Writing in the Irish Times, Gerry Thornley argues that the only way that Connacht are going to be saved from the threat of extinction is if they save themselves – as they have "few friends within the corridors of power" at the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU).
”As low ebbs go, Friday night in the Sportsground was pretty grim. For the Connacht players, coaching staff, organisation and supporters, it was a demoralising night. Given where they are and where they’ve been for the last few years, attendances at the Sportsground have been a credit to their support base, but for many of the diehards in the crowd of 2,400-plus, the 30-6 defeat to Ulster was as dispiriting as any they could recall for years.
“Connacht had gone into the game confidently and the crowd were expectant after the win over Cardiff the week before. By rights of course, Connacht should have no business beating the likes of the Blues. Purely in terms of budgets, they probably have no right to beat anybody in the Magners League; Ulster included. They should finish 10th and last every season which, alas, has been their lot for the last two campaigns.
“But that doesn’t stop them dreaming, or, more to the point, believing – starting with the notion of finishing above one of the other Irish provinces and qualifying for the Heineken Cup for the first time. And realistically, Ulster are their nearest Irish targets.”
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