Lam: Getting out of Euro pool would match Pro12 triumph
Kieran Marmion can inject some pace into the Connacht attack. Photo: Matt Browne/Sportsfile
Pat Lam has begun the legacy phase of his time with Connacht, and the Bristol-bound coach believes his side can match their Pro12 heroics with a European quarter-final.
This month's double-header with Wasps will go a long way to deciding their fate and, having put themselves in a good position after two games, they need to sustain their motivation despite the disruptive nature of their build-up.
They can dress it up all they like, but Lam's bombshell has to have had an effect on the playing squad, some of whom will feel utterly let down by their inspirational head coach's decision to depart with a year remaining on his contract.
A trip to Toulouse lies ahead in round six, but tomorrow's clash in Coventry always looked the most difficult date on their European itinerary. To be in with a chance by the time France rolls around, they must come close to breaking even in the coming weeks.
The presence of Zebre in Pool 2 increases the likelihood of two teams progressing and with a quality Wasps side the overwhelming favourites to top the group, Connacht's best route to the last eight would look to be as one of the three best runners-up.
They have nine points out of 10 thanks to their wins over the Italians and Toulouse, and if they can pick up the away bonus at the Ricoh Arena they will fancy their chances of generating enough from their remaining games.
Although there have been personnel changes since they reached the semi-final last season, Wasps remain a serious proposition and they are able to give Wallaby star Kurtley Beale his debut at inside-centre. His battle with Bundee Aki alone will be worth the trip.
Forgotten man Marty Moore gets a chance to showcase his talents to an Irish audience from the start in a strong Wasps pack laced with ball-carriers, but Lam's decision to pick two opensides in Nepia Fox-Matamua and Jake Heenan indicates an intent to attack the home team and hog the ball.
For all the furore around his decision to leave for Bristol, Lam still has ambitions for his team before he goes.
"This is great, we're genuinely really excited by it and it's not just playing a top team against Wasps, it's the fact that it's in the Champions Cup and it's the fact that if we can get one out of these two then we have a good chance of going through to the quarter-finals," he said.
"If we win two out of two, it's pretty much done and that's sitting in the space of 10 days.
"Connacht Rugby, imagine that . . . the top eight teams in the quarter-final and Connacht is in there; of all the teams in the Northern Hemisphere.
"To me, when I look at it, it's on par with winning the Pro12 when you consider the teams that are trying to get into that top eight.
"But then when we get there and you're there, it's knock-out rugby and if there's one team that's good at knock-out rugby and can play really good in knock-out games. . .
"So, that's what's in front of us. It doesn't mean it's going to happen, but we can dream.
"I dreamed that we could be champions, it didn't mean we were going to get there but I keep saying that if we start thinking, talking, behaving, believing, then we've got a good chance of doing it.
"There's a lot of work to do. We've done a lot of work, we've got to build up and we understand the challenge that we face, but we're excited by it."
To go further in this competition than they have ever gone before, Connacht will need to be on top of their game in the next two weeks.
Lam has been able to recall his Ireland internationals except for Matt Healy, who plays for the 'A' side in order to gain match fitness, but injury means South African out-half Marnitz Boshoff remains in Galway and there is no obvious cover for Jack Carty, but the return of Niyi Adeolokun to a threatening back-three adds to their options.
John Cooney is a late withdrawal due to a quad strain, while James Cannon isn't involved due to the terms of his move from Wasps.
Quinn Roux's presence bolsters the scrum as Conor Carey starts ahead of Finlay Bealham, while Ultan Dillane and John Muldoon will be asked to carry the game to the hosts, who will want to send Nathan Hughes and Ashley Johnson forward at every opportunity.
The battle between Denis Buckley and Moore will be fascinating. Both men have Ireland ambitions, but Moore has chosen to take unofficial exile in England, while Buckley has never been able to force his way into the international picture despite some fine form for his province.
A target for a number of Premiership clubs, the loosehead has an opportunity to showcase his skill-set and drive his value up further.
Given a platform, Jimmy Gopperth can control things from No 10 and kick his goals. Another familiar face, the former Leinster man is thriving at Wasps.
Outside him, Christian Wade can do damage in the wide channels, yet without Charles Piutau the Wasps backline no longer looks quite so formidable.
Winning
Still, their ability to add Beale to a winning team suggests Dai Young is doing something right and they know that victories in these two games will go a long way to ensuring a home quarter-final.
To win, Connacht need to take every opportunity and that means Carty must find his kicking range. He drew praise from Lam this week as he continues to develop, but with Boshoff and Cooney out, there is no guarantee of points from the tee.
With Kieran Marmion able to inject pace into the game, the Athlone native has plenty of options outside him and has plenty of responsibility on his shoulders in running Lam's game-plan.
With both teams going for it, it should be a cracker. Connacht have a shot, but you sense they might be happy to return with a point and have a second crack with the backing of the Sportsground.
Wasps remain contenders for the over-all prize and their quality should see them through tomorrow.
Verdict: Wasps.
Wasps - R Miller; C Wade, A Leiua, K Beale, J Bassett; J Gopperth, D Robson; M Mullan, T Taylor, M Moore; J Launchbury (Capt), K Myall; A Johnson, T Young, N Hughes. Reps: A Rieder, T Bristow, J Cooper-Woolley, J Gaskell, G Thompson, J Simpson, B Macken, F Halai.
Commacht - T O'Halloran; N Adeolokun, S Ili, B Aki, C Kelleher; J Carty, K Marmion; D Buckley, T McCartney, C Carey; U Dillane, Q Roux; N Fox-Matamua, J Heenan, J Muldoon (capt). Reps: D Heffernan, JP Cooney, F Bealham, S O'Brien, E McKeon, C Blade, R Parata, P Robb.
Ref - A Ruiz (France)
