Connacht head to France for Toulouse clash with quarter-final spot up for grabs

Connacht have received a major boost ahead of their crucial Champions Cup showdown against Toulouse at Stade Ernest Wallon this Sunday (3.15pm), with captain John Muldoon signing a new contract for the 2017/18 season.

While Muldoon, who has enjoyed some memorable days in the green jersey, has indicated that 2017/18 season could well be his last season in professional rugby, he will be hoping to add to the treasure trove of memories with a victory over French giants Toulouse this weekend – and, by extension, secure a first appearance for the province in the Champions Cup quarter-finals.

That said, although Connacht may once again be courting history, Muldoon is taking it all in his stride.

“It is very hard to compare like with like. Certainly, this game is up there. I was recalling Bourgoin and Toulon a few years ago, and it is definitely up there.

“If we say this is the biggest game and we get into a quarter-final, does that then overtake it as the biggest game? And what about the PRO12 final last year? And the semi-final and what we call the quarter-final – the last (league) game of the season here against Glasgow?”

The fact that this crucial fixture takes place in France – and Connacht have only won once on the road this season – does not faze the Portumna forward either. If anything, he is relishing the prospect of Sunday’s challenge.

“I can only speak personally, but I love playing in France and in games where you can tell straight away you are rattling a team, because their crowd get on their back. To me, you know you are doing something well,” he says.

“Conor (McPhillips, Assistant Coach) said it earlier. We have beaten them a couple of times now, and we are under no illusions of how hard it is going to be. However, we are going over full of confidence in what is a deciding match in the group.”

Muldoon’s new contract will extend his career at the Sportsground to an impressive 15 seasons – he made his debut in 2004 – with the 34-years-old, who has served six of those as Connacht captain, lining out 291 times, including 66 European games.

“It’s hard to believe next season will be my 15th with Connacht. In one way, the time has flown by, but we have also changed immeasurably as a club in the time since I started out. I am proud of everything we have achieved, highlighted by the PRO12 win last season, but I believe there is a lot more to come from us as a club.”

The high point of his career so far, of course, was lifting the PRO12 championship trophy in 2016 as Connacht captain. That achievement may have sated the appetite of other players, but Muldoon is a different specimen entirely.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.