'Everything went like clockwork': Connacht daytrips take the pain out of PRO14 journeys

Getting from Galway, which no longer has a passenger airport, to any of the teams abroad has always been a bit of an ordeal. John Fallon finds out how the province is adapting to travel during a pandemic

Connacht have had to use an out and back charter to get to games abroad. It’s a big cost but Tim Allnutt, Head of Rugby Operations, said they will continue to do the day trips as much as they possibly can.

In order to fully appreciate Connacht’s first ever day-trip to a match abroad, it’s probably necessary to look at the arrangements they had put in place before Covid-19 restrictions saw the switch to an out-and-back charter which most teams in the PRO14 are going to use this season until the pandemic passes.

Getting from Galway, which no longer has a passenger airport, to any of the teams abroad has always been a bit of an ordeal and while the motorway to Dublin has provided some relief, trips to the UK can still mean four nights away.