Connacht draw Exiles in Challenge Cup
Michael Bradley’s side will also play Italian outfit Rugby Rovigo and either Dax of Albi subject to confirmation from French rugby bosses.
The draw was conducted using the new ERC European Ranking system based on the qualified teams’ performances and participation in the Heineken Cup and knock-out stages of the European Challenge Cup over the past four seasons.
The 20 teams who qualified for the 2008 / 2009 competition were graded into four Tiers of five teams each with Connacht in the second tier.
Connacht CEO Gerry Kelly is happy with Connacht’s draw this season, from both commercial and playing perspectives.
“We are particularly delighted to get London Irish in our pool, and I am sure they will be happy to get us. I believe it will be an attractive fixture for both sides. London Irish would obviously be favourites to top the pool, but we would expect to do well against Rovigo and Dax, so certainly we have a real chance of qualifying this season.”
Having come unstuck for the last two seasons in difficult pools, which included eventual semi-finalists and finalists, there was certain relief in the Connacht camp.
“If you look at pool two with Northampton Saints, Bristol Rugby, Montpellier, Toulon, it is certainly the pool of death, while pool four has three of last year’s teams together once again.
“The new European ranking system has certainly helped us this year — it is certainly the best draw we have had for a couple of seasons and I would be very happy with it from a commercial point of view.”
Connacht have never met either London Irish or Dax in the European campaign, but they did meet Rovigo in 1998/1999 in round four, just edging the contest by 21-20 in Italy.
Meanwhile Ulster back rower Stephen Ferris has signed a three year contract keeping him at Ravenhill until 2011.
Ferris, who has five international caps said: “I’m pleased to commit the next three years of my life to playing for Ulster, it means everything to me to don that white shirt, and it’s a real honour to be part of the team. I’m only 22 and hope to play for Ulster for a long time to come; I really couldn’t see myself playing anywhere else. There is such a fantastic group of lads in the squad and now that it is quite a young squad, we are going to build up a winning team together. Matt Williams has made great changes since taking over and his style of coaching suits me, he makes me want to push myself harder and harder to play well and I know I’ll work hard for him.
“I also have to say that David Humphreys being involved in the management was a big sway for me. David has been a major influence on me in my years at Ulster and talking to him really helped confirm my decision.
“I like the way the team management is going and I am glad that David is involved. Of course the atmosphere at Ravenhill is unbeatable, in my opinion no better place to play European Rugby so it’s great that it’s my home ground for a long time to come.”
European Challenge Cup Pools 2008 / 2009 Pool 1: London Irish, Connacht Rugby, Dax*/Albi*, Rugby Rovigo Pool 2: Northampton Saints, Bristol Rugby, Montpellier, Toulon Pool 3: Bourgoin, Worcester Warriors, Petrarca Rugby, Bucuresti Oaks Pool 4: Newcastle Falcons, Brive, Overmach Rugby Parma, Cetransa El Salvador Pool 5: Saracens, Viadana, Bayonne, Stade Montois Rugby *The participation of Dax*/ Albi* is subject to confirmation from the LNR & FFR.
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