Stuart Lancaster admits to taking pride in the number of Connacht players who have been named in the Ireland squad, even if it does mean he has to shuffle his deck ahead of a big derby match.
The Connacht head coach is preparing to welcome Leinster to the Dexcom Stadium for Friday’s URC match but they will be without eight first-team players due to international call-ups.
Influential backs Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen and Ciaran Frawley will be missing due to Ireland duties as will Cian Prendergast, Darragh Murray, Sean Jansen, Sam Illo, Billy Bohan in the forward line.
Lancaster is pleased to see his players gain international recognition and experience, and he believes that their absence against Leinster will create opportunities for other players.
He said: “It shows the progression we’ve made and the development we’ve made.
“We’ve got eight players now in the national squad, there’s an Ireland ‘A’ game coming in two weeks’ time and I would hope to have a good group of players representing Ireland ‘A’ from Connacht in that team as well.
“I’ve got great belief in the young players we have and I think there’s more internationals potentially in the pipeline, but the way you get to be an international player is to play well in the inter-pros and the boys need to play well in the inter-pros.
“My job is to prepare them well and obviously the boys who are in the Ireland camp, I hope they go well, I hope they get an opportunity in November and do Connacht proud.
“We lose eight players, but obviously it creates opportunities for everyone else. There’s been players chomping at the bit to get an opportunity and obviously I can give them that now with the game this Friday.”
Leinster will also be without their Ireland internationals for Friday’s game, and while they’ve lost 17 players to call-ups, they are probably better placed than any other Irish province to absorb that hit.
Connacht haven’t beaten Leinster since January 2021 and while Lancaster believes that his side can break a 13 game losing streak against their rivals, he admits his side will be up against it.
“It’s winnable but equally very respectful of the quality of the opposition we’re playing against.
“We played them twice last year and got beaten quite easily at the Aviva and then even at the opening of the Dexcom here, they had a group of players, didn’t have all the internationals playing but they still managed to have the composure, the experience and the quality to beat us in the last 20 minutes.
“The challenge for us is to narrow the gap between us and them and make sure that we put our best foot forward.
“I know a lot of their players and obviously and the coaching staff are very good. But equally, I think we’ve made great progress since that Leinster game, actually we went on an eight-game winning streak.
“We got ourselves into the play-offs and we got ourselves into the Champions Cup. We’ve had a good start in the Champions Cup.
“So I think we’re doing well now but Leinster’s always a benchmark for everyone.”