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Connacht come into Round 12 of the BKT United Rugby Championship having won three of their last three games in the competition including a bonus point win the last day out against Scarlets at Dexcom Stadium.
This Saturday the Lions from South Africa come to Galway with both teams in the hunt for a place in the playoffs. Speaking ahead of the game to media was Connacht Rugby Head Coach Pete Wilkins. He started by speaking about the last couple of weeks and what's been happening with the squad during the Six Nations period ahead of this game.
"Everyone had a week off after that Scarlets game"
"It probably wasn't needed in terms of the most recent week we had off after the 13 game block, but it was pretty important to give guys a chance to refresh for this block which will be fairly meaty"
"We had a training week last week and started our focus on the Lions that Thursday and then into a normal rythem of a game this week"
"We have a big physical South African team coming to Dexcom Stadium followed by two tough trips away to Benetton and Pau so there are big games to come in this block already"
This will be the third meeting between Connacht and the Lions with the Irish province coming out on top on both occasions. Pete feels this is a much improved Lions team from the previous sides they faced.
"I think the outside world will be expecting us to get the job done this week but we are really aware of how big a challenge this game will be"
"We won't be taking anything for granted"
Coming into the game this Saturday Pete gave a squad update.
"Diarmuid Kilgallen is back, Shane Jennings is back up and running"
"Othe guys are making progress as well which is great"
"John Porch isn't far away which is timely because we had a few less bodies in that back-three position heading into the previous game against Scarlets.
Tickets for Saturday are available here.
