Connacht’s love affair with France goes on

Their PRO14 form is dodgy to say the least, but Connacht’s pedigree in the European Challenge Cup is obvious and on Saturday night they took a big step not only towards securing a quarter-final spot, but ensuring that they will enjoy home advantage in the last eight.

The win, in a remarkable game which flowed one way, then went the other, was notable for a number of things.

Brive became the 12th French side Connacht have beaten away from home. Eleven of those wins have been in the Challenge Cup, with that famous Heineken Cup victory over Toulouse in Pat Lam’s first season set to remain one of their greatest milestones.