Andy Friend is "100%" convinced Connacht can overturn a five-point deficit against Leinster and make the Champions Cup quarter-finals at the Aviva Stadium on Good Friday.
The westerners boss was a little disappointed last night that his side didn't win the first leg at a packed, heaving Sportsground as the province played in the tournament's knock-out stages for the first time.
But Friend still took massive encouragement from his side's display in the dramatic encounter that ended in a 26-21 defeat to the four-time champions.
“Yeah, we are still in it but we came here to win it and we had our chances and we missed them unfortunately," said the Aussie.
"We are five points behind now. We can take a lot out of that game, it’s important to stress that.
"There were some really good bits in it and some bits that we still need to get better at, but we know what we need to do to fix that.
"And we have seven days to turn it around, to head up to the Aviva and hopefully be better again.”
Connacht got off to a brilliant start with John Porch's third minute try but, after Johnny Sexton's 20th minute penalty, Leinster took control as James Lowe and Hugo Keenan wreaked havoc, scoring three tries between them.
Having shipped over 40 points to Leinster in their last two meetings, Connacht could have similarly capitulated.
But the home side stuck to their task and, following Jamison Gibson-Park's 57th minute sin-binning - Friend believed the officials made the right call in not sending off the Kiwi for a high challenge on Kieran Marmion - Leva Fifita's converted try fired Connacht back into the tie before Ross Byrne extended Leinster's leg at half-time in the tie with a late penalty.
“Yeah, that was one thing to be really pleased with," said Friend of his side's dogged display.
"The other was in attack and defence where we saw some of our best moments this year against what is a very good rugby side.
"If any of our players were in doubt about the systems that we are working with and put in place, to me, tonight, that is now dispelled.
"It is about everyone sticking to the system and when we did that tonight for large chunks of it I thought we were very good.
“There were times when Bundee (Aki) was excellent and there were times when you could see that he hadn’t played for a while as well so he will be better for that run again next week.
"I thought across the board we had some really big performers. Leva Fifita was fantastic. He just continued to put this body in front.
"Our back row worked well and our nine and ten controlled the game. I thought some of Jack Carty’s tackles were some of his best this year, body in front.
"Mack Hansen every time he touches the ball, God knows what’s going to happen, it’s pretty special to watch.
"Tom Faz (Farrell) had probably the best game I’ve seen him play. John Porch was very good on the ball so I thought we had a lot of really good performers out there.
"You need that if you’re going to beat Leinster and more next week.”
Friend insists that the belief is there to do just that, although Leinster will be favourites to finish the task and put themselves into the quarter-finals.
“Totally, 100%," he said. "That was the other pleasing thing. The message that Jack as a captain gave was that we were disappointed, and we are disappointed.
"But we know what we can now do when we get it right and now it’s about going there with that belief and being better again.
"That’s the intention.”
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
