At least Connacht are used to uphill battles

FIGHTING on two fronts up to last weekend, unbeaten in Europe this season – the only one of the 44 sides that started out in either the Heineken Cup or Amlin Challenge Cup to achieve that feat.

Wed, 28 Apr, 2010 - 01:00

Donal Lenihan

A rugby player, coach and manager during a glittering career with Munster, Ireland and the Lions and now a definitive voice in Irish rugby analysis and commentary.

Connacht are on the verge of the biggest game in their history, and yet, once again, they’re operating in the shadow of their illustrious neighbours.

That is the way it has always been for rugby in the west of Ireland and on the eve of a fascinating encounter against the new power brokers of European rugby, at least in terms of financial clout, Connacht’s Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final against Toulon is forced to compete with not one but two Heineken Cup semi-finals featuring the glamour boys of Irish rugby, Munster and Leinster.