Qualifying for the Champions Cup is an achievable goal for Connacht
, and the margins are usually quite fine. In finishing seventh in Andy Friend’s final season Connacht won 10 of 18 matches and accumulated 50 points, but in winning just one match less and finishing with 45 points last season, they slipped to 11th under Pete Wilkins and a new coaching ticket.
Injuries to key men, such as Santiago Cordero, who missed virtually the entire season after an ACL injury in his first training session, Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen and JJ Hanrahan, who had proven a very astute signing, were mitigating factors. Having returned from Rugby Championship duty with the Pumas, Cordero will seem like a new signing. With Hanrahan sidelined until the new year, the acquisition of Josh Ioane looks intriguing. The once-capped All Blacks outhalf played 72 Super Rugby games for the Hurricanes and the Chiefs and brings real heads-up flair with his eye for a break, speed and offloading game. Much will hinge on how he adapts to his new surrounds.
At least the qualification threshold for next season’s Champions Cup will be strictly merit-based, ie the top eight will qualify with no ring-fencing for Shield winners.
Connacht-Rugby Bundee-Aki Champions-Cup Mack-Hansen
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