Ronan O’Gara has heaped praise on Connacht head coach Pat Lam for their outstanding season to date and says his players must be ready for a different mental approach against neighbours Munster.
Inter-provincial bragging rights are not only up for grabs at the Sportsground today (7.15pm), but a clearer picture on the make-up the Guinness Pro12 play-offs will also emerge.
A win for second-placed Connacht will all but secure a home semi-final, while defeat for Anthony Foley’s side, currently in sixth-place, could seal their fate for the season.
"Connacht are always the underdog, and it’s easy to play the underdog card, but that isn’t really there for them”
The winds of change are sweeping through Irish rugby, with Connacht the standard bearers this season and victory in Galway will secure a first-ever league double over Munster.
Form would suggest that Lam’s side should hold no fear in a fixture that has not always been kind to the westerners.
In the corresponding fixture last year, Munster let slip a 16-11 lead at the interval and failed to score in the second-half with tries from Kieran Marmion, Craig Ronaldson and Aly Muldowney securing an eight-point victory.
At Thomond Park in November, Bundee Aki was ultimately the match-winner as Connacht secured a fully deserved win in Limerick for the first time in 28 years to cement their reputation as title contenders.
On the pitch, they have displayed their ability from the opening day win over Newport Gwent Dragons, but according to RTÉ analyst Ronan O’Gara, the biggest hurdle will be mental rather than physical.
“It’s probably the first time ever that Connacht are favourites against Munster,” he told RTÉ Sport.
“That’s a big mental shift. Every other time Connacht are always the underdog, and it’s easy to play the underdog card, but that isn’t really there for them.”
Only Cardiff Blues have scored more tries than Connacht’s tally of 51. Their free-flowing rugby has won admirers as well as matches and O’Gara believes the credit must go to Lam’s philosophy.
“They get the belief from the direction of their head coach. He’s very accurate and he’s very precise in how he talks and how he delivers his message.
“I think we can all learn something from that. Players appreciate that, the direct guidelines of what you need to do.”
Lying in sixth place going into the weekend, Munster have it all to do to reach the play-offs and O’Gara believes there is more at stake for them than simply a place in the semi-finals.
“Munster are hurting from the Leinster game, a game they should have won, but they didn’t take their chances. Munster’s whole season, Munster’s brand is on the line.”
Listen to live coverage of Connacht v Munster will be RTÉ Radio One at 7pm with Michael Corcoran and Donal Lenihan.
