Lancaster targets first Leinster scalp as Connacht end 13-game losing streak

Stuart Lancaster will attempt to end a 13-game losing streak against Leinster when Connacht host the Dublin province in a URC interprovincial derby in Galway on Friday night, a fixture the former England head coach is calling an “amazing occasion” and the ultimate benchmark for his side’s progress.

Lancaster spent seven years on Leinster’s coaching staff, helping the province win four league titles and the Champions Cup, before taking charge at Connacht ahead of last season. In two meetings during his debut campaign, Leinster won comfortably — once at the Aviva Stadium and once at Connacht’s Dexcom Stadium on the night of its opening — and Lancaster is under no illusions about the scale of the task ahead.

“We know they are the benchmark really,” Lancaster said. “It’s a game we are hugely excited about and we know we will need to be at our best. They managed to beat us comfortably at the Aviva and then, even on the emotional night that it was here for the opening of the Dexcom, they did the job as well. They 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.”

Despite his respect for his former colleagues, Lancaster is not approaching the game without ambition. “It’s winnable, but equally we are very respectful of the quality of the opposition,” he said. “The challenge for us is to narrow the gap between us and them and make sure we put our best foot forward.”

Connacht arrive in strong form. They recorded a 45-36 victory over Saracens in the Champions Cup before beating Zebre Parma 48-27 in the URC the following weekend — 15 tries across two matches. Lancaster acknowledged some defensive lapses against Zebre but was largely encouraged by the attacking output.

“I thought we played some incredible rugby at times,” he said of the Zebre win. “Obviously as the defence coach as well as the attack coach, I was a bit disappointed with some of the tries we conceded. Zebre deserve some credit — they stuck in for the whole game, they attack well and they caught us a couple of times.”

Lancaster pointed to Connacht’s broader trajectory as evidence that the gap to Leinster is closing. Since last season’s defeat to the province, Connacht went on an eight-game winning run, reached the URC play-offs, and secured a place in the Champions Cup. “I think we’re doing well now,” he said, “but Leinster’s always a benchmark for everyone.”