Fresh from his barn-storming performance against Leinster at the Weekend, centre Tom Daly joined Off the Ball on Tuesday.
If it was not for the 15 point haul of teammate Jack Carty, Daly would have been a legitimate contender for man of the match.
"It couldn't have come at a better time for me" @connachtrugby's Tom Daly on his move out West to the province 🏉⬇️@VodafoneIreland #TeamOfUs https://t.co/LqrRGWGURJ
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) January 5, 2021
A winning try against your former club is rarely a disappointment, and Saturday's interception to score was no different for the ex-Leinster man.
"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a very sweet moment to score," Daly said.
"At the time though, I didn't really know if it was the winning or losing of the game.
"Leinster were camped on our line, the ref went to the TMO around the 78th minute and I had to ask Sammy Arnold what we were winning by.
"I couldn't calculate it in my head, he was like 'Don't worry about it, we've won it.' That was a sweet moment."
Tom Daly: 'Chip on our shoulder'
The win was even sweeter for Daly as a former Leinster player, having moved west two years ago after a frustrating time with injury.
The Knockbeg College alumni says the nature of the squad, with many of them having been at other provinces, gives them an 'edge' in inter-pro derbies.
"I remember Andy Friend saying he looks around the provinces to see who he thinks is good enough, but isn't getting game time for whatever reason.
"Fair enough, if you are happy to do that and sit at another province and be third or fourth choice in a position.
"I don't see why you wouldn't move, if there is another province looking for you and you see a space on that team that you can fill.
"If you could be higher up the pecking order, I think you be mad not to take that chance."
Chip on the shoulder
Once a player moves, his approach to his former club depends on the individual.
"That chip on the shoulder type of attitude, it's there but it's more so you are playing against your friends.
"I was playing against a lot of my friends last weekend and it was just good craic.
"Obviously, you just want to play really well against them and get one up on them.
"I'm sure it'll be the same for Sammy (Arnold), Woots and Conor Oliver this weekend playing against their old club, they will want to do well.
"First and foremost, we just want to win for Connacht. We are in with a shout to go top of the table if we win this.
"Connacht have given us the opportunity to become first choice players here so that's the main thing."
