Connacht ready for Brive battle, says Bradley

CONNACHT coach Michael Bradley is confident his side can continue their excellent record in France when they face Brive in the European Challenge Cup on Friday.

The westerners have accounted for Pau, Beziers, Montpellier, Narbonne and Grenoble in recent seasons and now Bradley wants to add another French scalp to their list.

But he expects a tough challenge from the former Heineken Cup champions.

“Brive are a big, solid side and they’ve a couple of players who represented Tonga and Fiji in the World Cup available in their backline.

“It’s going to be a physical challenge, as all the French 14 club sides are.

“That’ll be our first hurdle and if we can match that we’ve the systems in place to create opportunities, then it’s up to us to convert them after that.”

Connacht entertain Spanish side Cetransa El Salvador at the Sportsground on Friday week, before facing back-to-back games with Newcastle Falcons in December. But Bradley prefers to focus on the opener.

“It is vital in a pool situation to concentrate on the next game and not get distracted by other permutations. We know what to expect from a French team. They will be under pressure not to lose at home. That’ll give an edge to the game.

“But our lads know, too, what is required out there, the discipline needed to carve out a result,” said Bradley.