Connacht face crucial Brive test

Connacht’s European campaign becomes a lot more serious today when they face Brive in a must-win Challenge Cup fixture in France tonight.

Connacht lead pool one with 13 points, but with Brive and Newcastle just two points behind, the pool is very much up for grabs. Win, and Connacht are likely pool winners —with the game at home to Enisei the following weekend. Lose at Stade Amedee-Domenech, and even a runners-up spot is doubtful.

“A home quarter-final is the goal we set at the start of the season, said coach Pat Lam.

“If we don’t win this match, then it’s going to be hard to get through. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but it’s a simple equation, and we are pretty much in knock-out rugby now.

“Brive have only been beaten at home once this season, so we know it’s going to be another tough assignment on the road.”

Lam has named a strong squad with 10 changes in the starting XV from the Scarlets fixture due to the “short turnaround” following their Pro 12 defeat to Scarlets.

In the backs, Danie Poolman returns from injury to start on the right wing, and Rory Parata comes into the centre for the injured Craig Ronaldson with Bundee Aki moving to 12. AJ McGinty will make his third start, taking over from out-half Jack Carty, and scrum-half Ian Porter replaces the injured Kieran Marmion.

Lam has named a new front row of Ronan Loughney, Jason-Harris-Wright, and Rodney Ah You. Aly Muldowney returns to the second row with Ultan Dillane, while John Muldoon will lead the back row that boasts youngsters James Connolly and Sean O’Brien.

Crucially, the bench is not lacking in experience, with Tom McCartney, Denis Buckley and Finlay Bealham joining George Naoupu and Eoghan Masterson.

Connacht overcame Brive at the Sportsground 21-17 after a bruising encounter.

Brive currently sit seventh in the Top 14 - just six points behind leaders Racing 92, Toulouse and Clermont Auvernge - which is testament to the season they are enjoying.

“Brive are going really well,” says Lam. “They are a massive team, probably the biggest we have played all year, but we are embracing the challenge. We know if we win, the outcome will get us closer to qualification, and there is a big question mark if we don’t.”