Connacht facing an uphill battle

THERE was a lot of hurt around Galway this week — actual pain in an overcrowded medical room and bruised egos in the dressing room after an emasculating defeat to Leinster at home last Friday.

Andy Friend and his team have licked their wounds and listened to pundits speak with concern about their chances of making it out of a tough Champions Cup pool.

They worked hard to get back to the European top table, at the very least they’ll be desperate to perform to the best of their ability.

There’s no shame in losing to Leinster, but the manner of the defeat and their own display is what stung the western province. And, for Vern Cotter and Montpellier, the Blues painted a blueprint they can follow to overpower their hosts tomorrow.

Connacht’s mission is to front up. Failure to do so will put their chances of making any sort of dent in the pool in jeopardy.

With a trip to French champions Toulouse up next, Friend will be keen to get at least four points on the board.

Having Ultan Dillane back from injury is a help and the Ireland second-row is charged with leading the forward effort against the sizeable French pack.

The home team’s tight-five depth is being tested. Dominic Robertson-McCoy is tasked with holding the scrum together with Sligo man Cillian Gallagher partnering Dillane. The back-row has a more settled look, while even without Tom Farrell it’s an experienced and exciting backline.

Montpellier are traditionally poor travellers, but it’s hard to see Connacht resisting the visitors’ power for 80 minutes. It could be a long day.