Keane hoping to Slam Gloucester as stars return
CONNACHT coach Kieran Keane is hoping that Bundee Aki and Kieran Marmion will bring the bounce back into his side as they seek a first win over Gloucester.
Victory this afternoon (1pm) at the Sportsground will send Connacht into a fourth Challenge Cup semi-final, and Keane admits he is excited to have his Grand Slam superstars back for the clash.
Aki started all five of Ireland’s Six Nations victories and the coach is hoping he can bring that winning mentality back into a team that has only won once in four games.
‘He’ll bring a threat, and presence, which will be good for us. It means that we can use him or not use him in certain situations. But that threatening presence that he brings and the hard edge will lift the other boys.’
While Aki and Marmion start, fellow Ireland squad member Ultan Dillane is named on the bench, while the only other change from last week’s loss to Edinburgh sees Sean O’Brien replaced by captain John Muldoon at No8.
‘Well they bring back an experience factor. They’re not going to be intimidated by anybody and that’s the blessing for us. It brings that bit of chemistry into the group and a little bit of biology too,’ Keane said.
‘We’re working really hard at that. It’s going to be a huge challenge for us but it’s exciting for Connacht too. They will get a lot of growth out of it.’
Gloucester have won the Challenge Cup on two occasions and have reached the knock-out stages in each of the last five years, while their recent history when Connacht are involved is equally as impressive.
They’ve beaten the western province in each of the four meetings between the sides.
But perhaps Keane is better to ignore the past and focus on today’s clash, where a win will give his side something to cling to for the remainder of the season.
A win this afternoon will likely set up a semi-final with Newcastle Falcons, and with the Premiership outfit flying high in their domestic competition — and teams like Edinburgh and Cardiff also likely to qualify for the Champions Cup via the domestic route — a second play off spot could yet open up for Connacht should they fail to win the competition outright.
The Connacht coach is well versed in his opponents too. Keane has previously coached Jason Woodward, Tom Marshall and Josh Hohneck in the club game in New Zealand, while former Ulster prop John Afoa also came under his guidance for the New Zealand Under-17 team. He has also faced Willi Heinz, Motu Matu’u and Jeremy Thrush in Super Rugby and the ITM Cup.
The Sportsground will be jampacked for Connacht’s biggest game of the season and with a spot in the last four of the Challenge Cup up for grabs, their head coach is desperate for the win that will reinvigorate their season.
‘I’ve had a lot of looks at them. I’ve watched five or six games of theirs. They love to play. Very similar to us in their approach to the game,’ said Keane.
‘They’ve got some big name players who they rely on, I suspect. They have had a bit of an indifferent season — highs and lows, like us.
‘I think they are growing too. It’s going to be an on the day thing for me. It’s all about preparation. You can’t hide from the fact that the challenges are going to be there. You desperately want your men to be well prepared so they are comfortable.’