Bradley is confident Connacht can advance

CONNACHT coach Michael Bradley is confident they can make it through to the knockout stages of the European Challenge Cup despite being drawn in a tough pool.

Connacht will have to overcome former Heineken Cup champions Brive and Jonny Wilkinson’s Newcastle Falcons (who recently added All Blacks prop Carl Haymans to their ranks) if they are to make the quarter-finals having missed out this year for the first time in five seasons.

The pool is completed by Spanish champions Cetransa El Salvador, who are based in Valladolid, a few hours north of Madrid. Each of the five pool winners will advance along with the three best runners-up.

“It’s a tough pool but I think we have every chance of making it through,” said Bradley, whose side failed to come through a tough pool last season which included NEC Harlequins, Bath and Montpellier.

“We are familiar with Newcastle, having played them over a year ago, while we have traditionally fared well against French sides in this competition. We have put together a strong squad for next year and it is well within our range to emerge from this pool.”

Connacht will be able to get an insight on two of their opponents from new signings, with fly-half Tim Donnelly joining from Brive and Mike McCarthy returning from Newcastle Falcons.

“The match in Spain will be a trip into the unknown but we will not be taking any chances,” said Bradley.

Connacht, who have played a record 71 games in this competition, will face their 14th French side when they meet Brive.

The pool fixtures, which will take place in November, December and January, will be finalised in the next few weeks.

European Challenge Cup Pools 2007/2008

POOL 1: Bath Rugby, Albi, Overmach Rugby Parma, Auch

POOL 2: Montauban, Worcester Warriors, Gran Parma, Bucuresti

POOL 3: Connacht Rugby, Brive, Newcastle Falcons, Cetransa El Salvador

POOL 4: Bayonne, Sale Sharks, Petrarca Rugby, Montpellier

POOL 5: Rugby Calvisano, Castres Olympique, Leeds Carnegie, Dax.