Fired-up Connacht renew Harlequins rivalry

OLD rivals and former colleagues clash in tomorrow’s Amlin Challenge Cup when Harlequins host Connacht at the Twickenham Stoop.

Connacht coach Eric Elwood will renew acquaintances with e- international team-mate Conor O’Shea and former Galwegians coach John Kingston, key figures in the Quins’ backroom.

The sides have met in two previous European tournaments with Harlequins prevailing on both occasions.

Connacht’s Gavin Duffy was with Harlequins when they qualified over two legs by a +4 points difference in the 2003/04 campaign before they went on to win the cup, while the Londoners also had back-to-back wins in 2006/07.

Elwood admitted: “It will be a test. We have met them a few times in this tournament so we know each other pretty well.”

Pool One is the tightest group in this year’s Challenge Cup with the four teams each having posted one victory.

Connacht have made qualification for the knock out stages difficult after a surprising loss to Italian side Cavalieri Estra on the opening weekend. However, Elwood believes his team can advance.

“We are seeing this as an opportunity. It’s a great opportunity in a European competition to put down a marker — that is our intention.”

Elwood has been boosted by the return of Fionn Carr, the tournament’s second-leading try scorer this season, while Ian Keatley has recovered from a calf injury and will slot into the centre alongside Keith Matthews.

Sean Cronin also returns from Ireland duty in an otherwise unchanged pack from that which started against Edinburgh.

Johnny O’Connor, who celebrates his 100th cap for Connacht, is joined by Andrew Browne and captain John Muldoon the back row, with Mike McCarthy and Michael Swift in the second row.

Harlequins lie eighth in the Aviva Premiership with three wins from 10.

While Connacht’s preparations have been limited as a result of the weather and injuries, Harlequins were in action last weekend, losing 24-16 at Vicarage Road.

They will line out on Sunday with six internationals starting, including New Zealand’s Nick Evans in the pivotal outhalf position, and Argentinian winger Gonzalo Comacho, who returns from Autumn international duty.