Connacht facing a tough opening assignment

Harlequins v Connacht:CONNACHT CAN not be distracted by the pomp and circumstance that sees them make their competitive bow in the Heineken Cup. It's a proud occasion for the western province but they must cast aside the attendant frills of this particular achievement to concentrate on the game itself.

Harlequins have won all their eight matches in the English Premiership this season and three previous encounters with Connacht in the Amlin Challenge Cup, two of which took place last season as the London club went on to win the trophy. En route they beat Munster at Thomond Park, a win their Irish-born director of rugby, Conor O’Shea, believes has been a catalyst in their recent evolution.

Connacht coach Eric Elwood will have impressed upon his team all week both the necessity of a hard-nosed defensive effort and the importance of taking opportunities because they will be at a premium. The bookmakers have Harlequins at 1/33 or 17-point favourites for those who prefer the alternative handicap bet.

They’re taking into account the venue for tonight’s game, the form-lines going into it and their evaluation of the respective team line-ups. Elwood has reshuffled his backline, leaving out Tongan international Fetu’u Vainikolo, retaining 21-year-old centre Dave McSharry and reintroducing Eoin Griffin, happily recovered from injury, and Brian Tuohy.

Captain Gavin Duffy switches to fullback and Tiernan O’Halloran to the left wing, with Tuohy and Griffin coming in on the other flank and centre respectively. Paul O’Donohue will benefit from an extended run at scrumhalf; he’s an excellent competitor with good vision and a break.

These changes though will be rendered no more than cosmetic unless the pack can muster a challenge across every theatre of collision from set-piece to breakdown. Harlequins possess a physically imposing and abrasive set of forwards, from their lippy loosehead Joe Marler to the England number eight Nick Easter.

Speaking of matters international, several respected judges have called for ’Quins flanker Chris Robshaw to be nominated as the next England captain, based on current form and previous accolades.

In retrospect, New Zealand coach Graham Henry was happy with the contribution of the Bath -bound Stephen Donald, who kicked the winning penalty in the World Cup final victory over France, but during the tournament he might been happy to personally fund the airfare for Harlequins outhalf, playmaker and place-kicker Nick Evans to return home.

The Kiwi provides Harlequins with intelligent game management, both in terms of his distribution and punting. He is partnered by Karl Dickson, with English international Danny Care on the bench. The battle in midfield will be instructive because young Connacht centre McSharry must cope with wardrobe-like Jordan Turner-Hall, while Griffin tracks the highly rated George Lowe.

Connacht flanker John Muldoon said: “It is a massive challenge for us against the Premiership leaders but, having played them a fair few times in recent seasons, we know pretty much what to expect. We have managed to beat them once or twice and we are all really looking forward to our first game in the Heineken Cup.

“However, we know that Conor O’Shea has really turned their fortunes around and developed a greater consistency in the club.”

Muldoon praises the contribution of coach, Galway native Eric Elwood in his first season. “Eric is a very passionate man who wears his heart on his sleeve and only wants the best for Connacht rugby. The players feed off his energy and enthusiasm and he is a doer rather than a talker who lives and breathes Connacht rugby.”

The players must mirror those qualities on what will be a very tough evening.

HARLEQUINS: M Brown; S Stegmann, G Lowe, J Turner-Hall, S Smith; N Evans, K Dickson; J Marler, C Brooker, J Johnston; O Kohn, G Robson; M Faasavalu, C Robshaw, N Easter. Replacements: J Gray, N Mayhew, K Sinckler, T Vallejos, L Wallace, D Care, B Urdapilleta, T Williams.

CONNACHT: G Duffy (capt); B Tuohy, E Griffin, D McSharry, T O'Halloran; M Nikora, P O'Donohue; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Ah You; M Swift, M McCarthy; J Muldoon, R Ofisa, G Naoupu. Replacements: E Reynecke, R Loughney, D Rogers, D Gannon, TJ Anderson, F Murphy, N O'Connor, H Fa'afili.

Referee: J Garces(France).

Previous Meetings(European Challenge Cup): Dec 2010 – Connacht 9 Harlequins 15. Dec 2010 – Harlequins 20 Connacht 9. Jan 2007 – Harlequins 26 Connacht 10.

Verdict: Harlequins.