Pete Wilkins urges Connacht to stand and 'deliver' URC results

With a record nine players involved in the wider Ireland squad for the Guinness Six Nations, Connacht are demonstrably doing something right.

They qualified out of the pool stage of the Challenge Cup as top seeds, claiming maximum return from their four games.

The issue is their URC form. Pete Wilkins' side have lost their last four in a row and are above only Zebre and Dragons in the table.

Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen and Finlay Bealham are seasoned international starters, while Caolin Blade and Cian Prendergast have a handful of caps.

Cathal Forde and Ben Murphy were included as development players by interim coach Simon Easterby, who called up Shayne Bolton and Jack Aungier as cover during the opening two rounds.

"It’s a huge statement, a testament to everyone involved, certainly the players have earned a right to get those opportunities," said Wilkins ahead of two crucial URC games, against Cardiff tomorrow, and Benetton in two weeks with 10 points the stated aim for the matches.

"I’d like to think the quality of coaching and player development has played its part, too.

"It’s fantastic for the club, brilliant recognition.

"In terms of where it sits with the team’s progress, it’s interesting.

"I’d like to think we’re moving in the right direction, players are getting better in this programme.

"Also, that we are playing a type of rugby, albeit inconsistently, that gets a player recognised and demonstrates that they have the potential to play at the next level.

"Naturally I’d be thinking the final piece of the jigsaw would be the team performance. We’ve got individuals who are improving and you would hope that collective bit is not far behind.

"It’s a wonderful theory but we’ve got to deliver. These next two games will show if that’s