Bradley Confident Ahead Of Rovigo Rematch
Head coach Michael Bradley is adamant that Connacht are still right in the quarter-final hunt – and that back-to-back wins over Rugby Rovigo will reinforce their last-eight claims.
Connacht are currently second-placed in European Challenge Cup Pool 1, six points behind unbeaten leaders London Irish.
They wrap up their European campaign for the calendar year at the Sportsground on Friday night when Rugby Rovigo visit.
Michael Bradley’s men beat the Italians 35-20 away last weekend and a second successive bonus point win would do nicely in round 4.
Bradley said: “We were obviously very pleased with the result last weekend. We went to Rovigo looking for a win in order to keep our qualification hopes alive so to have got the bonus point is a big boost to us.
“It was a tough game as Rovigo defended heroically but the match was hampered by a very heavy pitch after a lot of wet weather so it’s difficult to gauge what sort of game we are going to see this weekend.
“We showed some good continuity play and put together a lot of phases which is a positive we’ll take forward, as well as our scrummaging, which was particularly strong.
“Of course you’re always looking to improve but there’s nothing I took out of the game as an area of concern.
“We have a couple of injury worries. Johnny O’Connor is ruled out and Keith Matthews and Ronan Loughney both picked up knocks (in Italy) but I think we have enough depth in the squad to cover their possible absence.”