Pete Wilkins has called on Connacht to show their fighting spirit as they bid to get their faltering season back on track against the Cell C Sharks.
Successive derby defeats to Ulster and Leinster over the Christmas period left the Westerners languishing in 13th place in the BKT United Rugby Championship, eight points adrift of the play-offs, and victory is a must when the Sharks rock up to the Sportsground on Saturday, live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
Wilkins has encountered plenty of these back-to-the-walls moments during his five and a half years with the province and the head coach said there remains a strong belief among the players that they can mount a late assault on the top eight.
"That's what makes this place special, whether as a team or an organisation through those tough times, guys don't stop fighting," said Wilkins.
"The inner belief in terms of what they can do to make a difference positively for the team or for the club, but also how they can help those around them align and produce something better and keep moving forwards, is massive. It's what this place is about.
"At the same time, there's no panic stations. We were disappointed with the result [against Leinster], we're disappointed not to be in the top eight at the moment but it doesn't feel like it's panic stations or any reason to try and do something different.
"We just have to keep working hard and keep getting better at the things we have identified to add to our game and we'll be there or thereabouts come the end of the year.
"There's still a quiet confidence around this place but ultimately all that matters is we get out there against the Sharks and show that, that we show growth and fight. If we do that, it's a cliché but the result will look after itself."
One of the big positives from the New Year's Day defeat to Leinster was the performance of brothers Darragh and Niall Murray in the Connacht second row.
The Roscommon duo disrupted the Leinster lineout while younger brother Darragh made a team-leading 16 tackles as Connacht pushed the league leaders close for an hour before conceding three late scores, having finished with 14 players due to Jarrad Butler's withdrawal with a finger injury.
Wilkins is predicting big things for the Murrays and expects them both to become key players for their home province.
"They have done brilliantly to come through the ranks here at Connacht, to earn an opportunity to play together in the first team and we continue to be impressed by them," said Wilkins.
"Niall is a year or two ahead in terms of his rugby development but from the minute we gave Darragh an opportunity in pre-season he looked like he belonged. He didn’t look like a young academy graduate that was struggling to cope either physically or mentally with that challenge.
Connacht director of rugby Andy Friend spoke to RTÉ Sport after the loss to Leinster and said he believed his side were starting to click in attack
"We are excited by the pair of them. I think they will play a lot of games for this club and it’s a bonus to have both of them firing this season.
"They are progressing well ahead of schedule and the fact they are getting selected as much as they are at the minute reflects that. The fact that they predominantly play in the second row for us shows their physical development is on track and they are able to handle that.
"Darragh has played some games for Buccaneers in the AIL in the back row and did really well there. So, that’s another little piece of his rugby development and we have kept an eye on that.
"For them to hold their own physically amongst other big locks in this competition and in Europe as well is a good sign of how well they are going."
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Watch live coverage of Connacht v Sharks (Saturday, 5.15pm) on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
