While Leinster struggled in South Africa, it was an otherwise strong opening to the BKT United Rugby Championship from the Irish provinces, as Ulster, Munster and Connacht all started their seasons with bonus-point wins.
Aside from conceding a calamitous try inside 10 seconds, Ulster comfortably saw off the Dragons in Belfast, before Munster picked up the only away win of the weekend with a slick attacking performance against Scarlets in Llanelli.
Connacht were the last of the Irish sides in action, and made a winning start to the Stuart Lancaster era, scoring four tries in a 26-15 win against Benetton in Galway.
And while Munster and Ulster's victories were arguably more emphatic, it was Connacht's performance that caught the eye of Bernard Jackman.
"I think it's the context of how they performed," Jackman said on the RTÉ Rugby podcast this week.
"It was the pressure they were probably under because of how much they've talked themselves up a little bit, which is great, because for so long there's been a kind of inferiority complex there, so they did talk up how good the environment is, and obviously off-field investments being massive, and the Lancaster effect.
"They needed to win, not that they wouldn't have been okay if they didn't win, but it just reinforces everything that they've done over pre-season.
"Connacht's attack, in my opinion, has been quite good for the last four or five or six years, but there was a little bit more direction to it, a little bit more power in some of their carries."
🗣️ "They were far more interested in defending..."
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 1, 2025
It's early days for Stuart Lancaster, but @bernardjackman was impressed with Connacht's foundations against Benetton. 🟢
Full pod: https://t.co/4lXd2tUVF3 pic.twitter.com/g3OCdPmZ3w
It was Connacht's performance behind the ball that impressed Jackman more than their attack.
Defence was a real issue for Connacht in their two seasons under head coach Pete Wilkins and former defence coach Scott Fardy, with Lancaster taking on the defensive responsibilities in his new coaching group.
The head coach spoke after the game about how pleased he was to see his side make multiple last-ditch, try-saving tackles, and Jackman says there was a clear gear-shift in how they defended.
"It was defensively, where I thought they were far more interested in defending than they have been," Jackman added.
"System-wise, they looked more composed, and they also just didn't really ever look like they panicked, and weren't giving Benetton gifts as such.
"I know they conceded just after half-time, but I never felt that that try was going to lead to haemorrhaging more points, which in the past has been the case,
"I think five points, feel-good factor, another home game, they're the ones who probably benefited the most this weekend."
Former Munster out-half and current Cork Constitution head coach Jonny Holland joined Jackman on the podcast this week, and believes those defensive efforts reflect well on the team's attitude.
"You don't want your defensive system to be relying on scramble, but when you scramble well, your mindset is right and you're not willing to give up anything," Holland said.
"So maybe it's just a bit of a nod to the environment that they're creating and where they're putting their emphasis
"Rewarding someone for getting back and making that extra effort for you is the same as making an extra effort on getting to an offload and scoring a try. It's the same amount of points.
"Not to insult any defensive coaches, but half of defence is your mindset.
"It is really around the fact that when you hit someone, you want to hit them harder, or when you're getting off the line, you want to finish that and finish on top, and you want to make double-shots and put them back and finish your tackles."
Lancaster will hope to bolster his squad in the coming weeks, with British and Irish Lions Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen and Finlay Bealham due to return in rounds three and four, while Jack Aungier, Hugh Gavin, Denis Buckley and Darragh Murray are also due back, and new signing Sam Gilbert will arrive in Galway after the domestic season ends in New Zealand.
Questions have been asked around Connacht's squad depth this season, but Jackman was impressed with how some of the province's fringe players started the campaign.
The former Ireland hooker said: "I was more focused on, or heartened by, Sean Naughton playing at full-back. Most of the rugby I've seen him play is at out-half. He's got a massive kicking game.
"Stuart had spoken a lot about him and I thought getting that try and his all-round performance will certainly give him confidence.
"And then Fiachna Barrett off the bench. He's a big boy. He looked really explosive.
"It's another local kid, born and bred, coming through their academy, along with likes of Devine and Gavin and Forde.
"And then Sam Illo is the opposite.
"He's a guy who obviously played his school rugby in Dublin and has had huge potential. And I thought Saturday was his coming of age game, really.
"He just showed all the athleticism and power that we've all been waiting for. So again, with Finlay and with Aungier, it's nice to have another tighthead prop who's shown lots of potential."
Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
