Here’s all the pieces it is advisable to know forward of Saturday’s United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and the Sharks in Galway.
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STATS AND FACTS:
— Connacht have misplaced three of their final 4 league matches, together with their most up-to-date dwelling fixture.
— The Sharks are on a three-match profitable streak.
— Powerful centre Tom Farrell made 37 post-contact metres towards Leinster in Round 11, not solely the very best determine of the spherical but additionally of the season up to now.
— Both Niall Murray and Dave Heffernan stole two wayward Leinster lineouts final weekend. Only one different participant made as many lineout steals in Round 11 (Janko Swanepoel).
— As ever, final weekend Jack Carty made extra kicks in play than some other participant (17) for a complete of 577 kicking metres. His season totals eclipse these of the remainder of the league (116 and 4,432).
— Using their scrum as an attacking platform, the Sharks have scored extra tries from possessions which begin with scrums than some other workforce (six). Showing the facility of this set-piece, their opposition have additionally averaged a league-low 80% scrum success on their very own ball
— Being affected person and understanding when to drag the set off in assault, the Sharks have made a league-low 825 carries and 944 passes
— Physical within the carry, towards the Bulls final weekend the Sharks had a round-high gainline success fee of 66%
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HISTORIC OVERVIEW: Connacht vs Sharks
Connacht and the Sharks firs met in April 2022. The South African aspect received nicely, beating their Irish counterparts 41-21 in Durban.
These two sides have additionally had contrasting experiences of current rounds. Where Connacht have misplaced three of their final 4 league matches – together with their most up-to-date dwelling fixture – the Sharks are on a three-match profitable streak and look to be rising into their marketing campaign.
Connacht are well-equipped with laborious runners and sensible halfbacks. Powerful centre Tom Farrell made 37 post-contact metres towards Leinster in Round 11, not solely the very best determine of the spherical but additionally of the season up to now. As ever, final weekend Jack Carty made extra kicks in play than some other participant (17) for a complete of 577 kicking metres. His season totals of 116 kicks and 4,432 eclipse these of his friends.
To reap the benefits of these territorial positive factors, Connacht want to have the ability to commonly recuperate possession from their opposition. Last weekend, each Niall Murray and Dave Heffernan stole two wayward Leinster lineouts. In order to vary their performances for the higher, Connacht must capitalise on these alternatives.
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Not not like the animals from which they derive their title, the Sharks are each affected person and vicious on the vital second. Knowing when to drag the set off and launch an assault, they’ve made a league-low 825 carries and 944 passes – comfortable to let their opposition really feel the strain.
When they do have the ball, they’re immensely bodily. Last weekend towards the Vodacom Bulls, they managed a round-high gainline success fee of 66%. The Sharks even have a powerful attacking platform of their scrum, from which they’ve scored extra tries than some other workforce (six).
Showing the facility of their set-piece and their aggression in defence, their opposition have averaged a league-low 90% scrum success when scrummaging towards the Sharks.