Connacht are "champing at the bit" for the start of this season's Pro 14 Championship on Saturday, according to new coach Kieran Keane.
Although not Keane's ideal opener – up against his former Chiefs colleague Dave Rennie – he says the players are in a good space ahead of Glasgow's visit to the Galway Sportsground. "There's a real good feeling. I think they are going to be up for it. There is a lot of energy, and every coach wants to feel that," he says.
Keane has some injury concerns after two tough pre-season matches against Wasps and Bristol last week, and is also managing his international players.
“The biggest issue is the two games last week flattened a couple [of players]. Some have done some big miles, particularly in the back field, so we are managing them and we are anticipating every one will be all set on the day.
“We are limiting some of the players because of their status, their injury status, and the fact they need a break. We are trying manage that as best we possibly can.”
Definitely out of action are Quinn Roux (ankle), Jake Heenan (back) and Tom Farrell (thigh); Denis Buckley and Peter Robb are also doubtful; Caolin Blade "stepped up" his rehabilitation this week; while Naulia Dawai, Niyi Adeolokun and Tiernan O'Halloran continue their return to fitness. Bundee Aki came on against Bristol for some game time in the second half, but may not yet be fully fit.
Pressure
With three of Connacht’s first four fixtures at the Sportsground, Keane says there is pressure, but he is delighted to be at home.
“There is pressure, no doubt about that, but I’m actually rather pleased to be playing at home. Judging by the way the boys responded in the pre-season game here, it lifts them. So I am hugely in favour of the fact there is pressure, but to be frank, I wouldn’t want to be in any other place.”
Glasgow, who hammered Connacht in this fixture last season by 41-5, return with former Chiefs boss Dave Rennie in charge, and Keane, his backs coach in Hamilton, is expecting both sides to play a similar style of expansive attacking rugby.
“He will play an open and expansive game and we will be very similar. We’ve not had a lot of footage of Glasgow. What we do have we have combed over, and they are quite similar, so it’s going to be a toughie.
“We want to challenge the opposition as they will want to do to us, so there will be a stalemate I suspect. How we handle that will be really important to us, and moving forward into the game, what we choose to do, decision making, will be important.”
Potential
Keane, less than a month into his new job following Pat Lam’s departure to Bristol, believes there is more potential to tap from his Connacht squad.
“I am trying to get the boys to play with their eyes up, to see what the opposition is offering and to manipulate the opposition, that has been the focal point of how we want to do things and it will continue into the season.
“They are coming to grips with the new way of doing things and the new way of driving it, but my feeling is they are coming to grips with everything rather nicely.”
Keane says he is “looking forward” to catching up with Rennie, having become “good mates on and off the park” – in addition to the two having placed a couple of side bets on the fixture.
“We were both rubbing each other at home, and there were a little bit of side bets on this. I am also a competitive man and I don’t want to lose this bet.”
