Pat Lam: It’s going to take massive collective effort

A massive litmus test awaits Connacht this evening when they host Leinster at the Galway Sportsground (5.15pm).

Still top of the Guinness Pro12 table with five fixtures remaining, Connacht have an undeniably poor record over their fellow provinces, but no Pro12 fixture has had the same importance as this evening’s top of the table clash at a capacity Sportsground.

“There’s certainly a huge buzz around this game and we’re all really looking forward to it — it doesn’t get much better than playing in front of a sold-out Sportsground,” says Connacht coach Pat Lam. “But we have worked hard to be here and it’s important to understand how we got there.”