European Challenge Cup:It's a simple equation in which a victory for Connacht will allow them to progress to the knock-out stages of the European Challenge Cup.
The actual dynamic of achieving that is likely to be considerably more fraught against a Brive side whose season is littered with decent performances against big-name opposition.
The consolation for Connacht coach Michael Bradley and his charges is the French club haven't come out on the right side of any of those closer encounters. They have won just a single game so far this season in the French Championship - against fellow strugglers Dax - but it should be noted they have run both Biarritz and Perpignan close.
They proved doughty opponents in their two games against Newcastle in Europe, losing narrowly on both occasions, and in the opening match of the campaign beat Connacht 15-6 in France. The match was dominated by the respective boots of Brive's Italian international outhalf Luciano Orquera and his Connacht counterpart, Tim Donnelly, with the former kicking five penalties against two for the Australian.
Interestingly, neither make their respective starting line-ups, while in the case of the Italian, he doesn't make the journey to Ireland.
Brive won't have former England internationals Ben Cohen and Steve Thompson in the match squad but there is a place at fullback for ex-Llanelli Scarlets and Wales fullback Barry Davies.
Bradley has elected to make three alterations to the Connacht team that beat Spanish minnows Cetransa El Salvador 60-0 last Sunday. Matt Mostyn has recovered from a hamstring injury and is named on the right wing, Adrian Flavin is the preferred choice at hooker, while Johnny O'Connor returns to the backrow in a week in which he was recalled to the Ireland squad.
The Connacht coach is well aware Brive's results, taken at face value, could be misleading: "There is a big battle but at least we can now control our destiny. Brive are not getting the reward their performances deserve this season but we know they are formidable and probably should have won in Newcastle.
"But we have done well at the Sportsground this season and having a big vocal crowd behind us will give us an edge. It should be a great occasion. It is an exciting climax to our campaign at the group stages and it would be another special night in the Sportsground if we could get the home victory."
The French side are equally determined, with flanker Jerome Bonvoisin pointing out their performances away from home have been much better. "We are capable of getting the win at Connacht. We have a much stronger away record this season, running Newcastle close and a massive win for us at Dax. Having played against Connacht already, I know that they are going to be a tough side to beat.
"They are a well organised, rigorous and physical side. They have what we would call the English style of play - very physical, well-organised defence and not easily disrupted. I think the weather conditions will be pretty much like ours against Newcastle - although perhaps not quite as wet!
"Regardless of whether a team is full of stars or players who are less well-known, the key is the team spirit and their ability to work together. We have a talented squad at Brive and everyone is working together. There is no reason why this team shouldn't make it to the final stages of this tournament."
The weather conditions could have a major bearing on the style of game, with a traditional Galway rugby night at the Sportsground a tough ask for all but the most committed of visitors. Connacht will look to hit their gain lines, vary the approach between Andy Dunne's boot and a ball-in-hand approach and look to be aggressive and disciplined defensively.
Victory is well within the Connacht's compass: starting quickly would simplify the task.
CONNACHT:G Duffy; M Mostyn, D Riordan, M Deane, A Wynne; A Dunne, C O'Loughlin; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Morris; M Swift, A Farley (capt); M McCarthy, J O'Connor, C Rigney. Replacements: J Fogarty, R Loughney, D Gannon, R Ofisa, C McPhillips, T Donnelly, L Bibo.
BRIVE:B Davies; F Sid, R Cooke, S Hufanga, N le Roux; M Petitjean, G Mahe, P Toderasc, JP Bonrepaux, P Capdevielle; B Mika, C van Rensburg, A Manta, J Bonvoisin, S Azoulai (capt). Replacements: J Djoudi, A Bordoy, F Domingo, V Forgues, D Neveu, B Dambielle, N Ligairi.
Referee:P Allen (Scotland).
Results so far:Connacht - lost to Brive (a) 15-6; bt El Salvador (h) 75-8; bt Newcastle (h) 16-13; lost to Newcastle (a) 39-0. Brive - bt Connacht (h) 15-6; lost to Newcastle (a) 25-19; bt El Salvador (h) 71-0; bt El Salvador (a) 40-8; lost to Newcastle (h) 19-12.
Verdict:Connacht to win.
Pool Three
P W D L T F A TB LB Pts
Newcastle 5 4 0 1 19 167 57 2 1 19
Brive 5 3 0 2 18 157 58 2 2 16
Connacht 5 3 0 2 23 157 75 2 0 14
El Salvador 5 0 0 5 3 26 317 0 0 0
Results to date
Brive 15, Connacht 6; El Salvador 10, Newcastle 71; Falcons 25, Brive 19; Connacht 75, El Salvador 8; Connacht 16, Newcastle 13; Brive 71, El Salvador 0; El Salvador 8, Brive 40; Newcastle 39, Connacht 0; El Salvador 0; Connacht 60; Brive 12, Newcastle 19.
Remaining fixtures
Tonight:Connacht v Brive. January 20th: Newcastle v El Salvador.
Connacht v Brive
Venue:Sportsground
Kick-off:6.30
