FEW would have foreseen a scenario whereby Leinster — and Munster — would be hoping to emulate Brive when the Heineken Cup started last November but such is the rather strange way of things as the pool stages fade into memory.

CONNACHT are on course for a seventh European quarter-final after consolidating their leadership of Pool Two with a well-deserved victory over Montpellier at the Galway Sportsground last evening.

Connacht will have to deal with an understrength Montpellier in the Challenge Cup at The Sportsground tomorrow.

CONNACHT’S European qualification credentials receive their first real test this evening in France when they face Montpellier at Stade Yves du Manoir (7pm).