Connacht look to buck quarters trend

Connacht coach Kieran Keane is happy with his side’s progression in his first season in charge, but admits they need to beat Gloucester on Saturday to have any hope of Champions Cup rugby next season.

Keane’s side have looked unstoppable in the Challenge Cup but fragile in the PRO14 this season, and with their play-off hopes in tatters after recent home defeats to Zebre and Edinburgh, all focus is on winning the European title.

Connacht host Gloucester in the quarter-finals tomorrow, where a win will give them a fourth chance to win a European semi-final, and despite still having a mathematical chance of qualification via the PRO14, all Keane’s eggs are in this basket.