Connacht turn eyes to new year tests

Newcastle Falcons 29 Connacht 5: Without 19 European squad members and fielding a host of Academy players, injury hit Connacht were swept aside by Newcastle in Kingston Park last evening.

Connacht still top Pool One but the English outfit and Brive have closed the gap to ensure the westerners cannot afford any slip ups in the New Year.

“It is still in our control,” says coach Pat Lam, ” and we knew that going into this game.