Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins was delighted to return the focus to on-field matters as his side demolished Lyon 52-24 at the Dexcom Stadium in the Challenge Cup to ensure their qualification as Pool 1 winners.
Ben Murphy scored three for the hosts, while Sean Jansen, Finlay Bealham, Josh Murphy, Jack Aungier, Dylan Tierney-Martin and Shamus Hurley-Langton also touched down.
It was the perfect tonic for a side that ended 2024 with a disappointing 17-7 BKT URC loss to Ulster.
"We felt we'd made progress over the last two weeks. We've trained well and we've had a lot of discussions about the kind of team we want to be and the team we want to be remembered as this year.
"As I said to the lads, the outside world hadn't seen that yet.
"The statement we made this evening was really significant.
"We're delighted to get nine tries. We got a good win and the outcome of that is that we've got ourselves in a strong position in terms of the Challenge Cup."
Connacht will now turn their attention to a trip to Cardiff in the competition next weekend, with Wilkins admitting he was glad to move on from the drama surrounding Mack Hansen's three-match ban.
"I'm relieved that it's been put to bed," Wilkins added.
"I think Mack felt coming out of the hearing that it was very fair and he's apologised publicly and apologised privately to (referee) Chris Busby and he's apologised to the squad here in terms of the impact of missing games that he'd dearly love to be part of.
"But we accept the findings and it was always going to be a couple of unpleasant weeks for everyone involved, and I'm pleased we're just talking about rugby again."
