The away day Andrew Browne sensed it was happening for Connacht

Think of Connacht’s remarkable successes this season and one is immediately transported to Galway and the Sportsground. 

The raucous atmosphere generated by an exciting brand of rugby and wholehearted effort on the pitch, matched by the deafening noise from the Clan Terrace has helped Pat Lam’s side defeat a string of visitors en route to Saturday’s Guinness PRO12 final, not least last Saturday’s epic semi-final win over defending champions Glasgow.

Yet, as Lam’s squad leaves for Edinburgh and a date with destiny in the form of provincial rivals Leinster at Murrayfield, it is an away day in Limerick that sparked the moment Connacht lock Andrew Browne sensed something special was brewing from the Westerners.