After the match Mack Hansen expressed the feeling of frustration with the season but happiness to get the win “We haven’t given our fans a lot to cheer about this season but we really believe we can win this competition, we feel we have turned a corner and we are ready to win this. We are not just here to compete.”

The result not only keep the dream of a home semi-final intact but could also provides a much-needed financial boost heading into the summer.

With JJ Hanrahan on his way to Munster and Santi Cordero unlikely to stay, the win strengthens the case for reinforcements at both out-half and full-back. Recruitment in these key positions will be essential if Connacht are to going to finish in the top 8 next season and would significantly help filling the new stadium.

Up next is a mammoth test: Racing 92.

While the Parisians are still technically involved in a relegation scrap in the Top 14, their squad depth and recent form suggest they should pull clear. More importantly, they’ll view the Champions Cup as a prime target — a chance to salvage their season and make a deep run in Europe.

Expect star names on show: Owen Farrell, Gaël Fickou, Romain Taofifénua, Tristan Tedder, Guram Gogichashvili, and Jordan Joseph are all expected to feature. It’s one of the most formidable squads in club rugby, and Connacht will need to be at their absolute best to match them.

However, the Dexcom will play its part. Home advantage is a major factor in knockout rugby, and if Connacht can clean up the errors from recent weeks, they have every chance of pulling off an upset. That said, most bookies will likely install Racing 92 as strong favourites, with an expected handicap around -9, which would put Connacht around 3/1 outsiders.

Whether that’s generous or fair remains to be seen — but Connacht fans will be dreaming of another famous European night in Galway.

The post Connacht’s Crucial Win Over Cardiff Sets Up Racing 92 Showdown appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Thankfully, Munster had just the man to implement such a strategy. Hanrahan and Murray provided a strong base for Munster’s powerful centers to attack through. Ultimately, this led to their three tries coming from Conway and Earls on the wings. The only blemish on an otherwise solid performance from the Kerry man was a missed conversion from the right touchline. This allowed Leinster to escape with a draw but Munster won’t be demoralized.

A Long Road

Rewind to 2018 and history is repeating itself for JJ Hanrahan. The signing of Joey Carbery undermines Hanrahan’s role at the club. Similarly, following the retirement of Ronan O’Gara in 2013, Hanrahan was a strong contender to be his successor. However, that mantle fell to Ian Keatley despite good form from Hanrahan. As a result, he left to join the Northampton Saints in 2015 for more game time.

Injuries prevented this however and he returned to Thomond Park in 2017. This marked a return to form. As a result, a new two-year deal in December 2018 followed. His patience finally looks set to pay off with an extended run in the team. Carbery’s ongoing ankle injury has ruled him out for an “indefinite period of time”. In addition to this, Tyler Bleyendaal’s forced retirement this May leaves Hanrahan as the unopposed out-half.

With a plethora of rugby to be played in the next twelve months, this is Hanrahan’s chance to come of age. At 28 he’s no prospect. However, his own setbacks are likely to ensure he won’t let such a chance go by.

https://twitter.com/Munsterrugby/status/1299299194029649927

http://34.245.76.62/rugby/rugby_irish/which-players-will-make-cut-for-british-and-irish-lions-in-2021-tour/

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT | The Munster side has been named for Sunday's crunch #GuinnessPRO14 clash against Connacht in Dublin (3pm).@LongDogBeirne returns for his first appearance since last December as one of five changes.

Full team details #MUNvCON #SUAF

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) August 28, 2020

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