FINLAY: MOOD IS PITCH PERFECT

FINLAY Bealham admits Connacht can hardly wait to take the pitch at the weekend.

Not only is there a terrific chance to turn the season around in an inter-pro clash with fierce rivals Munster.

But the western province will also unveil their latest, fastest and slickest addition ever.

That’s the brand new 4G pitch at The Sportsground, the first significant part of a €30m stadium revamp first announced in 2018.

“We had our first unit session just there now,” says Bealham (below) of the excitement kicking in after having the decorators in.

“It looks nice and fast, when you are walking in from the grandstand it looks great and every one is really buzzing.

“We did a few line-outs this morning and in the afternoon as a learning day and today is the heavy one where we will bash each other about.

Fast

“We want to be a team that plays fast, we want to be able to pay fast and this is a good investment from Connacht rugby.

“I hope it goes well, what more can we can ask for, there is hardly a bigger game, our first game at home in front of family and friends — man it’s against Munster.“

Meanwhile, coach Andy Friend is hoping the 4G mat will help be a springboard towards better results as they are on the back of three defeats from three and have yet to pick up any bonus.

However, that should not be confused with ‘form’ — the Director of Rugby pointing out some of his players have hit the ground running and been impressive.

“I thought Jarrad

Butler coming back from injury into our set-up was fantastic

“Dave Hawkshaw was very good for his first start and Johnny Porch continues to deliver what he delivers, you always know you’re going to get a 100-percent performance out of John.

Positives

“Mack showed the brilliance that he has, Conor Oliver was tough, we know that, Josh Murphy to me has been brilliant for us, a great inclusion for us.”

There were some positives at the set-piece too.

“Our scrum has gone very well, it’s an area where previously as a smaller pack we’ve struggled but we won a couple of penalties, albeit the Bulls won a couple of penalties too.

“It was a very even battle there against the Bulls and I was really, really proud of that, I thought a few of the boys did exceptionally well in that area.”

James Carty will be tried in training this week, while Dermot Kilgannon and Caolin Blade (ankle) are also pushing to return.