Although victory against Grenoble today in the return leg of the Challenge Cup is not considered a sure thing, there is a heavy expectation that Connacht will advance to the semi-final stage for the second consecutive year.
Inconsistent in the Celtic League, Connacht have shown their ability to measure the pitch of their performances perfectly against continental opposition and there will be an expectant atmosphere in the Sportsground this afternoon.
It makes the situation dangerous for Michael Bradley's troops, particularly because Grenoble coach Dean Richards probably was not fooling when he stated his belief that his side could yet dislodge the Irish province.
Unlike last season, in which Connacht embarked on a wonderful adventure into the unknown, this situation is slightly new in that it brings an expectation to deliver.
Against the odds and, after just half an hour, a 15 points deficit Connacht had the tactical composure and the self-belief to force a revival and ultimately a victory in a game that may have passed them by.
Rather than preparing for this afternoon's return leg facing the aggregate deficit that many predicted, Connacht are in control of their destiny. Taking a five-point advantage away from Grenoble delivered a significant message to the French team, but it is not sizeable enough for Connacht to just worry about defending it.
One thing that Richards' team demonstrated in the first game was that, if given the invitation, they will score. David Aucagne has the boot to punish ill-discipline. When they saw any chink of light in the Connacht line they exploited, with winger Jean-Victor Bertrand particularly problematic.
The six changes that Richards made for today's game do not necessarily weaken the team, with Aucagne's regular partner Antoine Nicoud returning at scrumhalf.
It may have been that Connacht's initial problems may have been partly down to their absorption in getting their defensive system just right after losing Matt Mostyn and Matt Lacey to injury just before kick-off.
Mostyn was one of five home players who underwent a late fitness test yesterday and returns to the team, replacing Conor McPhillips. Lacey is also back at openside flanker instead of Brendan O'Connor. John O'Sullivan, also returning from injury, has been named on the Connacht bench.
O'Sullivan's availability and the recovery of Lacey and Mostyn bodes well for the home team. Once they came to terms with the rearrangement of personnel last week, Connacht played the entire second half in Grenoble territory.
With James Downey and Ted Robinson enjoying a rich vein of form and Paul Warwick also passing yesterday's fitness test, they have enough players to put up a decent score.
Provided they do not concede cheap penalties for Aucagne to convert, tomorrow should ensure Connacht's European interest stretches to the brighter days of April at least.
CONNACHT: M Mostyn; J Downey, D Yapp, P Warwick, T Robinson; E Elwood, D Tierney; R Hogan, B Jackman, P Bracken, P Myburgh, A Farley, M Swift, J Muldoon, M Lacey. Replacements: J Fogarty, A Clarke, P Myburgh, J O'Sullivan, T Tierney, D Slemen, C McPhillps.
GRENOBLE: N Carmona; P Negre-Gauthier, D Lison, S Houfanga, Bertrand; D Aucagne, A Nicoud; S Cordingley, J Puricelli, G Oliver, K Ghezel, A Fakaongo, R Matinez, JF Martin-Culet, S Rondinelli. Replacements: S Petit, R David, F Faure, P Laurent, Y Authier, M Suarez, R Lubbe.
