Bradley Not Getting Carried Away

Three Catania defenders take on the might of Colm Rigney

Connacht coach Michael Bradley was not getting carried away with his side’s record-breaking win on Saturday over Catania – especially with a tough trip to Montpellier to come this Friday.

The westerners looked in fine form at the weekend as they ran in a record-breaking ten tries to cream Catania 62-17 and leap straight to the top of the European Challenge Cup’s Pool 5. Keith Matthews (3), Conor McPhillips (2) and Darren Yapp (2) were amongst the scorers.

John Grasso and Benjamin de Jager (2) grabbed three tries back for the Italian Super 10 side but there was little doubt about who were to be the eventual winners.

Bradley said afterwards: “We gifted them a couple of tries in the first half, but I was pleased with how we built up the scores.

“It was important to win and pick up a bonus point, especially as we travel to play Montpellier next week – and that will be a much tougher proposition.”

Friday’s visit to the Stade Sabathe will rekindle memories for the Connacht squad of last December’s two-legged clash between the sides.

The westerners ran riot in the first leg, winning 56-3 against Montpellier with fly half Paul Warwick scoring 26 points. The return leg was a different kettle of fish – the Gallic hosts won 19-14 – but it was the manner by which Montpellier approached the tie that angered Connacht players and supporters alike.

The province’s players were targeted – in a physical sense – from the kick-off when Montpellier opted to kick directly into touch and set up a first scrum that broke off into a melee.

Winger McPhillips told the Ireland on Sunday newspaper: “All they (Montpellier) were going to do was seek retribution (in the second leg). They were never going to win the tie, and there were some unsavoury things going on.

“The kick-off and first scrum set the tone and we knew what we were in for from the word go.”

McPhillips, who was unfortunate not to make his Ireland debut against Japan last June, added: “We’re playing them away first this time, which suits us – they might try to play a bit for starters.

“But they’re struggling in the French League and you know the way the French are, their priority is the league, so they might take their eye off the European games.”

Montpellier, who are coached by Didier Bes and Patrick Arlettaz, lost their Pool 5 opener 36-18 to Worchester at the Sixways Stadium on Saturday. They currently sit 12th, following two wins and seven defeats in nine games, in the French Top 14 Championship.