Bernard Jackman believes Connacht have every right to be optimistic about their upcoming season after a disappointing return in 2023/24.
Despite four wins in their opening five games to start last season, the province flamed out in the second half of the campaign, falling all the way back to 11th place in the BKT United Rugby Championship.
Pete Wilkins' side have also had to make cuts to their playing budget, with experienced players like Tom Farrell, Tom Daly, Gavin Thornbury and Jarrad Butler released, while full-back Tiernan O’Halloran retired in the summer.
And despite the province picking from an inexperienced squad, Jackman believes the lack of Champions Cup rugby will allow them to prioritise their URC form for longer over the course of the season.
"I don't think they have the depth, and there is that transition from the academy lads to become as capable as the Tom Farrells, the Tom Dalys," Jackman told the RTÉ Rugby podcast.
"I think the Challenge Cup for them this year is a bit of a gift. It will allow them to rotate a little bit more, less eyes on them.
"Realistically I don’t think they will win a Challenge Cup, but it may help them get more URC points.
"I felt last year for example, a heavy defeat at home to Bordeaux, the knock to the confidence, the effect on the bodies, probably cost them a point or two in the URC in the weeks that followed.
"This year they can get confidence coming out of the Challenge Cup, but more importantly be able to rotate a bit and be fresher, and maybe take advantage of the teams who have had big Champions Cup games, and get a scalp or a point that they maybe would not have got."
The province have a tough start to the campaign with a trip to Munster on Saturday (5.30pm, live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player), and also face Sharks, Ulster and Leinster during the first five rounds, but have looked strong in pre-season with clear intentions to hit the ground running.
Jackman also revealed there had been some tweaks to the coaching staff, with Wilkins now taking more responsibility around defence, and Scott Fardy handling more of the contact skills.
And the former Connacht hooker believes the choice of Cian Prendergast as the new club captain is a shrewd move as they look to build for the long term.
"They've made a few changes off the field, there’s lot of things they needed to fix," he said.
"Prendergast being announced as captain, a young captain, a new voice, someone who is super ambitious and professional.
"They missed out on the URC play-offs and missed out on Europe. That’s not where they want to be anymore, they’ve a new stadium that’s under construction and there’s excitement around that.
"They look in a good place. Obviously, a couple of local fellas; Hugh Gavin coming through the academy, we saw the likes of [Matthew] Devine last year.
"They have the 4G pitch which will suit the open rugby. It’s going to be harder for them too because the Sportsground is going to be an easier place to go to without that Clan Terrace.
"It’s not going to be easy for them but they’ve had a pretty good pre-season.
"They got enough out of it to believe they’re in a good place. If nothing else, pre-season is just an opportunity for that, particularly if you had a disappointing season like they had, to give players the confidence they’re on the right track."
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Watch Munster v Connacht in the URC on Saturday from 5pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
