Euro route now clearer for rampant Connacht

Connacht 50 Oyonnax 14: The road to Bilbao has now become clear for Connacht.

A home quarter-final against Gloucester and if they win that an away semi-final, probably to Newcastle Falcons, is all that stands in their way of an appearance in a first European final.

To get there they will need to break a few trends; they haven’t defeated Gloucester in three European meetings, while a possible semi-final in Newcastle — presuming the Falcons take care of Brive — will see Connacht try to win in England for only the third time in 24 trips. It’s by no means an easy route to a Challenge Cup final, but it is doable.