Wilkins wants improvement from Connacht as Stormers approach

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins says being one game away from a first final since 2016 quickly focuses the mind.

In what some would consider bonus territory following Friday's shock BKT URC quarter-final win over Ulster, Connacht might be forgiven for feeling like they have a free shot against the DHL Stormers, the defending champions, on Saturday (3pm).

Play-offs reached, Champions Cup qualification sorted and reaching the last four of a competition after a seventh-place finish in the regular season, but now just 80 minutes away from a chance of repeating the 2016 Pro12 victory.

"[We look] at parts of the Ulster game that we thought we could have and should have done better," he said when asked about ensuring a 'job well done’ mindset doesn’t creep in.

"As part of that ongoing growth we make sure we use every week as part of improving and growing as a group.

"In terms of how we review the game it's not just pats on the back and pulling out the highlights package 'cos other people will do that for you, it's for us to make sure we keep improving.

"The other thing is we respect where we are in the competition.

"Before the Ulster game I said to the players, we genuinely believe that you guys, that we deserve that opportunity of the quarter-final.

"It says a lot about us that we earned that spot but thereafter all that matters is what happens next and we had to go out and start from scratch and build the respect and the performance that will get us into a semi and now we are in it.

"We get pats on the back for that and the lads fully deserve that but what matters is what we do next. The guys are focused and hungry for that.

"It's just steering them in the right direction for the next challenge and they'll rip into that no doubt."

Conn