Kelly’s joy as ‘aristocrats’ Toulouse face Connacht

CONNACHT chief executive Gerry Kelly believes Toulouse are the most glamorous side in Europe and has predicted that playing the French side in the Heineken Cup will encourage a whole generation of Galway youngsters to take up rugby.

Connacht’s first appearance in the competition has seen them drawn in a group against the reigning French champions, who have won the Heineken Cup four times, as well as English sides Harlequins and Gloucester.

It represents an astonishingly tough task for Connacht, who finished ninth in last season’s Magners League but qualified for the Heineken Cup thanks to Leinster’s victory in last month’s final.