Connacht Tipped to Make Big Waves

Connacht Rugby have been tipped to make a major impact in the BKT URC this season under new boss Stuart Lancaster.

Former England coach Lancaster has taken the helm at the Galway-based province following spells with Leinster Rugby and Racing 92.

He will guide them into their league opener on Saturday night when they welcome Benetton Rugby to the Dexcom Stadium, which is being reconstructed to increase the capacity to 12,000 by January.

Former Ulster and Ireland centre Darren Cave has big hopes for the 2016 title winners under their high-profile new head coach.

“Stuart Lancaster is going to blow that place out of the water,” said Cave during a BKT URC media round table.

“When you look through that squad, they have got a number of quality players.

“I don’t think they are going to win the BKT URC, but they are 100 per cent a team to watch. They are going to cause problems this year, I feel super strongly about that.

“Off the pitch, they got their stadium rights last year, they have had a new stadium in construction, they’ve got a new training facility, new corporate hospitality.”

Cave was joined on the round table by former Springboks hooker Schalk Brits, who also expects Connacht to do well.

“They have got a great coach and they are not going to lose so many players during the international windows, so they are going to build a great squad,” he said.

“Other teams do lose a lot of internationals that can’t play in those windows, and they have to rotate.”

As for the likely league champions, Brits is backing the Vodacom Bulls.

“I would love to see a different winner,” he said.

“The Vodacom Bulls have been in three finals and lost all three.

“Hopefully, they will bring it home this time with a new coach in Johan Ackermann, who is unbelievable in how he brings a group together.”

Former Glasgow and Scotland star Ryan Wilson, who was also on the round table, added his thoughts on the subject.

“I think it would be awesome to see the Vodacom Bulls win just so there are five different champions, in terms of the spread of the tournament,” he said.

“With the change in coach, I think they could do it this year.

“If they can find a way to kick on from what they have done over the last few seasons, then surely they have got to make it to the final and they need to make sure that final is back at home.”

In contrast, Cave sees the reigning champions successfully defending their crown.

“Across the season, I just don’t see Leinster losing enough games to not carry home advantage into the Play-Offs,” he said.

“Listen, they are totally beatable, but I would always make them favourites at home, and I would think the most likely series of events is they get a home final. Then somebody has to come to Dublin and win.

“There is a little asterisk just to say that post-Lions seasons are tricky and very disruptive, with a big come down. Those players in Ireland are very well managed. They won’t be long back playing, and they will be away in November, and there is a lot of Champions Cup pressure on Leinster, but I still think their squad is so big.”

As for predicting the league’s Player of the Season, Cave sticks with the title holders, saying:

“I think RG Snyman is a guy who is going to be in that conversation. He just adds so much value, and I think that will continue to happen.”