Pete Wilkins says Connacht's thrilling comeback win over the Sharks provides an "enormous boost" after they kickstarted their URC season.
The Westerners narrowly lost a breathless battle against Munster in round one and trailed the South Africans by 20 points at half-time in last night's game at the Dexcom Stadium.
However, a four-try second-half salvo secured an unlikely 36-30 bonus-point victory and Wilkins, whose side finished outside the play-off places last year, is hopeful the manner of the win will set the tone for the opening weeks of the season.
"In terms of last week’s result, it’s important we bounce back from that, it’s important we get our first win of the season, it’s important we win in front of our fans in the first home game of the season.
"That immediate response, I was really pleased with.
"For us to show that we can deliver that kind of intense performance and maintain that belief that we are moving in the right direction, and that we can beat anyone on our day.
"I suppose what we’ve shown tonight is that we can beat anyone regardless of the scoreline at half-time.
"Yes, it would be nice not to have that hurdle to overcome in 40 minutes, but it shows our progress and shows the sign of the quality in our group as well."
Connacht lost out-half Josh Ioane after a head injury assessment at half-time and moved Cathal Forde to 10 with David Hawkshaw coming on at inside centre.
Forde scored the first of Connacht’s four five-pointers after a brilliant interchange with Mack Hansen and also kicked nine points.
"I was delighted for Fordey, I thought he was terrific," said Wilkins of the Galway man.
"He provided all of those play-making moments that Josh is capable of and still kept the strength of his ball-carrying but I thought his game-management, his running and kicking decisions were spot on.
"That’s as assured as I’ve ever seen him do that. For us to turn that game around was a large part due to him."
Ireland wing Hansen (above) was playing his second competitive game since recovering from a shoulder injury, while prop Finlay Bealham made his seasonal debut last night.
Wilkins said that Ireland and Lions centre Bundee is likely to make his return to club action against Scarlets next Friday.
"Bundee’s definitely fit and firing and champing at the bit for an opportunity," he said.
"We’ve got some guys who are playing pretty well in his position, too, so we’ve got some nice headaches.
"I’d like to think Bundee will be involved and we just have to figure out the right way of using him on Friday night."
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