Connacht can stun Saints, says Browne

CONNACHT can create a shock on Saturday and oust Northampton Saints — that’s according to the Galway man who has played for both of them.

Second row Damien Browne reckons his native Connacht has what it takes to stun a Northampton side where he spent four seasons before moving to Brive at the end of last season.

“Northampton have been very strong at home this year, but it’s a one off cup game and I don’t see why Connacht can’t step up to the mark.

“It is a winner-takes-all at the end of the day and I think if Connacht play to their strengths and play smart, there is no reason why not,” said Browne.

Browne said he spent four great seasons at Northampton and knows how difficult it is for visiting teams to win there.

“But Saints have been broken once this season by Newcastle and with the pressure on Northampton there is no reason why it can’t happen again.

“It really is an amazing atmosphere to play in front of. Northampton have some of, if not the best supporters in England. It’s the best ground I’ve played in, they’ve top class supporters and they get behind the team very early in games and its like they’ve an extra man,” added Browne who is playing a key role as Bive bid for a top four finish in the French championship.

Connacht’s Robbie Morris, Mel Deane, David Gannon and Aidan Wynne have all been called up to the squad as these two sides face each other for the first time since October 1997 in this competition.

CONNACHT (from): L Bibo, A Browne, F Carr, S Cronin, M Deane, G Duffy, A Dunne, A Farley, A Flavin, D Gannon, I Keatley, R Loughney, K Matthews, B McGovern, R Morris, J Muldoon, F Murphy, T Nathan, J O’Connor, R Ofisa, C O’Loughlin, C Rigney, M Swift, N Ta’auso, B Wilkinson, A Wynne.