This Friday Connacht welcome Leinster to The Sportsground in Round 5 of the BKT United Rugby Championship for what will be a mouth watering Interprovincial-derby (k/o 7.35pm).

Connacht got their season up and running after last weeks win over Munster in Galway. While there were brilliant individual performances along with the teams performance, there is still plenty of improvement to be made for the boys in green.

Connacht Head coach Pete Wilkins spoke to the media about the mood in the camp heading into Friday.

“Its a different feeling we’re having going into work on a this week for sure”

“We have the spring in the step and bounce coming off the back of a good weekend”

“At the same time though, win or lose we look at the things we need to do better after every game”

“We can acknowledge the good bits and parts that played a key role in helping us win but at the same time we are aware of what’s needed to keep improving”

“With the opposition this week we know we’ve got to be better again”

It was a much needed win for the Western province after three tough games away from home with nothing got. Pete spoke about what changed for Connacht last Friday to the previous games played in the BKT URC.

“I think our accuracy to exploit space when we saw it and pull the trigger to get those rewards for our efforts was a big part in not getting anything in the first three games”

“I think we were more successful with our final passes on Friday which we weren’t in the previous games”

“These first four weeks were a growing process for us but we can’t use that as an excuse as we’ve got to keep getting better and get results”

Pete discussed about some of the big positives from Connacht’s play against Munster were.

“I think our game management was very good particularly around the half-way during half-time when we used a bit of fuel our decision making was good”

“Having Jack Carty back is great and when you have one of the best players in Ireland on the field that’s going to help your controlling of the game, plus Conor Fitzgerald at full-back and David Hawkshaw at 12 really adds to that”

“We had three sets of eyes and three brains there looking at how we use the ball”

With all eyes now solely focused on the challenge on Leinster, what is Pete expecting to see from Leo Cullen’s men?

“Its a big challenge”

“All aspects of your game need to be in good order against them and then you need to make sure you nullify their strengths”

“We’re well aware of what there strengths are, whether that’s the team or individual players”

“When Leinster attack and defend there is a relentless effectiveness and accuracy about them”

“They are a team that wan’t to play possession, so that means at some point they will concede turn overs but we’ve got to apply the right kind of pressure to get those turn overs”

Tickets for Friday’s game against Leinster can be got HERE

Images & Content from – Connacht Rugby