Connacht 44 Olympus -  Rugby Madrid 6

By Rob Murphy

These games against the semi pro sides from weaker nations are always painfully dull and this one was no exception. That's not meant as a slight on either side, it's not their fault but as was the case in games against Roma, El Salvador and others before, this clash was instantly forgettable.

Pic: Sporting Occasions

It is, as the cliche goes, impossible for the professional side to look good in such contests and we are only falling into the trap by highlighting a feeling that Connacht really should have notched up a lot more points here. They scored eight tries, five in the first half but thanks to a fruitless third quarter only three after the break.

A landslide win would have been immaterial anyways because of the competition rules. (If two teams end up level on the same points at the top of the pile at the end of this pool the separating criteria is based solely on the head to head meetings between those sides, so overall points difference doesn't matter.) Connacht's only target on Friday was a bonus point win and they got the job done.

However, leaving aside the issues of their inability to cut loose as the game wore on, there are a couple of glaring technical issues that have been a problem already this season and will raise their head again in the future if they're not addressed. The maul was poor yesterday while the first half goal kicking was horrible.

Connacht's first half display overall was solid and effective. They were patient in the the opening ten minutes and went through the phases professionally without forcing the game. The maul was broken and unconvincing even in that first half, yet it still led to the opening try from Adrian Flavin. Miah Nikora was well wide with a kickable conversion.

Within two minutes, Mike McCarthy had the second try after the Madrid defence missed a first up tackle on the big number eight and allowed him to burst through and build up a head of steam. The plucky but inept visitors really weren't going to stop him from there. Another straight forward conversion and another miss this time off the post.

In fairness to Nikora, he was looking sharp in backline play at number ten. The next try came from Michael Swift before the bonus point was secured on the half hour mark with 20 year old Connemara star Tiernan O'Halloran scoring on his competitive debut after good work from Nikora and in particular Aidan Wynne. Conversion attempt number four, the easiest yet, came off the post.

Niva Ta'Auso crowned his return to first team action with a try just before half time and Nikora finally notched a kick which was followed by the largest cheer of the day from the reported 847 crowd. Nikora is a young talent who will improve but even in a facile win like this, four missed kicks as easy as them at professional level is a clear indication that he is not up to that task.

Fionn Carr, Liam Bibo even Gavin Duffy will need to be looked at in future should Ian Keatley not be on the pitch, even with Keatley there it remains an inconsistent area for Connacht and a huge problem in every game.

Next week this side travels to Montpellier where a 90% kicking rate will be imperative if Connacht are to stand a chance. All the great victories in France down through the years have come with a reliable goal kicking display, last year Keatley was on the mark in Dax, in previous years, Paul Warwick, Eric Elwood and Mark McHugh have done the business.

The period after half time was very poor in this contest and is probably the main reason why supporters went home feeling they had seen little to suggest a change in fortunes is coming any time soon.

Three well taken lineouts within ten metres of the Madrid line in that period all ended up in turnovers. On each occasion Connacht were unable to get their forwards in position for a maul to be formed. This could be put down to the lack of intensity in the contest but considering what is to come next week in Montpellier a repeat display will lead to another away hammering.

The introduction of Troy Nathan transformed the second half, his direct and hard running gave the contest some much needed direction and led to three tries, two from Fionn Carr and another for Connacht's stand out forward in the contest Michael Swift.

Montpellier's win in Worcester at the weekend with what was almost entirely their second string side was the result of the weekend in the Challenge Cup. It really throws the group wide open but realistically Connacht will be rank outsiders if they don't at least pick up a bonus point next week.

On current form that seems unlikely but French teams vary their performances like no others from one week to the next so hope springs eternal

Connacht: G Duffy, T O'Halloran, N Ta'auso, A Wynne, F Carr, M Nikora, C O'Loughlin, B Wilkinson, A Flavin, J Hagan, M Swift, B Upton, A Browne, J O'Connor, M McCarthy

Replacements: I Keatley for Nikora, 51 mins; F Murphy for O'Loughlin, 51 mins; R Loughney for Hagan, 59 mins; T Nathan for O'Halloran, 63 mins; D Murphy for Flavin, 68 mins; Flavin for Murphy, 72 mins; C Higgins for Wilkinson, 79 mins.

Olympus Rugby XV Madrid: M Mazo; M Tudela, B Pardo, J Canosa, J Cano; J Palumbo, P Feijoo; V Acevedo, JM Bohorquez, A Onega; L Fernandez-Aramburu, J Recuerda; M Acena, J Gonzalez, I Criado.

Replacements: S Hattori for Onega, 51 mins; J Arbelaiz for Bohorquez, 52 mins; M Poggi for Pardo, 59 mins; Onega for Acevedo, 64 mins; M Heredia for Acena, 66 mins; C Arenas for Feijoo, 74 mins; Bohorquez for Arbelaiz, 79 mins.

Referee: A Falzone (Italy).

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