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.