Bernard Jackman’s Grenoble slot late drop goal to reach semis

Grenoble 33 Connacht 32: Heartbreaking, but scintillating. Connacht and Grenoble produced an epic European Challenge Cup quarter-final that upped the profile of this second tier European competition and dazzled the 14,876 fans present on Saturday night.

But at the end of pulsating 80 minutes, ‘Fields of Athenry’ from the huge contingent of Connacht fans was drowned by the relentless drumming from the rapturous home fans — a massive achievement for this proud rugby enclave in the Alps who are forging a future and culture under Bernard Jackman to rival the more illustrious and big-spending French clubs.

Pat Lam would undoubtedly be happy if he had Jackman’s budget, but his young side still produced the tries of the evening. However, Grenoble were not to be outdone either with three tries of their own.