Tough start will test Connacht's top-eight ambitions in United Rugby Championship

Connacht's quest for consistency continues as they prepare for a daunting start to their BTK United Rugby Championship campaign.

Andy Friend’s side face all three provincial rivals in the opening five rounds along with away days against last season’s Grand Finalists, the Stormers and Bulls.

A good start is vital if Connacht are to challenge for a top-eight spot and while they remain capable of beating any side in the URC, those victories have always tended to be one-offs.

Last season was its usual mixture of peaks and troughs. Connacht beat the Bulls in Galway only to lose at home to the Dragons eight days later, while a big win over the Stormers in February was followed by heavy losses against Edinburgh and Leinster, conceding 101 points across the two games.

With Friend promoted to director of rugby as part of a coaching restructure, Peter Wilkins has stepped up to head coach but he will also take primary responsibility for defence, an area that requires marked improvement. Connacht had the sixth-worst defence in last season’s URC, shipping 67 tries in 18 matches, almost double that of Munster and Ulster.

Connacht finished with a 50% win rate in the URC with five of their nine victories coming in Galway, while they ran also riot against Ulster in the match that was moved to the Aviva Stadium.

There were five defeats on home soil in all competitions, however, and Connacht will hope the new 4G pitch at the Sportsground will both complement their attacking approach and improve that win ratio, as results on the road have been sporadic.

CONNACHT PLAYER PROFILES

Connacht were the first Irish province to win in South Africa, taming the Lions at Ellis Park last April, but that was one of just three away victories last season. They