Stuart Lancaster says Connacht Rugby’s season has reached the point where every match feels enormous, but even by those standards, this weekend’s derby against Munster carries extra weight.
Connacht hosts Munster at a sold-out Dexcom Stadium on Saturday night knowing a victory is likely essential to keep its United Rugby Championship playoff hopes alive. Lancaster’s side sits ninth in the table, three points outside the top eight with only two rounds remaining. Munster, meanwhile, enters the clash in fifth place after consecutive wins over Benetton and Ulster.
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“Every game feels like a big game,” Lancaster said. “The first game of the season against Benetton felt like a big game, the games in South Africa felt big, but obviously you are now getting to the business end and you are still in the fight.”
“This one has got real significance because of the league position. We are fighting for every point.”
The former England coach also pointed to the wider playoff picture adding extra drama to the weekend.
“Every team above us is playing meaningful games where they can take points off each other,” he said. “So there’s a lot to play for and it being an interpro as well makes it doubly exciting.”
Connacht will be boosted by the return of Ireland internationals Bundee Aki and Finlay Bealham, while Munster arrives dealing with several injuries, including absences for Tadhg Beirne, Calvin Nash and Jean Kleyn. Fly-half Jack Crowley, however, is available again after recovering from a leg injury.
Munster Rugby Has Been Playing Well Lately
Lancaster expects an aggressive contest between two teams willing to attack.
“I think Munster have been playing a lot more rugby in the second half of the season, so both teams will be going to win the game as opposed to trying not to lose,” he said.
“Our mentality will be to win by scoring tries, as it has been all season, while making sure we get the balance right in terms of when to play and when to kick.”
Munster skills and attack coach Mossy Lawler acknowledged the challenge awaiting his side in Galway.
“The quality of player we’re missing, they are obviously big losses,” Lawler said. “But where there’s injuries, there’s opportunities.”
He also highlighted Connacht’s physicality as a major concern.
“The big thing with Connacht is their contact skills and the physical presence they bring,” Lawler said. “From our physical point of view and our mentality point of view, we need to be able to match that.”
The stakes extend beyond just this weekend. Connacht closes the regular season away at Edinburgh, while Munster hosts the surging Lions in Round 18.
For now, though, all focus is on Galway — where playoff rugby intensity arrives a few weeks early.
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