then obviously in the second half, there was a change of momentum. We came out on the wrong side of the penalty count, and the penalty count led to pressure, which then led to points.” 

His cause has not been helped by a string of injuries in a couple of positions which resulted in 19-year-old former St Michael’s College back Daniel Ryan being thrown in for his debut on the right wing in the absence of injured players such as Mack Hansen, Shayne Bolton, Byron Ralston and Shane Jennings.

“We have young players getting experience, which we wouldn’t normally do, but for injuries,” added Lancaster.

“We came back well and fought to the end, so there’s plenty of positives in that, but equally to get over the line and win, as opposed to come close second and get a bonus point, is the step we need to take.

“If we can fix those defensive issues, we can be more competitive.” 

Connacht will have two Challenge Cup games in between the two URC matches against Leinster, travelling to Montpellier for January 11 and then hosting another French side Montauban a week before the official opening of the new stand in the Dexcom Stadium.