Connacht hope to reap benefit from Munster Amlin bid

IT WILL not just be Munster fans hoping for a victory over London Irish and qualification for the Amlin Challenge Cup today.

Connacht have more than a passing interest in their Irish brothers reaching the Amlin Challenge and going on to win the second-tier trophy because that means the western province qualify for next season’s Heineken Cup.

A Munster success in the May 20 final at Cardiff City Stadium will give the two-time Heineken Cup champions a berth in the premier European competition as Amlin winners rather than as one of Ireland’s three representatives in the draw. That in turn will mean the vacant spot would go to Connacht, putting all four provinces in the tournament.