It's always been that way."The game has developed a lot slower here than in Australia or even England, where there is a more professional approach. The First Division is made up of 22 clubs, which is far too many. There are going to be changes next season [the division will be reduced to 16], but there is still a long way to go before French club rugby is on a par with its main rivals."Not that Stade Fran?s should be underestimated. The French game may not enjoy the same strength in depth as in England, but the top Gallic clubs are as competitive as ever.
In the last four years alone, both Toulouse and Brive have lifted the Heineken Cup, while Narbonne will be vying for the European Shield against Harlequins next Sunday."Teams like ourselves, Toulouse and Colomiers are as good as anyone on their day," Connolly says. "We just have to make sure we're 100 per cent focused for Saturday's final." He adds: "Overall this season, I've been reasonably happy with the way things have gone. The important thing now is that everyone puts in that little bit extra over the next few days. Leicester are well organised and play to their defensive strengths, but I'm confident we can win."The key is not to try to take players out of their natural environment. Stade Fran?s have always played rugby the French way; I'm not going to stop that just because we're in the European final."Connolly believes that French teams used to play well once every three matches Nowadays, he fears it is more like once in 10.
"That's why," he jokes, "we're all sorta hoping we've just had nine iffy performances.". Neath will start as underdogs against Newport in the Principality Cup final at the Millennium Stadium today, and it wouldn't surprise me if they gave their powerful opponents a rude shock. Neath will start as underdogs against Newport in the Principality Cup final at the Millennium Stadium today, and it wouldn't surprise me if they gave their powerful opponents a rude shock. In many ways, the situation reminds me of when I played for Neath against Cardiff in the 1984 final. Cardiff were clear favourites and looked much stronger, with Terry Holmes and Gareth Davies at half-back, the great Bob Norster at lock and John Scott, the England captain, at No 8. We were very much the up-and-coming side under Brian Thomas but we felt we had nothing to lose and gave them a very good game before losing 24-19.The present-day Neath team could do better if they strike a fast tempo straight off and attempt to disrupt the power in the Newport pack. If Newport have a weakness it is a lack of pace wide, and this was exploited by Ebbw Vale in the semi.
Vale dominated the second half and should have won, which must encourage Neath to make the most of their optimistic style. They have a canny tactician in their coach Lyn Jones and he'll be trying to make the most of his pack's mobility.They played very well against Swansea in all departments in the semis and surprised me a great deal. A repeat of those tactics, especially the blistering start, will be called for. They have a lot of experience in my old rugby league colleague Rowland Phillips, who is still a good ball- carrier, and lock Gareth Llewellyn also remains a very influential player.There's a lot of talent in the front row with Mefin Davies and Duncan Jones, while Allan Martin's son Steve is playing well in the second row.
Brett Sinkinson will be a huge factor if he can shake off the effects of injury. He was instrumental in beating Swansea and scored the first of Neath's three tries.Injury is also a problem behind the scrum, where outside-half Patrick Horgan has been struggling to get fit enough to help Shane Williams, James Storey and the Tongan international Dave Tiueti work some magic.Newport have also had a few injury problems. They have already lost their big centre Jason Jones-Hughes and have had a doubt about outside-half Shane Howarth, who is a massive force at their heart.Perhaps their fortunate win over Ebbw Vale will have woken them up to the dangers they'll face against Neath. There are a few great players making their black-and-amber swan-songs and they'll want to go out on a high.Gary Teichmann will be ending his second and last season with Newport, and the former Springbok captain is not one to allow these big occasions to pass by. It won't be his last appearance at the stadium, because he is in the star-studded Barbarians line-up to play Wales next Sunday, but I know his affection for Newport, and to leave them with the cup would give him great satisfaction.With their big and powerful pack and players like the Australian/Italian international full-back Matt Pini and the South African centre Andy Marinos also all out to prove a point, it will be match of contrasting styles and it is bound to be a cracker.However, I have to admit that neither would be likely to fare well in the other big final at Twickenham. Leicester and Bath would both have the edge over the Welsh finalists and it is not easy to separate them.Leicester have had a terrific season but they have just emerged from two tough games at the end of a long, hard slog.
