Connacht will face French resistance head-on in the Alps this evening with a European Challenge Cup semi-final at stake.

Munster 29 Grenoble 38: A thoroughly convincing 30-minute debut in the red jersey by Tyler Bleyendaal convinced onlookers at Thomond Park that Munster may have come up with a priceless nugget in the New Zealand number 10.

Connacht 19 Grenoble 52: Bernard Jackman returned to Connacht with his Grenoble troops and blitzed the westerners for eight tries at the Sportsground. 

A MASSIVE French pack brought Ireland’s winning start to the Under 20 Six Nations to an abrupt end at Dubarry Park last night.