Connacht lost their 8th game in a row in the Principality and continue their hoodoo of losing their first match of the season since winning the PRO12 in 2016.
Looking at the stats on Connacht’s conversion rate when they visit the opposition 22 and their defensive record in their own 22 highlights their issue with trying to win away from home.
Last season, at home, Connacht succeeded in scoring 52% of the time when they visited the opposition 22. However, against the Scarlets last Saturday, the success rate was a dismal 16%.
The defence last season gave up scores 50% of the time in the Sportsground, and against the Scarlets in Galway, it was 100%. So restricting the Welsh side to 44% in Parc y Scarlets is a big improvement for the defence.
More composure with ball in hand and a more incisive attacking edge is required in attack, while the defence needs to continue it’s undoubted improvements if Connacht are to return to the PRO14 playoffs at the end of the season.