Connacht on the brink

Date Published: 17-Jan-2008

ANOTHER memorable night of passionate European rugby is on the cards at the Sportsground on Friday (6.30pm) when Connacht take on French side Brive knowing that any kind of a victory will ensure their place in the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup.

Effectively, it’s a knock-out tie. Results throughout Europe went the way of Michael Bradley’s side last weekend and, suddenly, they are in with a very clear chance of making the knock-out stages.

It’s a ‘winner takes all’ scenario, but the mood in the home camp has been transformed since the disappointing defeats away to Brive and Newcastle earlier in the pool stages.

With Ulster still trailing them in the Magners League, Connacht find themselves with an awful lot to play for in contrast to the despair which followed the defeat to Ulster in late November.

A huge crowd is expected at the Sportsground and, given Connacht’s excellent record against French sides in this competition, there is bound to be huge expectation in the air. Connacht coach Bradley is hopeful that supporters in the West will leave the comfort of their arm-chairs behind to roar his side on to victory.

The Sportsground has…..