Boost for Connacht as Aki and Bealham back for Lam's return to Sportsground

Connacht still have an outside chance of making it into the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup but for the most part Friday’s game will be trying to end an eight-match losing run in Europe’s premier competition.

Aki before the Investec Champions Cup Pool 1 Round 3 match between Lyon and Connacht.

Connacht are boosted by the return of World Cup players Bundee Aki and Finlay Bealham for their final Champions Cup pool game when Pat Lam brings his Bristol Bears side to the Sportsground on Friday night.

Connacht still have an outside chance of making it into the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup — indeed, a bizarre series of results could still see them snatch a place in the last 16 of the Champions Cup — but for the most part Friday’s game will be trying to end an eight-match losing run in Europe’s premier competition.