The day Connacht announced they belong in the big time

HISTORY IN THE MAKING: Tiernan O’Halloran is congratulated by team-mate Bundee Aki, right, after scoring Connacht’s opening try against Leinster in the 2016 Guinness PRO12 final at Murrayfield. The IRFU had considered disbanding the team 13 years previously. Picture: INPHO/James Crombie

It is telling to look back at Andrew Browne’s post-match quotes after Connacht had upset the odds in remarkable fashion at Murrayfield that sunny evening in Edinburgh, just how quickly the commitment had been in the westerners’ dressing room to drive on from the first piece of silverware in 131 years.

On this day four years ago, Pat Lam’s side had turned the provincial pecking order on its head to defeat four-time champions and strong favourites Leinster and win the Guinness PRO12 grand final by 10 points.