Pete Wilkins admits to having some sympathy for Leinster as they come to terms with another Champions Cup final defeat but won't let that affect the build-up for Connacht’s must-win clash on Friday.
Leinster, third in the table, are already safely into the quarter-finals of the BKT URC and need Munster and Bulls to slip up against Ulster and Sharks in order to improve their seeding.
Leo Cullen’s side host the Westerners at the RDS coming off the back of four defeats in five games, including Saturday's heartbreaking 31-22 loss to Toulouse in London, their third straight European final defeat.
Connacht have an outside chance of making the post-season and must claim a bonus-point win in Dublin and hope the results of other games go their way.
Wilkins (below) said: "Yeah, look, I think you have to [have some sympathy].
"First and foremost you've just got to take your hats off to them for being at that stage of the competition so regularly, it's some achievement.
"And then when you set the bar that high, obviously the disappointment of not winning finals is particularly strong but you have to give them credit for being there.
"We know some members of the coaching staff well and the playing group well and they're good men who play the right way and coach the right way, so you do feel for them, but at the same time preparing to play them, that's put to one side.
"What's important for us is the game this weekend, we can't afford to have it any other way."
With the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium going to extra-time, and Leinster not needing to win to progress, Leo Cullen will likely add some fresh legs to the squad for the game.
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"We have to prepare for the best version of them and that's regardless of the selection connotations," said Wilkins.
"If they do decide to use guys who played in that Champions Cup final there will a huge amount of determination and desire from them to put things right and put forward the best possible version of themselves.
"If they give other guys a go then they'll have massive points to prove in terms of saying 'we wanted to be part of that Champions Cup and could have been the guys that made a difference'.
"So there's never an easy game against Leinster and all the external pieces will only add to the motivation of whoever they put out."
Connacht have lost their last two games, including a home defeat to Stormers 10 days ago.
Wilkins said the South African’s style in the 16-12 loss provides a good idea of what to expect on Friday (kick-off 7.35pm).
"It's actually not been a bad template in terms of that challenge of reviewing that Stormers game for what we expect to get from Leinster," he said.
"Certainly in terms of defensively, the high line-speed, that South African style of a blitz defence, not so much worrying about attacking numbers but going for it and knock you out of your stride and flow.
"So that Stormers review for us, as frustrating as it was in terms of the result, brought really good lessons actually in terms of bringing forward what we can do better against Leinster.
"In terms of work with the ball and coming up against that sort of aggressive defence, that's been a big part of it."
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