Tom Farrell, a center for Connacht, anticipates another intense match against Ulster at Ravenhill on Friday night as both teams look to avoid a third straight defeat for URC.
Although Dan McFarland’s team has lost its past two League games to Glasgow and Edinburgh, they will take on his former team buoyed by a thrilling Champions Cup victory over Racing 92.
Connacht, who has lost their last four games, did not receive any kind of encouragement as they were defeated 55-36 away to Saracens after being crushed 41-5 at home in their first European match against Bordeaux-Bègles.
However, Farrell stated that Pete Wilkins’ team has hope after scoring five tries against the Saracens as they go ready to play an Ulster team they defeated 22–20 in Galway in November.
“We put on five tries against one of the best teams in Europe, but we gave up eight, and we can’t keep doing that,” Farrell remarked.
“The game was peculiar. It was disappointing because for the most portion of the game, we were in it. After the break, they scored, and we let the scoreboard to get away from us. Emotions were just so conflicted.
“A excellent patch cannot last for merely ten, twenty, or thirty minutes. It needs to be a continuous issue.
The 30-year-old, who joined the Sportsground midseason from Bedford Blues to help Pat Lam address an injury crisis in the center for the then-reigning Pro12 champions, will mark seven years at the venue in January.
With 104 games for Connacht under his belt, the former Irish U20 and Leinster academy player faces fierce competition from Bundee Aki, Cathal Forde, Tom Daly, David Hawkshaw, Byron Ralston, and Farrell for centers.
Indeed, there is a lot of competition right now for center slots. You have to take advantage of the opportunity when you get it because you never know who will be playing when you come in on a Monday or Tuesday.
Ulster and Connacht have split their last six meetings, with three wins apiece, and Farrell is aware that there won’t be much at stake this time around either.
“Our two squads are most likely evenly matched. Both clubs have defeated each other in the last few years, both at home and away, so they will be eager for this match, he continued.
They will undoubtedly be aiming for this one because they are coming off of a strong victory.
“It’s a nice stadium to play in; the atmosphere is good, and I’m sure the game will be enjoyable with the Christmas crowd now.”
