This is a forum to shine in for the players
KEANE: WE’RE READY FOR DERBY BATTLE
CONNACHT coach Kieran Keane can’t wait to experience his first home derby match tomorrow night when Munster visit The Showgrounds.
The New Zealander, who arrived in Galway in late August to take charge of the Westerners, knows the interprovincial games have a special place in Irish rugby.
And while his first experience of one was a 16-8 loss away to Ulster before the break for European action, Keane appreciates the importance of the local rivalry to his players.
“They all want to play in them and I’m excited by the occasion as much as the players are,” said Keane.
“I think it is a great thing because anyone who is hoping to get a green shirt, this is the forum to shine in.”
His side go into tomorrow’s clash on the back of two encouraging displays, having won 43-15 away to Oyonnax and then backing it up with a 15-8 success against Worcester Warriors at The Sportsground last weekend.
But Keane knows they need to start picking up points in the Pro14.
They have lost all three away matches to Dragons, Scarlets and Ulster and their only win in the competition was a 32-10 success over a Southern Kings side who have struggled since joining the competition.
Connacht have also lost two of their three home games and Keane is hopeful they can learn from their mistakes.
He added: “We have gone back and looked at things in collaboration with the players. We have had some really good constructive dialogue around what we are trying to achieve and how we are going about it.”
Keane has rotated his team to keep players as fresh as possible but a concern has been how a good display has not been backed up with a result.
He said: “That’s the million-dollar question, that’s happened a couple of times but personally I think we have addressed some of the issues. We don’t want to divulge how and why we do things but I am satisfied.
“We have highlighted and talked about them and problem solved and we have come to a good place.”
Meanwhile, Munster are putting pressure on the IRFU to lock down their key players and ensure that Simon Zebo’s flight to France is an isolated case.
Top of the list is the retention of CJ Stander who is out of contract at the end of the current season.
The Reds No8 is not on a central contract but his provincial deal could be upgraded to an IRFU one.
And while there is no indication that the Lion and Irish star is poised to leave the province, the club don’t want his head turned by a big offer from France and England.
Captain Peter O’mahony – who is on a central IRFU deal – is also out of contract at the end of the season and Munster officials, already dealing with a mid-season change in coach, are anxious to have his future secured.